Nov 18, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Malibu International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Malibu International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.4 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 48 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
|
c. p. from Simi valley
(12/1/2014)
"Nice place to run but poor communication" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 My comments mirror most of those I read. Very poor communication, trying to get info from them regarding shuttles, parking was challenging. They'd answer some, not others, instead of simply putting it out to everyone. No shirt or towel, no expo. Worth about $30 for the race....considering these questions all say 'marathon' but that was cancelled, I'm answering in regards to the half. | |
|
T. H. from Washington
(11/18/2014)
"Would not do this again." (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The course was challenging. The weather was challenging (40+mph winds) The event itself was awful. I had debated whether or not to run this race for 3 years, trying to decide if I wanted to make the commitment of time and money as I am from out of state. The race itself ($109 when I signed up), plus airfare, hotel and rental car is not cheap! I signed up for the Marathon. When I arrived to pick up my packet I found there was no Expo, there was no T-shirt, and there wasn't even a Marathon, it was changed to a half-marathon only! The course was initially supposed to be a one-way run along the coast. It was changed to an out-and-back, with no one controlling the crowd for the elite runners, who had to thread their way through the outgoing runners. No notification of anything was provided until a couple days before the race, which the first notification stated there would be a t-shirt, then a couple days later that was rescinded and you only got a timing bib. Then they had the gall to sell t-shirts right where you picked up your number! I honestly felt sorry for the volunteers who had to endure the questions from everyone as to where their T-shirt was. AT the race food and water ran out before everyone finished, people were down to receiving just a cup of water at the finish line. The volunteers were all helpful and friendly, and there's nothing anyone could have done about the wind, which was relentless! But the promises made on the website were not fulfilled at all, and I received no notice that there was no longer a marathon event prior to boarding the plane and coming to California. I had signed up for it in January 2014. There should have been more communication on the part of the organizers to the participants. While I appreciate the help of all the volunteers, I feel the race itself was run quite poorly. I would not recommend this race to any runner. | |
|
Michael Parente from Los Angeles, CA
(12/29/2013)
"After all its Pacific Coast Highway" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 As many runners have observed, the course was scenic but tough (hills)at the end - anytime you can run along PCH is a good day. But I have to agree with many of the comments concerning the organization. The expo was a waste of time. And a charge to park.. for an expo!!! Hard to believe there wasn't even a shirt to hand out... it was outside along Zuma Beach so again, some saving grace. Post race party was decent. Also they couldn't find a host hotel closer to Malibu. With all the races out there, this will cease if Race directors don't improve on it. To top it off, the actual distance of the Half was 13.4 due to a last minute change. This came out in an email about 2 weeks later so everyone's time had to be recalculated. Plenty of comments here.. if the race directors don't listen, shame on them. | |
|
S. D. from Los Angeles, CA
(11/16/2013)
"Pleasant small race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The early miles of this race are really peaceful and quiet. The later miles had pretty ocean views, but you are also using shared roads on PCH so you get the sounds of cars zipping by (and cyclists are weaving around you in the runners' lane). Water stations are indeed sparse in the early miles; however, I like to carry my own handheld water bottle anyway, so it wasn't a problem. Most water stations had someone with a jug handy to refill my bottle. Overall it is a pleasant, small, friendly race. The only thing I would like to see changed is to allow bib pickup on race morning (or mail bibs!) - it wastes a lot of time/gas to have to make a separate trip out to Zuma just to pick up a bib. | |
|
J. D. from CA
(11/16/2013)
"Im glad I stuck it out" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I ran the 1/2 marathon. The organization itself is not as organized. I needed a confirmation for the race and it took a couple of days. You have to buy your own shirt for the amount you have to pay. They tell you at the last minute where the expo is. The build up for the race is boring. | |
|
e. c. from Simi Valley, CA
(11/16/2013)
"Beautiful views and friendly people!" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 For my first Malibu full marathon, I could not have asked for a better experience. Great course, I felt fully prepared because of the previous comments about the hills at the end. The water stations at the beginning were spotty. I wish I had worn my hydration belt. However after the halfway point, the water stations were great, generous with gels too. Might not have had enough volunteers to help out with water stations, so if you're not running and you can volunteer, do it! So thankful for all the volunteers, they were fantastic! Pretty low key race, but that is why I enjoyed it so much! | |
|
J. C. from Orange County, Ca
(11/16/2013)
"Beautiful course & that's it" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Only two positives on the race. The course was extremely beautiful and the volunteers at the water stops were great. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I saw even one medical station on the course. The expo on Saturday was the most disappointing event I've ever been to. No goody bags, no giveaways, less than a dozen vendors and not even anything worth purchasing. I didn't bring any of my Sport Beans, energy gel, etc. I figured like any other expo I could at least purchase some. The information booth to pick up your race numbers was also unorganized and not to mention rude. The host hotel was horrible, dirty rooms, little to no race information and the most disgusting pasta dinner ever. Worst of all some genius at the hotel decided it was a good idea to put runners that needed to get up as early as 5am on the same floor as guest staying at the Sheraton for a wedding. Guests physically fighting in the hallway to slamming doors at all hours of the night, needless we didn't get much sleep. All in all, if it wasn't for the beautiful scenery this would have been a complete waste of a weekend. I'm not sure I would recommend this race to a fellow runner. | |
|
Brittany Rouille from California
(11/14/2013)
"Awesome race" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Had an incredible time running one of the most beautiful Cali runs I have yet to do. Check out my post including tips and photos of all the race day glory! http://mrandmrsadventure.com/2013/11/14/malibu-half-marathon/ | |
|
Mark Millis from Ridgecrest, CA
(11/12/2013)
"Not recommended for a first marathon" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 If you need crowds lining the course- forget it. Spectators rated 1 star strictly for volume. Those that were on the course and at the finish were very supportive. Water stations were well-stocked with water, drink and gels, etc., but cups were small and slosh-loss in handoffs meant for less water. Most enthusiastic water station was at the Missile Park/Wood Road at NAS Pt Mugu. Long stretch between Mugu Rock and where houses start made for kind of warm and in-the-sun-running, as the marine layer had already burned off. Shade in the bike lane when houses started, though. Hills at the end were real pace killers and saw most people walking them. PCH was active for this running, with lane controls placing runners on coast-side of PCH with on-coming traffic to their backs. Lots of opportunities for a personal race support/cheering section, though, but kind of scarey at times. A wreck towards the end of the course forced a detour for those of us finishing around 4:00:00. I had a pretty healthy split (.38 miles to start) between my GPS and the course marking (with course marking being long) early on (around mile 6 I saw my first mile marker). Some of it could be attributed to GPS dither, but it seemed longer towards the end. I hit 26.2 down on the detour about a quarter mile before we got back onto PCH, so maybe about a half mile from the finish. Again, could have just been GPS, but have never noticed that much of a delta before. Noticed A LOT of clothes still laying along the course while leaving Pt Mugu on Monday. Saw a lot of Full marathoners walking in from way out. No really good places to just pull out and hang it up, as most of the run is out in the boons- farm fields and desolate coast road. Start and finish lines were OK. Lot's of good, positive energy at both. No split timers along course. Understand the cost involved in displaying splits, and for anyone with a watch, it's not that big a deal. View along the coast was great. Sound of the beach mostly lost to traffic noise. Nice breeze to help cool in the sun-soaked portion. Only one medical aid station- way towards the end at the top of one of the hills. The beach towell instead of a shirt is different. Overall a good run, although I won't do it again. Runners doing their first full or half marathon might want to think twice about doing this one. A lot of time alone, potential for full-sun running for a good portion of it and those hills! | |
|
S. T. from Indianapolis
(11/22/2012)
"'It's Mal-I-bu, New York, New York!'" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Malibu International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Yep, I was one of the New York Marathoners looking for a rebound race. Many of the prior years' comments fit this year's race, but I have to say I appreciate the efforts of the organizers to put out the welcome mat for those of us looking for a race that weekend. On short notice me and my brother-in-law were able to sign up and get great accommodations and transportation to and from the race. There was some confusion on the race day transportation, but it all worked out okay. For the race, I think the extra week of taper didn't help, but I also made a couple mistakes, that local runners seemed a little better prepared for. First, I wore a long sleeve mesh shirt that was great at the start, but got a bit warm by the mid point of the race. Also, the water stations seemed too few and only had water in the early miles, but were plentiful later. I should have worn my hydration belt. The race was generous with gels in the later miles, but not until about mile 12, I think. Thankfully I was equipped with Gu for earlier miles. Great views of the countryside and ocean, but not much shade on the course, so I was a little drained by the time I got to the hilly part about mile 19. The beach party finish made for a nice ending. Overall, I really enjoyed the event, despite a couple weeks of chaos, and am glad we choose to do it |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
