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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 161 to 171]
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L. C. from Anchorage, Alaska USA
(1/12/2007)
"Great course, great weather, and great pacers." (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I couldn't have wished for a better marathon other than a better time, which was my own doing. The pacers were a lifesaver and a huge confidence-builder for running a race I'd come from out of the state to do. The size of the race was another plus. I never felt crowded except during the first half-mile. | |
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S. G. from Broomfield, Colorado
(12/26/2006)
"Loved it! I qualified for Boston!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I selected to run the CIM for two reasons: to qualify for Boston and to visit good friends who live in Sacramento. Training in Boulder at altitude and running lots of hills allowed me to take advantage of sea level and "easily" tackle the CIM rolling hills. I drove the course and paid attention to the "rolling hills." I reviewed the elevation map offered on the site. At the expo lecture series, I attended Dr. Steve Polansky's lecture on "How to run each mile of the CIM." Information shared by Steve was invaluable and humorous. I applied 3 pieces of advice: wear a trash bag to keep warm at the start line; take a Tylenol before the race and carry (and took) another Tylenol during the race when the pain of cramps started; I agreed with his assessment of the hills that, except for two, were not noticeable. Steve was right on all accounts. They all helped me to run the CIM. Weather on race day was perfect running weather. People complained that it was cold at the start at 33 degrees. Cold is relative. I was used to 20 degrees in Boulder, so 33 degrees to me is warm. I wore shorts, a sleeveless wick-dry shirt underneath an old wick-dry 3/4 sleeve, and a baseball cap. I also wore a bandana around my neck for the first 6 miles. The pacing groups allowed me to meet runners who run my pace and who are trying to qualify for Boston. I started with Grant in the 3:45 group. This group ran the current pace in the first half and gained on Tim's 3:50 group in the second half of the marathon. I read the bio on Tim and later an article on him in December's Runner's World. His marathon PR is under 3:00 and he is an ultramarathoner. Tim ran too fast a pace in the first half and I am glad that I did not join his group. The spectators lined the majority of the course. The crowd was at its fullest at the switch off points for the relay. It was great to have a cheering crowd throughout the majority of the race. The cheering definitely was encouraging, especially my friends who came out to cheered me around Mile 22. Finishing at the capitol was very nice except for the horseshoe turns to the finish line. A bonus would have been to see Arnold and Maria waving to the runners and crowd at the capitol steps. The finisher's medal is very colorful. The volunteers at the water stations were very quick with handing water especially when I had to grab 3 cups to fill my 10 oz. bottles. The volunteers did a great job sorting out the sweat bags by bib numbers and efficient in finding mine and handing it to me with a smile. The post-race refreshments were okay. The soup needed more salt. Everything about the CIM race was fantastic except for the iron-on logo on the long-sleeve technical shirt. The logo peeled off after the first washing. No female sizes were available. | |
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John Unrau from Ottawa, Canada
(12/16/2006)
"More Hilly Than Expected" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a great marathon. The weather was great; the organization was great. One point I would like to make is that where you train is probably important in whether or not you think this course is "hilly." Most people who run this probably train around San Fran, which is HILLY. I am from Ottawa, Canada - a flat place - and therefore, the "rolling hills" seemed mountainous to me and had sapped my legs much earlier than I anticipated. If you are from the east and train in flat conditions, be wary of this course's reputation as "fast." | |
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R. N. from Sacramento, CA
(12/12/2006)
"Good first marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. The description of the course is misleading - it should be "rolling hills" rather than "downhill." Correct description will help first-timers to better pace themselves. The volunteers/spectators keep you going. They were awesome. Post-race organization was below average: There were no water bottles, so I had to wait for a gentleman to fill up little glasses. I did not find any sports drinks/bars/soup at the finish line either. There were only some slices of bananas and oranges. My time was 4:55, so I doubt if +5-hour finishers got anything much. | |
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J. H. from Victoria, BC, Canada
(12/11/2006)
"Perfect!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Clear sunny day, an amazing course and outstanding organization. Couldn't have been better. The hills were gently rolling and not the heavily corrugated ups and downs of the marathons I've run in the Pacific Northwest. And (bonus!) they were always followed by long gentle declines that seemed to melt into the horizon. My overall impression was for every one up, you got two downs in return, no doubt because of the net elevation drop. I found the combination of small communities and rural scenes along the route highly enjoyable and relaxing (if you can use that word to describe running a marathon). Certainly I didn't notice any tacky areas that seem to accompany some courses. Finishing at the capitol building was a touch of class, as were the volunteers who retrieved my sweats bag, the tomato soup and the Starbucks gingerbread lattes. My only suggestion would be to chuck the (really dry) bagels. Thanks, CIM, for a great experience. I would love to come back again. | |
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Renee Harrington from Goleta, CA
(12/11/2006)
"You should run this marathon!!!!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a really great marathon to do! I decided to run it since I heard it was a fast course and I wanted to qualify for Boston (which I did do!). So that being said, you can run a fast time on this course. Just be well aware of the course. Yes, it is a net downhill but it is a very rolly net downhill. Pace well and be aware of the middle miles and you'll be set for a strong finish during the last 6 essentially flat miles. Other pluses to this race are great weather, taking the bus to the start was easy and made things less stressful, aid stations were very well spaced and easy to negotiate through, great spectators throughout the course (offering water, fruit, encouragement, and even beer), with planning you can have family/friends meet you many times along the course (my boyfriend was able to see me at the start, miles 7.5, 13, 20 and the finish), the separate finish for male and female was pretty cool (I was confused about this at first but in the end I felt special, it was much less crowded, and the photographer was able to get a finish picture of me without a stranger's arm or leg in the way), massages at the finish (!!!!), there was plenty of post-race food, etc. So for negatives, I can't really think of much. A lot of people gripe about small details but just remember much of that has to do about how they felt during the race and how they did. This marathon gave me everything I was looking for: a fun and enjoyable race, great town and people, a Boston qualifying time, and memories. Put this one on your list to do! Oh, also wanted to mention that we ended up staying at a hotel called Inn Off Capitol Park. It was a very nice and reasonably-priced hotel that was within walking distance of the expo and the finish line, and it gave us a very late checkout (2 p.m.). | |
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M. D. from So Cal
(12/8/2006)
"It's Okay" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The course is mostly on the highway that runs parallel to the American River and is pretty wide and lined with oak trees. The race is fast, but the rolling hills mean that it's not as fast as many say. All in all, it is a nice course. Spectators lined the streets and welcome runners at every small community and almost every intersection... really friendly and supportive. Lines at the starting line porta-potties were astronomical. The electrolyte drink was awful. The post-race food was adequate, but not anything special. Aid stations were poorly marked and none had Tylenol. The medal is really nice. The staff at the finish line was friendly and helpful. It's the people that make this race fun. | |
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c. c. from Arizona
(12/8/2006)
"Outstanding event" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is downhill overall, but the first half is MUCH harder on the body than a relative novice like me was really ready for. The hills are set up to really pound your legs - be prepared! This tour of Sacramento is well-organized, well-laid out, attracts some very friendly runners, has a perfect staging area in Folsom and an inspiring ending at the state capitol (though the split-gender finish area seems pointless and confused the people who finished right in front of me... but I digress). I will definitely be back to run this again - my compliments to all involved in the 2006 CIM! | |
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D. G. from Bishop, California
(12/7/2006)
"A very fine marathon." (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon after San Francisco and I was impressed. The course follows suburban and urban streets that offer a few ups and downs and little scenery. I ran 45 minutes faster here than San Francisco. The crowds and entertainment were almost overwhelmingly good. The marathon was a good size and well run. | |
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Troy Rambo from Columbus, OH
(12/7/2006)
"Not bad!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 California International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was marathon #8 for me and the first CIM. Overall I don't think you could ask for a better day! I know the organizers had nothing to do with it but man... gorgeous! Expo: Small but easy to navigate and plenty of places to buy stuff. Good location also. Shuttle Service: This is a point-to-point race. The organization of the shuttle service was fantastic. It was easy on and off. They even let us stay on the buses to stay warm before the race. I can't imagine another marathon event that could do better than they did. Kudos!! Race: I was expecting much of the course to be downhill, but it was far more rolling than I expected. It definitely doesn't make it a bad thing, but I was surprised. Despite the rolling, the race was fast and probably could be the fastest course in the West (even for a turtle like me!!). The spectators were very supportive and there were more than I thought there would be on the course. The actual course wasn't bad but I'd probably have preferred to turn right or left a little more. I believe we were on Fair Oaks Blvd. for 15 or so miles with not much turning. Finishing: This is my only real complaint with the race. Nobody would help me with my chip removal so I had to do it myself. Not a huge deal except right after the race, I really didn't want to sit down until I had a chance to stretch a bit. Also, the corral had no refreshments and it was a free for all with spectators outside of it. For me (a 5:20 finisher) I was unable to have any food or drink at the finish since there wasn't any I could find. There may have been some available but nobody was there to help me. It was far different than what I was expecting since most races have the stuff right at the finish. Additionally, having someone who could give directions back to the host hotel would have been nice. All in all, I'd recommend the race as the good far far outweighs the bad. I probably won't do it again since there are so many others to do but if you want a great California race, this one could be for you! |
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