calendar icon Nov 14, 2024

Skagit Flats Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Skagit Flats Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 52 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

 

S. S. from portland, or (7/30/2007)
"Flat marathon; moderate fan support; good org." (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


If you are looking to PR or just like running on flat pavement, this is the marathon for you. The weather started out nice and cool, but by the 3rd hour the sun was blazing and it was getting warm (2006). I thought the aid stations were well-stocked and numerous in the first half, but more minimal in the second half, especially at the very end. (It seemed like few and far between.) I also thought the end of the marathon was poorly directed (so-so marked)... they could've had more people directing you. But the organization was excellent and food at the finish was yummy. I don't think the scenery is outstanding - your typical rural-ish backdrop of flat fields with Mt. Baker in the far distance. I actually probably wouldn't run this one again, primarily because it wasn't that exciting and seemed to go on foreverrrrr.

 

D. G. from Seattle (9/20/2006)
"Very well done!" (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 2 Skagit Flats Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


This is a quintessential small-town maraton on lovely, FLAT, rural roads, organized by an enthusastic and knowledgeable club. The course was very well marked (except the last 1/2 - 1 mile) and the aid stations were well stocked. The awards were FANTASTIC!!! Great job!

 

Tom *** from Seattle (9/20/2006)
"Great Small Marathon" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Skagit Flats Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I guess I just don't get the comments about the finishing mile being poorly marked. I just looked down at the ground at the ORANGE arrows and cones. I followed them to the finish and only ran 26.2 miles. I had a great time. I am a 5+ hour marathon runner. I was very surprised to see they not only had food left when I crossed the finish line, but tons of food. There were muffins, bread, watermelon, bananas, apples, Baker's cookies, and Talking Rain juices. The tables were stocked! I think Skagit Runners did a great job of putting on this event and I will be back next year!

 

J. M. from California, USA (9/13/2006)
"Please mark the course better" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


From about mile 25 to the finish, there weren't any markers (orange cones) or people directing you to the finish. So, in this case, I ran an ultra - 26.8 miles. That is my only suggestion for next year. Please mark the finish mile better.

If you are afaid of cars whizzing by, this is not a good race for you. Overall I thought it was beautiful, rustic and very peaceful. Very nice change from running with huge crowds of people.

 

L. M. from Sammamish, WA (9/12/2006)
"Flat as a pancake" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


The RD was right on the money - this was one flat and rural route and certainly was the reason I was able to PR.

Weather was absolutely perfect!! Virtually no spectators, but that was pretty much expected.

The course was an out-and-back, which I liked because I was able to distract myself by watching all of the fast runners heading back while I was heading out. Also made me not feel so alone out there. :-)

The aid stations were very basic but well stocked. Most of the aid stations were enthusiastic.... Just a few run by some of the high-schoolers that didn't appear to really want to be there.

The ending was horrible and the main reason I gave the course and organization only 3 stars. It was poorly (or not at all) marked and not a soul was around to help direct us to the finish line. There was no one in front of me so I had no one to follow. Luckily when I yelled back to a runner behind me that I didn't know which way to go, a driver-by heard me and directed me to the finish line.

The finish line food was again very basic, but well stocked for us back-of-the-pack runners.

 

M. A. from Montana (9/21/2005)
"None Better" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Very Simple: A better opportunity for a PR or to qualify for Boston does NOT exist.

 

Ronald Bucy from Bridgeport, West Virginia (9/13/2005)
"Picture Perfect Marathon" (about: 1998)

50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This marathon is the best kept secret in the great Northwest. The organization and marathon staff aim to please and do they ever! Shirts, medals, support and after marathon treats were terrific. If you want to experience hospitality at it's best come to the Skagit Valley marathon.

 

L. H. from Washington (9/13/2005)
"Couldn't have been better!" (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I thought it was an incredible experience for being my first. It was totally flat - which was really nice. There were plenty of water and GU stations. The kids were so great at cheering us on, as were several others that were riding their bikes ahead of us. There was plenty of food at the end also. Everyone involved did a great job. I will look forward to coming back again next year!

 

Doug Stock from Seattle WA (9/12/2005)
"Good Course" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


They are not kidding when they say flat.
Pros are
1. Good food selection after the race
2. Peaceful surroundings
3. Nice people
4. Plenty Hammer gel and other gel packs handed out on the course..
5. Day of race sign up available

Cons
1. Smells like cow shit from about mile 2-3 (very slight)

There were almost no spectators, but the the few that were there were awesome. Over all I would say it was a nice change from larger races that I have done like Seattle San Francisco and Vancouver. ps Seattle Sucks

 

C. K. from Seattle, Wash. (9/11/2005)
"A very fine marathon" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Skagit Flats Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


My 3 star rating of the course only reflects my dislike for running on road shoulders and the section of road where traffic got a bit higher and a LOT faster. (Something about metal objects squeezing past me at 60 mph unnerves me, go figure.) Furthermore, we were asked at several points in the race to run on the right side of the road, with traffic. Someone really should correct that so that runners are going against traffic for safety.

That said, I thought it was a wonderful marathon and I would definitely run it again. Kind and enthusiastic course support from terrific volunteers, beautiful countryside, and of course: very flat. Lots of gels and Gatorade on the course, and terrific array of post-race food. The out and back route didn't bother me as I thought it might, though on the way back in we traded our nice tailwind for a headwind.

Good event!

 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]


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