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Valley of Fire Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Valley of Fire Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 52 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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Markus Lehr from Wetzlar, Germany
(1/12/2009)
"The most scenic marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Valley of Fire Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon is held in one of the most scenic places you can think of! I ran it in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. It is easily accessible (you can drive to the start/finish line by car!) and you definitely are NOT just a bib number of a huge anonymous event. Don't get confused about the negative comments! They surely have some basis in fact, but I guess are caused from the changes that happened to this event: There is a new race director, who set a by far more scenic course than during the last years and tried to do many things better than they were before. With a lot of changes, it's in the nature of things that this remodeled marathon causes some trouble, which certainly will not be repeated next time. Running the marathon is pretty hilly for sure. If that's too much: You will get the most scenic part of the race by "just" running the half marathon. For myself, I've already registered for 2009! Once you run it, it becomes a must-do. It's challenging and addictive. Give it a try!!! | |
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F. H. from Utah
(12/4/2008)
"Good Heavens, what does everyone expect?" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Valley of Fire Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Valley of Fire Full Marathon in 2008, finishing off my sixth year of marathon running with 37 marathons behind me. I've done marathons in Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. There was one record set for me at this one however. That was the effort of our race director. I received 7 emails from the race director prior to the race with helpful information, more then I have at any other race. When I passed the park ranger trying to catch speeders, I remembered the race director warning us to keep our speed down to avoid tickets. I have only seen a race director offer to get lost clothes back to runners in one other race, that was Park City in Utah. What happens in most marathons is you just sign up and that's it; you get no other help from the race director other than what is found on the website. Inquiries are usually unanswered at these other marathons I am referring to. I've also seen them run out of shirts before, and those who didn't get one are just out of luck. Not that I'm an expert compared to a lot of you, but I have never seen a race director try harder than I saw at Valley of Fire in 2008. So while there were a few glitches, they pale in comparison to others I have seen in six years. It was a great effort on her part, and I hope the nasty comments sent to her won't drive her away. Otherwise we won't have a race next year. | |
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J. R. from Boulder, CO
(12/1/2008)
"mis-directed race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This race was THE most poorly organized race I have ever entered. I would not run this race again even if they paid me to do so. 1. A few weeks/months after registering, the race director finds out that the park will charge every entering vehicle $6. She announce via a series of e-mails filled with typos/corrections that we need to get there extra early/pre-pay so as to avoid a back-up at the entrance gate. I thought race directors were supposed to sort out minor details like this in advance. Or bite the bullet and eat the $6 for mismanagement. 2. After originally calling for a 7 - 7:45 a.m. packet pick-up (for an 8 a.m. start), packet pick-up got moved to 6 - 7. (The people who showed up at 6 were unable to register as the stuff wasn't all there yet.) What is everyone supposed to do from 7 to 8? 3. Most importantly, the ONE thing a race director needs to get right is the course. The lead pack of runners tried very hard to run the correct course, but were misdirected, even after repeated querying of volunteers and an individual in a passing "official vehicle." Thus, some runners were missing 1.5 miles. If this is your only marathon of the year, or an attempt at a PR, or you have traveled from far away, or you are just a runner who cares, an incorrect course distance is the greatest crime a race director can perpetrate against you. And then, strange time adjustments for some, but not all, the runners that got "lost"? 4. The race start/finish was located at the one big intersection of roads in the park; this is not a a safe location for gathering before/after the race. 5. How many runners are seriously interested in having donuts (and only donuts) as a post-race snack? Yes, I want my money back; and no, I do not want my trophy/prize. | |
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K. J. from Eastern Oregon
(11/30/2008)
"Run for fun, not for time" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I am disheartened to hear the negative comments of several runners in this forum. I ran the marathon, trained for the hills (which should have surprised no one who read the website and drove the course prior to running), and finished the hardest run of my life. If you have run so many marathons that you have forgotten that 90% of the enjoyment is the mental and physical challenge of completing the task at hand, you really should move on to ultra distances, or run on the track so that you can log "superb times" in your running diary. You should try to find the bliss again of your first completed marathon. As to the organization, this is not Chicago, Boston, or even Sacramento. It is a small and intimate marathon. Yes, that means some things will not be to your liking, but just as the challenges of the course adds to the excitement, so also the challenges of shoestring organization. I applaud the race director for what she accomplished; I have been part of small events that were not nearly as well organized (and yes, they too were a lot of fun). | |
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C. W. from Provo, Ut
(11/27/2008)
"Beautiful scenery, but not so good organization" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I have only run one other marathon, but I thought I should comment. On the website they say that there will be a Gatorade-like drink and water at every mile.... I know this is a little naive, but I believed them. I decided not to carry any electrolyte replacement with me, since I thought it would be on the course. This kind of hurt me. Also, a large start/finish sign and some signs along the course for better direction would have been helpful. Lastly, you could not hear anything that the people with the microphones were saying. The course is definitely hilly, but the scenery is gorgeous. | |
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M. W. from USA
(11/26/2008)
"This is as good as it gets" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Everyone should see this place before they die. Speaking of dying, think twice before running it. Ironically it is hard not to smile your butt off at the finish line. The race director was first-class in every respect. Every facet of this race was as good as it could be. | |
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R. W. from Southern California
(11/26/2008)
"Great Race!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Beautiful, tough course. Very few spectators, but they were very enthusiastic! The aid stations were well staffed and well stocked, with the exception of no Heed on the first half of the course. There were some problems with directing the runners, but I studied the course on the website beforehand and had no problems. I think Tracy, the race director, did a great job for her first year as RD. As tough as the course was, I'm already looking forward to running it again next year! | |
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S. L. from Utah
(11/26/2008)
"Valley of Hell Marathon!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This marathon is one of the hardest I've done. After a rigorous half, you do 6 miles uphill, with the last mile of the 6 cruel and evil. The last 6 are downhill, which is needed after the rigorous uphill. The scenery was beautiful, the race director great, the the aid stations well stocked with bananas, oranges and Hammer Gel. The weather was fabulous. No shade, but cool enough to be O.K. All in all, a marathon I'm glad I completed, but won't do again. | |
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R. A. from Burbank, CA
(11/25/2008)
"Most scenic race ever" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Valley of Fire Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I decided to do the VOF Marathon at the last minute, due to a cancellation of my planned marathon (Pasadena, canceled due to the fires). I did not do any research about this race before arriving race morning. The park is beautiful, and worth the drive out. As I understood from other runners, the course we were running this day was the "new" course, so I have no comments about it compares to the "old" one. The first half of the race consisted of rolling hills, one after the other, and then back to the finish for the half marathoners and on for the full marathoners (me). We got a short break after the half mark, but then we began the slow gradual climb. When I reached about mile 18, I saw a rather large hill looming way out, and I thought to myself, the turnaround is probably right before that hill. Yeah right! As I got closer, I saw people running up the hill, and I resolved that I would get up that hill and not give in. I did, and it felt great! After the hill was the 20-mile turnaround, and then the last 6 miles are all downhill, which was great! The water stations were very good, and all of the volunteers were great. The scenery was definitely something to look at while running (I actually almost stepped on a tarantula :)). I would recommend this race for anyone looking for a somewhat challenging course and great scenery. | |
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S. N. from Henderson, Nevada but orig. from Dallas, TX
(11/24/2008)
"TEXANS CAN'T RUN HILLS!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race but it kicked my butt hard. If I ever learn how to run such a difficult hilly course, I believe I can truly call myself a runner. This is a spectacular venue and the people organizing it are top notch. There's a wonderful sense of camaraderie all along the course with the fellow runners, as well as with the great aid station volunteers. If I forgot to thank you, I'm sorry! It was a great day. Beautiful, perfect weather. I loved this race and would highly recommend it. But if you are from Texas, get ready for a butt-kicking! |
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