calendar icon Sep 19, 2024

California International Marathon Runner Comments

Back to California International Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 232 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 11 12 13 14 15 .. 24 > ]

 

L. T. from San Francisco (3/2/2008)
"Awesome!!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon, and from now on, all of the others will have a tough time living up to this one. Everything was fantastic! The race director should be commended. This was very well organized and the course was so fast that I was able to qualify for Boston!

 

j. l. from san diego, ca (2/4/2008)
"This course is FAST!!!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


PR'd by 30 minutes. Fast course as advertised. It also helps a lot when you have an attractive lady in your pace group (who was kind enough to chat with me, despite my being way off when I guessed her age).

The course wasn't great in terms of scenery... mostly residential and a few strip malls. Fan support was intoxicating at "The Wall" at mile 20. Finishing in front of the capitol while having your name announced was a nice touch.

 

J. G. from Agoura Hills, CA (2/3/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2007)

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


I've run New York, Chicago twice, Big Sur and this one ranks right up there. This race has a lot of heart, one of the best organized marathons I have run, and a really interesting field of runners with many repeat customers. Fast, scenic, enthusiastic course. GREAT mid-size marathon with lots of personality and experience.

 

M. M. from San Francisco (1/3/2008)
"A Great Day for Running!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 California International Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Great course; good organization and support. It was a great day all around. I qualified for Boston and all is well in the world... well almost! Thank you, CIM!!

 

A. D. from Southern California, USA (12/27/2007)
"A solid Boston qualifier" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Course: People talk about the hills, but I would call them rollers, really. They're pretty easy if you include any hills in your training. Just make sure you don't kill yourself on them in the first half so you can really go all out in second half. The neighborhoods were nice; not too many turns, making it a fast course (in addition to the net downhill slope, of course).

Atmosphere: There were tons of fans who braved the cold. Cowbells were great. Very supportive.

Aid stations: Can't complain too much. I carried my own gels and a water bottle. When I drained my own fluid and began taking from aid stations, I found that some people were using the cups marked with "Gu2O" to serve water - while others were using them to serve Gu2O. It was confusing and kind of annoying to have to yell, "Water, water water" before approaching the volunteers. But that's not a big deal, really.

Weather: A nine out of 10 (one deduction point for the wind, but it really wasn't too bad, and the temps were perfect for running... about 40ish at the start).

Post-race: I could not find the gear pickup. There were no signs indicating gear pickup, no signs indicating food, nothing to point you in the right direction. I had to just walk around through the crowd to try to figure it out.

Overall, I thought it was a great race, though, plus I qualified for Boston (and ran even faster than I expected).... I would definitely do this one again. Oh, and go to the Pyramid Alehouse afterward!

 

R. E. from Santo Rosa, CA (12/13/2007)
"A PR marathon" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


Overall I thought the marathon was well-done. It was windy and hilly. However I did not notice the hills or the wind that much. I ran 3:22 and got a PR, but compared to a course like Chicago, CIM is hilly. But if you train for it, you will be fine. My legs were a bit beat up by mile 15 - that's what you get for running up and over all those hills. I had a problem getting enough water in. The aid stations were confusing. Some had water in the front or on the left side of the road and some had water on the right side of the road or at the beginning of the station. The cups of water I did get had like 1-2 ounces of water in them and I had to get two or three cups, just to get enough water. I did not get any food at the finish; it was too crowded and I did not see the food at all. But it was nice having the announcer say my name as I finished. With such a small race, I crossed the finish line alone.

 

M. B. from California (12/11/2007)
"A Good Day!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 California International Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Perfect conditions and BIG fun! Great organization and I love the shirts! (A bit chaotic at the finish, though.) PR'd by 20 minutes so, yeah, I'll be back next year!!! Thanks, Sacramento! GREAT fans out there in the cold, cheering us on with music and great enthusiasm!

 

William Wittenauer from St. Charles, Missouri (12/9/2007)
"Fantastic Marathon" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Great Race. I got qualified for Boston and earned a great PR to boot. Grant Carboni, the (3:45) pace guy, was superb. He helped with the nutrition and the hills. We did not even notice the hills with his guidance.

A 3:45:18 chip time gets me in for my age group.

The only thing to improve is to get the food at the end within the closed area so that runners could get to things. I elected to skip everything as there were to many people around blocking the way. Next year keep everyone out of the finish area.

Again, Grant was the pace guy to pull me through!

 

w. r. from california (12/9/2007)
"Great marathon, loved the fan support" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon. I had a great time. The crowd support was awesome. This one puts the bar up high!

 

E. K. from Duluth, MN (12/8/2007)
"Just average; kind of fast" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


I just returned home from running CIM. I enjoyed the marathon, but compared to others, I would give it an average rating.

The aid station placement was random and they were quite small. The course is OK, but compared to other marathons I have run (Grandma's, Twin Cities, Madison, Green Bay, Boston), it's very average. It is running down a 4-lane road with strip malls and homes. Although it's nice as you get close to the finish (mile 23). I agree it's relatively fast. The shirts were quite nice. With all of the great marathons out there, I think CIM thrives because there are not a lot of other fast courses at this time of year.

 

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