Christmas Marathon - Race Reviews

I am disappointed in this race after the fact. The course was unimaginative with no traffic control. Apparently, medals were given out to all of the 2-milers, 5Kers, 10Kers and half marathoners because there were not nearly enough for the marathoners. It was a cold, drizzly day, so I really applaud the volunteers who staffed the aid stations. The reason I say that this was not a good choice was that there are some premier events around the state. One of my quirks, as I accumulate states and continents, is that I focus on the medal as my "collectable" from the individual events. This was the first in which I was promised one but did not receive one. I've e-mailed the organizer to try and work something out. Race results still have not been posted - I'd love to know why. And no response. For the relatively high price for a small event ($70) the organization has to be better than it was. I am very disappointed that I chose this event.

New course, I guess. I would have liked to have had a map of the course before signing up. You cross the finish line 4 times if you are doing the marathon. It involves two down-and-backs, but to accommodate the fact that they have a 5K, 10K, 10 Mile, half and full, they turn you around 5 miles in, run you past the finish line and go 1.5 miles in the other direction before doing it all again. The course is flat and the scenery is nice, and the participants were great. The aid stations were stocked, but the website said gel would be available, but there was only Gatorade, water, and cookies at the aid stations. So of course I didn't bring any gel and was at the mercy of generous fellow runners to get some running jelly beans. It was cold and very wet, and the aid workers didn't seem happy about being there. I saw no med stations or med support. When I ran the race much slower than anticipated (dress warm - I was underdressed, which was my fault and led to cramping), my wife asked if anyone was patrolling the course, and the people at the finish line said no. In summary, great, friendly participants; the organization was poor to fair; and the course could be improved, in my opinion. Great for a 10K or maybe even the half, but if I run this again, I'll skip the full.

I'm writing for two reasons. One, to echo the positive comments about the race: a beautiful start/finish in the park, leisurely run through the farmlands with the occasional farm dog for company, uniformly pleasant volunteers, nice view of Mt. Rainier, etc. And two, to point out that in any race this small, a lot of it is run on the honor system. And, when I finally staggered across the finish (Achilles problem - I won't bore anyone with the details), I forgot to tell the staff that I had taken advantage of the early start. To my dismay, I see that the posted results show me with a time one hour faster than I really ran. Although most of my marathons have been faster than that posted time, this one sure wasn't, and I don't want credit for something I didn't do. So, there are about 20 people who get to move up one place in the standings. Again, thanks to the organization and volunteers for a good experience.

This was my second time running the "Christmas Half-Marathon" and I truly enjoyed the country course, but even more so, its cheerful participants. Tis' the season for a gratifying run through the countryside to take the edge off a season filled with consumerism. Thanks for your efforts for a homespun and wholesome event!

The Christmas Marathon is a really nice, out-and-back course with gentle, rolling hills. The only spectators are the ones you bring; if that's important for you, look for another marathon. The runners were the friendliest I've ever encountered. We were allowed an early start, if we preferred, which was nice because 10:30 a.m. is a pretty late start time. I did opt for the early start and was glad to have done so. However, those of us who began early and who had a fast pace saw no aid stations at all until mile 13! Thankfully, the spectators who I brought along with me (my family) also ended up being my sole source of hydration until the tables were set up. Thus, another word of advice: If hydration is important to you, bring your own, have someone water you, or choose a different marathon. That said, I do think that the later runners were probably fine. The chili afterward was heaven-sent, with crisp tortilla chips and oozing cheddar. A delicacy. It was fun and I was glad to have done it!

I would say the third time's a charm, but I have enjoyed this race all three times I have run it. It was really a bonus this year to have the course certified. If you are a strong solo runner, don't count this one out as a place to attempt a Boston qualifier. The support is fantastic with GU, Gatorade, and water, though the Styrofoam cups make it hard to run and drink. Post-race food is excellent and abundant. I started at 10:30 and even after the earlies and shorter distance runners had long since finished, there was plenty left for me. Weather can be a factor, but not this year. I'll be back for sure.

A small, well-organized marathon, with nice people, and a good course along paved, country, back roads. Very friendly group of runners; good to meet some of the Marathon Maniacs.

I enjoyed this marathon. It seemed to me to be "just" a marathon. No frills or fluff. If you don't like to run 26.2 miles for the fun of it, then maybe this one is not for you. No spectators or cheering. I loved the solitude. The course went through all country roads, which passed neighborhoods. Very few participants, and I was slow, so I was alone for 90% of the race. I also like the freedom to start one hour early. The food was sufficient and the racers very friendly and nice. Lots of hardcore marathon maniacs there. I had a good run.

If you like a race where it's just you and the open road, this race is for you. The scenery is lovely - passing farms and acreages - and most people slow down for you on the road. The volunteers are friendly and helpful and the race is well-organized. Caution: if you need spectators to cheer you on, this race is NOT for you.

This was a great course for me. It was out in the country, great views, no crowd and cool weather. The start was 18 degrees and I had never run a long race at this temperature. The course just follows country roads on an out-and-back course. Some places it gets a little dicey with the cars roaring by at 50+ mph and not much of a shoulder, but most the time they would give you room. This race had almost zero spectators. I counted 5 "Way to Go's" for the entire race and 3 of them were from two women who moved along the course. I prefer it that way. Just you and the road. The volunteers were great, always ready with the water or Gatorade. Next year don't use the Styrofoam cups though - you can't bend them to drink.... Trust me! The couse has some rolling hills the first and last 5 miles or so, then is pretty flat except for one freeway overpass. Fewer than 100 runners but they had a 5K, 10K, 10-miler and 1/2 marathon start 10 minutes after us so lots of choices. Good eats at the finish but us slow (4 hour +) runners had no hot chili or coffee left. Also my friends after me didn't get a medal or trophy. (I got both.) But the best part of this race was it got me into the Maniacs! If you like small runs with a great view, this one is for you.

The Christmas Marathon was my first 'small-time' marathon. Overall, a very pleasant experience. Yes the start and overall organization were disorganized, but if you can roll with the punches you won't really mind. Great support from the volunteers, beautiful scenes of snow-capped Mt. Rainer, and plenty of friendly people. There is no crowd support to speak of but is that really why you run marathons? Dress warm!!

This was my first marathon, and though it was not huge like Seattle or Portland, the down-home feel of it made it very special. There were only about a 100 participants, so I did not get trampled out on the roads and had room to run my own race. The scenery was a bit bland, but there was a glimpse or two of snow-covered mountains which certainly perk you up. There were well-manned and well-stocked aid stations every mile and a half. The volunteers were helpful, and considering how cold it was, remained very dedicated. If you need or want the encouragement of spectators, don't do this race because there were none. Though the course had a few slight hills, the race was fast. The day dawned sunny but very cold, so if you decide to do this one, be sure you know what you are in for. There were ample refreshments after the race, the best being sipping warm coffee in front of the space heaters. Overall, don't go expecting glitz and glam, but we do it for the running, don't we?

Now that I have participated in this event twice, 2000 and 2005, I feel that some of the negative comments are the result of runners having a bad day and reflect a 'glass half empty' opinion of what is to me an excellent low-key marathon. I have been fortunate in that both of the years I have run I have had beautiful, sunny weather. The course is clearly marked, though the mile markers seemed to be off somewhat. The support on the course was great and many thanks to the volunteers that endured the below-freezing temps of the day. At the finish area, yes the chili was cold, but there was an abundance of other good food and drink. Do we really run these events for hot chili? In addition to the food, we received a great shirt, finisher's medal, and trophy. Pretty nice for a small marathon. I will most certainly return to run this one again.

One of the most inspiring things about participating in the Christmas Marathon is the support provided/offered to fellow participants doing the accompanying shorter races of 1 mile, 5 KM, 10 KM, 10 miles, and half-marathon (and that doesn't include the one-hour early starters). Between all of the associated events, you are almost guaranteed to derive motivation, regardless of your pace. The aid station workers, positioned roughly two miles apart, are to be commended as well. One volunteer went as far as apologizing for not personally handing me a sports drink, because she was distracted picking up discarded cups. That's the type of attention to marathoners that keeps them coming back. The course starts in a beautiful park with tall trees overlooking a lake, which gave a very scenic and 'Christmasty feel' with the associated cold weather and frost in 2005's version of the race. Outside the park, marathoners encounter rolling hills, and eventually exit onto rural country roads, passing flatlands, country homes, and at one point a chicken farm. (Try to hold your breath). Besides the scenic tour of viewing the homes - which included everything from Sanford and Son's junk farm, to the two motorless 1950s pickups, to houses better suited for Beverly Hills, and the occasional clear view of snowy mount Rainer on the distant horizon, and the one-mile finish back into the park - the course is otherwise un-interesting. The post-race food was sufficient, although they did run out of chili, which would have been nice considering the cold, windy conditions on the course. The colored medals given were unique with a drawing of Santa Claus and draped a black 'champion' ribbon unlike any other in my collection. (In my view, it is unfortunate that the medal says 'Merry X-Mas' instead of 'Merry Christmas'). Besides the medal, to my knowledge, all marathon finishers recieved a 'Division Winner' trophy, which was a very nice touch, although at my pace I surely didn't 'win' my age group!

Well, if you want to run an out-and-back marathon on barren country roads and later along a freeway - then you may want to do this one. The full marathon had about 100 runners and I didn't see a soul from mile 18-23. In fact, the aid stations were gone too as it was cold and miserably wet and the volunteers left. It is poorly marked too and I was worried about making a wrong turn a few times. The food at the finish was unheated chili and some cold hard rolls by the time I got there - and I finished in the 3:40s. Just think twice if you are looking for a PR, as it is windy and has a few hills - especially crossing the interstate. I recommend the half over the whole any day, as there were more people and you might get some warm food! I did have fun - just wouldn't do it again. Thanks!

This was a small race (around a 100 in the marathon), but a lot of fun and well worth the money. The shirts had a cute Christmas theme as did the trophies and medals. The course is mostly flat along pastures and farmlands. It's very scenic and not that hard. It's not totally flat, it has some rolling hills at the beginning and the end, but it makes it interesting. There was hot chili, cider, coffee and lots of other goodies and random prizes. It's not Boston or Seattle, but a great way to celebrate the Christmas season by running a marathon.

Here is your race! There weren't many participants and 3/4 only did the half so they are turning around while you continue on a course that crosses Interstate-5!! That's not my idea of scenic. The two biggest letterings on the finishers shirt were Christmas and 5K! I am sorry, I didn't run 26.2 miles to get a shirt that says 5K on it! There was NOTHING medal about the paper ribbon/plastic button 'medal' and all of the trophies said Division Winner Marathon/Half marathon. There was hardly any food left and it was self-scounge. I won't be doing this race again or recommending it to anyone. To say something positive (so you know I have it in me) the aid stations were fairly well stocked and the folks manning them were quite nice.

Scenic course, well marked, plenty of aide stations and friendly volunteers with water, gatorade and Cliff shots, Every finisher received a trophy and a medal. Postrace food included hot chili, sandwiches, hot cider, cookies, donuts, bottled talking rain water and plenty of soda. Great race. I've never been treated so special. The Christmas music was a nice touch.

One bathroom at mile 12! Abandoned aid stations. Not a scrap of food or drink at the finish! Course not closed to traffic and extremely poorly marked. A disaster.

Beautiful course with only a few hills. Race is well organized and the small number of participants gives it a family atmosphere.

I run a marathon every week. This is nearly a trail marathon in every aspect except ran on the road pavement. Absolutely spectacular views of Mt. St. Helens. Well worth the trip this time of year. The weather was perfect (a little cold). Can't wait to do it again.