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Nov 15, 2024

Denver Marathon (2000-2004) Runner Comments

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Mikkel Hylden from Denver, CO (10/21/2004) "Some First Marathon" (about: 2004) First Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This is an email that I sent to family and friends who had been sending warm thoughts my way on my first race day. ------------ Greetings again everyone. First off, let me say Thank You to everyone for you thoughts and prayers on race day. It helped me out a lot. It was a beautiful day, and the course went through some very nice neighborhoods in Denver. The short story: The run was long, my legs are sore today, but I finished it! I came in second overall, first in my age group (30-39), and first in the clydesdale division (men over 200 lbs), with a time of 4 hours and 55 minutes. Unoffically. If you can't believe that, you'll have to read the long version. A (much) more detailed account: I ended up having to work on Saturday, so I decided to check this address in the afternoon. I was suprised to find a message at 2pm from the Mile High City Marathon informing me that the marthon had been postponed due to permitting issues with the city of Denver. How can they have permitting issues, when they've had over 6 months to get it together? Unbelieveable. I called the hotel where the packet (race number, t-shirt, etc.) pickup was being held, but they had no further information. I couldn't decide what to do, since I'd been training for this since June, and felt mentally and physically ready. They didn't say when it had been postponed until, so there was no way of knowing how to either re-train or maintain training to be ready for that. What to do? I thought about it quite a bit, and decided to run anyway. I figured there would be other people that were like me, and had this one weekend in mind, or other people who didn't hear anything about it. After all, I had been planning to pick up my packet the morning of the race, and if I hadn't been at work, I wouldn't have checked email, and would have had no clue that the race had been postponed a mere 17 hours before it was to start. In hindsight, it should have been a warning sign that they didn't get the course map out until the Tuesday before the race, and the course had been shortened to two 13.1 mile loops, rather than a continuous 26 miles. Being a first-timer though, I paid no attention to the warning signs. Not that I could have changed my plan at that point anyhow. So I set my alarm, and got to the starting line about a half hour before it was to start. There were a dozen or so people all standing around talking. They asked if I knew what was going on, since none of them had heard anything, and no one from the race committee was there to explain the lack of, well, everything. Ok, not everything, they had managed to get the port-a-potties brought in at the starting line, so there was one of those for everyone there. I told them what little I knew, and a few people left right away, and a few more people came and went. I said that I planned on running anyhow, since I had the course map, some energy gel packs, and at least a little water, that I figured I could refill in parks along the route. Another guy had a couple friends who were not running, and they said they would bring water around in their truck if people needed it. There ended up being about 10-12 people that started out just after the 7am start time, with me being the only first-time marathoner. I ran for the first couple miles with people named Darryl and Judy, who had done this race in past years. They were going a little faster than I cared for at first, but I figured I'd just drop back on my own in a few miles. After the first loop around the park we started in, another guy named Adam joined us in the back of the pack. He was also a first-timer, so he and and I ended up running for a while and let Judy and Darryl get a head of us. Adam had his friend Carey join in at about mile 6, who was just out for a little 20 mile run. Carey is big into triathlons (training for an Ironman), so the 20 miles was a morning thing, and he was planning to bike for a couple hours that afternoon. I stopped to get water at around mile 8 or so, and the two of them went on ahead. I ran by myself then, but still saw them for a while, ahead of me by a couple hundred yards. I'm not sure if they made a wrong turn somewhere, but I never saw them again, even when they should have been coming the other direction in the loop. I had made my way back to the start, so half way done! Unfortunately, I made a wrong turn in the park at the start of my second loop, so I had to cross the park back and forth one more time that I should have. I thought about just skipping the part that I missed, but I decided that if I was doing this, I was going to do the whole thing, and I'd rather be over mileage than under. It was a pride thing, if not the smartest thing. On my way out of the park for loop two, I saw a group that had started at 7:00 with me, but had all been WAY ahead. Most of these skinny people had done a marathon before, and decided to drop out after half way. I guess they're the type that want an official time and a medal, or nothing at all. Me, I say 'Medals? I don't need no stinking medals!' They informed me that as far as they knew, there was only one other person on the course! It was a guy who I'd guess was in his 50s, and had come down from near Winter Park (about a 2 hour drive), so he wanted to run either way. I pushed on, invigorated by the knowledge that I was now in second place! Running out of the park by myself, I saw Judy walking back the other way. She had decided to just run 17 miles, but told me that Darryl was still out there ahead of me. So I was actually in third, but that was ok. I was cheered on by some people outside a cafe/bar at around mile 15 or 16, who asked if I was running the marathon. That was great, but I was really looking forward to seeing Gwen and Brynn at mile 20. They were going to meet me there, along with our friend Lisa. I plodded along until then by myself, reminding myself to enjoy the beautiful day, and ignore my legs. I heard them cheering from down the block, and saw them waving and holding signs. That was really a big boost for me! They were about a block and a half from the turn-around point in the 13 mile loop. When I stopped to talk to them for a minute, I told them that I wasn't going up to the turn around because of my snafu in the park earlier, since I knew I'd added a lot more than 3 blocks there. I asked if they had seen anyone else, and they said there had been one person. Just then, heading back along the way was Darryl! So I said goodbye, Darryl took an extra power bar that we had, and we were off again. Darryl and I ran together again for a few miles, and it was good to have the company, even if we wern't doing any talking. We saw a woman a little over a mile from the turn around that we had crossed paths with a couple times, so I quickly asked if she was also doing the marathon, and she said yes. That brought the total of runners still going up to four. Darryl and I stuck together until nature called for me (guess I was still getting enough water!) and he got ahead of me again. I was able to keep him in sight for a while, but eventually lost him again. While I was passing the bar where I had been cheered on going the other direction, I needed water. So I stopped and went in to the bar. It was strange walking in all sweaty while people were drinking beers and watching football on TV (and I was a little jealous), but the ice water sure was nice. And at this point, there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and I knew Gwen and Brynn would be waiting there. As I came up on a stoplight a little further along, who do I see there but Darryl, and now only a couple dozen yards ahead of me! That was a burst of motivation too, to actually think that I was catching someone who had done marathons before. I passed him with about a mile left to the finish, where Gwen, Brynn, and Lisa would be waiting again. More excellent motivation. Darryl and I were coming in to the park at about the same time. Gwen, Brynn, and Lisa were cheering once again, and had set up two 'finish lines' with trail marking tape between the road blocks at the park entrance. Then the light turned red, and Darryl and I had to wait accross the street from our finish line, with the crowd of 3 cheering wildly. We ran across, and I managed to get to the finish first. Mission accomplished!! And I had managed to actually pass someone to take second place! The woman we had seen running came across the finish line about 20 minutes later, while Gwen, Brynn, Lisa and I were relaxing in the shade. We all stood and cheered for her, too. All told, I ran 27.5 miles according to my pedometer (which has been pretty accurate in my training runs). I passed the 26.2 mile mark at 4:55, and my total time was 5:10 for the 27.5 miles. I won't get a medal or my name published in any books, but that's ok. I was still second overall, first in my age group, and first in the Clyde division. I haven't completely ruled out doing another one some day, but I don't think that I'll ever finish higher than I have now, so in some ways I think I should just go out on top. No pulling a George Foreman here, making comebacks that just shouldn't happen. :-) Gwen put on a really nice little party for me after the race, complete with bananna cake with caramel frosting and rhubarb crunch. And yes, a few ice cold brews. Thanks again for all of your support. Mikkel Epilougue: In terms of the cancellation of the race, they still haven't determined if there will be a rescheduled date or not. I will be able to get my money back. I did ask in the email if I could still get a shirt, even if they have to take the cost of it out of my entry fee. I haven't gotten a response yet, but we will see. On Monday, more details came out about the debacle. The race director had gone down Friday to pay for his permit, with a partial payment (a lot of late registrations usually cover the rest) as he had done in previous years. This year, the city was not accepting partial payments. So no permit. I still think that he should have known that this year partial payments would not be accepted, but if that's how he'd done it before, I can also see how he made the mistake. Not that there should be any excuse, but at least there were more details now.
B. A. from Charlotte, NC (10/12/2004) "Inexcusable Lack Of Action By Race Director! " (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I know. I should have listened to all of the comments posted on this website! However, being the type of person who makes decisions based on how he?s treated and on his own experience, I decided to give it a try. However, in this case, I made a drastic mistake! The week of October 4th, I received multiple emails from the race director as well as the race staff regarding questions I had about the marathon as well as general information being sent to all runners. I even received an email on Friday, two days before the race, that everything was going as planned and the race was on. A friend and myself were flying from Charlotte to Denver Saturday at noon in preparation for the marathon. We had 2 nights accommodations planned at a downtown Denver hotel. I checked my email Saturday morning at 9:30 am prior to leaving to pick up my friend for the trip to the airport. No updates from the marathon race staff. As far as the City of Denver being the main group at fault, give me a break! It?s the race director?s fault, and only the race director?s fault! Knowing that you?re having a marathon a year in advance and trying to wait until the last business day before the marathon to get the permit, you have to be kidding! And to top if off, to not even have the professional courtesy to contact all of the pre-registered runners as soon as you found out is inexcusable. Regardless of the time he found out, he should have IMMEDIATELY sent an email to the marathon distribution list informing all runners of the situation. Then, for those runners traveling from out of state and who hadn?t left yet, they could have changed their plans. In case the race director doesn?t know it, airfare, hotel, and ground transportation are expensive! I?ll never get to find out if the race is as bad as everyone indicated. I would have loved to have the opportunity to find out for myself. However, I guess I?ll never know as I don?t plan on coming back to run this race anytime in the future. To all future Denver Marathon runners, BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M. R. from USA (10/12/2004) "Have Complaints about the Race Director?" (General Comments) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ok, first I didn't register for this race. I HAVE completed 10 marathons and countless 5K's, 10K's, half marathons, etc. To anyone complaining about the Race Director, let me say this: If you are that pissed off (pardon my French) then why the heck don't you stop complaining and HELP! Race Directors have a hard enough time trying to make our (participants) lives easier. Sure some are better than others, but who are we to be complaining about something we don't help out in. Think of it this way, this is an election year right? Doesn't everyone say, if you don't vote, then don't complain... let's bring this principle into the running world! Let's show our RD's how much we appreciate their efforts and at least offer to pitch in to help. Do what you can do to keep this sport alive!
b. g. from Boulder, CO (10/11/2004) "Bad plan from the get go" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the poor timing of this race. The Boulder Backroads Marathon/Half-Marathon was two weeks before and there was a marathon/half-marathon in Fort Collins one week before. These are both successful marathons that get decent reviews. And the one in Fort Collins is a fast course. It was stupid to think that there would be a lot of demand for a third marathon in three weeks.
K. M. from Denver, CO (10/11/2004) "Cancelled Denver Marathon Race Report (spectator)" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Well after yesterdays' debacle and cancellation of the Denver marathon (22 hrs before it was supposed to start), I am in awe of the runners spirit here in the Mile High City. Reason being is a good friend of mine, Adam Burnett having trained for this, his first marathon, was intent on running it. So at 7.00 sunday morning we meet in Washington Park at the proposed start line, and to our amazement there were 10-15 people also there ready to run. So here it is, early sunday morning a group of runners coming together to run a marathon with no mile markers, no clocks for split, no aid stations (except for one, but I will get to that later). The amazing camaraderie and spirit was very uplifting. It was also amusing to see people with the course layout figuring which way to go. Meeting people like Dennis who was completing his 69th marathon and had trained since May. Michel who was running his first marathon and was contemplating not doing it but when a friend found out that it was cancelled told Michel that he could help build a fence instead so he thought running a cancelled marathon doesn't sound so bad afterall. Judy who was using this as a 21 mile training run for the upcoming NY marathon. Plus other people who I didn't get their story from. So at people's own discretion, they all start at various times, but they are all off and running. Myself, I cut over to the 6 mile point and meet up with Adam who is now running with Michel and join in the run. As we continue on the run (or can I call it a race?) we pass the other runners who are competing in it, and yells of 'Denver marathon' as people pass is very encouraging to all. There is also one place where someone has placed 24 water bottles on the sidewalk and labeled them 'marathon runners' which was very welcomed and appreciated, so thanks to whomever put them there. During the run, we missed a turn and just took the next street and it was commented upon that it was no better marked than last year. Knowing that people completed the marathon with no fanfare, no clock to run under, no finisher's medals, makes it pretty awesome. People did it either to prove a point to themselves, or running it to get the satisfaction of completing a personal goal, or to complete it to give back the thanks for the people who had helped them train or for whatever reason it was, you have all showed what the true meaning of running a marathon is all about. Congratulations to all the runners, you are an inspiration and really show what running is all about. As a footnote, as far as I know Dennis seems to be the unofficial winner with a time if 3 hrs 19 minutes. So well done. thanks Kerry
J.P. Patrick from Boulder, CO (10/11/2004) "Never race in a Charles Trujillo race" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The following is my response to Marathonguide.com's defense of the Denver RD------------ My two cents? This isn't about intentions. I'm sure Mr. Trujillo would have loved to put on a successful and prosperous event. This comes down to a RD lacking the management skills and common sense necessary to be in that position. I moved to Boulder last year and had not run the Denver Marathon. My friends in my running circle laughed when they found out I had signed up for this years race. A few had run off course last year and those were the better of their experiences over the last four years. Not the best reputation up to this point. I have already placed numerous calls and emails into the City of Denver, but the bottom line is this; regardless of intentions, this is a RD that has no business being in this business. Watching the timeline of events over the last few weeks, it was infuriating, but I don't think a big shock, that Mr. Trujillo couldn't get this race off the ground. If he didn't know by Friday night that the race was in jeopardy, he should have! I did! When you're asking people from around the country to come to your event, the week of the race start isn't the time to finalize course logistics and permits, let alone the night before! I feel for the runners of Denver not having their own backyard marathon. Today would have been a near perfect race day. In the end, this RD's five year learning curve has come 'crushing' in around him , and frankly, I believe it came a year too late. Unfortunately, that is as much slack as I can cut him and his organization. ----The office of Mayor Hickenlooper received a similar letter.
d. r. from denver (10/10/2004) "an embarrassment to the city of Denver" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Denver Marathon (2000-2004)s COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 It is shameful that the city of Denver cannot put on a decent marathon/half marathon. The lack of leadership is evident with the ridiculous disorganization that plagues this race each year. My husband and I have run the race twice, and both times we were disappointed by every aspect of the race. After last year, we said 'no more.' But we wanted to get out there to support the runners this year. We were shocked when we read the paper Saturday (tiny article) and saw that it had been cancelled. What about all the folks traveling here to participate? All the long hours of training? It is time for Chuck Trujillo to give it up and pass the baton to another race director. He should be ashamed.
Jarrett Roberts from Denver, Colorado (10/10/2004) "[Ed. Please DO NOT] Call Your Credit Card Company" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Denver Marathon (2000-2004)s COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 [Editors Note: PLEASE DO NOT CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY AT THIS TIME The original post (below), suggests that registrants to this race call their credit card company - this would have terrible consequences. Each time you call your credit card company for a chargeback, the merchant is hit with paperwork and a $25 charge. The Denver Marathon IS NOT the merchant on your charge, MarathonGuide.com IS. Registrants in this race have already been notified that they will get a refund - but, needless to say, it takes some time to organized and process 1,000 of these requests. If everyone were to call their credit card company, MarathonGuide.com would receive 1,000 chargeback requests, resulting in paperwork that would swamp us and fees that would bankrupt this website. Please allow the process of refunds to take place - and please do not saddle MarathonGuide.com with unnecessary fees and paperwork. PLEASE. We do not know why this person believes that he must call his credit card company - he has already been told he will get a refund. Please work with us. Thanks.] --- Original Post Follows --- Not unexpected, but unfortunate. Having done 61 marathons including the first and third Mile High Marathons, I know the good, from the bad (the third Mile High Marathon), and the downright ugly (the first Mile High Marathon). I have finished the 50 States and DC marathon circuit and am ashamed that this travesty of a 'marathon' was allowed to be run by a greedy race director who has no clue how to run a quality event but is willing to charge what he thinks the market will bear and then some. I am not sad it was cancelled (it should have been after the first year) but feel for those who paid the outrageous entry price and got shafted 21 hours before. I work for a credit card bank as an auditor. My advice to anyone who didn't read previous years comments and signed up (or did read them but ignored them): READ THE FOLLOWING VERY CAREFULLY - Per Visa rules (MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are similar) you have 90 days to call the issuing bank up (the phone number is on the back of your card) and ask for the entry fee to be charged back on your card (i.e., refund) because the event was cancelled. Printout a copy of the cancellation news story from marathonguide.com and include it in the letter that you will need to send to the bank. Trust me, you will get your money back if you paid with a credit card. I had this happen to me with the 2nd DC Marathon in 2003 and I got my money back (Note: see my similar comments on that race). If you paid by cheque or money order all I can suggest is suing Mr. Trujillo in small claims court.
P. V. from Denver, CO (10/10/2004) "From the Rocky Mountain News 10/9/04" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Denver Marathon (2000-2004) COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Time, money may have run out for race; event canceled By Rocky Mountain News October 9, 2004 Authorities decided Friday to cancel Sunday's Denver Marathon after they said organizers did not raise the money to pay more than 100 off-duty police officers to set up street barricades. However, some of the people involved with the event said they don't consider the race officially off and were awaiting further word today. This year would have been the fifth straight year for the event. Police Division Chief Mary Beth Klee said she met Friday afternoon with Charles Trujillo, an organizer of the marathon, who told her he wasn't able to come up with the money needed to close streets to motorists. As a result, Denver Manager of Safety Al LaCabe decided to cancel the 26.2-mile race, Klee said. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3242077,00.html
C. A. from Denver, CO (10/9/2004) "They cancelled the marathon the day before!!!!!" (General Comments) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Denver Marathon (2000-2004) COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Unbelievable, to cancel a marathon the day before is horrible. Luckily I live here and it just pisses me off, if I had come in from out of town, I would be contacting my attorney and looking for restitution for my losses. Denver is a major city and it deserves better than this!!!!!!!!!

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