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☰
Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 30 [displaying comments 21 to 30]
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Gabriel Garcia from San Luis Obispo, California
(7/31/2018)
"Wow what a fast race!" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second year running Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon and it just gets better. The day and course were both beautiful. The forecast called for it to be hot, but the course was so shaded that weather was never a concern. The race organizers ran the course the day before and really gave us runners a feeling of calm going into the race to not worry about the heat. Being on such a quiet and remote course, the race support was amazing. Water stations were perfectly spaced out, the after race food, water, and "cold towels" were so much appreciated. I've been trying to qualify for Boston for many years and this is the race to do it. I lowered my PR (my former was at this race last year) by 7:00 minutes and came in 7:27 under my BQ time standard. If you want to run fast and want a beautiful well run course to do it on, then Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon must be on your race schedule. | |
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Kelly Herron from Seattle, WA
(7/31/2018)
"Breath-taking views, great swag, PNW memories" (about: 2018)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The scenery was breath-taking and even worth slowing down or stopping for a photo or two. Waterfalls, canyons, thick trees, shade - just gorgeous. At the finish it was exciting to hear the announcer tell spectators how much time was left for each division to BQ and to congratulate runners who made the cut. I love the Northwest-y swag - the tanks, buffs and medal will serve as memories of a fun run through the woods and be especially meaningful to the many runners who traveled from around the country to participate! | |
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L. B. from San Diego, CA
(8/21/2017)
"Fantastic Course and Fast... Like BQ Fast:)" (about: 2017)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course was everything I anticipated it to be and more... a complete 26.2 gradual downhill, gorgeous scenery, cool & dry conditions. Plus LOTS of water/Gatorade stations... mile markers with time duration checkpoints throughout. Pacing tattoos were available and very useful on this course and helping me to qualify. This was only 2nd full marathon, not only did I BQ but shaved off 35 minutes from my first. The downhill is no joke, I was flying=M<û=M<û. Additionally, due to low impact terrain I was not all that sore in the days following. Thanks to the organization of the race, everything was made very easy from email notifications the week of, to bib pickup, and shuttles to the race start. Another great feature of the course was the ability of my family to bike out and cheer me on as I ran. It has been almost 7 years since I ran a full, wasn't sure I was a marathoner. However, thanks to my great experience with the Jack & Jill I look forward to running more marathons in the future. | |
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J. L. from San Diego, CA
(8/21/2017)
"Run downhill through a magical forrest" (about: 2017)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Jack and Jill is officially my favorite race course I have ever run, period. Where else can you run through a dark & mysterious tunnel, past waterfalls, over old train track bridges, through a whispering Washington Forrest of trees? Runners are also extra encouraging of each other - all that mountain air brings out the best in everyone! PRs are reached thanks to a gradual downhill course that saves your legs from the pounding of other downhill courses but is just gradual enough to also push you to your best speeds! The course and race event is extremely well organized and executed! Kudos to USA Endurance Events! I will be back in 2018!!!! | |
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A. A. from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
(8/2/2017)
"Fast and Scenic!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my 23rd marathon and one of the prettiest. Advice: if you can get a ride to the start, take it! There was one shuttle bus that arrived 5 minutes before the start of the race! It was very chilly at the start (48F) and we were shivering! There weren't enough bathrooms or port-a-potties but it's not an issue if you don't mind going in the bushes! There was a bit of a wave-start which meant no congestion. The tunnel is narrow and WET; I was focussed on avoiding the puddles that were right in the middle. Most people wore a headlamp, but I held a small flashlight that I discarded at the end of the tunnel, (they were on sale for $5 at the expo) and it worked great. My Garmin actually kept my pace in the tunnel, but after we got out, the mileage was messed up. Another runner told me it's better to start your watch AFTER the tunnel. Although there was a lot of shade and it was a cool morning, there weren't nearly enough water stations, but most people carried their own. This course is VERY FAST, especially if you can get through the tunnel without slowing down, because it is all downhill and very gradual. Also, I am 100% road runner, but I found these trails very easy to run on. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. I envied the runners who had their phones and were taking selfies on the course. Other than a handful of spectators at the half point, there really weren't any, but the course was so pretty, it didn't matter! I loved the race shirt and medal. I don't usually like to do the same marathon twice, but this one: DEFINITELY! | |
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Mike Parsons from San Diego, CA
(1/4/2017)
"FAST COURSE!!! Best organized race I've ever ran!!" (about: 2016)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 FAST!!! FAST,!!! FAST!!! This race was obviously set up by a devout runner:-) It felt like a running vacation:-) Best organized event I've ever ran:-) Mountain scenery was breath taking:-) The cool temps resulted in a FAST pace:-) No waiting at the porta potties:-) An absolute must attend course for your calendar:-) | |
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Thor Eakes from San Diego, California
(8/18/2016)
"Awesome marathon!" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had an awesome time with this marathon. The course was breathtaking with a start up in the mountains. The course was slightly downhill for the entire 26.2 miles. The scenery was spectacular! I highly recommend this race. | |
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L. T. from Canada
(8/8/2016)
"AWESOME COURSE - love the tunnel" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The course is spectacular! Gorgeous scenery every step of the way! I was initially quite intimidated by the tunnel (a wee bit claustrophobic) but once I got in there, I loved it!! It's plenty big and very cool. I stayed in the middle and chatted with other runners to keep my head from wandering into a panic. The downhill is very unnoticeable and given that it is on loose gravel, for me any speed benefit from the down hill was negated by the constant awareness of footing due to the gravel. The fresh air and shady course were simply delightful. I found the small field of runners a perfect size for the course. I hope they cap it at 500. The organization could use a bump up. Prior to the race, I emailed the race directors a few times before I got a reply - and even then the reply was dismissive and didn't really answer my questions. Their Facebook Page was a ghost town. The 45 minute wait to get a race packet was ridiculous. There could have been at least 4 more water stops. An earlier start time would also have been helpful. But in the grand scheme of races, these were all fairly minor complains and I suspect that as the race grows so will the organization. I'll do it again next year but will definitely wear trails shoes over my road shoes. Loved the medal!! | |
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C. N. from HI
(8/4/2016)
"Beautiful course. Organization needs improvement." (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Pros: 1) Beautiful, scenic course 2) Great weather Cons: 1) Tunnel slowed me down 2) Not enough aid stations 3) Cups at the aid stations were too small and only 1/4 to 1/2 full 4) Packet pickup was slow and disorganized 5) New gravel on the last miles of the course wasn't packed down and felt like running on sand (hard to push off) | |
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A. M. from Indiana
(8/2/2016)
"Frustrated with chip timing issues" (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I came out from Indiana in hopes of a BQ. My chip never registered, my husband thought I got hurt bc he didn't see my half split and I have no official time. I am borderline for my BQ, the 2 pacers I was to run near were not at the race and my watch stopped working before leaving the tunnel. I ran solo for 26.2 miles with nothing but the actual time of day to go by. The man who helped me guesstimated my start time after I argued my photo finish time was not accurate as I started in a later wave than the first one. His given 'official time' has me missing my goal by 1 minute. I'm confused as to how he came up with that time and I am forced to accept it. I've compared other racers chip vs clock times of those that started near me and the difference in times aren't the same as my difference. To say I'm frustrated and disappointed is an understatement and not hopeful anything can be done. This was my last chance marathon and because of this giant snafu, I am forced to accept I'll never run Boston. I recommend a timer at the 13.1 mark, a camera at the start and a backup to make sure all chips are working since this a BQ race. |
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