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Whidbey Island Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Whidbey Island Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 81 to 90]
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Calvin Buse from Vancouver, B.C.
(4/16/2003)
"5 Star Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great new addition to the Northwest marathon circuit. Some spectacular scenery along this challenging course, especially the back half which is mostly along the water or with views of the coast. Not a PR course, but most great courses aren't. Extremely well organized considering just the 2nd running and the fact it is a point to point course. I guarantee you will not get lost. Just follow the cones!!!! The people of Whidbey make you feel at home. This is an excellent early season event to shed the winter rust off. Just remember to come well trained or the rolling hills of Whidbey will eat you alive! I will definitely run this again. | |
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Sharon Kersn from Culver City, CA
(4/15/2003)
"I loved the course although hilly" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The support was great. The only thing I did not like besides the hills and I could handle them by walking was the traffic in town and the difficulty of running. I actually was afraid of getting hit by a car and thought it would be best if I walked. I do not like running on sidewalks. The support was great and it was nice to know that you waited for the slower runnres. When I left, there were still runners/walkers out on the road and the race committee was there to support them. I will be back next year. I love the area and the enthusiasm of all involved was overwhelming. Thanks for putting on a wondeful race I loved the horses, the dogs that tried to attack me, the llamas, and whatever animals were along the course. For a city girl, I can only say thank you for the calm, tranquilty that your course offered. See you next year. For those of you living on Whidbey Island, you are living in paradise. I envy you. Sharon Kerson | |
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Virginia Queeno from Ellensburg, Wa - origianaly from Whidbey Island
(2/26/2003)
"Great Success, Challenging, and Beautiful" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first full marathon, and it was a huge success. It wasnt easy. This is a very challenging course, filled with what seams like more up hills than down, but if you like variety and a challenge this is a good course for you. Even if I hadnt been familiar with the area, it would have been virtually impossible to get lost because there where cones marking the course from beginning to end - even through Oak Harbor. There where people at every intersection directing traffic, and I never felt that my safety was being threatened when running on HWY 20 or through Oak Harbor. The aid stations where well stocked, and the volunteers and spectators where friendly and encouraging. Running through Oak Harbor was fine, the traffic seemed to be fairly patient and I never had to stop and wait to cross a road. With the exception of the few miles through Oak Harbor when we where on side walks, we had streets open to us and soft sholders to run on. The scenery was a big inspiration and the finish was awesome. There where people cheering and giving out finisher metals and lots of tasty food and water. I was impressed that they kept the clock running and didnt leave until the last runner finished even though it was after the cut off time. My only complaint was that the trophies where not all distributed at the awards ceremony, and where not sent in the mail. I have not recieve mine yet. | |
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A Runner from vancouver canada
(8/3/2002)
"simply put a great event!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Train for hills, and hills and then a few more hills - that aside - the organization was amazing for a first offering. You will have a tough time doing a PB but kudos to the organizers and those who worked so hard to make it happen - Don't forget to ask about BOB | |
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A Runner from Oak Harbor, WA
(6/20/2002)
"Fantastic Race, Great Organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was perfect. The scenery was Beautiful. Starting with old growth trees and running across the bridge. (That was my motivation to run it) continuing with and ending with beautiful water and mountain views. Well organized. Everything you could want at the aid stations. I was worried about an inaugural event not having good organization or stocked aid stations. I worried for nothing. I read comments about closing the section on the hwy. It isn't necessary. They had the Whole route coned, (even the 2 miles through town, the only area where you ran on a sidewalk.) And besides the hwy has a nice wide shoulder so it was quite safe. | |
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A Runner from Port Townsend, Wa
(5/6/2002)
"Beautiful course - needs more organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Fabulous views keep you inspired. I ran the half marathon and to my dismay after crossing the finish line and doing a personal best was told that they only had enough medals for the full marathoners. A real bummer. Also food was minimal at the finish - bananas and apples. | |
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A Runner from Washington
(5/5/2002)
"A beautiful marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a gorgeous course which highlights the picturesque rural and island character of Whidbey I. There are hills which preclude any PR so it's a good course to run just for the enjoyment of running. As a first marathon, the organizers deserve an extra star just for the enormous effort it must take to pull this off. Spectators were few but friendly. | |
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A Runner from Lynnwood, Washington
(4/28/2002)
"A beautiful fun run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great run. The weather was perfect, cool and dry. The course was a bit hilly. There were many views of the water. The spectators were enthusiastic. The entire course was marked by cones every 100 feet. There was no way to get lost. At every intersection there were volunteers to direct traffic. I hope to do the event next year. The mile markers for the marathon got a bit off at mile 17 due to the Half-Marathon race. Overall an excellent race. | |
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A Runner from Oak Harbor, WA
(4/28/2002)
"The abundant scenic views are inspiring." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was an inaugural event, was well run and received good community support. The course takes you over the Deception Pass Bridge, along the east side of Whidbey Island where views of the snow covered Cascade Mountain range are plentiful, through the town of Oak Harbor, and along the water around Penn Cove into Coupeville. The rolling hills were challenging but there were also long flat stretches to recover. All in all it was a great race and I'll be back in 2003. | |
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Jeffrey Smith from Laguna Hills, CA
(4/28/2002)
"Decent First Race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was the inaguaral race for the Wings of Gold Marathon. I ran the 1/2 that started in Oak Harbor. I could pick apart the race, since it was the first one, but I'll cut it some slack for just that reason. Instead, I'll focus on the course itself. The course was beautiful, starting in Oak Harbor and then following the coast line down to Coupeville. There were numerous large hills, but none too difficult for the seasoned runner. The portion of the race along Scenic Heights is fantastic, with great views of the San Juan Islands, the Olympics and quite a few Whidbey Island farms. Running through Oak Harbor was sketchy, as we were stuck on the sidewalks, running through busy intersections while the locals in huge pickups angrily gunned their engines. The race finish was in picturesque Coupeville, with a .2 mile downhill finish. The race finish was set up in a way that as you round the final corner, you have a full head of steam and all the spectators get to see you come screaming into the finish chutes...I'm sure it made for many great finish line photos. All in all, if the organization for the race improves and the sections of the course on Hwy 20 can be shut down for the runners, I'd run it again. |
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