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Carlsbad Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Carlsbad Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 188 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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Mark Spence from Albany, Oregon
(1/21/2008)
"Not a runner's marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon works best as a mass community event. However, I would not recommend it for people who are capable of qualifying for Boston or trying for a PR. The course has a significant climb between miles 8-10, which can be handled. It's the uneven elevations through the rest of the course that make it hard to maintain a particular pace. I kept trying to hit 7-minute splits, but kept faltering on the many smaller climbs between miles 15-25. The hardest part of the race was the last 8 miles, which was the equivalent of trying to run through a massive shopping mall at Christmas. The route was filled with half-marathon walkers, with many of them either walking 5 abreast in conversation, lost to the sounds of their iPods, or taking phone calls. There was literally no one to run with, just a thousand people (no exaggeration) to run through and around. It is an extremely well organized event. And I have to say that I loved the first 13-15 miles. But the little hills and big crowds of walkers tempered that feeling by the end. | |
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E. P. from San Diego, CA
(1/21/2008)
"Great race, great support, awful traffic afterward" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Carlsbad Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran the half-marathon in 2008. Can't beat it for great weather, excellent support, and lots of volunteers - it makes everyone feel like a winner. But oh that traffic jam afterwards... next year I will remember to park near the exit of the lot. | |
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J. R. from New York City
(1/21/2008)
"Hills, Hills, Hills" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, let me say that I truly enjoyed the Carlsbad Marathon 2008. However, I was surprised at how hilly it was. I did look at the elevation map, but it was even more hilly than I anticipated. Miles 19-23 were one long, never ending ascent. That being said, now let me tell you what I did like. 1. Parking was easy and plentiful for both the expo and the race. Plus, I had no problem entering or exiting, unlike the San Diego AFC and the Disneyland Half (both of which took me an hour fully to exit). 2. The expo was as good as any that I have attended, and I have attended quite a few, having run 20 marathons or half marathons over the last 12 months. 3. The weather was fantastic for a marathon. The temperature at the start was 38 degrees. Cold, yes. But within a mile, I was extremely comfortable. 4. The course was absolutely magnificent. Okay, miles 6 through 14 weren't that appealing, but the remaining 17 miles were extraordinary, with the beautiful ocean views. 5. The walkers and slow runners were very well-behaved. Most of them hung to the right. And I don't remember seeing any walking 3 and 4 abreast, as was the case in the Long Beach Marathon. The announcer at the race-start made a wonderful plea for cooperation, and I believe that the walkers responded to this appeal. 6. Although there were 10,000 runners, Carlsbad had a small race flavor. I credit the 3 separate starting times for this (5:30, 6:30, and 7:30). I took off at 6:30 and I think that there were only about 400 marathoners in that group. 7. The Church Ladies didn't bother me at all. Heck, during a marathon, I appreciate any encouragement I can get. Besides, I didn't have to accept their crucifix. 8. The crowd support was great, and plenty of it. However, even if there were only two people cheering us on, I would have been appreciative. I never could understand runners who complain that there aren't enough people cheering them on. I am happy for whatever I can get since I know that these spectators have others things that they could be doing. 9. The aid stations were more than adequate. Plus, I really stacked up on the free gels. You don't get that at most marathons. 10. The finish line and post-race party was equal to most large races. However, the Rose Bowl Half post-race party on December 8 was magnificent by comparison. But then, that was a much smaller crowd. 11. Hey! I truly made a memory, and I will definitely be back again in 2009. Of course, I almost have to since I like doing the Triple Crown of Carlsbad, La Jolla and San Diego AFC. 12. I really love my Carlsbad finisher's long-sleeve tee shirt. The quality was of the highest order. Plus, it isn't too often that you see "finisher" on shirts these days. 13. The medal was quite spectacular, definitely rivaling the Disneyland Labor Day medal of 2007. 14. Well, that's it. See y'all next year. | |
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G. J. from San /diego
(1/20/2008)
"not as well organized in 2008" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Carlsbad Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This year: no snacks at any stops, and no Vaseline. They should have a 6:30 start for half-marathon walkers; they needed traffic control for cars trying to get into the lot at 6:30, and they should have closed more lanes so people could turn in and prevent huge bottlenecks. | |
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W. G. from Southern Calif.
(1/20/2008)
"Beautiful but difficult!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you want to run a beautiful Southern California race, run Carlsbad! I've done Pacific Shoreline, OC, and Rock-n-Roll and I think Carlsbad is the best. But do it for the scenery, not for a PR. The hills were tougher than I expected! It was extremely well-organized and the medal and finisher's shirt were very, very nice. The start was crowded until the half and full split at mile 5; then it was just a nice, small-ish marathon. Unlike previous reviewers, I did not have a problem with passing people who had taken the 5:30 or 6:30 start. By the time I caught up to them, there was enough space, and I thought it was kind of nice to be out there with some who were walking with a cane, being pushed in a wheelchair, or just doing their best to finish. | |
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T. B. from Rancho Cucamonga, California
(4/2/2007)
"Great marathon - well organized!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon and a great way to get back into doing marathons! Perfect weather and atmosphere to ignite excitement and energy. The volunteers were exceptional. They made the marathon more worthwhile than the many hills that wore my hip out! Thanks for inspiring me that I could endure the pain. This is a must-do marathon for all. | |
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Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(2/3/2007)
"More Energy Gel Than You Can Shake a Stick At!" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 No shortage of energy gel at this marathon; in fact volunteers were handing out "coffee" flavor at the entrance to the starting corrals. From there it seemed like (different flavors) were every two miles the rest of the run. I really appreciated the late packet pick up. Because of prior last-minute commitments, I called the race management and asked permission to pick up the packet the morning of the event. (Most larger events don't permit this.) I was informed it was permitted (despite pre-race instructions to the contrary), and told to arrive 2 hours beofre the start. Upon arriving (just 1 hour prior, incidentally), I was surprised to note the entire (outdoor, circus-tent style) expo was actually open race morning, and the process was relatively seemless. (They did run out of shirts, which I was told would be mailed, but considering I didn't pick up my timing chip and number until race morning, I wasn't surprised.) (The expo opened a half-hour before the marathon start.) The route is quite hilly throughout. They aren't steep grades, but they are cumulative. Be sure to plan for plenty of training with hills positioned toward the end of your long runs if you plan to do well here, since only the last three miles or so are devoid of climbs. There are nice views of the ocean, and a lot of "out and back" sections that are kind of redundant and not particularly scenic. I liked the lunch baggy post-race refreshment concept - by portioning it out like this, every athlete should get an equal part. The multi colored rising-sun race theme logo'd medal is nice. | |
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L. L. from Truckee, CA
(1/31/2007)
"Well organized race!!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was VERY well organized. I made the mistake of driving the course the day before - only to find out it was very hilly. The description of "rolling hills" just didn't do it justice. That being said, I still managed a PR (just three months after running Chicago). There were about 10 times as many half marathon runner as marathon runners, so as a result, there were not many pace groups. However, there was plenty of water, energy drink, and gel. The volunteers were fantastic! I think some of the highlights of this event were the weekend events - the kids' race was incredible and the ability for family and friends to present the medal to any first-time marathoner or half marathoner was a very nice touch. I loved this race and would do it again in a heartbeat! | |
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R. R. from Chicago, IL
(1/31/2007)
"Hillier than expected, but still a good race!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a well organized race with plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Being a flat runner from the Midwest, I was not prepared for all of the hills. I studied the topography and it prepared me for the one big hill, but not all of the smaller hills. OK, I'm a whiner.... Other comments: The start was pretty confusing and crowded. Once you reached the start line all was OK. Would have preferred Gatorade or PowerAde or almost anything other than the energy drink served. It looked like flavored water and tasted like flavored water. Was surprised to see all of the gel stations! I always carry my own gels and really did not need what was offered. Race organizers could cut back on the gels and get a better energy drink. Overall, very satisfied with this race with only minor issues as noted. The medal was very good and the food bag at the end was also very good! Oh, one more thing... the technical shirt was great!!! However, it said "Finisher" on the shirt, yet it was provided at the expo. Usually a finisher's shirt is given once people cross the finish line. Alright, one more very minor thing... the walkers (and there were a lot of them) should be prompted throughout the race to stay to one side of the course. They were all over the place! | |
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D. C. from USA
(1/28/2007)
"My marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Carlsbad Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I wanted to thank Trevor, the 4:00 pacer, for the 2007 Carlsbad Marathon. He did a great job!! He was right on pace every mile and boy did that help me. I wanted him to know I finished in 3:58!! YEAH!! My goal was met thanks to him.... I sure hope you'll be there next year. Thanks for a great race Trevor. - The long-haired singing chick!! (Diane) |
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