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Marathon Details - Honker's Motivational Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CA > Anaheim > Honker's Motivational Marathon

Honker's Motivational Marathon & 20 Mile, Half Marathon, 5K

location icon Anaheim, CA USA    calendar icon  January 15, 2017    calendar icon http://www.honkersmarathon.com




Name: Kane Events, LLC
Address: 5377 Mountain View Avenue
Phone Number:  714-777-8092
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 24 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

 

Eddie Hahn from Crestline California (3/12/2014)
"Classy Event" (about: 2014)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


I enjoy adding marathons I haven't done before in my home state of California-and this regional event is a charm. A half marathon is also included. Rather than cause issues, as I have witnessed occur in many on my 164 marathons which were conjoined events, the two events seemed harmonious. In fact the half served to benefit me as I paced with both groups during the first half of the full marathon. Double out and out and back wish bone loop on a bike path past 'Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim' Stadium! The dirty canal ('river') along the bike path isn't particularly aesthetic-but as full marathoners, much better views awaited us on the second half where we passed over a rustic footbridge, parks, cleaner waters, falls, and many water foul including the famed honking migrating geese the race is known for..(Well off in the Western horizon one of the California interstates can be seen but it was so far off it was an anomaly.) In fact i observed a sign indicating we were on a national historic trail. Shared path with bicyclists but all were kind, offered support, and told me where I was in relation to runners on course. Because the course is open, there isn't a strictly enforced cut off time. Almost entirely flat except slight sections of short hills in the 3rd quarter of the event. Very conducive to a fast performance if you are prepared. Beautiful themed ribbon draped medal, motivated announcer and a decent amount of post race food. One small gripe is that a volunteer suggested the post race pizza was only for volunteers and not for runners. The race director told me later this was misinformation. Nice long sleeve technical collared zippered logo'd shirt! I am wearing it as I write. Regular social media race day updates as the event approached, and a drop off point for retired running/shoes to be distributed to the needy.
 

G. B. from San Diego, CA (2/27/2014)
"Very well run; Average course; Nice Medal" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Have run 20+ marathons. Was pleasantly surprised how well this one was organized. Easy day-of-race bib pickup, and good runner handling. Free morning coffee nice too! Course was average, just run along the river, but this is Orange County, what do you expect? Save some energy for the hills at the end! Very little crowd or spectator support, but the organizers did their best to make up for that. Medal was unbelievably huge and well made; the finishers jacket is also runner-pleasing (half-zip!). Lots of age-group finisher medals too - can't believe I won my AG! Nice job, Honkers Team..
 

R. G. from Southern California (2/4/2014)
"Second consecutive great event" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Honker's Motivational Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


After running in the inaugural event in 2013, which got rave reviews on this site, I saw registration grow for 2014. I wondered if success would spoil the Honker's Motivational Marathon. Not a chance.

Thank you for a second wonderful marathon experience. Great communication. Flawless organization. Easy parking and packet pick up. Supportive volunteers. I would start taking it all for granted if I didn't run other races. I'm not going to repeat my comments from last year. I just want to point out that they did lots of small things right. Take the shirt as an example. If you're like me, you get tired of wearing shirts plastered with ads. I have one shirt with a 'Mattress Discounters' logo on the front. I am supposed to wear that in public? I don't need a 'Going Out of Business Sale' from the local Oriental rug dealer obscuring the race logo. The Honker's shirt was an attractive long sleeve quarter zip with absolutely no advertising whatsoever. Just the race logo. The medal was one of the largest this side of Little Rock. Also with no sponsorship logo on the medal or ribbon. Course support was great, with lots of fluids, gels and encouraging volunteers. (Apparently, I look great 23 miles into a run!)

They do the big things right too. The charity they support serves foster children that get spit out by the system at age 18, and helps them get a college education. How nice it is to support a deserving group of young adults that receive little or no attention, and have no family to stand up for them. I hope this race helps them along their way.

Finally, I have to say that great organization is not just about efficiency. Somehow, the organizers of this race make clear that they care about the runners, and you feel like you are part of a family. That attitude permeates the event, and the runners treat each other like they are part of a community.

I don't know what they could do to make it better next year. Maybe make the out and back course run downhill in both directions? Thanks again.
 

M. C. from Perth Western Australia (2/3/2014)
"Awesome organised race" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


It was my first trip to the US and Honkers Marathon was my first race in the US too! I ran the half marathon just to add a US medal to my running collection. All my friends were in awe of the beautiful medal - the design is definitely the best I ever had! Loved the runner's shirt. Great water-stops and gels at all the right places. Met a couple of inspiring runners along the way. I couldn't believe the food and coffee provided at the end of the race! Well done Pam! Cheers Monica, Perth, Western Australia
 

W. B. from CA (1/21/2014)
"Wonderful Marathon and Experience!" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It's hard to imagine a better marathon with a great community spirit! Sometimes when you think outside of big city marathons, you think of less than ideal organization and planning. Not with Honkers! The race coordinator and her volunteers have everything planned and organized and there is not a detail overlooked  from the bib pick up, scheduling, course markings, nutrition, post-race, etc. The medal is amazing and the shirt was a nice zip up. I read about this race last year on MarathonGuide.com and, even though I have never commented on a marathon on this site, I have to provide my feedback. Now that I have experienced for myself what everybody was so excited about last year, I know first hand This is a marathon that is run with a marathoners wish list in mind from start to finish. Beyond the pleasant and peaceful course and everything else, what may be the best part of this event is the friendliness and helpfulness of the volunteers who are so encouraging everywhere you go. Bravo Honkers Marathon for a job well done! Thank you.
 

C. D. from Redlands, Ca. (1/20/2014)
"Great charity exceptional race director and staff" (about: 2014)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Great small race. Pam is a runner who knows how to put on a race and attract staff and volunteers whom reflect her dedication to the sport and the charity. I ran half marathon. Other race directors need to learn from Pam about putting on a race!!!
 

h. c. from Yorba Linda, CA (1/15/2014)
"A Hidden Gem" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Looking for a flat fast course with great support and small field? Look no further then Honkers Motivational Marathon. Great organization and on course support was provided. The Santa Ana riverbed course quickly opens up after a crowded start. The majority of runners are doing the half and 5K, there were only 147 full marathon finishers. Easy parking, expo and starting line. This is a great alternative to the Surf City marathon. Highly recommended, will run it next year.
 

Chris Park from Chino Hills, CA, USA (1/14/2014)
"Best marathon experience so far" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 20th marathon and by far, the best race experience. Less than 200 full marathoners, but support and organization like none other. Flat course along the Santa Ana River Trail with plenty of support stations. Optional 5am start was also big plus for those who has things do to on Sunday afternoon. And the medal - largest medal in my collection to date.
 

S. G. from Texas (1/14/2014)
"Well-organized race with AWESOME medal!!" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The race organizer did a FANTASTIC job organizing this race. She is friendly, supportive, encouraging and approachable. The race volunteers were also friendly and super helpful. The medal is one of the BEST I have ever received, and this was a relatively small race! I was shocked! The registration and surrounding lodging options are affordable and easy to get to from LAX. The trail is nicely paved and relatively flat, with a few challenging hills between miles 18 and 22. It's an out and back course, which I typically do not prefer, but it was one of the best structured out and backs I have ever done. The start/finish lines were in the middle of the course. The overall and age group awards were suberb and very high quality. I was very impressed with this race and would encourage anyone who is looking for a smaller racing event in CA to do this marathon.
 

K. H. from Los Angeles ca (1/14/2014)
"Overall a good race" (about: 2014)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Honker's Motivational Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


It is a nicely organized race, as what they advertised, race created by runners for runners.
The first half course was not bad, just full ups and downs under the bridges along the river. Aid stations every mile with super nice volunteers, love their EnduroMax, much better than electrolyte and is very tasty!
The second half is more scenic but got to save some legs for the few hills at the end.
The medals are huge and nicely made! Love the race shirt with the half zipper. I drove down to their host hotel to pick up the packet on Sat which I could have saved the trip as it was so easy to do race day pickup.
Parking was easy and tons of spaces available. So easy you can just park, walk over and start the race.
I would do the race again!
 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

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