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May 11, 2024

Two Cities Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Two Cities Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 49 [displaying comments 41 to 49]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

Sarah Wilson (aka S.W.!) from Clovis, CA (11/11/2008) "Oh yeah, I BQ'd!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I said it would be my BQ race, and wow was it!! The course is a nice, flat, 21 miles, until the rolling hills of Woodward Park. When I hit the wall, I was fortunate to find Kacie, a fantastic runner, who kept me going and BQ'd with me on her FIRST marathon! This course is perfect for fast times, and it's a nice view of Fresno and Clovis. My 3:40:11 finish was a full 7 minutes off my PR!!! Thanks to Mike Herman and Nancy Talley for their hard work putting this together, Eye-Q and all of the other sponsors (including Cinnamonster for those yummy cinnamon rolls and hot coffee!), and all of the Sierra Challenge Express runners who let me be in the commercial with them! This is a fantastic marathon - whether it's your first or 133rd (like one of the guys with whom I ran).... After I run Boston, I'll see you all here next year!!!
W. B. from Dinuba, CA (11/11/2008) "Great Race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great race. It was very organized. They went all out on this one. Great finish area and medal. I highly recommend this race.
J. M. from Clovis, CA (11/11/2008) "Excellent race that will only get better with time" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent job on the first full marathon. Course was good, fans were great, goody bags and schwag were awesome (long-sleeve, tech tee; sweatshirt; medal), and they had hot food and ice cream sundaes. What more could you want?
Brandon Lee from Monterey, CA (11/10/2008) "World class" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Fresno continues to grow and make its mark on the running scene. I went to speak to the RD today and we talked for two hours. He explained some of the hang-ups and growing pains. Some of the hiccups came at the hands of others. The RD is already making improvements and plans for next year to ensure that the event is seamless. I can assure you that the RD takes EVERY comment seriously! His philosophy is "this is the participant's race." Having said that, feel free to send him an email. He reads every single one. This race is awesome and continues to improve. The RD was kind enough to share with me some of the proposals for next year's event (in confidence). I can't say what they are, but I assure you that you will be impressed. Register early because this event sold out and left a lot of disappointed people. Don't be one of them next year - register early. This event is simply amazing. The flat course runs through the outskirts of Fresno/Clovis trough the fall foliage. The people are genuinely nice. Finishers receive a nice medal; massage; delicious, hot breakfast; sweatshirt; massage; ice cream sundae; coffee; snacks; etc. The staff go above and beyond to make all participants feel valued. Mike, Nancy, and the rest of the board and staff are amazing people who take this race very seriously. I'll be back in 2009 for my 4th year doing this event.
j. r. from usa (11/10/2008) "need to work out first-year bugs" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The good: great volunteers, nice goody bags, and nice post-race food. The bad: the second half of the course has no spectator access, and they ran out of gel at the 1st gel station. Also, they ran out of finisher's medals (late finishers were told they would get it mailed to them in 4-6 weeks), and they ran out of shirts.
P. P. from Fresno, CA (11/9/2008) "Great for inaugural marathon; will be back in '09" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Two Cities Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I started running marathons in May of 2006. This was my 5th marathon in '08 and 10th overall. Organization is the key to this race - all outstanding. Easy registration, small but interesting expo, race day mechanics were great (including starting corrals which I like!), many well-stocked refreshment areas every two miles, and a fantastic finish area that is closed off to non-runners that had a warm breakfast, fresh fruit, and brownie sundaes! Many larger races should learn from the inaugural Fresno Marathon - great gifts and organization with a registration fee that is a pittance. The course was flatter than the proverbial pancake. One small climb at mile 21. Otherwise, a course that winds through city neighborhoods until the last six miles bring you home along the San Joaquin river. I think the organizers should be proud that they pulled this off so spendidly.
R. M. from Clovis, CA (9/14/2008) "Something Great!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I participate in about 6-12 events per year all over the western U.S. Out of all of the events I have been to, Fresno is the best organized race. They go out of their way to make everyone feel special. I really loved the hot breakfast, the nice medal, and the finisher's sweatshirt. I like the course too! Fall is the perfect time for this race. You should come to Fresno (45 minutes from Yosemite). You'll be amazed!
Brandon Lee from Monterey, CA (6/2/2008) "The hidden gem of marathons" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Of all of the events that I've ever competed in (20+), I can say that this is the BEST put-together event ANYWHERE!. I know what you are thinking... Fresno? I have to admit that there are a lot of things about Fresno that leave much to be desired; however, this is NOT one of them. The directors pull out all of the stops to make EVERY participant feel like an elite athlete. The medals are awesome, the post-race meal is, well, a MEAL - a full, catered, hot breakfast as well as a slew of treats, snack, and goodies. They don't give finisher's blankets, but they give NICE finishers sweatshirts! The price is rock bottom. Don't overlook this race. You will be shocked at the care and effort that goes into this. I would GLADLY pay over a hundred dollars to run this but the fee is only around 40-50 bucks. THIS IS A GREAT RACE!!!
S. W. from Clovis, CA (2/17/2008) "Wanna BQ?" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Two Cities Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Talk about flat and fast! This is the first year of the T2C Full Marathon, and it will be my BQ race. I've run the 1/2 marathon for the past 3 years, and have had my fastest times every time - last year I PR'd on the new course by almost 17 minutes!!!! The coordinators were wise in working out the kinks of the 1/2 before undertaking the full marathon, and I am confident that this race will be as good as they get! It's about time Fresno got the full marathon back. Kudos to Eye-Q, Sierra Running Company, and everyone else behind the scenes for making this happen! See you there and happy running!

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