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☰
Hoover Dam Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Hoover Dam Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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G. G. from Dallas, Texas
(12/18/2012)
"Beautiful course, great volunteers" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can't say enough good things about the race! The course: absolutely stunning and definitely worth the double-loop that you do in the marathon The volunteers: so kind and helpful The field of runners: small but very supportive - I made more 'marathon friends' in this field of approximately 200 marathoners than I have in races with 1000s of finishers The spectators: there weren't many, but with a course this gorgeous, I didn't miss them at all The course is hilly and challenging, but the gorgeous topography and on-course camaraderie make the steep climbs more than worth it. Of all the marathons I've done, this one is my favorite. I just happened to stumble across it on marathonguide, and I'm so glad I did. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. | |
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B. S. from Pueblo, CO
(12/17/2012)
"You have to do this one!" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course is one of the best I have experienced, the scenery is beautiful! It is so much more enjoyable than the typical, 'normal' marathon courses. The communication from the race director was excellent (she sent several email updates), race day directions were clear, good support at the aid stations, even the PA was loud enough at the start line. I also liked how runners were recognized for completing the race series, as well as recognition for those celebrating a birthday. I would recommend that you stay in Boulder City instead of the Hacienda (host motel). I will do this one again. | |
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Jay Ho from Los Angeles, ca
(12/17/2012)
"Great experience" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a well-organized marathon, not a huge amount of participants, just right. Course is not easy, you are not going to get a PR out of this. But the course is so beautiful, run next to Lake Mead, pass thru the tunnels and reaching to Hoover Dam and the sky bridge at the end of the 6 miles. For some reason I didn't mind the 2-loop route at all. The aide stations were well stocked and volunteers were so nice, kind and helpful. I didn't mind the up-hill much since the last 4 miles were all downhill, so u can at least go faster at the end. I can't think of anything they can improve. It was good as the way it was. | |
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A. J. from Salem, Oregon
(12/15/2012)
"Stunning views, rocky trails, moderate hills" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Loved this course! Beautiful area at Lake Mead with mountains in backdrop. Race organization SUPERB (which goes for all calico racing events). Many hills but they are long and gradual. Loved the fact that you do the out-and-back twice, you pass lots of runners coming back. Modest size race but shirt and medal are awesome. Two 'constructive criticisms'...runners should be told in advance that the tunnels are DARK and the packed dirt trails are pretty rocky. Just be careful. Also I was quite disappointed that there was not a good selection or quantity of post-race grub, and most of it is junk food, whereas I would prefer fruit, potatoes, bread, etc for glycogen replacement. (They served chili, cheese, deli meats, candy, pastries, and unripe bananas) Pretty good places for spectators, although a parking pass to come to the parking garage free would be an awesome addition for the swag bag (the swag bag had no coupons, just one sample) The tag out and back at the very end is necessary but unfortunate timing...who wants to get so close to the finish line but then have to go do 1.5 more miles? All in all, a GREAT time and would look forward to running it again!! | |
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A. T. from Chicago
(12/15/2012)
"Hard but good" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Great organization and support; plenty of aid stations and portapotties. Chili and lots of food at the end, even for slow runners. Nice medal. Tough course. Start with a very long hill (and not the only long hill); of course, that also meant long downhills! Very steep switchback. Two out and backs, so the same 6.5 mile trail four times, but very scenic. A 1 for spectators because there weren't any, but all the volunteers were great. Recommend if you like small, friendly, scenic races. | |
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R. G. from Omaha
(11/6/2011)
"Who needs spectators...Spectacular Scenery!!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well run by the drill sargent, Joyce!!! Simple packet pickup process. Plenty of nourishment during the race and GREAT FOOD AFTER the race. Love the cupcakes and chilli! | |
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j. n. from Statesville NC
(11/1/2010)
"fantastic" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We came a long way to run this race and it was worth it. This is one fantastic marathon. We had to run two loops and I was glad we did because I had missed so much the first time around. Volunteers and water stops everywhere and they made up for the lack of spectators. This is one race we all HAVE to run at least once,;put it on your bucket-list. | |
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R. G. from Los Angeles, CA
(10/31/2010)
"a challenging, beautiful course" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon yesterday and wanted to post my commments while the experience was still fresh in my mind. This race was meticulously organized and beautifully planned. The folks at Calico must be commended for a superb job. The water stops were well placed and always well stocked. The volunteers were always friendly, helpful and very attentive. There really weren't any spectators, which was to be expected given the route. As for the route: due to some last-minute issue, the course was altered so those of us running the full marathon had to run the half-marathon route twice. This had advantages as well as some disadvantages- when you finished your first half, you knew exactly what to expect when you began the route again. The bad news was you knew exactly what to expect: hills, hills, hills, extreme wind and those killer switchbacks at the damn parking lot. But because the marathoners were looping around, we got to see all of the half marathon runners, which was very cool. Except for the high winds, the weather was perfect for running. The views at every point along the route were spectacular. There was a great mix of hardcore runners and your basic marathon enthusiasts. Everyone was friendly and supportive. Be warned: anyone considering this race must incorporate hill training in to their workout. As long as you prepare, you will be guaranteed a marathon to remember. | |
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J. N. from Arkansas
(11/3/2009)
"Dead solid perfect" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! My sixth marathon this year, and the best yet. Unique course that captures the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert and Lake Mead - magnificent scenery and views. The small event was perfectly organized, and is so much more enjoyable than the big-city urban quagmire races that seem to be so popular. It was great parking right at the start line and staying in a warm car right up until the start of the race. The well stocked aid stations were everywhere. And who needs spectators with the constant views and beautiful scenery? The post-race chili was excellent and came with cornbread. The apple cobbler was as good as you will find. Excellent! | |
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D. B. from California
(11/2/2009)
"Tough full-marathon course" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Hoover Dam Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I give the course three stars because it's pretty hilly (one star because I'm not a mountain goat), but it's very beautiful (five stars). The first half was spectacular, and running through the old railroad tunnels was a cool experience. I found the switchbacks and turnaround confusing (inside the cones! step up onto the curb! outside the cones!) - but maybe it's just me. As the first comment says, the second half got hot and hilly, and the shade was gone. I give the organization five stars because it was flawless, as far as I could tell. I give the spectators five stars because, although the only spectators were aid station workers, they were fantastic. Very supportive and enthusiastic. |
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