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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 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

D. S. from FL (3/31/2003) "Scenic Course But Need Better Organization" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is a very scenic course--starting at 6,000 feet--Coming from Florida I thought the elevation would be a problem--but the elevation drop is significant early on so the elevation really didn't bother me. The down hill is hard on the quad and would not recomment this course for anyone that has shinsplint problems. The last 6 miles were rolling. Looked forward to the hills toward the end after all that downhill running. The race is not that badly organized for a race only in its second year and they had a big increase in runners over the inaugural year when about 100 runners finished. For those who registered online--updates were sent out daily in the days before the race. Unfortunatly I missed the last email update about how to find the starting line. There was absolutely no literature at the packet pickup with a map of course, where water stations would be, where porta potties are etc, need to have a fact sheet with all the pertinent information. Busing to the start needs to be improved. We were told to be at the finish between 4:00-4:30 to take the bus to the start. I got there at 4:00 expecting to take the first bus to the start to avoid the possibility of long porta potty lines--I was on the first but but it didn't leave till 4:30. Seems like all the busses left at 4:30 and arrived at the same time creating extra long lines at the porta-potty lines. If each bus would leave as the bus filled up the porta-potty lines would have been more manageable. A good point was that the race started promptly at 5:30 so we were not waiting around an hour or so in the cold to start. The bad thing was some people were still at the porta-potties. Probably need more porta-potties along the course--internet email said porta potties would be every other mile--but they were only at like 3 or 4 places along the course. Aid stations were strategically placed well. First aid station was not till 5 mile but your going down hill and it's still cool out so you do not need a lot of fluid those first miles. After mile 5, aid stations were two miles apart and it seemed lide they were only a mile apart during the latter miles. Some aid stations had little kiddie cups. Finisher cards were printed with time. Results not posted on website yet. Race was overall a good value. I registered late at $45 and the shirt is nice--free buffet at casino was included. Post race refreshmeents were bannas, yogurt, bagels.
W. M. from Idaho (3/31/2003) "Tougher than I thought" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I would definitely recommend training on downhill runs before you attempt this one. I was running an easy PR through mile 16 when the downhill pounding finally got to me. A total drop of 3900 feet will just kill your legs. The hills (up and down) in the last 10 miles were a killer after the long downhill. Even though it was only March it seemed hot the last 10 miles. I am from a much colder climate so I was not ready to run on a warm, sunny day. The support was good along the way as far as aid stations, but don't expect any spectators in the middle of the desert. The food at the end was good and plentiful and the trophies for winning in age groups looked great. I will come back next year for sure, but I will be better prepared.
Jarrett Roberts from Englewood, CO (3/30/2003) "Spring Equivalent of St. George Marathon" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Three States, Two Times Zones, One Marathon. That is the motto of the race. This is an excellent race. Although there were almost no fans, except for the finish, that did not take away from the breath taking beauty of the course. It was my 31st marathon and now one of my favorites. A fast downhill course until mile 15, then there are some minor hills, but mostly flat. The final mile is downhill. Great organization and location. With minor improvements as the size grows and word gets out, this will be the next St. George or Big Sur scenic type marathon. Great job organizers! The time of year was perfect and the scenery absolutely awesome. Add in the three states and two time zones for a memorable event!!! Two thumbs way up!!!
A Runner from Springfield, MO (7/24/2002) "Pretty good for an inaugural marathon" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Very small inaugural marathon (< 100 participants). The organizers were very nice and conscientious, and they are going to make minor improvements for next year. My biggest complaint was that the web site implied that the course was downhill all the way, a definite PR-type course. The first 15 miles are very downhill (I have run 32 marathons and my quads were never so sore), then you have three major uphills and a few other minor ones. Let's be real honest when we produce an elevation chart! It's worth giving a try again.
A Runner from Lehi, UT (6/4/2002) "A great inaugural desert run" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon course, and was very well organized. The course itself is very scenic. It was very helpful to have driven the course the night before, as there are some hills near the end that do not show up on the elevation chart. However, the hills are not very long, and if you're expecting them, are not too bad. This is a fast course, and if you train properly, i.e. hill work (both uphill and down) can easily produce a pr. I look forward to next year when it will be held in late March. Cooler temps will be a plus. I give the fans 5 stars, they were great and very supportive. The important thing is quality, not quantity!!
A Runner from Michigan (6/3/2002) "Great scenery, well organized." (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The scenery was great. The first 17 miles were fast, completely downhill, but hard on the legs. The balance of the course was challenging with 3 or 4 hills, the sun and heat. The aid stations were well stocked. The race management did a great job keeping us informed about the race. This was my 62nd marathon and I would definitely run this one again!
A Runner from Edmonton Canada (5/29/2002) "WOW" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was one for the record books, an inaugral event that will grow into a desert classic. It was an incredible experience, starting in Utah and finishing in Mesquite Nevada. The course ran down hill untill about mile 19 which is also when the heat got to me and the hills, which reminded me of the Seattle Marathon. The view was breathtaking the organization and volunteers were great. Not a marathon I would recommend to first timmers. Not much (if any) fan support perhaps next year people will leave the casinos to cheer on the runners! Next year it will be earlier in May, so maybe the heat will be more tolerable.
Karen from Tucson, Arizona (5/29/2002) "Great race!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This race was very well organized from start to finish. Mike and Tyler did a great job as race directors. Since it was the inaugural race it was small but very enjoyable. Great course-tougher than I expected. Didn't expect all the hills in the second half. But I still PR'd as many runners did at the race. The spectators were few but the ones there were awesome. They just followed the runners along the whole race cheering for everybody. Thank you Gail and Sally in the camper truck, the guy and his little boy with the 'Fitnuff' license plate and the single lady that kept misting us to keep us cool. You guys were awesome! Everybody at the aid stations were friendly and wonderful. There was plenty of food and drinks at the finish. Nice finisher's medal. The race finished at a park with a ramada with lots of trees and shade. Nice touch. It was a small race so it was fun to sit around and chat with all the other runners and race directors. Met a lot of really neat people. This is a race I would definitely repeat. Thanks everybody!
A Runner from Alberta, Canada (5/28/2002) "Great marathon but challenging" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Tristate marathon was a great inaugral success. The organizers did a fantastic job, and all the volunteers were enthusiastic and very supportive. The route was scenic and beautiful. I didn't find that there was a need for too many more aid stations, but more port-a-potties are a MUST!!! Coming from a totally different climate, I found the heat very challenging. The first part of the course is a nice gradual downhill that felt great at the time, but my quadriceps certainly complained for two days after. The hills in the canyon were unexpected and really tough. All in all, it was a fantastic experience, and well worth the trip. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to run a small, intimate marathon, where the crowd support is not there, but the volunteers make up for it in enthusiasm and assistance. Well done, Tyler and company.
Mark from Scottsdale,Arizona (5/28/2002) "Valuable lessons were learned at this race..." (about: 2002) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 16th marathon, and by far the toughest. It was the toughest not because of the course or conditions, but because the race organizers didn't clearly state what the course was all about--their website never was updated, and had inaccuracies that led to not being prepared for what was ahead. It was billed as the fastest course in the USA, completely downhill, and would be fast,fast,fast. The truth began to surface at the packet pickup that indeed, there were some rolling hills--no big deal. The crystal-clear truth was that there were significant uphill parts, notably later in the race, with long and steep upgrades--no problem IF you know they're going to be there. I ran the first half in 1:32, the second in 2:30--I had been spent early because I didn't know what was ahead. My legs were trashed at that point, so I had to just hang on to finish--that's not how I run a race. All we wanted was the truth; a heads-up of what we were in for. The website indicated a steep fall throughout with mostly flat to the end. The inaccuracy couldn't have been more blatant. The lessons learned were numerous; question or at least substantiate the course particulars--don't accept anything at face value. It's a desolate course with no spectators and the desert temps can get you. The saving grace of this inaugural run was that the race directors and volunteers were extremely friendly and were eager to please. They solicited and listened to everyones' suggestions--carefully taking notes even before the race started--they truthfully knew that they had many obstacles to overcome before next year's race. There was abundant water on the course and the volunteers were all smiles. They're already thinking about moving it up to March to beat the heat ( a great move). The packet was no frills and didn't have any info on transportation to/from the start--any info came from E-mails only. The race is in a remote part of Nevada, so logistically you have to cross alot of hurdles just to get to the starting line--and there is where the disappointment lays--preparing for and travelling to what you thought was a downhill course that most everyone would PR on, only to realize it wasn't delivered as promised. The race director said that the winner was shooting for 2:17; he finished in 2:56--a surprise to all. Again, it wasn't the difficulty; it just wasn't was as billed. The Eureka Hotel had very cheap rates, and was only a third of a mile from the start. Hopefully, next year's race can be staged much better. Definately, this race isn't for first-timers, and without some future elevation changes, a PR is not likely (not impossible though--a few did have them). Smaller races sometimes have their advantages; in this case their friendliness, but they also have their challenges, especially inaugural launches. It's a good lesson for first-timers as well as multiple marathon race runners.

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