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Carlsbad Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Carlsbad Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 188 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 19 > ]

 

D. F. from Sacramento, CA (1/22/2007)
"Well organized, very scenic" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons | 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


The organizers and volunteers did an outstanding job from signup through completion. Beautiful but challenging hilly course along the ocean through scenic Carlsbad. Miles 18.5-23 were exceptionally difficult with the ocean headwind.

 

Alfredo Gutierrez from Long Beach, CA (1/22/2007)
"Awesome overall experience" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first year participating and my first run of 2007. I did the 1/2 and what a way to start the year with a PR (under 1:55). Loved the bands; they definitely helped. Couldn't have asked for better weather conditions - it was chilly but sunny, and there was no wind. Scenery was great with the exception of the huge industrial site (oil or who knows what). Spectators were very supportive and those running were pumped up too. Pacer Jim on the 2:00 finish or 9:09 mile pace was very funny and very motivating.

 

Troy Rambo from Columbus, OH (1/22/2007)
"A great half-marathon... not sure about the full" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


For those of you wanting to do a great half-marathon in a great place, this one would be it. Nine of the miles run along the ocean. It's beautiful! Granted it's rolling and a few of the inclines are a bit steep but not impossible.

I thought I'd break down my overall comments as well:

Expo: A little small for a 10,000 person event. Post the racer numbers on a board rather than having them stapled in 5 or 6 books. It was chaotic to try to worm your way in to see your bib number.

Race: The course was gorgeous but getting to the ocean in the first 2 miles was tough due to all the people. The roads at the start weren't big enough for the 10,000 or so runners. I'd say limit the half participation to about 4,000 - 5,000 and it'd be far better!

Spectators: I wasn't really paying attention to the number of them but I don't remember being in a place where they weren't. Very supportive and very much appreciated! Thanks!

Finish Line: Very easy to manage through. Chip removal and medals were easy to get to with a ton of direction available. A very nice touch to have the goodies all in a bag. I wish other races did that!

All in all, I'm very glad I decided to do my training run there! It's a recommended half for sure.

 

Amanda Chann from Riverside, CA (1/21/2007)
"Great run, but why so late posting the results?" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I ran the 1/2 marathon today, Jan. 2007 in preparation for LA on March 4. I'd heard it was a pretty fast course and it didn't disappoint; however I'd have to agree with other postings that the course is hillier than advertised. Weather was great and organization was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the girls around mile 3 and 10 who built a "cheer" pyramid to root us on! Cute!

My only complaint about the event is that I still haven't been able to find the results posted online! (It's 5:30 p.m.) They should be up by now!

 

andy colbert from oregon, illinois (11/24/2006)
"Can't beat a run along the ocean" (about: 2004)

3 previous marathons | 2 Carlsbad Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I ran the 1/2 marathon with my college-age daughter in 2003 and 2004. The highlight was hearing and seeing waves crash against the beach as we ran. The half-marathon is primarily run (out and back) via the ocean route. That was the selling point for this pair of Midwesterners. Both times, it was a well-organized affair with plenty of stops for liquid and gel packs. Good support staff. My only comparisons are to the Chicago and Milwaukee Marathons, and this marathon holds it own. Great set-up for free parking. Don't wait too late in the day to leave - the mall becomes a traffic jam. Be careful to allow plenty of driving time to get to the race on time - in case of morning fog. Complaints would be the walkers clogging up the course and not following race etiquette, especially in the early going. The post-race massages need more organization, but that's small potatoes. All in all, a terrific running experience. I know a lot of folks from my small-town northern Illinois running club would love to try it.

 

Thomas Jordan from stockton, IL (4/2/2006)
"Awesome Race! Awesome Scenery!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was an awsome race for my first marathon! I took a trip to CA to celebrate my college graduation and run this marathon. Running by the ocean was amazing and there were tons of great fans along the way. I would suggest this marathon to anyone. It was tough due to the hills, but who better than marathoners to overcome a tough course, right?

 

A. F. from Yuma, AZ (1/24/2006)
"A Great Medium-Sized Race" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A very nice race that was just the right size. It is large enough to have lots of amenities, but not so large that it is unmanageable. The mall where the start/finish line is provides ample parking at a reasonable distance. The couse was beautiful. The medal was also very stylish. Overall, a great race.

 

b. b. from ohio (1/23/2006)
"great first half-marathon experience" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I chose to do my first half marathon in Carlsbad - being from Ohio - and the race conditions and the view of the ocean were fabulous. The water stations were well manned and frequently placed. The course was a lot hillier than advertised, but not too bad. The entertainment was a little slow getting set up, which was a bummer when you ran by with no music playing. However, it was a great experience for my first half-marathon ever. I plan on going back to race either the full or the half again.

 

M. B. from South Dakota (1/20/2006)
"Great smaller winter marathon" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I did the half marathon and loved it. The spectators were great. The course was hilly but not too bad. Since I come from South Dakota it was great to have a warm 60-degree race to run. I was a bit disappointed by the expo, but it was OK, just not very large. Overall I'll be back to try the full in the future.

 

L. W. from Boulder, CO (1/20/2006)
"Hilly course" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


I run lots of hills, and still found this course hilly. Aid stations were plentiful, spectators few. Entertainment was truly bad. Half and full marathons starting at same time makes the first 6 miles a zoo and the early water stations difficult to negotiate. Parts of the course are pretty (along the ocean), but mostly boring. Maybe I'm spoiled by the mountain views on my regular training runs. Probably won't do this one again.

 

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