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Duke City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Duke City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 3.3 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 66 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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R. S. from Albuquerque, NM USA
(10/19/2009)
"What a wonderful marathon course and organization!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and I was absolutely pleased with every respect. I have run 5K's and half-marathons, and this was the best-organized event, from registration through to the finish! The marking of the trails, the ham radio club, and the FREQUENT motivation stations made this a fun and safe marathon run. And you can't beat Albuquerque for the wonderful Bosque view! | |
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S. C. from Albuquerque, NM
(10/19/2009)
"Mayhem at aid stations" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Course was very nice, however marathon leaders had to run through the slower half-marathon runners from 20 miles to the finish. On the bike path, this created quite a dangerous situation as many halfers were running with headphones. Most halfers were courteous and encouraging as we passed, but there were several who actually stepped in front of approaching runners because they could not hear warnings. At the aid stations, the mix of slower and faster runners caused collisions and dropped cups. It was very difficult for the faster marathoners to get fluids during a critical time in the race. | |
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E. M. from Boulder, Colorado
(11/1/2008)
"Good Race - Scenic, Soft/Paved, Flat, Plenty of Ai" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I enjoyed this race. The Convention Center let runners hang out in the exhibit hall, which had two sets of bathrooms, so we didn't have to use porta-potties before the race. I did my warm-up inside and didn't go outside until 10 minutes before the start. There were aid stations about every mile with plenty of water and Gatorade. I liked the scenery (mostly trees with some views of the river). The choice of a soft or paved surface was great. I had never done an out-and-back. It was nice to know what to expect on the way back. The course is mostly flat. There were enough people to keep it interesting. The only negatives were that it was hot during the second half and there were no massages at the finish. My previous 6 marathons offered free massages at the end (even the small ones). If the DCM can't find businesses to offer free massages, I think many runners would be willing to pay. It helps so much with recovery. I was more sore than usual the next day. | |
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D. C. from Northern NM
(10/27/2008)
"pretty good for a small marathon" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you're looking for a big marathon, this is not it. But given that there were fewer than 300 marathon finishers, I thought that the organization was great. There was plenty of water and Gatorade at every mile. Also, some of the water stops offered bottles so you could carry it along, and that was very nice. The trail along the Rio offers the ability to run on gravel and dirt for much of the race and offers shade for the first half of the race. And free parking in the parking garage downtown. Decent fans along the way, especially at the relay points. Lots of people doing the half marathon, the half marathon walk, the 5K, etc. made the finish nice - plenty of folks around. The only major con is the lack of food along the course (none) and minimal food at the finish (just some bananas and oranges and water). | |
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D. W. from Albuquerque, NM
(10/22/2008)
"Well-run race; nice course." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Duke City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Out-and-back courses are not my personal favorite, but this one is scenic. Plenty of water stops and porta-potties. Spectator support was okay, considering the course is mostly on a walking/hiking/bike path. Overall, a very well-run event. | |
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R. K. from Farmington, NM
(10/21/2008)
"Great Duke Race for 2008" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From reading the 2007 comments, I was a little concerned about doing this event (a group of friends and I chose the half-marathon walk). I'm so glad we decided to do it. What a great day for a race and the organizers did a wonderful job filling in the gaps from last year. There were many, many people participating (195 alone in the half marathon walk), and what a friendly crowd. The fluid stations were plentiful and the porta-potties were more than enough. The only disappointment was that my good friend's chip didn't work, and she missed out on a medal - things like that happen and she can have mine. | |
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S. Y. from El Paso, TX
(10/20/2008)
"Glad I did it!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Duke City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Well, I have done the whole DCM and several half's. Back in the day, it was pretty much run on city streets, so I REALLY enjoy the bosque route. They DEFINITELY need MORE restrooms at the start! The Convention Center was not overly accommodating - positioning a guard to prevent runners from using the escalator or elevator in search of restrooms. By the time many of us finished our race, there were no bagels and gooey, black bananas only. The race hotel was nothing to write home about - quite hesitant to extend check out times (I'll be waiting to see if the $25.00 fee appears on my credit card). The starting times for the Half Run and Walk was late enough to get us finishing when it was quite hot, but having the Half Walk go in a different direction IS a great idea - the only confluence of races occurring in the last 3 miles. I hope we didn't impede any runners! | |
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L. L. from Albuquerque, NM
(3/18/2008)
"LEARN from Balloon Fest!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 CONFUSION summarizes this event. Waiting for water to be poured - bad! NO gels - bad! No porta-potties - INEXCUSABLE. Scenery - well, it IS NM! Support - thank you, but instead of chatting it up with each other, get that water into the cups. The few spectators and cheer teams were VERY encouraging and I thank them; other than that, the city couldn't have cared less. The finish - lackadaisical at best. Would feel sorry for anyone who traveled here for this. I ran the half as training for my first full in Jan. '08, which was the AZ Rock N' Roll - a FANTASTICALLY ORGANIZED event and flat, fast course, which I HIGHLY recommend as a first. Shame on you, DoubleTree, for no late check-outs. How embarrassing! | |
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J. D. from NM
(10/27/2007)
"Great course." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Duke City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This is my third duke city and I would say the course is great compared to courses in the past. I will start with the positives. Having the Hotel right next to the start and finish is great. I really liked the aid stations every mile, first marathon I have ran with that many and it really makes a difference. Having the relay stations along the way made it nice to have those people there cheering us on. The course is fast, I was trying to qualify for Boston and did by 40 seconds I think the wind had some effect on my time but still made the time needed. Now for the neg. stuff. I had check into the hotel 2 months before the race and was told that the rate was 83$ a night. When I went to check in they told me that it would cost 278$. I told them that was not what I was told, they told me there was a mistake and it would only be 178$. I then told them I had check in two months prior and was told the rate was 83. After some doing they honored the price given to me over the phone but that took some time. It did not even seem to me that knew there was a marathon the next day. It seems to me if duke city set aside some rooms that the people checking us in would know and would also have all the info in front of them. Next, this is my third duke city marathon my first being in 95 and the second in 2000. My first duke city was a wonderful experience as well has my second. It seemed to me that some of the personal touch has left this event. This could be one of the biggest marathons in this part of the US if those personal touches were still apart of the event. Someone needs to MC the event on a sound system that you can hear. Announcing the winners, tell us who is coming in put some life into the finish line. All in all it was a good race and I did meet my time for Boston. I hope that this event stays around for a long time, but I would like to see it change into what it was in the past, It was electric and now is just ok. | |
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J. L. from Seattle
(10/25/2007)
"Had an OK time, wouldn't do it again" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Duke City Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I liked the choice of pavement or dirt on the bike trail for most of the route. The soft dirt was an enjoyable change from hard pavement. Being a first timer here I had trouble finding out where to put the drop bag, and even where the starting line was. There didn't seem to be anyone giving out information. It was unclear for the first 3 miles or so if there would be any mile markers. Then I saw them at an aid table, although others were far from the tables. The tables were not every mile as we had been told. The course was flat and easy, but not much to see. My biggest problem was finding a bathroom when I needed it (mile 10-12). Thought I would be doing it in the scratchy bushes for sure. Finally found an outhouse 100 feet off the course at about mile 12. There was no food on the course, which is always a let down. I had some gels but would have loved a banana half or something at about mile 20-22. At the finish a girl simply handed me the medal and of course I was so out of it that it immediately fell on the ground and I was unable to bend down to pick it up. I asked her to please put it around my neck, which she then did to my satisfaction. Don't they know that the medal goes around the runner's neck? The post race food was disappointing. I tried to eat an orange half, but that was pretty difficult and messy. Quarters would have been appreciated. I don't like dry plain white bread bagels. I would much prefer whole grain, and something to put on it like jelly or cream cheese. And some kind of juice would be been better than bottled water. I basically left and found decent food elsewhere. I came over 1000 miles to this event, but I would rate it fairly low amongst available marathons. Like somebody else said, I don't think the organizers are paying much attention... |
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