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☰
California International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to California International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 232 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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Arsiyanti Ardie from Venice, California
(12/5/2007)
"Super Race & Organization, But Train for Hills!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This has got to be one of the best organized races ever, from online sign-up to the expo to the race itself. It absolutely caters to RUNNERS, and though it specifically targets BQers, I'm a 6-hour marathoner and felt very well taken care of. The only negative comment (really minor) is the long lines for the porta-pots at the beginning, but race organizers did say in every communication and all over the website to GET THERE EARLY. The course is hilly. Don't be dazzled by "fast." If you train on hills (and not just throwing a few in here or there, but TRAIN LONG on hills), then it will be fast. This year we also had a strong, cold headwind much of the way (since the race heads in the same direction most of the way). Dress warmly - you can always toss layers. Even though I'm very slow, there was outstanding course support, spectators and entertainment all along the way - and plenty of food left at the finish. The T-shirt is gorgeous - just MAKE SURE to check the correct size on your entry (they have separate women's and men's sizes, so take that into account). The medal is large, pretty, heavy, and with little rubber legs on the bottom makes a nifty beer coaster. Being very back-of-pack, I usually run alone, but there were LOTS of runners right around the 6-hour mark. The course is fairly pretty - mostly in suburban Sacramento, with lots of trees. The finish at the capitol is stunning. | |
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a. m. from Sacramento, California
(12/5/2007)
"Great course, great spectators." (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had a great time running this marathon and it was truly very well-organized. If I had 1 complaint, it would have to be the bathrooms. Throughout the course there were very few bathrooms - only 2 or 3 every 5 miles or so. It was murder having to wait 3 miles to use the bathroom. And once you found them, there were often lines for them or they were being used. Not fun to have to wait in line during the race. Other than that, I think the marathon was well organized and an overall great experience. A bit of a crowd at the finish, though. | |
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J. M. from Sparks, Nevada
(12/4/2007)
"Very Well Organized Marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 California International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Compared to Las Vegas last year, this marathon was very well organized. It is obvious that a lot of work goes into this event. I really enjoy the spectators and we had nearly perfect weather. I plan to run this one every December from now on. I also like the shirt and finisher medal. This year I ran a p.r. | |
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s. c. from Oakland, CA
(12/4/2007)
"Low key, nice course, but give me water, please." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 California International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I enjoyed running this marathon. The course was nice, the weather was perfect and the spectators were enthusiastic. The expo was a little confusing about where to pick up your stuff, but no big deal. My only real complaint is that once I crossed the finish line, I had to practically beg for water, and there was no food that I could find. When I crossed the finish line I was feeling a little light-headed and apparently walked passed the person handing out water. I made my way back and a guard stopped me about three feet before the water. I told him I needed some water and he wouldn't let me pass. He said I could have water only if I could get the attention of the person passing it out from where I was standing. I couldn't get her attention, so when he wasn't looking I walked up to her and asked her water. She said, "No" - because she thought I was coming back for more. I told her that I was thirsty and hadn't had any water and she apparently didn't believe me. After practically begging her, she grudgingly gave me a bottle of water, and it didn't look to me like that were even close to running out. I've run 9 other marathons, and this is the first time I didn't feel taken care of at the end. It is not good to deny water to a dehydrated runner! | |
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J. M. from Minneapolis, MN
(12/4/2007)
"Great race." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First time running CIM. The 3:00 pace guy was great. Nice course. Well organized. Would definitely come back. | |
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P. P. from Fresno, CO
(12/4/2007)
"My first CIM and I plan on coming back for more" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoy point-to-point marathons - with the exception of the early morning bus ride, to me these are the best marathons. The course was great, and as the race progressed, the spectators were fantastic. The "downhill" course has many small hills. Many spectators would shout - "this is the last uphill for the race" - for us only to find another small hill. It still is a fast course - I improved my time from the SF marathon by over 30 minutes. The water stations were well stocked, the Clif pacers were great, and the music was motivating. Two small issues with organization: I think starting corrals should be added. I did a lot of weaving the first few miles. Second, and this has been mentioned before, the food area was swamped with non-runners getting food. I was a little frustrated by this. (Gotta love the family atmosphere and I was happy to see kids running up to their parents after they just finished the run, but I would like to have gotten a bite to eat a little faster.) All in all, a great race and I will be back next year. | |
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David Saldivar from San Francisco
(12/3/2007)
"Excellent Event! Great Boston Qualifier!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 California International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was the second time I have done CIM, and, running with Tim T, I qualified for Boston! He was great. Only negative comment is that the finish area was overrun with kids, strollers, and anyone else who was in the neighborhood. They were taking food, blocking access and were a problem. Two runner friends of mine who finished in 3:46 did not get any soup or Red Bull, and had to stand in line for coffee with tons of non-runners. The finish area needs to be fenced off. Other than that, it was fantastic!! | |
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N. K. from San Francisco, CA
(12/3/2007)
"nice race" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was a great one! The crowds and cheering really helped me during that tough 18-24 mile stretch. fun bands, DJs, a turkey, a 5th grader on his sax. great, community feel to the race. The rolling hills were definitely a bit more than I expected (and I train in SF), but overall really fun. Only drawback: I only saw Gu at one point during the race though, glad I carried my own. Buses were great; lines for the porta-potties were LONG though. I must say, I was a little intimidated since there are so many ultra runners and people qualifying for Boston, but I felt like I got plenty of support/crowds and I finished in 4:44, not a particularly fast time. | |
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F. E. from Berkeley, CA
(12/3/2007)
"great race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 California International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It is a great race. Beautiful course, perfect weather, great crowds. They get better every year. And fast. Sure there are some tiny hills but nothing is really flat in California. And variety adds spice to life. This is my third CIM and the one with the best weather. 2005 was a bit too cold. | |
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P. M. from Elk Grove
(12/3/2007)
"Tougher course than advertised!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The organization was pretty good, but no food in the end if you finished at 5:00 hours. This is always a problem for marathons - not enough left for the people on the course the longest. The 4:30 pacer went out way too fast and remained that way for a good part of the first half. I gave up following her after awhile. This was disappointing because I thought that they were the experts on pace. I won't follow a pacer again. Since this was my first marathon, it was important to be able to do all of the rolling hills (many more than adequately advertised) at the correct pace. I burned out my first half going too fast, following the pacer. The emphasis on this course is "fastest in the West." I would say that it is a tough course, with many rolling hills until mile 19. I ran in SF in October and I had a better time and a better understanding of the course. The fans were great and the view was pretty. Course was windy that day. |
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