calendar icon May 19, 2024

Marathon Details - Western Hemisphere Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CA > Culver City > Western Hemisphere Marathon

Western Hemisphere Marathon & Relay, Half-Marathon, 5K

location icon Culver City, CA USA    calendar icon  December 7, 2003 - CANCELLED    calendar icon http://www.whmarathon.active.com




Name:
Address: 1129 Cardiff Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone Number:  310-390-0988
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 2.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 2.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 14 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

 

Bill Entz from Los Angeles (3/23/2008)
"I've always liked it" (about: 1999)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Western Hemisphere Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I actually like the course. I didn't like it so much when it was four laps around Culver City in 1978 and got the worst running injury of my life, so I consider the other way a good improvement. I have run several good races here. The excitement of the start keeps the focus away from the lack of scenery at the start. It's really nice to run several miles and back next to the ocean. I never did like the stretch from 15 to 20 miles, but the anticipation of the finish makes the last 6 miles ok. A lot of great memories for me and I'm sad to see it go.
 

David Combs from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (2/20/2006)
"Personal Best" (General Comments)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Western Hemisphere Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


My best finish ever! I placed in the top 10 in 1996 and have loved this marathon ever since. I've lived in Florida for the past 10 years, so I was unaware that the the race had been cancelled. Too bad, as it was a nice small marathon. For the folks that think this race was a boring course or poorly organized... go run the Tupelo (MS) Marathon and you'll appreciate WHM.
 

J. B. from Brentwood, TN (3/15/2005)
"I'd like to see it return." (General Comments)

3 previous marathons | 1 Western Hemisphere Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


My high score reflects the fact that in 1966 this was one of only two marathons in existence on the West Coast, therefore it was one of the best. With it no longer run, I will never be able to beat my time there. It is too bad Culver City couldn't keep up the event that helped start it all.
 

D. C. from Riverside, California (10/15/2003)
"What Happened?" (General Comments)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


When I ran this race twice in the early 1990's. It was a small and well organized marathon with a long history. Maybe they tried to do too much with it. It is too bad it has been cancelled.
 

S. S. from Culver City, CA (3/3/2003)
"You may want to pass on this." (about: 2001)


COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 1


I love Culver City and in 2001 decided to use this as a preparation for the L.A. marathon. I had just moved a few blocks from the start line so I knew I couldn't beat it for convenience. I'm not a negative person, but there wasn't anything I liked about this race. First of all, it started very late because of fog according to law enforcement. This certainly can't be one of the foggiest cities that has marathons. The course is extremely boring. The youth volunteers at WLA college were clowning around and poured out all of the water on the ground just as I'd put two Advil in my mouth. The streets opened up early even though the race started late. The Expo was a joke. I did talk to the race director after the race and plan to be on the next planning committee. Don't do this race if you're a walker. It isn't walker friendly at all. Incidentally, I've heard directly from city officials that both law enforcement and some of the elected officials dislike the marathon. It seems to only be occurring because it's the longest running marathon in the western hemisphere.
 

A Runner from California (12/1/2002)
"bad marathon to enter" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


Poor organization, boring course, no spectators, many competitors (some of the top athletes) sent the wrong way only to add over two extra miles after 20M mark.
If you want to run a marathon think wisely when choosing ...
 

A Runner from Escondido, CA (7/23/2002)
"Terrible...lead runners were treated to 28.2 miles" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 3


I ran this marathon 12/01...it was the worst course/organization. The course had multiple loops and back tracking, along with a huge amount of walkers and 1/2 marathoners on the same course. The people who were directing the runners on the course messed up, and the lead runners had 2 extra miles added on. It was very disheartening...especially for the lead female, who ended up walking the last mile.

Did I mention it was also ugly and had the most pathetic expo??? This was my 9th marathon.
 

A Runner from Escondido, CA (7/23/2002)
"Terrible...lead runners were treated to 28.2 miles" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 3


I ran this marathon 12/01...it was the worst course/organization. The course had multiple loops and back tracking, along with a huge amount of walkers and 1/2 marathoners on the same course. The people who were directing the runners on the course messed up, and the lead runners had 2 extra miles added on. It was very disheartening...especially for the lead female, who ended up walking the last mile.

Did I mention it was also ugly and had the most pathetic expo??? This was my 9th marathon.
 

A Runner from Colorado (12/20/2001)
"Race course opened to traffic an hour early" (General Comments)


COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 2


Knowing my father was walking this event, I asked the race coordinator prior to registering about how long the course would be closed to traffic. The response was 6 hours. Excellent- that gives dad time to finish. However, after 5 hours they made dad walk up & down curbs & through traffic to try & get to the finish line. (By the end of the race, the finish line was basically two people & a van next to the sidewalk. Which dad had to walk on to finish.) This race is dangerous for its participants! & many got lost since corners were no longer marked for the finishers after 5 hours! Horrible event!
 

A Runner from Oak Park, Ca. (12/3/2001)
"Much improved..." (about: 2001)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


O.K., so I'm a glutton for punishment and returned this year after last years dismal event.

First, the expo was much better. Even though it is far off from being an 'event', it was pleasant enough. The race started on time this year (another plus). The course is still about as thrilling as last year with a few fine tweaks...how exciting can Culver City be!? The aid stations actually had replenishment drinks (Ultima is not my first choice). The staff and volunteers seemed well organized. However, they still rolled up the streets after 5 hours and (according to my friend) dis-assembled the finish line while runners were still on the course.

Also, the start was a bit more frantic with all the half-marathoners crowding in. Champion Chip timing might be a nice touch for next year.

Over all, this was a much improved event from last year and hopefully it will continue to improve.
 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]


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