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Yakima River Canyon Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Yakima River Canyon Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 74 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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R. M. from Wichita Falls, TX
(4/6/2006)
"I LOVE THIS MARATHON!!!" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon has it all: marvelous organization (= great people!), beautiful scenery, wonderful volunteers, rural setting, free awards dinner after the race (late enough that ALL can attend - and the food is fabulous), great support from fellow runners... Whether you fly into Seattle and drive through the Cascades or fly directly into the small Yakima airport, this is a marathon to be on everyone's list at least once! I plan to be back! There aren't many spectators on the course (the Yakima Canyon Road is closed for us, but family and friends with a spectator pass can get through) - for me that's five stars, as I prefer the quiet of the canyon and the river (and the occasional train whistle and bird call). | |
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Joel Stevenson from Portland Oregon, USA
(4/5/2006)
"Surprisingly Beautiful" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My reasons for choosing this race were that I wanted something relatively local and small. The purpose was to improve my time over New York which was miserable (though that race is great fun). As far as I'm concerned, this course has to be one of the most beautiful I've ever run-more so than Big Sur. And virtually no crowds only made it more spectacular. The morning of the race was very wet, cold and windy and we all huddled as long as possible in the motel before starting. But the rain stopped once the race started and conditions couldn't have been better. And I was able to take 20 minutes off my best time!! A few hills to make it interesting. If you want a scenic and intimate race-I HIGHLY recommend this one. | |
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C. Y. from California
(4/4/2006)
"A challenging course with "small town" appeal" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race has the appeal of "Small Town, USA." Everyone seems to know everyone. If they don't know you, they are interested in getting to know you. We opted to take the shuttle to the start. Once there we were able to wait inside at the Days Inn until race time. Given the horrible (and unusual) weather, this was a big bonus. They had water for us, but since I had left my pre-race snack back in my car, it would have been nice to have had some food there as well. The course was more challenging than I had anticipated. The declines really taxed the quads. I actually looked forward to the hill late in the course just to use a different set of muscles. The spectators were limited to the aid station workers but they were tremendously supportive. At the finish line I was handed a beautiful rose along with my finishers medal. The food at the finish was plentiful and tasty. There were also several massage therapists offering a post-race rubdown. The awards party later that afternoon featured baked potatoes with lots of toppings and 3 different types of cake. It seemed like there was a story to be told about each person that was called up to receive their award. They really tried to add the personal touch whenever possible. | |
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M. g. from Boston
(4/3/2006)
"canyon highs" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was it. The race is a marathon getting to and off the beaten path, but you get a super view of the canyon, and thanks to the 50-staters and maniac runners, there were crowds. I like the no-frills style and the encouragement among the runners. You better train because this course makes Boston look like a training run. The weather was the second challenge, as the rain just held off enough and the snow was on the way. | |
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B. J. from spokane, wa
(4/3/2006)
"cold, wet, but good" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my second marathon. Race day morning was very wet. Fortunately, the precipitation tapered off about two minutes before the start of the race. The temperature never climbed above the low 40's the entire race. Despite the dreary overcast skies, the run was great. Just enough rest areas. "The hill" wasn't that big of a deal. Just train for it. I stayed at the Days Inn in Ellensburg (definitely recommended). The start line is a quick three- or four-minute walk from the hotel lobby. It was nice to sleep in before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Nice scenery. Good race. Definitely recommended. | |
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E. M. from Yakima, Washington
(4/22/2005)
"Conquering the Canyon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My first Yakima marathon and I am glad I ran the race this year. Race seemed to fly by since it was a point to point unlike other marathons that tend to drag on. Beauty is unmatched in the canyon. I actually like the lack of fans in the canyon because it gave me plenty of time to get into a good cadence unlike a Boston or Chicago where I tend to get distracted by crazy spectators. My only complaint is that the road is slightly sloped so I got horrible blisters but hey, they have almost healed! The last hill is a bear but the last three miles downhill make up for it. My favorite small town marathon I've ever run. Everyone needs to try it at least once! | |
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Nik Southwell from Victoria Canada
(4/19/2005)
"Big race organization with small town hype" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hundreds of races and three marathons later, I have to say that without a doubt, the Yakima River Canyon Marathon ranks in my top three favorite of all time when it comes to race organization and course structure. You would be hard pressed to find a more tranquil race course out there. The climate in early April brings cool mornings and many runners were inclined to overdress, but it really only warrants a singlet and shorts. The spectator friendly 3 mile point gives you a tease of what you only get in small doses out on the course. The very supportive aid stations do give you a welcome cheer as you go by but then you are able to get back and focus on the task at hand being out on the course by yourself the rest of the time only hearing your heavy breathing and pounding footsteps. This course was not destined to produce a PB although I did manage to advance to the half way point in 1:10 and change. There were a couple of false flats and the camber of the road posed minor challenges the hill at mile 14 is short but does task the athlete for what comes on the other side. Immediately after the decent is another two miles which is a slight but steady uphill. By the time you hit mile 21, respect for the course had grown even more with yet another deceivingly tough hill. A steady run can easily shift into a steady shuffle if one neglects to prepare for these inclines this late into the race. The decent on the other side is surprisingly difficult if you unwittingly smash your quads on what is known as the ?Damn Hill?. There is some reprieve once you reach the summit because you know for three miles thereafter you can coast or attempt to coast (depending on how badly your quads are hurting!) downhill. One more little peak at mile 24 drives home how this tranquil, winding and scenic course is deceptively challenging to the unprepared. After you congratulate yourself on conquering the course, I would highly recommend making your way over to the awards ceremonies at the end of the day. It was a second to none gathering of excited and inspired runners with delicious food, plenty of awards and draw prizes (I think just about everyone received something). Genuine and highly motivating people of this small town told their stories and encouraged everyone to join them again next year. Those stories struck a chord with me and I will take them with me into my next race. Imagine a man who has run over 350 marathons with a wife that supported those dreams over many years; take those two people and add a spirited community, outstanding volunteers and beautiful countryside. Shake it up, and you get the Yakima River Canyon Marathon ? the marathon with the big race organization quality with small town feel and hype. Thanks to Bob and Lenore Dolphin, I will definitely be back. | |
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A. A. from Seattle, WA
(4/5/2005)
"A wonderful, spirited, first marathon! " (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Course: The course was so gorgeous. A train whistle blows at the start line, and you're off! You first run through some farms, with cows mooing and everything. Then you get onto a winding road by the Yakima Canyon. There are beautiful hills with scrubby desert plants, a glistening and snaking river, huge wide blue open sky, and towards the end, breathtaking rock drops. Running wise, there are about 4 hills, with the worse one around mile 21. Even though I'm an experienced hill runner, this hill right when the 'wall' hit was a doozy! The finish line is wonderful because you can see it from a half-mile away with balloons and spectators. The road itself is slanted weirdly at times and curves a lot, so be sure to run on the inside of the curve to minimize distance. Organization: Fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations had water and Powerade. They were so friendly and supportive! The entire road was closed off. There were mile markers prominent at each mile, and you could see them clearly. The perfect types of food were available after the race - apples, bananas, fruit leather, yogurt, bagels, etc.! The awards ceremony dinner was just so much fun and so inspiring with the feeling of camaraderie and spirit among marathoners. Beautiful medals and shirts without ads. Overall: A great first marathon! The race director gives you a special award at the ceremony if you're a first-timer and personally hugs you at the finish line. You also get a pretty yellow rose. Little personal touches like this really make the whole experience unforgettable! | |
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J. P. from Seminole, FL
(4/5/2005)
"A great weekend" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you want a well organized marathon with spectacular scenery, don't miss this one. It was a great weekend from the pasta party to the post-race awards dinner, it was first-class. The marathon is difficult with a couple of tough hills, but the scenery running through the canyon is a must-see. The post-race party was one of the best that I have attended, great meal, plenty of prizes and what other marathon gives certificates to first-time marathon finishers? Having completed 49 marathons, this has to be one of the best. The organizers have covered all the bases and the volunteers can't do enough to assist. If you need a crowd along the course, stay home, but if you like to run along a beautiful course and hear the river flowing through the rapids, this is the marathon for you. | |
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J. H. from Seattle
(4/5/2005)
"Excellent choice for a first-time marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great choice for a first marathon. First-timers were honored with a rose at the finish. The whole marathon was organized with a lot of personal touches. Aid station workers were wonderful and the weather and temps were ideal. Most turns were cambered and it was a challenge to make up time lost on the hills (tough on ankles). The post dinner was delicious and well prepared. Spectators were not allowed on the course except at the start and finish. There were a minimal number of cars on the course. Runners could be found on either side of the road, cars moving down the middle at times. |
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