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☰
Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 103 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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M. B. from Santa Rosa, California
(10/13/2005)
"Scenic trail run in ideal conditions" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Beautiful trail along the Susan River. Trail is well groomed and wide enough to pass (with the exception of the last 100 yards). I would suggest starting the race at 9am to avoid the cold temperatures at 8am. I will run this again in 2006. | |
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J. M. from Seattle, WA
(10/13/2005)
"Perfect, as long as you don't need crowd support." (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Ran the express (1-way) half-marathon Saturday, my first. Hard to imagine a better experience, Soft surface, flat to slightly downhill-beautiful scenery (aspens changing color and evergreens by a river). I prefer not running in crowds, so the fact that there were only 66 entrants was a plus. I live at sea level, but didn't find the elevation to be a problem. Well organized. Friendly people at well-stocked aid stations. Am likely to run the full marathon next year! P.S. Congrats Liz on winning the womens' race!!! | |
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Jacqueline Clark from Lake Tahoe, CA
(10/10/2005)
"Great run, beatiful scenery, lots of declines" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Marathon was great but I was not real thrilled about the way they closed the marathon and said it was full. I signed up for the half and then a week before the marathon, they reopened it and would not put the money that I spent for the half marathon towards the full. | |
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Carmel G. from Santa Cruz, CA
(1/12/2005)
"Beautiful, fast, well-organized trail race!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This race is a great opportunity to run a scenic trail marathon with significant easy-grade descents. Redwood Trails did an expert job. Though the trail is wide and relatively smooth, some rocks and ruts do slow your pace a bit, as does the altitude, though I didn't feel it at the time. There were just 2 toilets along the way, but plenty of trees. No spectators, no problem. While I ran about as expected, I did hear several others say they expected to have run faster, and found the cold uncomfortable. I would recommend a little downhill training and trail running in preparation for this race, and prepare to shed layers, as it was about 35 at the start. I felt great right after this one, better than after many paved or hot half marathons. Later, though, I admit to having to hobble into the casino in Reno. | |
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Bill Luton from Memphis, TN
(10/31/2004)
"Stunningly Beautiful Trail Marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Fantastic rails-to-trails marathon. Course did not allow for spectators (the nature of a trail marathon) but the beauty of the scenery more than made up for that. Wonderfully organized, great aid stations every 2 miles, stunning scenery, well maintained trail. Being from the flatlands of TN, the altitude-adjustment was a little more than anticipated but still a great marathon, especially for a debut. Also great post-race food table with the race director busily cutting up watermelon for all the runners! | |
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JENNIFER BOUWKAMP from FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN
(10/14/2004)
"One word to describe this race: PERFECT!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is one beautiful marathon! For a first time event everything went along perfectly. The scenery is just gorgeous, much prettier than what is shown online. The aid stations were well-maintained, plenty of water, Gatorade, pretzels, trailmix, GU, and wonderful volunteers. Weather was cool and dry and sunny. It is a gradual downhill course and will not beat up your legs too badly, but it is a trail and there are some rocky spots, sand, etc. so that might affect your time some. Very well-organized. Be sure to do the pasta party the night before as there isn't much in Susanville and the pasta party was very well done with great speakers and good food. A must do if you are looking to try a trail run. | |
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m. f. from Reno, Nevada
(10/13/2004)
"well organized very scenic and fast trail course." (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I thought the race was well organized. I encountered no hassles which enabled me to fully focus on the race. The course winds through a scenic canyon which is slightly downhill the last 11+ miles. The footing is mostly dirt with a fairly long section of small gravel which slows you a bit. There are aid stations every 2 miles which for the day were more than sufficient. Overall, I had a great experience. This has to be one of the fastest trail marathons around. | |
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A. A. from Chicago
(10/11/2004)
"Spectacular scenery, great organization" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I recommend this race very highly. All 3 of my previous marathons have been big city races - this was the polar opposite. There are fun aspects to both, but this is a wonderful 'destination' marathon - for first timers or veterans. Extremely well organized, from the pasta party (great speakers) to the post-race refreshments (including yummy potato soup!) - and this was only the first year. The course is beautiful, and is a gradual downhill from mile marker 6 (except for a very short steep section at mile 20). I didn't even notice the altitude. The whole area is simply gorgeous, and Susanville is a quaint and friendly town. Marvelous job, Eric, and thank you!! | |
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R. V. from So. Cal.
(10/11/2004)
"SPECTACULAR" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a spectacular course. The scenery alone was worth the price of admission. Bring your camera, your friends, family, and bring some warm close. It was cold at the start, so layer and shed as you go. They did a remarkable job for a first time event. They were well organized, and course support and volunteers were great! While there weren't a lot of spectators, but everyone was cheered on at aid stations and finish. The course was reasonably well marked for a trail run. This is a small low-key event, and a great opportunity to get off of the road and onto a kinder, gentler-on-the-body marathon. Heck if you don't want to run it, just head up for the scenery. Book your hotel early, as there isn?t a lot of space available. If you?re a road runner like me, you?ve got to check this one out, it was definitely a welcome change. | |
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J. C. from Denver,Colorado
(10/11/2004)
"Beautiful forest, canyon and cool tunnels" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I went to this one because the website had great pictures and promised a fast course on a forgiving surface. It was everything advertised. It is almost entirely on 'Rails-to-Trails' abandoned railbed. Nice crushed gravel and very smooth. It is not really a 'trail' run per se. The grade is very slight, and there are lots of straight sections and long slow curves. At times, you can see the next aid station from a half-mile away. Bus transport from the RR depot to the finish was well organized and on time. Mileage markers were all there, and the aid stations were well-stocked with a wide variety of liquids, snacks and pain relievers, and manned by enthusiastic locals and members of the Susanville High School wrestling team. Roughly the first half of the course is through pine and fir forest; the second half drops into the Susan River canyon, which has rocky cliffs, more deciduous trees changing color, lots of wooden bridges crossing the river, and two very cool, dimly lit RR tunnels. There is not much in the way of spectator support; only a few spots where vehicular traffic can approach the RR bed, but I struck up some great conversations with other participants along the way. I came to Boston-qualify without tearing myself up too much, and succeeded. This is a small event, so I also placed for age-group, which I never dreamed would have happened, and certainly never would have in a bigger event. Susanville is not quite the 'destination' locale of Deadwood, S.D. with Mt. Rushmore and other major tourist attractions nearby, but in all other respects I think this event should be giving the Deadwood-Mickelson Marathon a run for its money. |
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