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☰
Valley of the Sun Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Valley of the Sun Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.7 
Organization 2.5 
Spectators 2.7
Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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l. a. from Arizona
(3/14/2005)
"The biggest joke I have ever seen." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Valley of the Sun Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I was at the event this year (2005) and it was a complete joke from the start. At 4:00-5:00 AM, all 2000 or so runners were bussed to the middle of the desert and dropped off at the wrong location (the middle of a campground) with no race organizers or race staff to be found. No one had any idea where the start was supposed to be, where the drop bags were to be taken to (eventually we were directed to a school bus that had it's windows down, and told to throw our bags in the windows). The race somehow eventually started about 30 minutes late, and once on the course there was minimal staff at the aid stations, and for the 1/2 marathon course there were 2 aid stations listed that were not on the course, including the one with the power gel, Gu, or whatever gel they were supposed to be giving away. Many aid stations had no cups, so runners were cupping their hands to hold water. Course support was non-existent with sparse exceptions. The course is fast and mostly scenic, but the director needs to have a lot more assistance and support for this race to continue. I will not be running it again next year if Sue is the race director again. | |
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D. M. from Bloomington, IN
(3/14/2005)
"FUBAR" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 From the get go this race was off to a bad start, literally. I would not recommend this race to anyone that does not want to take care of themselves during a race. If you need support in terms of organization then forget it. Runners can put up with a lot of stuff, but this was bordering on ridiculous. Apparently the race director did not listen to comments from last year's race as what to fix in the way of food at the end of the race, because it was very sparse again. Water stops: have you ever stopped and poured your own water? Jugs on the ground with cups laying there wrapped up, fumbling around, sure is a stride breaker. And then they run out of water at the finish at 3 hours and do not go to get anymore water for the rest of the runners. I have left a few things out, but the way the director sounds it will not make any difference anyway. But I suspect that she will have a lot lower turnout next year (which is sad because this could be a great race setting). It's the 5th year. Hmm, very odd that this is the 5th year and this was such a disorganized race? Good things: Course, medal, police support, very professional and courteous. | |
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S. A. from Raleigh, NC
(6/8/2004)
"I enjoyed the course and the scenery." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I found the race to be well organized. The course was nice, the scenery was great. The early start was needed -- I got hot with no cloud cover. | |
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J. D. from Southern California
(4/1/2004)
"I have nothing but raves for this marathon" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The Valley of the Sun Marathon is terrific. Not only did I run a PR and qualify for Boston, but it also was the most enjoyable of the seven marathons I've run. I love the 6:30 a.m. start. The temperature was around 55 degrees and rose only to 68 by my finish 3 hours and 43 minutes later. The gentle downhills helped with the PR. The gentle uphills at miles 5 and 17 actually felt good after experiencing the long downhills that preceded them. The scenery was nice and varied. Policemen were terrific in controlling traffic at various interchanges. I never had to stop or slow my pace at all. Water and Ultima Replenisher were distributed every one to two miles and the volunteers were friendly and supportive. I also loved the finish on the high school track with runners' names being announced as they crossed the finish line. In addition to the usual refreshments, there was even homemade pasta in the middle of the track. A great marathon! | |
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S. A. from California, USA
(3/31/2004)
"Fast course with great aid stations, thin on fans" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon. It was very fast - only a few hills - and the aid stations were great. Basically every mile toward the end. However, the spectators are thin, even at the finish line. Compared with stories I get from other first time marathoners (Maui, Chicago) where the spectators keep you going at the end, it was somewhat sad. Since 1500 out of 2000 entrants are in the 1/2 marathon, at times you feel you are running alone. | |
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J. L. from Michigan, USA
(3/27/2004)
"Pretty course" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was scenic most of the way, though it went through a few industrial areas that where not very inspiring. (I?m still trying to figure out why the course had the ?U-turn? around the 15 mile mark.) Aid stations were plentiful, though they seemed to be better stocked and manned early on the course. Porta-johns were spotted around the course at predictable intervals. One long gentle hill around mile 4, and a short steep hill around 17 added interesting touches to an otherwise flat course. The course was all black top, except for about ¾ mile on dirt along the canal. The one major thing I missed along the course were the orange slices and bananas that most marathons provide at some point or other. The other thing I missed were the sports massage folks at the finish. For a marathon that is only 4 years old it was very good, and the organization has the chance to grow it into a great marathon if they can learn to provide better eats along the way and at the end. | |
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D. E. from USA
(3/24/2004)
"Can you knock an event when you PR? :)" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Great course if you're looking to PR. One long, gradual hill early in the race and one short but steep hill around 17ish...rest is fairly flat. Traffic control was never a problem. Make sure you hit the port-o-potties before you get on the bus to the start or you'll spend all your time at the start in a line. Beautiful early morning start that could be pushed even earlier to ease the heat later in the day. Spectators could be found, but if you normally rely upon them for inspiration you might find it a little lacking as you progress through the race. It definitely heats up as the day wears on, so make sure you hydrate early and often! I thought that aid stations were plentiful, but it seemed that the stations from 18 on were not as well manned/stocked. The track finish was nice, especially considering my family and friends were able to line up just a few yards behind the line... very inspirational! My #1 complaint was the post-race refreshments... TERRIBLE! Not only was there a lack of food, it was difficult to find the little bit that was offered. If any event organizers are reading this, please do a better job of providing refreshment and food for everyone at the finish. Overall, however, I would recommend Valley of the Sun, especially for those runners who tend to gravitate towards smaller races. | |
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C. H. from Tennessee
(3/23/2004)
"Great People and Fun Event" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of the Sun Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first VOTS Half, and I had a great time. Understanding this is a newer race, there are some organizational glitches that I am sure they will work out. Registration was great. The morning of the race could have been better. The bag drop off was not marked until late and there were no pace markers at the start in which to line up. The course was fast and running conditions that morning were perfect, cool and dry, warming up near the finish. Everyone involved with the race was VERY nice and helpful. Terrific group of runners. Continued success on a great event! | |
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P. S. from Phoenix, AZ
(3/22/2004)
"Best Half Marathon in Town" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran this half in 2002, which was the second year for the race, and they had some issues, but the race was great. I ran the half again this year and found no issues and still the best course in town. I liked finishing on the track but would have perferred to enter from the back instead of having to make that turn from the side. I would like to see them drop the full marathon and concentrate on the half more. I think they would be able to make the half into one of the top halfs in the US. | |
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Mary Zahner Bauer from Leawood, Kansas
(3/21/2004)
"Nice Run" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my second half marathon. My first was the Rock & Roll Marathon in January in AZ. I love that run. This was a little harder for me. I found the music helpful in the Rock & Roll run. There did not seem to be very many spectators making the run seem really long. The police and fire attendants were very nice however there seemed to be quite a bit of traffic coming through the course and a lot of honking as if the runners were in the way. I loved the weather and was glad I tried this run and appreciate all the hard work that went into getting it ready. I also loved the medal. Thank you |
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