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Jul 2, 2024

Moab Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Moab Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 2.5

Spectators 1.8

Number of comments: 32 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

G. P. from Michigan (4/16/2006) "Not recommended for numerous reasons" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This race was full of NO's. No starting line, no porta-potties, no finish line, no organization, no clear direction on timing, location, etc., etc., etc. Started at high altitude, and the first eight miles were uphill - that was awful - and these eight miles were BORING with little scenery. The next 14 were downhill and very scenic. The next two were alongside a four-lane highway... that felt safe. And the last 2, as you know, were along a "dirt" - actually sand - rut-filled, boulder-strewn path that everyone had trouble running. Also, my husband was at the finish area and he did not see anyone who was happy at the end - unlike other marathons. Oh, and the food consisted of pancakes - IF you could find them (because they never told you where to go to get it). There were no drinks to wash them down with, though. All in all, the most ridiculous marathon I have ever run. Tri-State is much better and so is St. George - and I thought they were both more scenic.
l. n. from Parker, colorado (4/10/2006) "Lacks spectators" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon so I really didn't know what to expect. The course was a gradual incline until mile 8, which wasn't bad at all; then it was a downhill quad-buster for about 8 miles. The last 2 miles were in a dirt wash which was very uncomfortable to run on. The course could have used a few spectators, the only ones we had were the cows in the fields surrounding us for awhile. Cheering probably would have kept my mind off of my quads. All in all it was a good race - I would do it again since I know what to expect.
S. W. from Colorado Springs, CO (4/10/2006) "Couse-Beautiful, Spectators-???" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The course was beautiful and fun to run! I have to agree, the uphill towards the end and the trail was painful! I am SURPRISED I didn't fall. There needs to be more information about timing, place metals, when the race will start, and other things. We are running a marathon and WHEN it will start is important, phsycologically as well as physically. (It is not a 5K.) It needed more water and spectators should be allowed to cheer too! I didn't mind the cars because I trained on a road similar to this. I would run it again because it was fun and very casual. I hope improvements are made because this could be a great marathon. I do appreciate the work that was done by the coordinator and hope he will continue and get some more help with this growing race.
k. m. from central valley ca (4/10/2006) "A beautiful course but not a race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This course is spectacular in every sense of the word. It was challenging and interesting and has potential to become a race. There is a mindset that must be understood with this event - it is a hybrid between a trail run and a road race. Because of this, neither preference is satisfied. For trail folks it has way too much support. For road folks it is lacking. A trail person runs for the purity of the space, a road racer runs with a watch. Neither is wrong and each has a place. For a low key road race this is the place, but expect trail runner tendencies in support. One suggestion for those who choose to start early - surrender your finisher tag so that those who race are not plagued by your incorrect finish place. At least be honest about the fact that you enjoyed the event and that was the reward you expect. The results page is extremely inaccurate because the early starters were not adjusted. This is a great destination event and it is recommended highly.
B. W. from Denver, CO (4/8/2006) "Disorganized Event" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I'll be honest. On early morning runs I'm good for at most 4 miles before the pounding on asphalt loosens the contents of my lower intestines and my bladder cries for relief. So when I began this race expecting a port-a-pot at mile 8 (per the course map) I knew I'd be testing the limits of my continence and cardiovascular stamina. Except at mile 8 there were no coveted plastic booths to be found. By mile 9 racers were bailing off the course and into the juniper groves to commune with Mother Nature. Ahead of my position in the herd, I saw streams of runners veering off to the side of the road into the desert environs like soldiers going AWOL, trampling on the fragile cryptobiotic soil that literally provides the scaffolding upon which this unique desert ecosystem depends for its biological integrity. Being an environmentalist first and a runner second, I decided to hold out for one of the sewer saunas I was anticipating would be just up ahead around the next bend. By mile 13 I had not passed a single toilet since the start, and so with a heavy heart and colon and many apologies to the ghost of Ed Abbey, I dropped trow behind the nearest large juniper tree. Rewind two months before the race. I emailed the support about the time limit and spacing of said facilities. Replies were belated and, in hindsight, inaccurate. This was my first marathon and I was expecting to finish in 6 hours. This apparently was not a problem a few weeks before the race, but a few days before the race they announced the time limit would be 5 and a half hours, too late to change plans. In general, were it not for the beautiful scenery and great views, this race would have been a major disappointment. The opportunity to visit this sacred place is what brought most everyone to participate in the event. To undermine the experience by forcing runners to choose between the sanctity of the environment or their own discomfort/pain threshold, because of the lack of preparation on the part of the event staff, is a kind of naturalists' torture dreamt of only in the philosophy of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk.
T. C. from Denver, Colorado (4/7/2006) "Great views, poorly organized, little support" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was my 1st marathon. The views were spectactular and the weather was perfect! However, I was very unimpressed with the overall organization, of which there are many examples: ( 1) Initially, there was no posted time limit on the website. We were told not to worry. The week of the marathon, a time limit was posted. (2) Water stations were adequate, but restrooms were not. The info. given re: restrooms was incorrect as the 1st restroom was not functioning and the 2nd restroom was locked at the visitor center. The remaining two restrooms were off the path. So many of us had to go run behind a tree, which is not good for the fragile cryptobiotic soil, which I'm sure was stomped on by many of us! (3) No food at the end of the race or support. There were many people who started early (to make the time limit) and ran the longest in terms of time and had no food at the end of their race. It is my opinion that there should be support and food left over or saved for the runners and walkers that were out there the longest. If you are looking for support and organization, this is not the marathon for you.
R. F. from Denver, CO (4/6/2006) "Nice, very low-key marathon." (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Do you need big crowds to run a marathon? Do you need lots of other runners? How about a chip or timing clocks? Well, if you answered yes to the above, skip Moab. Now, if you want a breathtaking scenery at the start and a no-hassle run with a few hundred new friends, this could be your race. I knew I was in for something different when we got our finisher... ah, medals (wooden blocks actually) AT PACKET PICK-UP. I guess the RD figured if you came to run Moab, your going to finish. And, why not? The weather was cool, overcast, probably in the 50's for most of the race. After a few rolling (slight) hills for the first 8+ miles, you get a good 10+-mile breather/quad-killer decline. It's not 10 miles of straight decline, but I'd say 75% or 80%. Then, it flattens out a little, and more rolling-ish hills to the end. First 24 miles on paved roads, last 2+ on dirt road/ATV trail. Real technical, too, the last mile or so. Best part, didn't even know I finished. No big "start" or "finish" signs, but every mile had an easy-to-see mile-marker. Plenty of aid stations. Almost no spectators. Good pancakes at the finish. I'd do it again. Had a great time.
A. H. from Ohio (4/4/2006) "Beautiful scenery, but low budget" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This marathon was by far the most scenic one I have done thus far. (This was my 10th overall). The course was not too bad either, save for the last 3.5 miles. The majority of it was downhill (not too steep). However, at mile 22.5 there was a turn onto a freeway, which went uphill, and we were against the wind. We just kept telling ourselves that the last 2 miles (on the other side of the freeway) was downhill and with the wind. That part was nice, save for the fact it was on a moutain bike/ATV trail. Lots of ruts and rocks. Many people fell. There was no fanfare at the end and we received our finishers "medal" at the check-in. No food or water or first aid at the finish either. We could have used some first aid, due the fall my buddy took at mile 25.5. We could have used a few more porta-potties. They were only located at the start and the finish. Also, a few more water stations would have been nice The people there were very friendly and nice. Also, the "medal" is really cool. A chunk of cedar personalized with our name and date of the marathon. I was told they were made by the race director's brother. It was a nice touch.
R. H. from Flagstaff, AZ (4/4/2006) "Nice location, lacked organization & communication" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Moab Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This is a wonderful place to run. We got a great ride to the start - great music and company! However the organization left much to be desired. Was there an awards ceremony somewhere? Just how was the timing counted? The early walkers seemed to be in among the runners. Were their results included in the runner's results? Is this fair/accurate? The web page and the e-mails were barely legible. I think I understood from them that the race is not assumed to be a competitive race, but then why even bother timing at all? The pancakes were exceptional. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd want a pancake after 26.2 miles, but, wow!
D. C. from Provo, UT (4/1/2006) "Share the road with cars" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Moab Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The scenery on this marathon was very good. Unfortunately, I rate the course as quite poor because virtually the entire race was on the shoulder of roads that had cars driving by the whole time. It's possible that other people weren't as bothered by the cars as I was since my preference is to run in a very quiet environment. The aid stations were randomly placed and when several of us tried to find out where they would be when we picked our race numbers, the information was not available. There was no food at the end of the race except for PowerAde and M&Ms. For me a good snack at the end is pretty important. I don't recall seeing any port-a-potties along the course. Everyone just had to go behind a bush. The finisher's awards were some of the nicest I've ever seen, and I do have to compliment the race director for that. They were small wood carvings customized with our names.

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