The Sedona Marathon

This was my 34ths state and first time ever in Arizona (2 hour drive from Phoenix airport). I stayed in an AirBNB with a very nice lady near one of the shuttle stops. Small but well stocked packet pickup with friendly volunteers and every question answered. Pros: Race morning-Walked to the shuttle and got on within 10 minutes. Course: VERY HILLY! Beautiful scenery 100% of the race. Plenty of well stocked water stations and toilets along course. Plenty of message therapists and water at the finish. Cons: - 'Food' was for purchase from a whole foods tent. It would have been nice to have something other than water and bananas, cookies that was offered to runners (like a sandwich or pizza). - Course signage was small and several mile markers were either missing or had been removed (I was a pacer and was relying on MM signs!) - A section of the last mile was on the main highway and was NOT marked. Luckily it was an out&back course and I knew which way to go. The highway was very busy by that time so we had to run on the sidewalk. POLICE & VOLUNTEERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE! (As I was walking back post-race, I directed several runners where to go when they approached that intersection and then told a spectator to stand there and continue.) - SHUTTLES: The shuttles were supposed to run until 4pm. But post race it appeared only 1 bus was running. We got a ride from a local good Samaritan because we had been waiting for over 30 minutes. Overall I loved the race! Very hilly and this year it was pretty warm as well. WOULD I RETURN: Yes!

The 2016 Sedona Marathon events were definitely improved - taking a chance to participate turned out to be well worth it. Its not a PR course, but probably the most gorgeous and gratifying I've ever run. Wonderful town, great organization, one for the bucket list!

This is my 5th year running the Sedona half marathon. Yet I feel I need to comment on the marathon, as I empathize with the full marathoners who were not given an alternative route due to the trail conditions..in fact I was shocked that the race committee had nothing prepared for them. I monitored the weather everyday from 10 days before race day and I am sure the committee did as well. As for the half marathon race itself, once again the volunteers were amazing and there was plenty of water and gatorade along the course. The scenery was breathtaking and the best part of the race. The weather was amazing - 45-50 degrees and no rain or wind! The start this year was very odd, no loudspeaker to announce the start. Past years it was a party atmosphere with music, the star spangled banner, and an announcer keeping tabs on the time. This year it was silent and everyone around me kept asking 'what is going on?' No mention of the marathon cancellation, and to top it off, I received a thank you email sent to all participants, and in reading the summary, the race director offers no comment or apology to the marathoners for this year's problem. Overall I enjoyed the race, but was disappointed at the organization's lack of effort to offer a solution to the marathoners. I am not sure I will be back next year.