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Santa Clarita Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Santa Clarita Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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P. K. from Yorba Linda, California
(11/4/2007)
"For those who love to run on asphalt trails" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 24th marathon but only my first Santa Clarita. I love the way the expo was at the Hyatt and the start and finish were less than 1/4 mile from the hotel. Staying at a Hyatt is always nice and they gave a great rate for marathoners with more than extended check out time. The people were helpful and courteous throughout the area, even though it is a small race. The 1/2 marathoners ran the first 12 miles with the full, which was nice to have the company. After the split it was sparse; at some points I didn't know if I had followed the right course and hoped I hadn't gotten lost, but there were signs up along the really confusing areas to look for and follow. I love trails so I really enjoyed the run. It got a little warm so the only recommendation I would make would be to start the race at 6 a.m. (being that it was the first day of daylight savings it was actually an 8 o'clock start). The water stops were more than ample with tons of friendly volunteers and cheering stations. I just wanted to get in one last marathon this year and Santa Clarita was a good fit for me since I live only an hour away. | |
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T. L. from Canyon Country, CA
(11/28/2006)
"Course Much Improved" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Santa Clarita Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course for 2006 was much better than 2005, both because the San Francisquito Creek Trail was open and because the last few miles involved a return up the South Fork rather than the previous years' twist-and-turn around Valencia Glen Park. However, I'd still like to see less paseo. Could the final two miles continue up the South Fork under Valencia Blvd. and finish the same way the half marathon does, over Creekside and Magic Mountain Parkway rather than over the paseo bridges in Valencia and through the mall parking lot? Clif Blocks on the course were a nice touch. I'd paid $2/packet for the same things at the expo. Santa Ana winds really didn't help, particularly in the Mile 16-20 out and back along Soledad and the turnaround at Mile 23, but that's not the RD's fault. Start was well organized for the most part, though I did see a 5K person running with the half/full marathon runners (his fault, I think). Basically nothing left for the back-of-the-packers. And why was the clock stopped at 5:29? I finished in 5:51, which was where I expected to since I'd had knee surgery less than 4 months previously, but the clock was stopped. I would have preferred the photos to be accurate. | |
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Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga California
(11/9/2006)
"Favor Shirt, Medal, and Organization over Course" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 One aspect of the marathon that I was disappointed in is that the race director refuses day-of-race packet pick-up under all circumstances. I understand that it may create a small general inconvenience to the staff, but it can be immensely helpful to participants with extenuating circumstances. Considering the race packet pick up site wasn't formally announced until two weeks before the event, the full marathon field is about 300 runners, and the exposition/packet pick up is only one day long, my request didn't seem that unreasonable. In my view the fact that the packet pick-up was at the Hyatt hotel in Valencia the day before the event is more than a coincidence. The exposition was relatively small, with general sports merchandise vendors that gave out samples ranging from cut-up energy bar and gel samples to bottled water. The packet pick-up was promptly at the announced 9 a.m. start time, though vendors inside the building were set-up sometime before that. Outside in the hall, various free medical diagnoses were available, and a very nice lime-green drawstring "City of Santa Clarita" nylon bag was provided for filling out a simple visitor's survey. Former USC cross country coach and LA Police Chief Pat Connelly gave one of the best speeches on body bio-mechanics that I have ever gotten at a marathon seminar. The marathon itself took place on city streets, bike and footpaths, and ran near some apartment complexes. The first mile had the only hill of significance but was made more difficult because of the existence of traffic cones blocking the second lane. The field was still congested at this early stage, and it created a bottleneck. The only way to avoid that (then) would have been running left of the cones, which would have been off the official course. There was one other tight section between six and eight, but otherwise fine. I didn't find the course particularly scenic, but I was probably just concentrating on the finish (the temperature during my final hour of the race was between 77 and 78 degrees). I discovered that several miles of hard paved-street running could be avoided by running on a grass "island" paralleling the sidewalk between miles seven and nine. The school girl cheerleaders were out in full force, energetic and enthusiastic. Prominent markers existed each mile along with Gatorade and water (and signs delineating the beverages). Around mile 20 volunteers had went as far as lining up energy gels along the top of fence posts to avoid any bad hand-offs and runners were able to self serve. The bands seemed to be positioned very tactically along the course (such as at the top of underpass climbs), and played good, entertaining, motivational music. In general the entertainment was more frequent and better than what I expected; the townfolk do seem to know something is going on (though you won't experience big-city crowds here). I don't know if it was because the race t-shirts were so bright cherry red that they were more noticeable, but I don't recall seeing a race where more participants actually wore them during the event. The beautiful technical shirt with three-color race-logo shoes was complimented by a nice race-logo finisher's medal that clearly distinguished the accompanying half marathon race from the full, both in words and the color of the suspension ribbon. I wasn't particularly impressed with the post-race food, which included orange slices, flavored bottled water and pretzels. | |
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L. B. from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
(11/8/2006)
"Beautiful, fun, and fabulous!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was in town from Wisconsin and couldn't pass up the opportunity to run. I am so grateful I did, because it was the best race I've run so far, and not because it was my fastest, but because of the beautiful, flat, fun course. The spectators were fabulous, as were the kids handing out the water at each and every mile - how could you not smile and enjoy this race?! This race was really well organized and really one I'd recommend to anyone thinking of participating. They did a fantastic job!! Thank you for an amazing time!! Leah B. Wauwatosa, WI | |
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J. S. from Southern California
(11/7/2006)
"Well-organized small-town race, convoluted course" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was very well organized. The Hyatt hotel is literally around the corner from both start and finish. Parking was well-planned. Aid stations and post-race food were amply staffed and supplied, even for back-of-the-packers like me. The volunteers and spectators were great; it seemed like the whole town came out to help and cheer the runners. Even coach Pat Connelly was out on the course offering advice and encouragement. The course is a little hilly in places, and has a lot of weird twists and turns. Fortunately, there were volunteers to point the way in all but one of them. The first half was pretty easy, but the last six miles were especially tough, with two miles of dirt trail being kicked up by strong Santa Ana winds, and the paseo bridges. The mid-80s temperatures this year compounded the challenge. The encouragement of the volunteers and spectators, along with copious quantities of water, Gatorade, and Clif Blocks, got me to the finish. If you like well-organized, small races and can weather the heat and wind of Southern California's Santa Ana season, this race is a good choice for a fall marathon and a better choice for a half. | |
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N. V. from Los Angeles, CA
(11/6/2006)
"AWESOME RACE!!!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race had the best organization of any marathon I've run. There was plenty of parking, and the garage was literally right next to the start/finish line. Aid station support was great!! The course was flat and fun... with lots of trail running. Running up, over, and down the freeway overpasses in the final mile was challenging, and made crossing the finish line even sweeter. Weather was ideal for running. This race is a "must run" for all Southern California runners. | |
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P. s. from Ohio
(11/14/2005)
"Nice Scenic Marathon" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Mostly on bike paths, scenic, and some rolling hills at the start. Volunteer groups were really well attended, might have had every kid in town at a stop somewhere. Last 3 miles are pretty through a residential area on a bike path, but something like 8 bike bridges - up and over roads - in the last 2-3 miles wore on me. Great finish announcing, massage, and food in a neat location town center. | |
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T. P. from New Jersey, US
(11/14/2005)
"1st marathon, excellent race weather, so-so course" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Though it was my first marathon and I don't have others to compare it to, I certainly have some critiques. The race opens pretty straight forward, but eventually, it gets a little sketchy, interrupted, and quite boring. The markings were decent, I never felt lost, but you had to pay attention (I've already read one review of someone running a 16-mile 'half marathon'). They tried to keep all the miles nearby, so many times you are running over ground you have already covered. In 1 case you ran 3 miles out, circled a cone, and ran those three miles back. Another issue with this race is that you have to repeatedly cross over highways via bridges, which means you need to make an abrupt turn and ascent to get to all the bridges, which ruins rhythm. I also was less than impressed with the water stations. I prefer to drink every two miles, but when I went to grab some Gatorade at a hydration station, the cup was less than half full. When it's late in the race and you need some sugar, you don't want to be handed a cup with 4 oz. of Gatorade, especially considering not all of it gets in your mouth sometimes! This forced me to grab for fluids much more than I planned on, which slowed my finishing time. I really enjoyed the little local 2-3 person bands that were scattered sporadically in the race course. It's great to see some locals take the time to entertain the runners, way to go. Some compliments I have are, first of all, the Hyatt hotel. Great hotel, very accommodating, and literally right next to the starting line, not to mention the expo was right in their grand ballroom. I had originally planned on running NY, but when I saw on TV that morning all the runners sitting on the grass, just waiting around in the cold for the race to finally start, I was more than happy to be in sunny Santa Clarita, knowing the starting line was just a short walk away from my hotel room. I also really appreciated some of the nice people I ran into during the race, and who can forget 'Barefoot Ted'? Hats off to him. All in all, a decent marathon. If you're looking for a small, convenient, hometown-type marathon with fantastic race weather, maybe even your first marathon, this is a good one, but if you are looking for a great course layout with scenery and speed, this is not the race for you. | |
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D. D. from Los Angeles, CA, USA
(11/13/2005)
"friendly, hometown atmosphere" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Santa Clarita Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my fifth SCM and first on the new course. While I really liked the starting 10-mile descent on the old course, I actually enjoyed the new, flat, loopy course too. Very strong support from the Girl Scouts and others was wonderful. The views of the surrounding mountains were spectacular. | |
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D. K. from Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA
(11/11/2005)
"Great Organization and Spectators" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Santa Clarita Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The first 20 miles of the course were fine. Good spectator support and I had no problems figuring out where the course splits were between the 1/2 and full marathon. The last 5 to 6 miles of the course were tough. A long stretch along a deserted riverbed on a bike trail with the only people at the aid stations. The pedestrian bridges the last 3 miles are tough. Good water and Gatorade stations - every mile with great volunteers and enthusiasm. This was my first marathon in 28 years but I'll be back. Great small marathon. |
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