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☰
El Paso Marathon Runner Comments
Back to El Paso Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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J. D. from Abilene, Texas
(3/4/2009)
"This was a great marathon!" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon! The event was well organized, the course was good and the views were excellent. There were more than enough water stops, port-a-potties and snacks along the way. If you rely on gel packs, I'd recommend bringing your own, as they were hit or miss along the course. There were a lot of spectators along the course who were very supportive. Everyone involved in the event was very appreciative of the runners. I am left wondering... why do more runners not participate in this event?! | |
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T. T. from Tucson, AZ
(3/4/2009)
"Fantastic mid-winter race" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 El Paso Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 El Paso was a great surprise. The course was challenging with hills for first 4 miles and then strong headwinds for the last 7 miles. Running out along the highway at the end was hard and lonesome. Aid stations were plentiful and everyone was extremely helpful. I would come back next year to run it. | |
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R. G. from Colorado Springs, CO
(3/4/2009)
"Small Marathon-Feel, Decent Race Experience" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 El Paso Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Considering Juarez and the surrounding area, there are over 2 million people that live in the El Paso, TX vicinity. So it surprises me that fewer than 250 people finished this marathon. The first and second place runners are the only people who clocked a sub-3 hour time. If you want a small marathon-feel in a somewhat large city, than look no further. There are few spectators along the route (maybe a few hundred total) but I enjoyed having them there. The volunteers are fantastic as well. The last 22 miles of this course are extremely flat. I also loved that the half-marathoners disappeared from the course at mile 8 (to head back to the finish). This opened the course up dramatically, considering half-marathon runners outnumbered the marathoners 4 to 1! Toilets every other mile, ample water stations, and the organizers did a good job except for the seemingly lack of post-race food items. I only saw beer and energy drinks. Did I just miss the oranges, bananas, or other food items somewhere? Now the bad... Dump the plastic cups at the water stations. Shame on you, Michelob. Plastic cups don't bend nicely so that runners can drink from them while running. The wind on this day was a bit strong, so the last 10 miles were rather difficult. At times, plastic water cups on the ground were blowing away faster than I was running! The course is rather dull at many times throughout. It was fun running along the border and seeing Mexico just on the other side of the river. You can also see the controversial "wall" that's being built between the U.S. and Mexico. However, I couldn't help but wonder if there wasn't a better course to showcase the city. Seemed like we spent a lot of time outside the city. Cops and volunteers do a fantastic job of monitoring traffic, but 3 to 4 hours into the race, it seemed traffic was allowed to go whizzing right by the runners. And trust me, these drivers didn't seem to care that we were on the road. Coming from Colorado Springs, this is not a race I'll repeat, but it is worthwhile if you are local, or looking for a featureless "get-in-get-out" race. | |
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T. T. from Albuquerque, NM
(3/2/2009)
"Great community race" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I had picked El Paso because of price and proximity and was pleasantly surprised. The course was uphill for the first 4 miles and, after 1-2 miles downhill, is flat. Although most of the race was through scenic neighborhoods, the final 4 miles along Paisano did become monotonous. There were plenty of water/Gatorade stops, some with fruit, chocolate, gels and beer. I'd recommend adding another porta-potty at stops where the marathon shares the course with the half-marathon. Spectators and volunteers were very enthusiastic and encouraging. While eating brunch afterward, I was approached by the race founder for feedback. Even though the race is small, the planners and volunteers seem committed to offering a quality event. I plan to be there next year and to encourage other runners to join me! | |
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A. M. from Texas
(4/8/2008)
"Very enjoyable small marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 El Paso Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I thought this was a really well organized marathon for being as small as it was... tons of water stops, tons of port-o-potties and (being as small as it was) a good number of spectators. The course went through a very nice residential part of El Paso, and although some of the scenery was rather bland, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the Michelob Ultra afterwards! | |
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Allen Thomas from New Mexico
(3/7/2008)
"Nice Day for a Run" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 El Paso Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The weather, with the exception of a couple of gusts of wind that kicked up a lot of dust later in the day, was superb. Ample water stops. Heed was served at most stops. There was a bit of climb during the first four miles but everything leveled off after five miles. This was a small race with only about 220 marathoners finishing but I swear there where just about that many porta-potties on the course. Nice shirt, nice finisher medal and good organization (beer at mile 3!). I only have two constructive comments. 1) The race event didn't make any of the town guides or advertisements... that's a bit sad because this draws a lot of runners from out of town. 2) While the course had some scenic bits, it was rather bland. This probably can't be helped. Overall, I'd recommend the run. It's good a value for the money. | |
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D. P. from Southern Arizona
(3/6/2008)
"Perfect Day!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 El Paso Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Tight but navigable starting gate; water and porta-pots as advertised every couple miles. Hilly, challenging first few miles. Had no occasion to stop once as the local law kept traffic well - thanks guys. Scenery was enjoyable on the full marathon. Schedule permitting, I look forward next year's run. Good job, all! | |
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M. B. from El Paso, TX
(3/6/2008)
"Overall - a great event" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall, I thought this was a great event. I really enjoyed myself and would run it again. I'll start with the bad and finish with the good. I really only had two concerns. First was that there were certain portions of the course that were run on open roads - some portions didn't even have cones! From a safety aspect, I was just blown a way. While there was a large police presence, by the end, they weren't that attentive. The other concern was that I didn't see food anywhere on the course, not even GU. (It may have been there, but neither I, nor anyone I talked to saw it.) After reading the reviews of last year's issues, I was prepared, but others weren't. As for the good - the course was beautiful and scenic. The hills were in the beginning where our legs were still fresh and could handle them easily, which was great. The course wound through some great neighborhoods and had great views of the mountains. The weather was spectacular! Unlike 2007, there was lots and lots of water and hydration fluid on the course. The volunteers were wonderful. The spectators were few and far between, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in enthusiasm. They were great. I especially liked the beer stop near mile 4. The last marathon I ran had the beer at mile 13 and by that point, I wasn't interested. Mile 4 was perfect. Overall, it was great. I really enjoyed it and would run it again. There is no reason why this marathon cannot continue to grow for many years to come. Great job. | |
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I. T. from ELP, TX
(3/3/2008)
"Better than last year; great weather and course" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 El Paso Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I'm really happy I decided to run the half-marathon again this year; last year's was good, but this one was better. The weather had a lot to do with it but also better organized, and I loved hearing the live bands playing!!! More fans as well... only "but" is that the trophy ceremony took a while and they wouldn't let non-runners inside the ceremony gates, so my family had to cheer for me when I received my trophy from outside the gates. NOT COOL! | |
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J. S. from Las Cruces, NM
(3/3/2008)
"Great experience and great weather" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half-marathon. It was a great course, and the weather was excellent. |
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