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☰
Napa Valley Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Napa Valley Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 160 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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B. G. from Cupertino,CA
(3/8/2007)
"Great marathon for first-timer" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and overall it was a great experience on a beautiful course with nearly perfect weather. A few things I noted (that I hadn't seen in other comments): 1) The pasta feed was very good; much better food than basic spaghetti. 2) There is a road (Highway 29) that runs parallel to the entire length of the race, with several connector roads so family members can drive ahead and see their runner a few times along the course. 3) I had thought it would be good to stay in Calistoga within walking distance of the start (to get a little extra sleep). I don't think this was a good idea; it wasn't really that close, and Calistoga was inconvenient for the rest of the weekend. 4) I didn't think the water/Gatorade stops were sufficient. The Gatorade was quite watered down, and it tasted like well water. If I run this race again, I will bring my fuel belt. Another option is to take advantage of the fact that this race will place your personal water bottles at whichever rest stop you request. I was surprised how few people used this; I think it would be quite beneficial. | |
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J. S. from Martinez, CA
(3/7/2007)
"Great, small race" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was my first Napa Marathon, and it won't be my last. I guess the weather this year was far better than 2006, and I felt that the race could not have been organized any better. While the elevation map was a tad misleading, there weren't any inclines that were overwhelming. Great course, great support, great organization. And Napa Valley is indeed a place you will want to treat yourself to a fine post-race celebration. If you are from out of town, stay Sunday night and enjoy the food and drink! | |
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K. M. from Phoenix, AZ
(3/7/2007)
"It's the little things that make this marathon big" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Napa Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You'll find countless reviews about the course from others. This marathon gets 5 stars across the board because the organizers care about us runners. What really impressed me the most was when I crossed the finish line - a volunteer immediately greeted me, walked with me, and held on to my arm to guide me through the chute. She asked how I felt, if I needed aid, and if I was happy with my time. She didn't leave my side until I asked her to. That's special. Try to get that personal care at a big-event marathon... not. Anyway, great destination marathon. Put it on your must-do list! | |
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F. W. from Melbourne, FL
(3/6/2007)
"Very well organized race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of the best organized races I've been to. Everything from the pasta party to the awards was enjoyable. Loved the comp wine at the expo AND the dinner. Lovely people. Course was a little challenging with gently rolling hills but not too bad. What the spectators lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm. Pretty country. | |
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A. M. from Reno, Nevada
(3/5/2007)
"Great Course for 1st Marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I truly enjoyed my first marathon in Napa. I have done two half-marathons in the past two months, and Napa definitely has fewer spectators to cheer you on. I missed the cheering during miles 17-21 when I needed them the most, but the beauty of the course and the low-key atmosphere made up for it. The water stations and bathrooms were well spread out and volunteers were very friendly and supportive. The expo was small and enjoyable, versus the bigger, overwhelming ones at big-city marathons. I would definitely recommend this marathon to anyone wanting a peaceful, low-key, simplistic marathon... and the weather could not have been more perfect! | |
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M. B. from Fort Wayne, IN
(3/4/2007)
"Just what I wanted" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Excellent event this year. The amenities were first-rate (long-sleeve technical shirt and Asics gear bag for gear check). The expo offered everything you would need, without excess. That pretty much goes for the whole event - just what a runner would want, without the distraction of excessive stimulation. Very scenic run along the Silverado Trail through wine country, and the weather was just about as perfect as could be. Where there were spectators, they were enthusiastic and encouraging. The peace of the countryside without the throngs in the big cities was well worth the extra work in the hills. I am very glad to have been able to run this race. | |
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J. F. from Bend, Oregon
(5/12/2006)
"Beautiful, but hillier than expected" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My second, my daughter's first. Great experience. We were slow but the volunteers were wonderful to us just the same (especially the raspberry sorbet at mile 24 or so - my daughter wouldn't have been able to make it without you). The course map shows gentle declines but it seemed there were a lot of uphill sections. After reading the comments about the weather in 2006, I'm glad we did it in 2005 - it was just beautiful. | |
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P. G. from Kalamazoo, Michigan
(3/27/2006)
"Great race, weather sucked" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Napa Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this race in 2005 and it is still my PR. I returned in 2006 hoping to beat my PR by 5 minutes to get a 3:30 and qualify for Boston. Unfortunately, getting food poisoning the night before at a Calistoga restaurant and the inclement weather gave me one of my worst marathon times (coming in over 4 hours). However, this is not the organization's fault. This was my 16th marathon and I still think it's one of the best courses I have run. Its a bit rolly with some hills but the course is basically downhill. You also get to run past beautiful vineyards and wineries. Due to the cold rain and headwinds this year, it simply was not a pleasant experience. It was even worse for me when I had it coming out both ends! I thought I was going to DNF at mile 3 and I am still not quite sure how I managed to complete it. It would have been better if there were more porta-potties along the course but there simply were not and I needed them. Also, not being one to be intimidated by what Mother Nature has to offer alongside the road, due to the topography of the course, there simply was no place to run off to do my business. C'est la vie! I will one day run the course again. I was utterly amazed, while there weren't huge crowds, how many people came out to brave the cold rain and wind to cheer us on. This at least made my misery seem not as bad. Kudos to all the Napans (napkins?... yes I think this is what we used to call ourselves when I lived there). On a last note, I don't blame the restaurant for my misfortune. Napa Valley still has some of the best eating in the world, and wines to boot. And I also believe as a marathoner, you have to accept the bad races with the good ones. Its part of what we do. Listen: Paula Radcliffe, a true marathoner, doesn't give up and quit a marathon just because she feels bad and knows she isn't going to win or get a good time. She was reprsenting her country in the Olympics! Sorry, had to say this. This is what prevented me from getting a DNF. Better to finish, I say, knowing you are going to have a bad time, than quit. I think I am just as proud of this time and finishing as I was the year before. Thanks Napa Valley! | |
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Anisa Pricolo from Central California
(3/24/2006)
"Weather disappointing, but race well organized." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Napa Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As noted by all of the other comments, the weather posed quite a challenge for me as well. I am not naturally a distance runner, but decided to take up my 1st marathon experience in Oct. 2005 (Silicon Valley - nice race) just to say, "I did it." It was empowering and I thought Napa would be a beautiful course to try it again. Unfortunately, it was tough to keep a positive attitude with the rain, wind, and cold. I finished and did improve my time by over 5 minutes, but wanted a more enjoyable experience. It was hard to take in the scenery when your head was down to block the incoming rain and I was much more sore after the race from clenching the whole time because of the cold. But other than the weather, this was a very well organized and generous marathon. The shirt, backpack, and goodies were fabulous, and the fans were great! The finish line was a little tough, not allowing a view for race supporters, but the soup and snacks were much appreciated. Thanks Napa! | |
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Garland Lee from Sunnyvale, CA Good Old USA
(3/21/2006)
"Wet, Windy, and Wild" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Napa Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon here at Napa Valley. I finished the wettest and windiest marathon I've ever participated in. It wasn't the cold that got to me but the strong headwinds that kicked in at the 11th mile and lasted till the end of the race. What kept me going were the volunteers and the race course cheerleaders (family and friends), with their enthusiastic words of encouragement, and smiles on their faces. I had to complete the task of finishing this marathon. Thank you. This is best marathon course I've run. By the way, I missed my PR by only 2 minutes. I'll be back in 2007 (for #3). - Old Man Running |
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