Review and course map Maui Marathon (マウイマラソンマップと情報), Maui, HI

9/18/2011 - Review and course map Maui Marathon (マウイマラソンマップと情報), Maui, HI

Maui Marathon is recognized as one of the most scenic courses in world with its point-to-point route starting in Kahului, passes moonlit sugarcane fields and hugs the spectacular Pacific coastline for over 17 breathtaking miles. Feast on views of the cobalt blue ocean water, its rolling surf and Maui’s neighboring islands of Kaho’olawe, Lana’i and Moloka’i.Your journey’s final miles will take you through the historical fishing village of Lahaina before finishing near The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, race headquarters, in the world-famous Ka’anapali Beach Resort home of the Whalers Village.(1)

More details and course map are below

Distance: 26.2 miles

Course: The starting line is in Kahului and the run will be on route 380 for the first 6-7 miles which will then continue on route 30 until Lahaina where the run passed through Front St. of the old town and then back to route 30 all the way to the finish line at the Kaanapali Beach resort

Crowd: Many international runners and supporters mostly from Japan.

The easy part: Flat course for the most part and incredible views of the pacific ocean along the course. In addition the first 6 miles we ran between the two volcanos of the island which tunnel the wind at our backs, this was great as it didn't slow us down yet helped to ease the heat and the humidity.

The challenging part: I must say that this was one of the hardest marathons I have ran to date. The weather, as expected, was horrendous with temperatures hitting the mid 80's and humidity of over 80% early in the day. I made sure to continuously hydrate and make up for the electrolytes I lost.
The Marathon started at 5:30AM so it was not very hot yet. However as time went by and as early as 8AM the heat was a challenging factor as we were moving towards the finish line of the Marathon. The organizers realize that and space the aid station in a smart way where towards the end there are aid stations every half a mile. This was very helpful.

Price: Up to $160 on race day, register early and you can save a lot

Pacers: No

Timing:Chip on shoe

Qualifying: None

Official website: Maui Marathon

My 2 cents: 1)Hydrate! This is the Maui Marathon and it is known for both the scenic route of the Marathon as well as the harsh weather conditions. 2) Miles 10-13 takes place in a hilly part of the course, I made sure to try and stick to my targeted pace, it was easy to loose it with the many ups and downs in that part of the Marathon's course. 3) I am not sure about this last point as I haven't tried it but it may make sense to try and run at a higher pace earlier when the sun is not out yet to be left with less miles to run when it is extremely hot. The trade off is the risk of burning out too fast. May worth a try.....

Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

At the finish line

Kaanapali Beach Resort

The finish line

Ocean views

More ocean views later in the day

(1) From the organizer website

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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.

Review and course map Heartbreak Ridge Half-Marathon, Camp Pendleton, CA

9/10/2011 - Review and course map Heartbreak Ridge Half-Marathon, Camp Pendleton, CA

Half marathon 13.1 miles,90% gravel off road.

Distance: 13.1 miles

Course:  13.1-mile course, 90% gravel off-road through the breathtaking rolling hills of Camp Pendleton in the 43 area. Course is on packed fire-roads. This year, 2011, the race drew more than 1,400 runners including both civilians and active duty military runners. The course was an out and back course, including rolling hills and some flat and fast stretches intermixed throughout. There were aid station approximately every mile. 

Crowd: Military and civilians

The easy part: The weather was perfect, we had a cloudy and relatively cold day and ran with no direct sun throughout the race

The challenging part: Steep hills climbing miles 2 to 3 and then again 10 to 11

Price: $50 on race day, $45 in advance

Pacers: No

Timing:Chip on shoe,BUT please note ranking is based on gun time only, the chip timing is just for your own personal records

Qualifying: None

Official website: Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon

My 2 cents: 1) Since ranking is based on gun time only make sure you start on time. 2) True there are some steep hills but since it is an out and back course there are therefore also steep downhills, make sure you compensate for the slower pace uphill when running downhill
Thanks for reading and as always please don't hesitate to email/reach out with any questions.
Thanks!

runnersreviews.blogspot.com/

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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.

Trail Run - Mt. Baldy - Run To The Top 2011

9/5/2011 -Mt. Baldy - Run To The Top 2011.

 From the website:
Approximately 8 mile run with a 4000 foot elevation gain. Beginning at 6,000 ft. elevation. The first mile is paved roadway followed by 5 miles of steep narrow dirt roadway. The next mile, a narrow "catwalk" trail hugs the mountain side: the final mile, the steepest, is above the timber line. The finish line is atop beautiful Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy) at 10,064 feet. Walk back down from the summit to the  Mt. Baldy Ski Lift Notch Restaurant. Fruit and water are provided every 2 miles, including the top. A free ride back down to the parking area is provided to all competitors by Mt Baldy Ski Lifts Inc.

NOTE: 2011 Run To The Top was stopped due to severe weather conditions at the summit which included among others, according to official rescue team reps, temperatures in the low 30's and t-storms. 
BUT, I ran it again on my own on 7/4/2012 and posted my review here,  hope you will find it helpful!

Below is a review of the run up to the point at which most of the runners were stopped after almost 4 miles and more than 1,500 ft elevation gain.

Distance & Elevation: Should have been 8 miles and 4,000 ft elevation gain. We were stopped after almost 4 miles and I ran back down. My distance for the day was 7.47 miles with about 1,900 ft elevation gain over 3.75 miles.

Course:From Mt. Baldy Road parking lot all the way up to the top of Mt San Antonio. The part I ran which is about half of the course was on a paved road for the first 3/4 of a mile and then on wide fire-road.

Crowd: Good spirit, some first timers as well as people who celebrate labor day with this run on a yearly basis. I overheard a participant who started the tradition 17 years ago!

The easy part: If you are lucky it will be cold but not too cold

The challenging part: There are 4,000 challenging parts in the race- a foot each!
Price: $55 in advance $65 on race day

Pacers: No

Timing: Gun only

Qualifying: None

Official website: Mt. Baldy - Run To The Top!

My 2 cents: The race starts with a downhill part for about 1/3 of a mile, run it fast you will gain some time and you will have 7.7 miles to recover if you are concerned about starting with a sprint. From that point onwards it will get more difficult.

As always, thanks for reading and don't hesitate to email with any questions!
Thanks
runnersreviews.blogspot.com/

The Fire-road up the mountain

No more running!

Waiting for further instructions....

Views from about 7,000ft down to the starting point

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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.

Trail Run - Malibu Creek State Park & Paramount Ranch

8/21/2011 - Trail Run - Malibu Creek State Park & Paramount Ranch, CA

Trail run 10.56 miles,start at the intersection of Las Virgenes Rd and Mulholland Hwy and run west around the Malibu lake not before visiting the Paramount Ranch where legendary western films were filmed.

Distance: 10.56 miles

Course: Start at the intersection of Las Virgenes and Mulholland head west for about a quarter of a mile and turn left the run on the trail that will take you to Malibu Lake. Cross the ridge on the north to run paralel to Mulholland hwy to the Paramount Ranch turn around and run along Malibu Lake, head east after the lake back to the starting point.

Crowd: hikers, runners, campers

The easy part: No steep hills

The challenging part: can't think of anything worth mentioning

Price: N/A

Pacers:N/A

Timing:

Qualifying: N/A

Official website: Paramount Ranch

My 2 cents: Here is a quick summary from NPS.GOV about the ranch.....

American Cinema plays a starring role in the cultural life of the United States and the world. Since before the advent of “talking pictures,” Paramount Ranch has served as a setting for hundreds of cinematic productions.

Lights! Camera! Action!… In 1927, Paramount Pictures purchased 2,700 acres of the old Rancho Las Virgenes for use as a “movie ranch.” For 25 years, a veritable who’s who of Hollywood practiced their craft at Paramount Ranch including director Cecil B. Demille and actors Bob Hope, Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert. The diverse landscape was the real star of the show. It offered film makers the freedom to create distant locales such as colonial Massachusetts in The Maid of Salem, ancient China in The Adventures of Marco Polo, a South Seas island in Ebb Tide (1937)and numerous western locations including San Francisco in Wells Fargo. The art of illusion was mastered on the landscape.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…The golden era of movie making at Paramount Ranch came to an end when changes to the studio system prompted Paramount Pictures to sell the ranch. Paramount Ranch found renewed life as a film location when William Hertz bought the southeast portion in 1953. An ardent fan of movie westerns, he built a permanent western town utilizing Paramount Pictures’ old prop storage sheds. As a result, television companies began producing westerns at the ranch such as The Cisco Kid and Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatre. William Hertz sold the property in 1955. The Paramount Racetrack opened a year later, and some considered it one of the most challenging in the U.S. Although it closed 18 months later, after three fatal accidents, the racetrack was featured in The Devil’s Hairpin, filmed in 1957. Most of the track still winds through the grasslands of the park.

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman was a television show filmed at Paramount Ranch in the 1990's.

Ride Off Into the Sunset… From 1957 to 1980, the ranch changed ownership several times, but filmmaking continued. After purchasing a portion of the original Paramount property in 1980, the National Park Service revitalized the old movie ranch. From 1992 to 1997, Paramount Ranch was used as the setting for the television show, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Whether watching filming or exploring the area, experience the drama and grandeur of the Santa Monica Mountains.
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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.