Cupid's Marathon - Race Reviews

I have waited so long to post because I didn't want it to be a "heat of the moment" ramble that I'd later regret posting. I ran the 10K and then went back to pick up a buddy who ran the marathon to help pace him in. The organization was a joke and a 12-year-old girl was working the finish line (not marked well at all as others have mentioned). My wife didn't get a shirt and the director said they'd mail her one - 6 months later, no shirt (that we paid for). That's ok, though, because the cotton shirts were the worst I've ever seen: Pink and red hearts with some runners that it looked like a 6th grader drew. The food at the end was pretty well gone by the time by buddy finished the race (with no mile markers or aid support worth noting). They had a can of tuna for sandwiches (just tuna!) and NO CAN OPENER. Really? I can't understand how this is a Boston qualifier. Rather than trying to run every distance from 1 mile to the marathon, why not just focus on making the marathon a much better race? I would NOT suggest doing this race and don't plan to ever go back myself. Other than these problems, it was a great event!

This race (much like all of these holiday marathons) is very small. The course is an out-and-back on open-to-traffic roads. It is very much like your normal long run. They are very close to where I live, so I like to do them. The race director is very nice and accommodating to the racers, and there is an early start. Pretty flat course, and I have done 3 PR's on this course. I recommend it highly to those runners who don't need spectator help and want a no-frills endurance experience.

Why are the race results not posted even 1 month after the event? Perhaps the race director should make it clear for the runners next year if and when they can expect results to be posted online....

I came to this race knowing it would be small, but expected a bit more in terms of general organization. The course is fast but lacking in mile markers (except for a few turn-around points for 5K, 5-mile, 10K, 10-mile and half). Nice rural roads - some runners stayed to the left, others to the right. There were some large trucks on the bigger road near the end, which were a little scary given the small shoulder. Probably the biggest disappointment was the finish. As others said, it's very vague - no obvious big clock or banner. Basically you just ran up to a picnic table near the shelter. I had to dodge some folks just milling about the area, as there's no clear path or destination.

If you just want to go for a run that does not matter about time or support, this would be ok. I wanted to BQ, but found very few mile markers, so I could not watch my pace. I could have cheated at any moment by cutting the run short... it was not chip timed and there were no race officials. Like the other posted note, I stood at the finish line and did not know it! I had no clue where it was. The food was poor as well. When they had food, you had to make your own sandwiches and such. In my case, it was gone. Huge, frustrating race, if you care about pace and support.

If you live in the Seattle area, then this is a good, fun run. You get to see horses, ponies, and cows; get glimpses of St. Helen's; and see a lot of Marathon Maniacs. If you are looking for a BQ or are a 50-stater looking to cross off WA, stay away or else you might be disappointed. You'll have no on-course support except a few barking dogs. Parts are open to traffic where you'll find rude motorists speeding by and honking. The good news: the course is accurate and you won't get lost. This is not chip-timed, and the results will take forever to be posted. There are no markers but there are indications of where you are. At the very least 23, 24, 25 are chalk-marked. So do come, but do so with realistic expectations.

Dangerous course, with traffic going by fast on a rural highway. Finish line was not clear. I was standing by the finish line until a kid came to me to take a tag from my bib. My official clock was 10 minutes slower. No one gave me the medal, so I had to ask them to give me one. Gatorade was so diluted that it tasted like plain water with light flavor.

The Good News: Nice out-and-back run on rolling rural roads, friendly water stops, great food, smooth organization, and a cheap price. The Bad News: Ten miles of the running is on a highway(although there was little traffic), and no bands, spectators or hoopla.

The negatives: This year's version was twice out and back, which means one crossed the same terrain four times. (This was for safety due to a lack of course marshals.) Depending on your luck, you may encounter a lot of traffic because all of the roads are open. Several cars nearly blew me into the ditch. (This has nothing to do with the race organization; just be aware that the course is open.) It's also not an extremely scenic course in my view. This course is for a hardcore marathoner who wants to add another to their list. I would say that a third to half of the marathon field were from the "Marathon Manic" group. The positives are that there is huge bang for your buck. All marathon finishers were given medals, trophies, and plenty of food, including the traditional hot chili the winter versions of this course have become known for. Although very little of the marathon takes place in the actual park, it's a beautiful area for your family to hang out in the forest amongst the old, very tall trees next to a serene lake.

Great day. Beautiful beginning and ending in Park. The course is gentle, but first 5 miles and last 5 are a little bit scary because of very small shoulder and 50 mph traffic. The volunteers are very helpful and organization and medals were terrific. Nice and cool which helps the times. Plenty of water stops and lots of time to think to yourself.

I really enjoyed this race since most marathons are larger. It was peaceful, the course, though a little bit on the road with traffic, was scenic. The volunteers were very friendly and appreciative of the runners. I would recommend that the results get posted quicker. It's been over a week and still no results. Give this race a shot.

I think it was the loneliest marathon I have ever run, especially in the last 10K. At times, I could see no/one in front or behind me. The traffic was a bit scary, especially in the last five miles. There is practically no shoulder on the road. The pluses were the good food after the race, the nice t-shirt and the trophies and medals that all participants received.

Gently rolling on small, rural roads in good condition. A bit less traffic would be better. Well organized by nice folks, plenty of food, nice medal/trophy. Water stops could be a little better manned and located on inside of turns. Lots of 'MarathonManiacs' in attendance. Less than 1 1/2 hrs drive from Seattle. A good choice if you like small events.

The Valentine Marathon is essentially a well supported training run suitable for more experienced runners. If you're looking for a scenic course, large crowd or a PR this is probably not your race. If you're looking for a long training run to clock out some miles this is your race. This marathon is relatively inexpensive and well organized. There was plenty of good food available before and after the race. As mentioned by other runners there is some vehicular traffic but the shoulders on the various roads are reasonably generous.

The race was quite enjoyable with a good course along rural roads. The organization was very low key but still covered all the basics. If you like running in a crowd, this is not the race for you. I ran most of the race by myself after the half-marathon competitors reached their turn-around. The course is basically flat with a number of long inclines and a few rolly hills. I was not expecting such a small marathon with less than 100 registered in the marathon. However the size also contributed to its unique feel. In addition, since I'm from Canada, it was relatively accessible by car during the cold of February. There was lots of garbage along the roads which did detract from the aesthetics during the race.

The race course was very well marked. The aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were nice. Runners had to deal with a lot of traffic on the main road at the beginning and end -- a few more signs warning drivers would have been nice. I loved the location of the race, so that made the traffic issue unavoidable. Also the community needs to do something about all the trash along the roads. I thought Washington did a better job with keeping trash picked up! Most importantly, for race organization, there was no food left by the time most of the marathon runners were coming in! I was disappointed with that. The medals and trophies were a nice touch for such a small race.