Camarillo Marathon - Race Reviews

I started running marathons in 1986 and have consistently raced since then. This was my worst marathon experience. I have run $20 races that were immensely more organized and equipped. I can't believe I paid $80 for this one. The course was boring and had traffic on it, the pavement was uneven. The course did not have marshals at the turns and I missed two turns which sucked. They ran out of Gatorade on my second loop and I never saw gels (I heard there were some?). The start was ridiculous- we didn't even know it started- and the finish was terrible- no water or anything. We heard that the t-shirts will be mailed but I don't believe it. I can't believe I paid for this race and I feel bad for anyone who traveled for it. Maybe it's fine for a 1/2 marathon but it was my worst marathon experience ever.

I have run this course 3 times, and the new improved course cut out the section of share path with the train. Still flat, and perfect weather with cool temperature with no wind. But they ran out of gels and any sport drink way too early. How early, by mile 16 around 2 hour range all gels and Gatorade are non existed. They never offered banana or fruit from the previous years when I was in so I wasn't expecting that. But only one gel around mile 10 and after that, nothing, only water. No race t-shirt this year. On their emails, they said they would mail them out. But they need to charge more on the registration fee in order to provide more to the runners. But ran out all the basic supply before the first 10 finishers crossed the the finish line was unacceptable.

This race is really well run and organized. Aid Stations were exactly as advertised, volunteers were very nice and traffic control was impressive. This was my first time running a looped course, I loved it. The second loop I knew exactly what to expect and where to fuel, drink, hold back and push. The course provides a great back drop to PR or BQ...

This is my 4th camarillo full marathon, and they have improved every year. Perfect weather for the race, not windy like last year, sunny later on but still cooling, course is flat as a pancake. Usually I don't like looped course, but I am OK with this one cos it doesn't have many turns, u get to run for couple straight miles before you need to turn. Race started at 7am, on time as always, around low 40's, perfect for race. We can pick up the packet just minutes before the start of the race, so easy. Plenty of free parking spaces, easy to get to the startline, it is just right by the 101 fwy. Tons of inexpensive hotels in Camarillo if you would like to spend the night before the race. Water stations every 2 miles with plenty of volunteers and Gatorade on every other stations, gels were given out this time on 2 separate stations, wonderful, much improved from last year. At the end, they give out awards on top 3 overall male and female finishers then top 3 on different age/gender groups, another plus. Race t-shirt and bottle, plus free reusable groceries bags are all nice. Post race snacks were not much, oranges, prezels, water and so on. But hey, this is the least expensive qualifer I had ever participated, so can't ask for too much. I just hope they won't lose money on this race. I really think if they can build up their reputation, they can attract more runners to run in this race as it is a great course and weather in southern CA to get a PR and BQed.

The RD must have been reading the comments, he has gotten it right. Don't let previous year comments scare you off. This is a very easy, no hassle marathon. Low cost hotels nearby. Easy parking. Easy packet pickup. Marathons start before the 1/2 marathoners AND get their own medal. None of this sharing medal bull. Only downside was a pretty strong wind, but we can't ding the RD for that:)

PROS: 1. I like small town race 2. Ample parking for runners at the start/finish line 3. Easy to get to and packet pickup was a breeze 4. Great volunteers CONS: 1. Registration fee was a bit high for a small event 2. Boring course. 2 loops around the farm (celery fields, strawberry fields, cabbage fields and horse farm). 3. Extremely windy on that day. The wind was against you. Would have been great if the wind was behind you. 4. The loop around Airport Drive was extremely boring and windy. 5. No gels/snacks/fruits given out at the course! Nothing! 6. Only had bananas and oranges at the post race.

I ran the half marathon the inaugural year of the race when the full marathon had logistical issues. This past Sunday I ran the newer, 2-loop course and have to say that the race director has made very nice improvements and the race was actually very well done. There were water/Gatorade stops every few miles or so, porta-johns available at regular intervals and the course was well marked, with a decent amount of police patrolling key sections of the event. Not an 'exciting' course like LA Marathon and big races, but flat as a pancake 98% of the course through mostly farmland with views of the surrounding mountains - quite beautiful and peaceful, though not for everyone. I was pleased with the frequency of the water stops as another local race, the Malibu Marathon, I've encountered a lack of them. Do bring your own gels as they don't provide them, which is not a big deal to me. I used the race as a training run this year and enjoyed it. There were only like 120 runners. What I like most is that you can drive in, park, run, finish and leave with minimal effort here The only issue I had this year had nothing to do with the race...those damn Santa Ana winds were back, making it quite windy and dry. Hopefully next year it'll be overcast, cool, maybe a light rain and in the low 60s...

It is a great course, but super super windy. It is a 2-loop course, from mile 3-5 we were running towards the mountain and it was like running inside a hurricane with strong headwind. It is a flat course but with the wind, it was like worse than running uphill. On the second loop, the wind even got stronger. The wind blew up the dirt and we were running into a dust storm. There were plenty of water and Gatorade stations, but nothing else, no gel, no nothing. Got to say this is the only marathon I ran didn't give out gel. We just have to keep drinking Gatorade and the with the few gels I carried with me for the whole 26.2 miles, no bananas, no slices of orange or anything else. It is an inexpensive race to sign up, but still, it is a qualifier and people run 26 miles and we do need the gels. At least provide one gel per person if they want to save money... Overall it is a great flat course(without the strong headwind) with signs nicely marked. The after race snacks were adequate, volunteers were very helpful and friendly, and I know there was not much they can do about the wind, it is part of the Mother Nature's wk. But if they can improve with during the race food, it can be a more enjoyable race...

Extremely small field, don't know why? I loved this marathon. The scenery was absolutely amazing. It was very well organized and the volunteers and Sheriff Dept. were WONDERFUL. I would highly recommend this marathon. I ran it in 5:05, so was myself alot of the run, but who cares with views like this! Parking and race day packet pickup was a breeze!

First of all, the organizers postponed the run twice very unsure of when the run will be held, not very considerate to the paid participants, just an email saying 'race postponed to...' no explanation of why race is postponed twice, nor were they apologetic. Second of all, I asked for refund because of frustration of unanswered questions about the run, and no response at all. So we decided to run it because we didn't get our money back, then we go and get our bibs and they don't have our names down. Third of all, we finished the run and we are placed anonymously in the male category. Lastly, the cost for this kind of run should be as less as what it offers the participants.

Very low-key event. 'Expo' consisted of a few tiny tents outside the Camarillo Airport. So as expected, this marathon was tiny with 66 finishers. Finish area shone half marathon time which started 30min after marathon (whatdya gonna do, right? Next time I'll have to be first because I heard they changed the clock over for him). Course: flat, could be fast but this year saw 30-40mph winds which were a HUGE factor. Clearly marked? Not really. I read the course map before so I had a general sense. Good thing I stopped where the half marathoners were turning to head back. I drank some water. Another marathoner passed me and I said where you going? He said this is the marathon over here. Then I asked the volunteer at the aid station. He goes 'Oh, yeah, marathoners go that way.' Otherwise, I honestly wouldn't have known. Same goes for at mile 23 when the half marathoners are finishing. Luckily I was conscious and asking questions still by then. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known because volunteers weren't looking at my bib # for me and saying 'Oh, marathoners go this way!' (like I thought they should've) Shirt: a little small for the size it said on it, but a solid polypro (100% polyester 'wick-a-way' shirt). Packet pick-up: a cinch. No lines because was low-key. Packet had a clifbuilder sample and shirt. That's it :( No coupons, or other freebies. Oh well. Weather: perfect. 45 at start and maybe 60 at finish (felt cooler with wind). Lots of sun. Aid stations: good through 14 miles. Then there were ONLY TWO AID STATIONS from miles 16-23 (I promise you, I'm not lying. Some runners I passed were really hurting. I told them to drink plenty fluids. Then as the miles dragged on, I realized there wasn't any! My heart went out to those who didn't drink as much as me in the early miles). Gels: NONE. bring your own. Finisher's medal: large. legit. Nice. Finisher food: supposed to have pancakes but the wind blew out the flame to the grill so subsisted on a few bananas, oranges, pretzels, and water. I promise I'm not lying about this. I've seen better food for a 2 mile fun run. Location: Camarillo. Easy to get to. Next to hills but on flat ranch land surrounded by strawberry patches everywhere! Was beautiful to view. Fans: I'm not lying. I think I saw less than 10 fans on the course. No lie. If you get energy from others cheering you on, bring your own fan club or music. Race Director: seemed super nice and sincere. Had his act together. While not overly warm and helpful (because he had a tiny staff and logistics were enough to keep everyone plenty busy), seemed quite competent and he did a great job.

Flat run through fields of winter vegetables! A nice alternative to nearby congested urban marathons. Plenty of water and potties.

It was quite an epic day out there. A day of epic failure. I have run 6 marathons, and a handful of halfs, 5Ks and 10Ks. This was by far the worst race yet. No cups. No spectators. No bands. No expo. I couldn't believe that there were so many things wrong, and they kept going wrong as the race progressed. The last mile was completely terrible along with the finish line festival that didn't exist. It was just disappointing to see someone get away with all that happened at Camarillo. I never got a t-shirt. I still have yet to try Gleukos. I'm just thankful there was a porta-potty out there that was made for the farmers. I was so close to just knocking on someone's door along the course like a homeless person. What a disgrace to racing.

Not enough porta-potties at the race start. Talk about cutting it close. Oh yea, there were no porta-potties on the course either. I was told every 3 miles. No bands, though the website said they'd be at every mile. No sports drink. Thankfully I had my Clif Bloks. No cups or volunteers after mile 13. I had to open boxes under a table and drink from a gallon jug. The whole thing was an unorganized joke. Won't see me back in Camarillo. The race director should have let us know what we were in for. Would like to have my money back.

No course markings, no mile markers, no sports drink, no port-o-potties.... I don't mind self-supporting my runs, but when things are promised, they should be provided. And no medical aid after 26.2 miles with limited water and no electrolytes. Scary.

No expo, mind-numbingly boring course, no announcements at the start, no porta-johns on the course, no water cups at many aid stations, no volunteers at many aid stations, no communication between aid stations and start/finish, no medical support, no mile markers after mile 10 (did I say how boring the race was?), no post-event food, no ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT on the course as promised, no music or bands as promised. Really the worst marathon I have done.

I'm not sure what everybody is complaining about. Sure, the course was barren, ugly and poorly marked. Sure, there was no nutrition, no sports drink and no accessible water for 1/3 of the race. Sure, there were no bands, no medical personnel and no port-a-potties. But, let's be honest, those shirts were pretty stylish, right? ; ) Yes, of my 9 marathons and 60-70 races, this was the most poorly planned event I have ever registered for (including my 8th grade "graduation" dance, the "Comedy for Less, No Work, No Test" traffic school, and all of the hazing I endured in my college fraternity). No more inaugural, not-yet-reviewed races for me.... I'm switching to more established marathons from now on.

My recent letter to the RD: Bill, I thought long and hard about writing you with my experience at your race yesterday. I typically have empathy for race directors as I know quite well how difficult it is to put on an event. I am the president of a racing club. Unfortunately the race that you produced yesterday was a complete failure on even the most basic levels. I appreciate that this was your first year producing a marathon but as a race director you were responsible to ensure the simple BASICS: 1. Safety - NO medical support at the finish line or anywhere on the course - what was your plan if someone collapsed on course? No communication with aid stations. 2. Aid stations - no cups? No volunteers? No Glukos? No gels, pretzels, bananas?? I finished top 10 and most of the time I had to open the boxes and pull out the jugs of water, open the jug and drink from it - crazy. 3. Mile markers - seemed to be in place up until mile 8 or so, but otherwise nothing. 4. No porta-potties on the course - the only one I saw was for the workers at a farm. The BASICS are MANDATORY for any race director. There is no room for skimping on these items. These items below are not mandatory but things that I felt were simply poorly planned: 1. Start line was a joke 2. "Expo" and finish line were cluttered, unorganized 3. Announcing - none to speak of 4. Half marathon and full marathon finishers coming in at the same time 5. You marketed your race as having "bands every mile" - not sure what happened here but obviously that didn't happen. Again - I have empathy for race directors but this was ridiculous. I was concerned going in to this race that it might be a no frills race - but I never imagined that we would be dealing with what we dealt with. I am honestly concerned that my Boston Qualifier may not be legit - I hope that this is not the case. Unfortunately this is a "one strike and your out" business and I can tell you that our team won't be back. On a positive note: the shirt and finisher medal were nice.

Other than not having a stitch of anything other than water on the race course, no mile markers past around 14 or 15, and some of the most butt-ugly scenery around... it was fine. :( I can't believe we were not told that there would not be ONE calorie of ANYTHING on the course, or that there would not be any electrolytes for that matter - it could have resulted in some serious injuries to those who can push their bodies to their extreme. I think this was borderline reckless endangerment. At least the roads were well patrolled by police, and nobody got hit by a car. So I guess that was nice.

-No toilets. -No cups for hydration stations. -No directions for course. -Almost no volunteers.  I could go on. In short: a crappy experience (pun intended).

Summary of the marathon: no cups after mile 10 - just gallon jugs of water. Cups were never delivered. No sports drink. No gels. No porta-potties on the course; no medical support on the course or at the finish. Dangerous to say the least. These were all problems with easy fixes and they were inexcusable.

Okay, so the first time for any marathon is going to have its rocky places. But, c'mon, no porta-potties except for the ones out in the fields that belonged to the farmers? Four booths making up the "huge race day expo?" No electrolyte fluid showing up until mile 19? And, what about those "live bands at every mile?" The only music I heard was courtesy of one of the few spectators boombox. On the upside, great youth volunteers manning the water stations, especially the cross-country boys from Buena High. And, awesome support from our local law enforcement agencies. I love Camarillo. I love running. But I did not love this marathon. It was like going on a $100 training run.