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☰
Sacramento Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Sacramento Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.3 
Organization 3.1 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 12 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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D. H. from San Rafael, CA
(5/28/2008)
"If you are looking to PR, look no further." (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Sacramento Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The race is extremely flat, with no brutal hills. Anyone looking to qualify for Boston would be hard pressed to find an easier course. They could use a few more water stations, as it seems like they are few and far between on some parts of the course, but it is a nice event. Don't run it if you want the big race experience (New York, Chicago, Boston, etc.). There are very few spectators on the course, so it's up to you to make it happen. | |
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LINDA SIERRA from WEST SACRAMENTO
(10/19/2004)
"THE PAIN IS WORTH IT!!" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Sacramento Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I trained for 8 months to get ready for this big run!! My goal in my life was to do one marathon. My shape came from boxing and running, and I was very happy with my time of 4:20. This run showed me how much heart I really do have and as long as this course is around, I will be doing it!! | |
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C. C. from Los Angeles, CA
(10/5/2004)
"Really is fast, flat and shady!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Sacramento Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 POSITIVE THINGS: I just ran this race this past weekend (10/3/04) and it was my first marathon. I loved the fact that it was really 85% in the shade (big trees on residential streets and within William Land Park) and very flat. There was only one gentle slope where there was no shade and that was at the outer turn-around (miles 7+ and 19+). But I didn't even notice until my husband and sister reminded me afterwards. There was one other small stretch through an industrial area that had little shade depending on the time in the morning. Some people don't like the out and back course (two loops basically) but I liked knowing what to expect for the 2nd half of the race. There seem to be consistently twice as many half marathoners as full marathoners. The water/blue Powerade stops were well stocked for the whole duration (I finished in about 4 hr and 40 min). Nothing else was given out on the course but bananas, bagels, water and Powerade and free massages for every participant awaited all finishers. They also gave out free Starbucks samples in the morning, pre-race too. NEGATIVE THINGS: There were not that many spectators along the course (they all seem to have gathered around the start/finish/midpoint area) but the ones sprinkled along the course were very enthusiastic. The first loop with the half marathoners was more clear since there were more runners on the course and more police officers standing at the road closures. The 2nd loop the markers were still there but the officers diminished in number a bit. But I didn't get lost! However, the two guest runners did get lost as the leaders with no one in front of them. I wish the website had more info earlier on than it did, but overall, it wasn't too hard to figure things out. I emailed the address on the website twice to ask about logistics and what would be given out during the course for replenishments and never got a response. No pasta party the night before and the expo was scant I heard, but that was fine with me since some of my family members are on restricted carb diets anyway. At race packet pick up I asked about the line up with the walkers and no one knew what was going to happen, but in the morning they did delay the walkers starting by 10 minutes so that the runners wouldn't have to dart around them for the first 20-30 minutes. If you do this race it's better to stay closer to the start/finish area at the Sacramento City College instead of at the host hotel if you plan on driving to the site yourself. We (me and my family) didn't hit any traffic and didn't have a hard time finding parking. We stayed at the Super 8 on Florin Road (no-frills, clean motel, fridges in every room, microwaves in some) for half the price of a night at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza. | |
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F. E. from Berkeley, CA
(10/4/2004)
"fun, small town marathon" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Sacramento Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Well organized by friendly people but overall a bit spartan and primitive. No expo, no music on the course as advertised, small field for the marathon. Course is said to be on park land (and that may well be technically correct), but in reality it is mostly quiet residential streets and a warehouse district near old town, with some awkward crossings. Temperature was warm but pleasant and the course is shaded by big trees. Water and Powerade every 2 miles. There isn't much scenery but a lot of friendly people. Not many spectators either but tons of half marathon walkers/runners that cheer you on and look truly impressed. Hard to find parking (you are essentially on your own to find it), no post-race clothes drop, not enough porta-john's, etc., etc. Bagels, fruit and coffee post-race. Even so, had a good time and would do it again. | |
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T. S. from Fair Oaks
(10/3/2004)
"Not a great marathon!!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Sacramento Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Although the scenery is wonderful and the homes are lovely to look at, the circling around and around is awful. There were not enough water stations and no fruit to be found anywhere along the course. On my way back on the second loop I finally noticed a bowl of pretzels and a container of candy on a table -- NO SIGNS -- no one announcing their availability. I wore terrible shoes and had issues with my calves locking up, which is my fault and the only reason I finished with a pathetic time of 4 hours 50 minutes, but I really do not think I would ever bother to do this one again. It's okay as a 10K or fun run around Land Park but it definitely is not conducive to a marathon. I much prefer the CIM. I was surprised at how few spectators there were along the way given we were running through a neighborhood. The medals were very nice, though and the chip timing was nice to have available. | |
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A Runner from Honolulu, HI
(12/4/2002)
"Poor timing officials" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I ran this race in 2001 and finished under 4hrs.,for some reason the timming official clocked me at over 6hrs.I was very dissapointed in the events organization, and I will not run this race again. I have notified the official of this race in Dixon, and they have not given me the courtesy of responding. | |
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A Runner from Orangevale, California
(10/7/2002)
"Mature Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon is for the runner who wants to run a marathon, not for the side entertainment provided by bigger events. It is a virtually flat course. One underpass and a few speed bumps provide the terrain. The weather is always a wild card. Early October in Sacramento can mean running in the heat or cool depending on the year. Temperatures in the 60's are probably a good bet with about 60% of the course being shaded by large trees. This marathon has been presented for many years by the same people and they have the kinks worked out. It's well marked, safe (no small task - there are lots of turns and street crossings), well supported with aid. The double out and back course is boring to some, reassuring to others. I plan to return. | |
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A Runner from Sacramento
(3/5/2002)
"Worst marathon I've ever run" (General Comments)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I could have had a better run on my treadmill in front of the T.V. at home. | |
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Gene from Honolulu, Hawaii
(10/30/2001)
"A marathon for all runners, a flat easy course." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I found the Sacramento marathon experience to be great. I ran a pr and felt good. I have never run a course that was out and back twice, but I liked it. I would run it again. | |
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A Runner from Reno Nevada
(10/8/2001)
"Fun Local Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For a local marathon, Sacramento was good. Although it isn't too exciting to see the same scenery four times, the race was real well organized and convenient. No problems parking or finding the starting line. Course was well marked. |
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