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Jul 2, 2024

Redding Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Redding Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.6

Spectators 2.2

Number of comments: 19 [displaying comments 11 to 19]

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Alan Shuttleworth from Colfax, CA (1/16/2008) "The beauty of the course cancels the hills!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Redding Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran in '08 and this can't be beat for beauty. Start and finish areas are nothing short of spectacular. Hats off to the SWEAT folks for assembling a first-rate event.
C. B. from Reno, NV (1/15/2008) "Great course, great club!" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Redding Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I decided last-minute to drive from Reno to Redding and signed up "fleet feet" the night before. The people there were very helpful with any questions the last minute registrants had (they also had race day registration - very rare for a marathon). I took one of three shuttles from the finish to the beautiful Sundial Bridge to Shasta Dam. The visitor center was open to let the runners stay out of the cold and wind until the 8 a.m. start. The course heads straight downhill for 2 miles after crossing the dam, although this section was not as quad-shattering as I'd feared. We then hit a gravel/dirt trail that was not quite as fast as advertised, but the start and the river valley were beautiful! After a few small to medium hills on town roads, we'd eventually hit trail again while getting back down to the river, crossed the ribbon bridge, did a "roller coaster" along the rolling hills of the American River Trail (paved), a quick loop, and then back the same way we came. After mile 20, we were on a paved trail heading towards the Sundial Bridge with a quick 1.8-mile loop before crossing the bridge to finish. The last 5 miles were the flattest part of the course, but unfortunately for me, I couldn't take advantage as I'd run out of gas by this point (due to the roller coaster section). Although I wouldn't describe the course as fast, I was less than two minutes slower than my previous (flatter) marathon in Santa Clarita, and this race had none of the organizational issues that one had! Everyone at the finish was great. They had plenty of (good) food, bikes (which I used to loosen up), therapists to help us stretch and give massages, and an awards booth (where they continuously announced the winners instead of having to wait hours for people to finish!). I had an award shirt and mug in hand 10-15 minutes after crossing the line. Overall, it was a great, small race.... The course was marked very well, with volunteers at every turn. There were almost no spectators, but with the good-looking scenery, you won't notice as much. Highly recommended for a small off-season marathon.
E. W. from Magalia, CA (1/14/2008) "Great, small marathon!!!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Redding Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Course is beautiful; weather 2 years in a row perfect. Not an easy course, but you are running 26 miles and it's never easy. Gu at all aid stations was super. Looking for a January marathon in California? This is a great one!
G. D. from Roseburg, Oregon (1/15/2007) "This is a good race - well-manned, friendly, etc." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Redding Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a great course - perhaps a little on the hilly side, but very beautiful. I would have preferred water stops every two miles, especially the last six miles, but it's not a big issue. The weather couldn't have been better. Little cold at the start, but perfect running weather with lots of sunshine. I would hope that the Redding Marathon would grow into one of the larger races for this time of year. I will recommend it to my running friends and I just may be back.
M. W. from Palo Alto, CA (1/2/2005) "Beautiful course, low-key, rewarding start to 2005" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Redding Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course was spectacular, starting at Shasta Dam, then proceeding to run downhill a couple of miles along the road - no traffic - and then along Sacramento river for several miles. The course included several novel features, including running in the pitch black through a railway tunnel, over several bridges, and through ankle deep water (only for two footsteps) at a couple of points. Much of the race was along the river trail, which was smooth and paved. Only two parts were along the road, and maybe 3 cars passed by, so it was very stress-free running. The race finished by running over the Sundial Bridge, which I understand was a new ending for the race this year. It was beautiful and scenic the whole way. The weather had promised wind and rain, but was perfect running conditions, though requiring several thin layers for the 35-40 degree temperatures. Other reviewers had said it isn't a fast course, and I would agree, due mainly to running over gravel for several miles in the first quarter of the race. However, the course has a net descent of 700 feet, starting at 1200 feet and finishing at 500 feet. There are hills, but nothing strenuous or long. So while it wasn't a fast course, it wasn't a hard course and I beat my time in San Francisco by 8 minutes, finishing much more comfortably than I had in SF. It was a PR, though only my 3rd marathon. One of the nicest features of the race is its size. Sixty-six ran in 2005 and the race was relaxed and low-key, with no particular build-up or fanfare at the start; basically people were grouped around the organizer and then he said go, and that was it. The organization was good with easy packet pick-up and extra pins available at the start. The drink stations were regular with Cytomax and Gu, and more importantly, smiles and encouragement. My husband parked at the finish point and biked to meet me, reaching me by mile 8. He especially liked the comments of encouragement he got for his efforts in biking :-). The only suggestion would be that at a couple of points, it wasn't clear which way to go, and more advance direction from the people staffing the stations would have been good. There were virtually no spectators, but that added to the sense of peacefulness and being one with nature, especially nice in the early morning of a new year. After the race, there were people giving massages, and no wait for this, given the size of the marathon. I liked this part particularly. I would do this race again, even though I want to try a new marathon every time I run, due to the course, and the timing - a great way to start the new year.
Laif Meidell from Reno, NV (1/3/2004) "A great rural experience" (about: 2004) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 What started out to be a wet and windy morning turned into a cool crisp day. About two thirds of this marathon takes place in a beautiful canyon next to the water. The volunteers were wonderful and there was plenty of sports drink, water and energy packets along the course to keep hydrated and fueled. The course was reasonably flat to down hill until about mile 17. After mile 17 the course was quite hilly and challenging for that late in the race. The last 2.5 miles are flat to down but by then you are so spent it doesn't matter much. Unlike some marathons I have run where the hills are in the first half of the course, putting the hills in at the end made this marathon a bit more of a challenge. You probably won't set a PR on this course but it's a great way to start the year and pretty area to do it in.
Troy Hamon from King Salmon, Alaska (1/6/2003) "Scenic and challenging" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I generally agree with the comments already posted below. I would emphasize that the first 11 and last 6 miles of the race are fabulous in terms of scenery. But the 9 miles in between have lots of hills and shoulder running. I thought it was great, and really appreciated the opportunity to enjoy a nice day with perfect weather trotting along the Sacramento River. As a first-time marathoner, I did (unavoidably) set a PR, but it's clear that this course is not a place to try to qualify for Boston unless you are sure you can make it with lots of time to spare. While I gave the fans one star, that is under the assumption that the meaning of that rating category is sheer numbers. The few fans were great, but certainly not common. If lots of cheering fans are what you're looking for, go elsewhere. If you want a well-organized and small-scale run on a certified course that is spectacular, this is the right race for you.
Craig Newport from Orangevale, California (1/3/2003) "2003 Course - A Little Slower" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The second year of this race had the same flavor as the first year, a small rural race on a beautiful course. There were some big differences. On the plus side, the weather was great, overcast in the high 30's and mid 40's. The new course had more asphalt (2/3) and less gravel. Some folks liked the elimination of the section that was run three times. On the negative side, there were more hills, slowing the same 1,2, and 3 runners from 2002 by an average of nine minutes. There was a little confusion on the course at a few places on which way to go. There aren't many other runners to follow in a race with 54 finishers. There was also some tense moments running on roads with little or no shoulder. Overall, I don't retract my overall recommendation of the race. Just know you are not on a PR course. You should be in better shape than the folks who spent New Year's watching TV.
Craig Newport from Orangevale, California (1/6/2002) "Unique Marathon-Beautiful-Off Road Conditions" (General Comments) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was the first year for this marathon. I would highly recommend it for those who know what they are getting into, and are not looking for a road course. Approximately 2/3 of the course is on gravel, groomed to varying degrees. There is a net elevation drop, most of which takes place in the first three miles. The organizers are great, the race director even loaned his shoes to a runner who had forgotten to pack his. I've run about 80 marathons, but this is the first one where I was searched by someone carrying an M-16 prior to the start. (The start is at Shasta Dam, which is being guarded.) Staying at the host hotel, and getting back in time to shower before leaving requires a sub-2:30 performance, perfect connections, and a quick shower. The best part of the race was the people putting it on. The worst part was the footing on some of the rough sections of the gravel road. If you don't mind a good chance of rain and picking your way along a gravel course, consider this race. The people putting on this race are good spirited and hard working. It will probably get even better.

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