Monday, February 21, 2011

The Lost Dutchman Arizona Marathon

2/20/2011 - The Lost Dutchman Arizona Marathon, Apache Junction, AZ
Running review is below with some tips for those of you who consider to run this race,  26.2 miles full marathon in Apache Junction Arizona ,  in the future:

Distance: 26.2 (Garmin GPS measured 26.37)
Course: Not straight forward to explain please see map of The Lost Dutchman Marathon detailed course and elevation profile below
Elevation profile: net loss of about 500ft, starting at 2300ft above see level and finishing the marathon at about 1800. 
Crowd: Recreational runner, mostly local runners from the area.
The easy part: The Lost Dutchman Marathon starts with a downhill and on an unpaved road for the first 6 miles
The challenging part: The Lost Dutchman Marathon takes place in medium altitude, if you are not used to running at altitudes of about 2000ft this may be a challenge.
Price: $100
Pacers:No
Timing: Bib chip. The Lost Dutchman Marathon tracked split time at about mile 19.5
Qualifying: N/A
Official website: Lost Dutchman Marathon
My 2 cents: Very scenic marathon, I enjoyed running surrounded by red cliffs and 16ft cacti

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/



Completed Marathons Map



View Marathons Map in a larger map

MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.




Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Hanford Half Marathon - Hanford California

2/13/2011 - The Hanford Half Marathon - Hanford, California
Running review is below with some tips for those of you who consider to run this race,  13.1 miles half marathon in Hanford California ,  in the future:

Distance: 13.1 (Garmin GPS measured 13.19)
Course: Run north along 13th Ave and branch out twice to accumulate some more mileage before running back down to the finish line. (see map of The Hanford Half Marathin detailed course and elevation profile below)
Elevation profile:that's going to be a 0ft.
Crowd:Recreational. One point to keep in mind 2011 was the first year The Hanford Marathon took place. It was a local event in nature with 175 runners but can definitely change in the future once it gets more publicity.
The easy part: Flat. Also, The Hanford Half Marathon tops my limited list of road races in the "Best & Cleanest Air" category. Running in the central valley of California in the brisk and fresh air between the crop fields makes the Half Marathon a great experience.
The challenging part:It is not over until it is over. Towards the finish line you will pass by it no less than FOUR times.
Price: $55 online / $65 race day
Pacers:No
Timing: Shoe chip. The Hanford Half Marathon didn't track splits
Qualifying: N/A
Official website: The Hanford Half Marathon
My 2 cents: Refreshments at the end were interesting with only fried chicken and water.... bring your favorite ,after the race, food!

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/



Completed Marathons Map



View Marathons Map in a larger map

MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.




Monday, February 7, 2011

Surf City Marathon - Huntington Beach, California

2/6/2011 - Surf City Marathon - Huntington Beach, California
Running review is below with some tips for those of you who consider to run this race,  a full 26.2 miles marathon ,  in the future:

Distance: 26.2 (Garmin GPS measured 26.35)
Course: Run north along Pacific Coast Highway ("PCH"), make a right on Seapoint Ave, run around Huntingon Central Park and then back to PCH to run north, turn around on PCH to run south then turn around again to run north and one last turn to run down south to the finish line. (see map of the Surf City Marathin detailed course and elevation profile below)
Elevation profile:that's going to be a 0ft. 2 small hills on miles ~3.4 and ~7.6 but nothing worth worrying about
Crowd: Mixed, no elite runners. This year rightfully respectful and impressive best times were 2:35hr and 3:00hr for M and W respectively. Impressive times but clearly not the 2 tenish finish times you would find in marathons where world class runners participate
The easy part: Flat and great weather at this time of the year
The challenging part: The course was shared with more than 17,000 other runners who ran, half a marathon, 5K etc. Some parts of the course were narrow and the crowed have slowed some runners down. Watch for these parts of the course: some unpaved paths in Huntington Central Park and running on the water front walkway. The water front walkway was shared by runners who ran up north to the turning point and by runners who made their way back south to the finish line. In addition there were cyclists and other random spectators... you get the point: the course wasn't dedicated for the surf city marathon solely.
Food, before: yogurt, bread, coffee
Food, after: Salmon & veggies
Price: $110
Pacers: Yes
Timing: Shoe chip. Surf City Marathon split times at: 3 miles, 6 miles, 12.2 miles, 20.9 miles and 26.2 miles
Qualifying: N/A
My 2 cents: Don't miss the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden Beach Party at the beer garden at the finish line

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/


Completed Marathons Map



View Marathons Map in a larger map

MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.