Back to Two Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
C. R. from Visalia, CA
(12/3/2009)
"Great to have a local, well-organized marathon" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Two Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the inaugural marathon last year and I thought it was great. This was was even better. It was very well organized. The food was great. Many of my co-workers ran either the relay, the half or the full. They all thought it was great. I have run the SF and Sacramento Marathons, and the energy at this year's marathon matched that of SF and Sacramento. I am looking forward to next year's run on November 14th. You folks will have a hard time topping this one. Maybe not! | |
P. B. from Northern California
(11/18/2009)
"A great race experience at a great price" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I only did the half marathon, having switched over from the full after getting into the Nike women's marathon (which is held only three weeks earlier). What a fantastic, well-planned event. The race start/finish venue is at beautiful Woodward Park. Porta-potties were plentiful and had no lines, and the trucks for the sweats bags were conveniently located adjacent to the corral area. The half marathon course is mostly flat, with one good hill between miles 9-10. The course was more scenic than I had expected, with views of palm trees against a backdrop of mountains in the distance. The post-race festivities were great - after receiving their medals, finishers received a hooded, zippered sweatshirt (perfect for the post-race chilly conditions), a hot breakfast (eggs, sausage, and hash browns), an ice cream sundae, a free massage, and two free beers. Although many of the tables/chairs that were set up for eating breakfast were already taken when I finished, there was ample room on the dry lawn for enjoying the meal. The beer was available at the amphitheater, where a live band played. I would highly recommend this race to anyone - it was that good. The only problem is that the experience could spoil you for future races. | |
S. N. from Sacramento, CA
(11/16/2009)
"I felt like an Olympian!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Want to feel like an Olympian? Then run the Two Cities Marathon! This was a very well organized race. I didn't have to wait for a porta-potty at the start because they had plenty of them. The organizers treated the athletes so well that they made us feel like professional athletes. They gave us a nice technical shirt, medallion, and finisher sweatshirt. I loved the Runner's Village - it had plenty of tables and chairs for us to sit down at to eat the ice cream sundae with brownie; plenty of fruit; and hot breakfast (although I couldn't eat much post-race). Also, they provided free massages and beer. The volunteers were very helpful and accommodating, cleaning up trash and bussing tables. I felt like a queen. The course was relatively flat, with small hills, and plenty of volunteers at aid stations. The spectators and entertainers were enthusiastic. This was a relatively small marathon (683 marathon finishers), but I predict that it will grow. I recommend it to everyone, especially the newbies. Go Fresno/Clovis! Thank you, Two Cities Marathon organizers and supporters. | |
T. B. from San Francisco
(11/15/2009)
"One of the best-organized events I have run" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Of the 139 marathons I have completed (all 50 states plus a couple other countries), this is probably the best organized and supported event yet. Kudos to all concerned - from providing a multitude of porta-potties (ZERO waiting lines, if you can believe it); great shuttle transport to/from expo, pasta feed, and race site; terrific shirt, cap, and finisher jacket; the best post-race food ever; free massage; to the fast course, I honestly can think of nothing they could have done better. Spectators along the way were a bit sparse, but the ones who were there were very encouraging, and the water stations were frequent and well supported. Great job, folks! | |
Art Hernandez from Costa Mesa California
(11/11/2009)
"One of the best California marathons." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Two Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Last year I ran the marathon in honor of my cousin, Frank, who is a Madera native and is also a Vietnam veteran and a Purple Heart recipient who had just gone through organ transplant surgery. The date of the event is so close to Veterans' Day that it kept reminding me throughout the race how fortunate we are to live in this country and how grateful I am for our brave men and women in uniform. Thank you for this very fine event. It has the potential to become a major player in the marathon circuit. As runners we are treated in first-class fashion by the friendly people of the Central Valley. I can see how this event will grow more than you can imagine. - Art Hernandez | |
J. H. from Fresno, CA
(11/10/2009)
"Best value in running" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you're like me, part of the marathon experience is walking away with all of the swag, and at this event you better have someone with you to help you carry it all. Early entry gets you a nice hat. At the expo, everyone gets a goody bag and long-sleeve technical shirt. Then finishers walk away with a hooded zip-up sweater (very nice quality) and maple leaf medal. At the finish line, they feed you like a king. Hot breakfast, fresh fruit, and ice cream sundaes. Well worth the super low $70 entry fee. | |
C. F. from Cathedral City, Ca. (Palm Springs area)
(11/9/2009)
"The whole race was wonderful!" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon. Perfect layout and so well organized. I was amazed at how well I did with recovering from ITBS and still have sciatica pain. Everything was available on the course, including running bananas! What a hoot! One of my most enjoyable races; I plan to run again next year. Count me in. | |
D. B. from San Francisco, CA
(11/9/2009)
"This one is a keeper!!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a marathon you will want to run again and again. The course was mostly flat with a few rollers; the organization was excellent; and the post-race food was out of this world. I had never washed down an ice cream sundae with beer before this race!! Check it out if you have a chance; you will not be disappointed!! | |
K. R. from Fresno
(11/9/2009)
"Great race. Well organized! Tons of fun!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was a great day! Nice course, well marked. Well organized. The breakfast and coffee were great. Love the hat, shirt and sweatshirts. Thanks to the organizers and sponsors. | |
R. F. from Phoenix, AZ
(11/9/2009)
"Awesome Event" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Two Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Best organized marathon. Post-race food and activities again were well organized. Food was great. |
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