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Pocatello Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Pocatello Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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R. G. from United States of America
(9/16/2004)
"A great run marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was the 11th marathon I've run and though it definitely wasn't the largest, it ranks right at the top for support. Kudos to the race director and his staff. Try to prepare yourself for running downhill in your training for this one. If during your long runs you can simulate the first half downhill and the second half flat with a few inclines, you should be well prepared. The host hotel, the Ramda, did an excellent job. The $10 pasta feed the night before was outstanding. Support on the course was excellent with numerous aid stations and adequate porta potties on the course. The medals and t-shirts were adequate for a $35 entry fee. Very well run. | |
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D. W. from Houston
(9/9/2004)
"Great small marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The race starts about 6100 feet up in the mountains, and the weather was cool (mid-30's) and dry. Although it was dark at the start, there was no problem following the course down the steep downhill. After mile 12 it flattens out, with a few uphills, especially at miles 15 and 20. The combination of the early downhills, the late uphills, and the altitude made the second half tough for this oversized runner from the flatlands at sea level, but I knew that when I made my choice. By the time I finished (and I am very slow) it had warmed up to a still-pleasant 60 degrees. All the turns were well marked with large white arrows painted on the pavement. Although the roads were open to traffic, there were virtually no cars other than race officials for most of the race so no issue. As we got into town one lane was closed for us to use. The race director is very nice, and he narrated the bus tour of the course the afternoon before the race. There were plenty of well-equipped water stops and the volunteers cheered on the runners. Plenty of portable toilets along the course - at least one at every water stop. Finish line was in a small city park. The crowd was lively and the baked potatoes were great. At least half the women and a quarter of the men got age group awards. I talked to a couple of other runners the evening after the race, and they had forgotten to pick up their checked bags with their pre-race warmups. They called the race director and he brought them over to the hotel for them. Personal touches made this a great race! I read the comments from previous years and I think they addressed every one of the criticisms, including switching from green to white arrows for course markings, potatoes for everyone, overall winners excluded from the age group awards, etc. I recommend this race for anyone. | |
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P. D. from Texas
(9/9/2004)
"A must-do small marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a must-do small marathon. The course is beautiful. The first half is downhill and the second half if relatively flat. The water stops are at the right frequency and the volunteers are very enthusiastic. Results are posted quickly after you finish and the awards are super nice (even though I didn't get one). The only problem - fitting the 6 lb. sack of potatoes they give you at packet pickup into your suitcase :) | |
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t. p. from Bettendorf, Iowa
(9/5/2004)
"Best small marathon event I've done!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Although I only did the 10K due to an injury, my running friend did the marathon so we got a taste of both races. It was great to have a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K all with the same finish line so no one was really ever alone on the course. Staggered starts worked well for various distances. Transportation to/from start finish was very well done. With the small number of runners, each name was announced as they were coming in to cross the finish line. Where else can you get a free potato bar at the finish line with chili and all the fixin's? Terrific volunteers, frequent water stops along the route, PERFECT race day weather of cool and sunny! The Comfort Inn on Bench Road was a very nice place for a super low rate....transportation to the start was right across the street from the hotel. A MUST is to drive to Lava Hot Springs (about 30 minutes from Pocatello) to sit in the HOT (110 degrees!) natural springs to relax after the race. Thanks to a previous post on that suggestion. Living in a flat place like Iowa, the scenery was quite beautiful along the route. An easy 2 1/2 hour drive from Salt Lake City. A big thanks to the organizers of this years race! One more thing: they give trophies to the first 3 places in EVERY age group for EVERY race...very generous awards! | |
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Ian Levenson from Jackson, Wyoming
(5/25/2004)
"Very steep downhill. Train accordingly." (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. The course was very beautiful. However, the first several miles are a very steep downhill grade and my legs were suffering by the time it leveled out. I think it would have been fine had I done more downhill running during my training. The weather was perfect, and the race had a quaint, friendly feel to it. | |
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R. M. from Meridian, Idaho
(10/22/2003)
"Where's the beef? And the ride back to the hotel?" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 The volunteers/spectators along the course were the best. They made the event happen and did a GREAT job. (5 stars to them!!!). The course down the 'hill' was very scenic. I slowed down just so I could enjoy the view. I love running in the hills (especially DOWN). The first mile is extremely fast, but after that a good pace can easily be established. The trip into the city (from the bottom of the hill) was as bland as could be. To cap it off, there was a horrific head wind at mile 20 which made that incline almost unbearable. After you enter the city, things improve. Traffic control was great. (Only 4 stars because of the freight train area). I can only give the organizers 2 stars (it would have been 1 but I LOVE the result card they hand out at the finish). The buses left the hotel late. The bus that was supposed to take people from the park to the start never showed. One of the hotel buses had to pick them up. The race start was delayed due to the bus mix-up. The arrows on the ground marking the course were in a green color. Green is very difficult to see in the pre-dawn morning hours (yes the start was before the sun came up). They said, 'Food and beverages will be provided at the finish area', I thought that meant complimentary and something a little more nourishing than 'Gummy Bears'. I was VERY disappointed and HUNGRY since I didn't bring my wallet with me during the race and had no money at the finish to PAY for the decent food. The T-shirts and finisher's medal. I would have liked to see marathon (that is 26.2 Miles NOT 13.1 miles, 10K, or 5K) people get marathon shirts and medals... and the other events get their 'Event' shirt. I would have also liked to see the TOP 3 overall finishers be EXEMPTED from their respected age groups. Getting the overall first place award and the 1st in their age group award is a little silly. This would spread the awards around a little more to other people who also deserve recognition. More on BUSES... THANK YOU, the GREAT PEOPLE of POCATELLO, you saved us when the race officials failed to check on the promised transportation back to the motels. They say the last impression is what you will remember... this was a huge black mark on the race officials. The race officials told me afterwards that ?transportation was provided?. Yes it was? but NOT by the race officials (it came via the spectators and family members of the local runners). This was only their 4th time? they are learning and this race will be a great one in the future. | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(9/2/2003)
"Great Run" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I just finished the 2003 Pacatello Marathon and had a great time. The course was downhill for almost 14 miles, but not so steep that you felt out of control. The only problem was trying to find your actual pace. I was afraid I would out-run my pace and suffer later, but seemed to get it under control (although I got left in the dust)! A higher altitude than I am used to (sea level) didn't seem to bother me as much as at the CO, WY, or SD marathonns I have done 'out West'. There were not a lot of spectators, but spectacular scenery was abundant. Volunteers were helpful and friendly. Worth the trip! | |
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M. T. from Victor, Montana
(9/1/2003)
"Beautiful Scenery, Fast and Challenging." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Awesome NEW course. Larry Bell and the entire marathon Ggoup did a wonderful job putting this together. Not alot of spectators, but the course was well equipped with aid stations, porta-potties, and great cheers from the various groups at the aid stations. Will do it again next year. Is new and growing (only in their 4th year). Keep up the great job. | |
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A. runner from Idaho
(8/31/2003)
"I ran the gap" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had a great time. It seems that the organizers care about this event. I don?t want to seem overly critical, but here are my comments? Course: The first 11 miles or so were really pretty - by far the best part of the course. The grade was a gentle descent(other than that steep first mile). From roughly miles 14-20, there was a moderate headwind that slowed me down quite a bit. Not much to look at on this part of the course - unless you like freight trains. The volunteer smoking cigarettes at the mile 14 aid station caught my attention. Organization: The best part was the frequent aid stations with kind, enthusiastic volunteers. They were great. Good traffic control towards the end. Other than that, the buses left the hotel late, the race started late, and worst of all, NO BUSES SHOWED UP to take us back to the hotel (8 miles from finish) after the race. We had to scamper for rides. Fans: Scarce, but it?s a small race. Supportive. | |
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A Runner from Boise, Idaho
(2/3/2002)
"Beautiful rolling hills course with great support." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The first Pocatello Marathon was run in 2000 - it was also my first marathon. IT band syndrome kept me away in 2001 but I'll be back in 2002. It's a point-to-point course with minimal traffic, beautiful scenery and pleasant rolling hills. The aid stations were every 2 miles like clockwork and were manned by wonderfully friendly people. Lots of locals were still cheering me across the finish line despite how long it took me. The finisher's medal was really nice and they had almost as many trophies as runners. I hope the race grows in popularity so there's a little more company from other runners and spectators in the future. Tip: head for Lava Hot Springs (30 miles from Pocatello) for a post-race soak in developed hot pools (it includes whirlpools and Grecian-style pool). |
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