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Jul 2, 2024

Tri-State Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.3

Spectators 1.9

Number of comments: 31 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

R. B. from Lake Havasu City, AZ (4/2/2004) "Fix the mile markers-I'll be back!" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Tri-State Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 It was my first marathon. I thought it was great. Having the mile markes off really screwed me up though. I was shooting for 7 1/2 minute miles and I was actually running a little under 7 minute miles for the first 16 miles. Then my legs said enough and the cramping began. Those large hills at the end were painfull, but I survived. They start with 8 miles to go - not six, and they are steep! You don't need a new set of mile markers. Just put the 26 mile marker at .2 miles not l.2; anyone with a first grade education should be able to figure that out. Besides the mile markers, I loved it. I'll be back next year ready to run the 'little hills' at the end.
B. M. from Sandy, Utah (3/31/2004) "Good race if you can get in on a good day..." (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 First off, I ran the 1/2 associated with the marathon. Starts at same time as marathon at 1/2 way point. Unfortunately, this year it measured short. (My Timex GPS showed a reading of 12.69 miles rather than the standard 13.11). Bonfires at start, plenty of porta-potties. Mile markers were strange though. (Count down instead of up). Well done race though. This was something goofy. RD seems sincere about getting it rectified for future years. I would run it again. Train on hills. You will need them whether you run the full or 1/2.
C. N. from Ogden, UT (3/31/2004) "More challenging than one would think!!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tri-State Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Don't let the elevation drop fool you as it was very taxing on the thighs! A bit disorganized with the pre-race directions and announcements. Mileage markers were wrong and disappointing in tracking progress. Cups of water and Gatorade so small that in order to get replenished properly you had to stop and drink multiple cups. Otherwise, great scenery and a race worth running again.
M. P. from AZ (3/30/2004) "Second time around, I must be crazy" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Tri-State Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I'm glad I came back for a second run. I think for the size it is well organized and they are trying really hard to please everyone. Mile markers were confusing and they have already made arrangements to take care of that for next year. The only other negative is the cups at the aid station were too small. Aid along the way was great and more porta-potties than I've ever seen in any race. Since it is very rural, there were only a few loyal families at different points along the course, but a lot of cheering coming into the finish line. Will I do it again? You bet!
B. H. from Salt Lake City (11/7/2003) "Disappointing and deceiving last 6 miles" (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Relatively well planned for a small rural marathon. Very steep course to begin with and nice mountain scenery. However, it gradually changed from downhill and scenic to flat and blah. As the heat pounded you from lack of any shade, you realize about mile 20 that the elevation chart on the website did not fully allow you to appreciate the several substantial climbs you would make to finish the marathon. Quite miserable until the last 1/2 mile where you finally saw some spectators and enjoyed a nice finish. Boy, if only the last 6 miles could be rerouted, I would run it.
Tom McCook from Tucson, Arizona (4/17/2003) "Great First Time Marathon!" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 My expectations were well met! What a beautiful course it was. The first 15 miles or so were down hill. Watch out for the first hill once the freeway is crossed. Just before the hill there was a cheer group that made me feel like a million but after the hill I was .02 cents. Be prepared for the final 6 miles or so. The first part of the race gives newbies the false feeling of 'piece of cake' but dues will be paid on the hills. The finish line was perfect with a nice crowd cheering at the end - tears were flowing. I enjoyed the race organization - all the volunteers were very kind. I'm going to be doing this race every year from now on. A perfect race for those wanting to do a first marathon. Now I just hope I make the St. George lottery!
Cory Jensen from Longmont, CO (4/16/2003) "Great first marathon experience." (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my first marathon and the experience was great. There was a beautiful view of mountains in the background most of the course. The start is really early and it feels pretty chilly, but that is ok because at the end of the race it's almost hot. There were plenty of aid stations with fruit along the way but only one port-o-potty a couple of places course side. I agree with some of the other comments. The extremely long down hill worked my body differently and I pulled a ligament in my foot. That didn't bother me until I was done though. The hills are a surprise at the end but remember this was my first so I didn't quite know what to expect. Don't expect a big cheering section, the little one there is, is right at the end where it feels the best. Saturday is a great day to run the race so you don't have to fly right away or take a day off work. You can get the full of effect of sin city and I recommend it!
F. R. from Salt Lake City, Utah (4/3/2003) "Will be a spring favorite." (about: 2003) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great spring opportunity. Mesquite offers extracurricular activities for other family members. Course has a speedy first half, but several killer hills in the second half. Race was very well organized. Excellent runner support!!! Few spectators. Run with light traffic in second half. Prepare for cold temps at the start.
W. S. from Heber City, Utah (4/3/2003) "A Great and Unique Race" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed every aspect of this marathon. The location is uncrowded, unique and beautiful. The time of year is perfect with high temps in the low 70's, and the organiztion was excellent. Aid stations every other mile help a lot. There are not many people to cheer during the race (in fact it is big skys, red mesas and classic desert most of the way), but that is part of the uniquness and beauty. The crowd waiting for you in Mesquite at the end of the race is the best! I'll be back next year.
Bill Abendroth from Portland, Oregon, Ecotopia (4/1/2003) "A Great Time to be had by All" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my fourteenth marathon in the last two & a half years, and I have to say this is the first marathon that was fun from start to finish. The scenery was beyond beautiful, and the course a blast to run. This is a small marathon, running from St. George to Mesquite (whatever). The course is largely closed to spectators, and you're out in the desert. Do not expect this to be the Rock & Roll with a band every mile, or legions of fans chanting 'You da bomb!' Instead, you will have large stretches of running alone, with views of small winding canyons, and mesas that will bring tears to your eyes: those mesas really are pancake flat on top. This marathon is comparable to the Yakima River Canyon Marathon--also beautiful, also a blast--but I think Tri-State's scenery was a little better....But run them both. Still, with all small marathons, you must be prepared. You stay in Nevada, and take a bus to Utah--across the time zone, which is an hour earlier. That means buses to the start run from 3:30 to 4:30 (& I don't mean in the afternoon). Las Vegas Marathon has the money & strength to have heated buses wait at the start line. Tri-State drops you off, and you stand around steel drums with burning lumber. Second, there were not enough portapotties at the start. We were still standing in line when the race itself started. With no chip, everybody was running 'gun time,' so that three minute late start factored into our time. Out on the course, portapotties were few & far between. You better bring some paper towels just in case (if you know what I mean). However, standing around semi-darkness at 5:00 AM was not a problem. I had way overdressed--planning on standing around waiting for the start. Just prior to the start, I dumped most of my clothes in my drop bag, and dumped still more clothes at aid stations as the day wore on. AND I recovered all my dropped clothes without any fuss or muss. That's good organization. Every volunteer was pleasant, friendly, and helpful. In terms of past criticisms of others, I thought the course was ideal. There is an extended slight downhill for the first several miles, with a few hills at the end--but nothing to lose sleep over. I was pacing a friend of mine, and would have loved to cut my teeth on them--but didn't. The hills are short, and not too steep--but just the right level of challenge to keep things interesting. I thought the hills were tougher at the Yakima Canyon, Portland (Or), San Francisco, San Diego (Carlsbad), and Seattle Marathons. Maybe the Tri-State hills are slightly tougher than the baby hills in Los Angeles--but the weather, the scenery, the day--it was just more fun to run Tri-State than LA. One final note: this marathon was on a Saturday, which was ideal. Fly into Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, rent a car & drive to Mesquite (whatever), and spend the night there. Post marathon, drive back to Vegas, spend Saturday night in Vegas, and see 'O' or 'Mystere.' Do *not* waste your money on Blue Man Group. They stink. My friend & I got up at 3:00 AM for the marathon, and were in bed at 11:00 PM after watching 'O,' for a twenty hour long day--one of the best days I have had, ever.

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