Marathon Details - Silver State Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > NV > Reno/ Carson City > Silver State Marathon

Silver State Marathon & Half-Marathon, 10k Run, 10k Walk

Reno/ Carson City, NV USA

August 20, 2006

http://www.silverstatestriders.com

More Info:	News
Results:	2006 \| 2005 \| 2004 \| 2003 \| 2002 \| 2001 \| 2000 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Lon Monroe
Address:	Silver State Marathon PO Box 21171 Reno, NV 89515
Phone Number:	(775) 851-8369
Email:	Email the organizers



Become a Verified Race, and stand out from the crowd. We feature a blue check next to verified races on our calendar, and feature your race on the Verified Races section of the website.	Get Verified Now



Getting ready for this event? Get a personalized adaptive training plan and 1:1 coach assistance.	Get Your Plan

Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 2.6

Write a review

Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (8/24/2006) "Familiarize Yourself with the Course In Advance" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 One of the more confusing aspects of the course is the lack of more prominent markings. Several intersections I observed were not clearly marked, and there were no course monitors. I looked for the footprints in the sand. It's especially important to know the course for this marathon, because runners spread out. The full marathon is the smallest event (just over 100 runners, vs. more than double that in the half-marathon). There was also a 10-kilometer event, and naturally the largest percentage of entrants were in the two shorter races, since we all received the exact same finishers award. The "medal" is actually a bronze Silver State coin encased in plastic draped by a (state flag) colored blue and silver ribbon. It is no longer produced in the Carson City Mint, as was the coin I received when I ran the event in 1999. (I am told the finisher's coins with the "CC" mark are now collector's items....) My request to the organizers would be to consider somehow denoting the finisher's awards separately, even if the half marathon and 10K were one coin, and the marathon another. There is a great barbeque afterward with burgers, hotdogs, baked beans, beer and so on, and the shirt was a nice multi-colored long-sleeve.
T. P. from Mpls., MN USA metro area (8/23/2006) "Well-Run Marathon, Course With Some Quirks" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The people make this a wonderful small marathon. Pre-event questions about the race were answered promptly, the atmosphere was welcoming and laidback, and even the fire station next to the park had an open house. Yes, this is probably not a PR course because of the altitude and sandy sections (under 5 miles total), but it is a relatively flat course. The essentials (parking, mile markers, course markings, etc.) are covered. I concur with other reviewers the convoluted section from miles 13.5-15 was borderline annoying, but I was able to follow the markings easily and was grateful such an area didn't come later. The organizers might want to consider having a chip mat at this area's turnaround. For those wanting specifics about the sand/trail sections, here's an edited race-staff reply to the question I asked: "From about mile 5.2 to 6 the course follows a (well-maintained) gravel road. (F)rom 6.0 to 6.8 the course follows a vehicle/equestrian pathway that is sandy (with) some short sections... similar to beach sand. At mile 6.8 the course gets back onto paved neighborhood streets. Then at about mile 11.3 the course leaves the paved streets. In this section the course also follows an unimproved dirt/sand road. This section is somewhat easier to run than the section (from) 6.0-6.8 as the sand/silt soil is usually a little harder. This section of the race course takes you past the 1/2 marathon point and exits into a state park campground at mile 13.3. In the campground there are a couple of short sections about 100 to 200 yards long where you are diverted through the sagebrush on campground pathways. "(A)t mile 23 the course (enters) a ranchers access road that divides two alfalfa fields. This road, while being a little sandy, is mostly downhill. This pathway exits onto a paved road just before the 24-mile mark."
robert hawks from las vegas, nv. (8/23/2006) "small and intimate, beautiful and challenging" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Pros: Quiet, small crowds, beautiful course, good support, enough porta-potties. Cons: Deep sand for what seemed like several miles, running alongside the freeway with traffic at your back, steep hills and hot sun (good course for someone who likes to run trails and enjoys small crowds and a tough course). I probably would not run this one again but it was a very good experience and I would recommend it for someone who wants to get away from corporate commerical races. Goodie bag a big disappointment as well as the race shirt. Low budget, which is both good and bad, depending on how you look at it.
S. S. from Columbia, Maryland (8/27/2005) "Spectacular scenery, a 'small wonder'!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Beautiful run that shows off the magnificent Nevada scenery; a refreshing alternative to the yet-another-big-city marathons! Not a PR course, but a run to savor! The race website provided accurate warning about the heat, elevation, and sand. The clean, dry air was a welcome relief from city exhaust and humidity for many of us! The sand: you either loved it or hated it - slowed things down a bit, but easy on the feet. Bus from the host hotel to the start was a great way to meet other out-of-state runners. Well-marked course, enthusiastic supporters at 14 aid stations, and many wonderful, friendly volunteers who expertly handled registration and the relaxing post-race picnic. Many thinks to the excellent race director who called me long distance to answer my questions! Great idea to merge the half-marathon at mile 20; in a small marathon, it's nice to have people to run with in the last 6 miles!
M. S. from Fort Worth, TX (8/25/2005) "Race was not well planned" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First the good: Great weather, 6 AM start was early but perfect for the warm weather by 9 AM, and the scenery was outstanding. However, the course was poorly laid out and went through sage and too much sand. At times the course was not well marked and since there were few runners, I was often wondering if I was actually on the course! The course was routed onto a highway with no traffic cones and the traffic was buzzing by within inches! At least the course could have been routed to the left side of the road to run facing traffic. No food along the way except a few Gu packs. Overall, not my favorite.
j. m. from chapel Hill, North Carolina (8/24/2005) "Great race, even if it was my slowest!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I went to Nevada totally under-trained to run this race. However, I had a fabulous time. The race director did a great job and the volunteers were friendly and encouraging. Yes, there was sand, and I HATE trail running. I was expecting it and just slogged through carefully. It bills itself as the most beautiful race in Northern Nevada and lives up to it. A great celebration afterwards with lots of good food and friendly people.
G. M. from Seattle (8/23/2005) "fun in the sun" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First half pleasantly cool in the early morning shadows. A good time to get the couple miles of modestly sandy running behind you. Then the 2nd half... The dreaded sun now rising over the mountains and cooking the blacktop. A brutal combination coupled with no breeze. By the hill at 21 miles it was stifling, turning this into a survival run for this cool weather runner. Be prepared for potential heat. The high was about 93 in Reno, and the prior day, not a lot cooler at the race site. Small friendly race and well organized with good food and free massages at the finish. Few spectators, which is expected in a race with just 100 runners. Lots of crusty old hardcore runners in this one. The elevation and heat were the biggest challenges that certainly tacked on the minutes to everyone's time.
Steve Hughes from Chicago, IL (8/22/2005) "Great job, SSM" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you don't enjoy trail running, look elsewhere for a marathon. Personally, I enjoy running across rolling hills, sandy paths and horse trails. Of course, where you have horse trails, you have horses... But that adds character to a run. So does the 5,000-ft. elevation. There were 14 aid stations and more support per runner than I have seen in any other marathon. Even on the trails, the course was clearly marked. The post-race picnic was wonderful and well-managed. Everyone connected with the race was friendly. The race director and volunteers were very runner-oriented. The surrounding mountains are magnificent.
K. M. from Visalia CA (8/21/2005) "Once Again, This is a Winner" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of the best races in the West. It is small, friendly and enjoyable. Comments from others will undoubtedly mention sand and hills, but this is a marathon and it is a challenge. The expo is perfect, only check-in and no hype and noise. The picnic is perfect in a cool spot over looking the lake you just conquered. Picnic tables and grass make for a great post-race gathering. This is my second and not my last time to drive 7 hours to Reno for this race.
Donald Fritsche from San Leandro, California (8/8/2005) "Small, Quiet & Wonderful" (General Comments) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hello! It's me again! The 2005 Silver State Marathon will be the 5th time I'll run this race. I did run it in 2003 and, as usual, loved it. After running so many urban marathons, it's nice to be at one with one's own thoughts. I do my best thinking while running. Although spectators are few and far between, the ones who do show up are friendly and supportive. I think this is a great small, rural marathon. I'm a slow marathoner anyway, so the course doesn't really matter to me unless it's super hilly, which this course is not. The sand can be bothersome to those who run strictly on asphalt and concrete. A wonderful marathon for the first-timer or the seasoned marathoner, such as myself. I highly recommend this race.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (8/24/2006) "Familiarize Yourself with the Course In Advance" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 One of the more confusing aspects of the course is the lack of more prominent markings. Several intersections I observed were not clearly marked, and there were no course monitors. I looked for the footprints in the sand. It's especially important to know the course for this marathon, because runners spread out. The full marathon is the smallest event (just over 100 runners, vs. more than double that in the half-marathon). There was also a 10-kilometer event, and naturally the largest percentage of entrants were in the two shorter races, since we all received the exact same finishers award. The "medal" is actually a bronze Silver State coin encased in plastic draped by a (state flag) colored blue and silver ribbon. It is no longer produced in the Carson City Mint, as was the coin I received when I ran the event in 1999. (I am told the finisher's coins with the "CC" mark are now collector's items....) My request to the organizers would be to consider somehow denoting the finisher's awards separately, even if the half marathon and 10K were one coin, and the marathon another. There is a great barbeque afterward with burgers, hotdogs, baked beans, beer and so on, and the shirt was a nice multi-colored long-sleeve.
T. P. from Mpls., MN USA metro area (8/23/2006) "Well-Run Marathon, Course With Some Quirks" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The people make this a wonderful small marathon. Pre-event questions about the race were answered promptly, the atmosphere was welcoming and laidback, and even the fire station next to the park had an open house. Yes, this is probably not a PR course because of the altitude and sandy sections (under 5 miles total), but it is a relatively flat course. The essentials (parking, mile markers, course markings, etc.) are covered. I concur with other reviewers the convoluted section from miles 13.5-15 was borderline annoying, but I was able to follow the markings easily and was grateful such an area didn't come later. The organizers might want to consider having a chip mat at this area's turnaround. For those wanting specifics about the sand/trail sections, here's an edited race-staff reply to the question I asked: "From about mile 5.2 to 6 the course follows a (well-maintained) gravel road. (F)rom 6.0 to 6.8 the course follows a vehicle/equestrian pathway that is sandy (with) some short sections... similar to beach sand. At mile 6.8 the course gets back onto paved neighborhood streets. Then at about mile 11.3 the course leaves the paved streets. In this section the course also follows an unimproved dirt/sand road. This section is somewhat easier to run than the section (from) 6.0-6.8 as the sand/silt soil is usually a little harder. This section of the race course takes you past the 1/2 marathon point and exits into a state park campground at mile 13.3. In the campground there are a couple of short sections about 100 to 200 yards long where you are diverted through the sagebrush on campground pathways. "(A)t mile 23 the course (enters) a ranchers access road that divides two alfalfa fields. This road, while being a little sandy, is mostly downhill. This pathway exits onto a paved road just before the 24-mile mark."
robert hawks from las vegas, nv. (8/23/2006) "small and intimate, beautiful and challenging" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Pros: Quiet, small crowds, beautiful course, good support, enough porta-potties. Cons: Deep sand for what seemed like several miles, running alongside the freeway with traffic at your back, steep hills and hot sun (good course for someone who likes to run trails and enjoys small crowds and a tough course). I probably would not run this one again but it was a very good experience and I would recommend it for someone who wants to get away from corporate commerical races. Goodie bag a big disappointment as well as the race shirt. Low budget, which is both good and bad, depending on how you look at it.
S. S. from Columbia, Maryland (8/27/2005) "Spectacular scenery, a 'small wonder'!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Beautiful run that shows off the magnificent Nevada scenery; a refreshing alternative to the yet-another-big-city marathons! Not a PR course, but a run to savor! The race website provided accurate warning about the heat, elevation, and sand. The clean, dry air was a welcome relief from city exhaust and humidity for many of us! The sand: you either loved it or hated it - slowed things down a bit, but easy on the feet. Bus from the host hotel to the start was a great way to meet other out-of-state runners. Well-marked course, enthusiastic supporters at 14 aid stations, and many wonderful, friendly volunteers who expertly handled registration and the relaxing post-race picnic. Many thinks to the excellent race director who called me long distance to answer my questions! Great idea to merge the half-marathon at mile 20; in a small marathon, it's nice to have people to run with in the last 6 miles!
M. S. from Fort Worth, TX (8/25/2005) "Race was not well planned" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First the good: Great weather, 6 AM start was early but perfect for the warm weather by 9 AM, and the scenery was outstanding. However, the course was poorly laid out and went through sage and too much sand. At times the course was not well marked and since there were few runners, I was often wondering if I was actually on the course! The course was routed onto a highway with no traffic cones and the traffic was buzzing by within inches! At least the course could have been routed to the left side of the road to run facing traffic. No food along the way except a few Gu packs. Overall, not my favorite.
j. m. from chapel Hill, North Carolina (8/24/2005) "Great race, even if it was my slowest!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I went to Nevada totally under-trained to run this race. However, I had a fabulous time. The race director did a great job and the volunteers were friendly and encouraging. Yes, there was sand, and I HATE trail running. I was expecting it and just slogged through carefully. It bills itself as the most beautiful race in Northern Nevada and lives up to it. A great celebration afterwards with lots of good food and friendly people.
G. M. from Seattle (8/23/2005) "fun in the sun" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Silver State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First half pleasantly cool in the early morning shadows. A good time to get the couple miles of modestly sandy running behind you. Then the 2nd half... The dreaded sun now rising over the mountains and cooking the blacktop. A brutal combination coupled with no breeze. By the hill at 21 miles it was stifling, turning this into a survival run for this cool weather runner. Be prepared for potential heat. The high was about 93 in Reno, and the prior day, not a lot cooler at the race site. Small friendly race and well organized with good food and free massages at the finish. Few spectators, which is expected in a race with just 100 runners. Lots of crusty old hardcore runners in this one. The elevation and heat were the biggest challenges that certainly tacked on the minutes to everyone's time.
Steve Hughes from Chicago, IL (8/22/2005) "Great job, SSM" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you don't enjoy trail running, look elsewhere for a marathon. Personally, I enjoy running across rolling hills, sandy paths and horse trails. Of course, where you have horse trails, you have horses... But that adds character to a run. So does the 5,000-ft. elevation. There were 14 aid stations and more support per runner than I have seen in any other marathon. Even on the trails, the course was clearly marked. The post-race picnic was wonderful and well-managed. Everyone connected with the race was friendly. The race director and volunteers were very runner-oriented. The surrounding mountains are magnificent.
K. M. from Visalia CA (8/21/2005) "Once Again, This is a Winner" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of the best races in the West. It is small, friendly and enjoyable. Comments from others will undoubtedly mention sand and hills, but this is a marathon and it is a challenge. The expo is perfect, only check-in and no hype and noise. The picnic is perfect in a cool spot over looking the lake you just conquered. Picnic tables and grass make for a great post-race gathering. This is my second and not my last time to drive 7 hours to Reno for this race.
Donald Fritsche from San Leandro, California (8/8/2005) "Small, Quiet & Wonderful" (General Comments) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Silver State Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hello! It's me again! The 2005 Silver State Marathon will be the 5th time I'll run this race. I did run it in 2003 and, as usual, loved it. After running so many urban marathons, it's nice to be at one with one's own thoughts. I do my best thinking while running. Although spectators are few and far between, the ones who do show up are friendly and supportive. I think this is a great small, rural marathon. I'm a slow marathoner anyway, so the course doesn't really matter to me unless it's super hilly, which this course is not. The sand can be bothersome to those who run strictly on asphalt and concrete. A wonderful marathon for the first-timer or the seasoned marathoner, such as myself. I highly recommend this race.

Become a better runner

Marathon Details - Silver State Marathon