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City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon) Runner Comments

Back to City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon) Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.4 
 
 
Number of comments: 473 [displaying comments 331 to 341]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 32 33 34 35 36 .. 47 > ]

 

M. W. from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan (9/27/2004)
"1st time was a charm" (about: 2002)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and I wanted to run others before judging it. I have now run 8. L.A. was a lot of fun. The crowd was hysterical. The course took you through a revealing cross section of the community. Lots of ethnic participation. (Asian drumming, Hispanic music, rock and roll, break dancing, etc.). Not rough terrain, but the hills are there. The heat was what you would expect in California. There is little room to complain.

 

Gayby Sepulveda from Los Angeles, CA (9/12/2004)
"Motivating even for First Timers" (about: 2002)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


My first marathon and one of the best experiences in my life. The course was manageable but challenging. The fan support was outstanding and consistent, except on miles 20 to 25, which are key. Although I ran for myself, I got bored. More incentives on those areas for fans to attend would be a plus. The staff was truly supportive and kind and made the race one I will repeat.

 

Henry Fields from Los Angeles,Ca (7/22/2004)
"I fell in love with running in my first marathon." (General Comments)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Although I have lived in this city for many years, running the L.A. Marathon has taught me a lot about my city as well as myself. This city is truly beautiful and filled with culture and diversity. Its people can be stone-faced at times, but on this (what felt like 100-degree) day the the city helped the runners get through a grueling race with plenty of smiles and water. This historical journey through the streets of L.A. was incredible. The city (ie, the citizens of Los Angeles) was together truly as one. This was my first marathon, but it will not be my last.

 

D. A. from San Francisco, CA (4/20/2004)
"AWESOME" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)s
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon is one of the best. Not too hilly not too flat. The start a little late but nothing major. The new sub-4 hour corral was a big help!! One of the best things about this marathon is that they put your name or nick name on your bib so the crowd can cheer you on by name. The runners also help push you and keep you motivated - I had one guy 'Doug' come to my side and say, 'Lets go, Danny, we?re almost done'. It gave me such a boost that we finished at the same time and gave each other a high 5.

 

C. W. from London, England (4/19/2004)
"Hot but great" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I think the fact it was waaay too hot has been covered. This race must start earlier to avoid more people headed for the hospital than the finish line.
This was my first full marathon - I chose to run LA as I used to live there (now in London).

The crowds just amazed me... the hoses, kids holding out their hands with sunscreen and vaseline, and the residents in Hancock Park with the hose-pipes...they made the whole thing an amazing experience.

My only real complaint some with the course, as others have pointed out. While being downtown is a novelty for anyone from LA (lol) it simply doesnt feel right if you're not passing through Hollywood at some point! Basically, if this route had some scenic points and a slightly earlier start it would be just amazing.

 

frank l rangel from los angeles (3/31/2004)
"Great marathon, great people and great city" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)s
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon is really the best of the best of the West. The people are awesome, the organization and the volunteers were great; but can't say the same about the course and the starting time.

 

Ana Nogueira from Los Angeles, CA (3/29/2004)
"Crossed the finish line with a smile on my face!" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It was my fist marathon and I loved it! It got insanely hot towards the end of the race - about 87 degrees around noon - which was tough, but the crowd was so awesome, it kept me going. The names on the bibs were a GREAT idea! Have someone cheer: 'Go Ana!' 'Keep it up, girl!' was all I needed to keep my legs moving. Thank you all, you guys were AWESOME!

The course is not very hilly, which was nice - I expected worse. The organization was great, the crowd was awesome, the final stretch was the best. Although I told myself around mile 24 that I would not run a marathon again, this was torture, the final stretch made me forget the 25 previous miles in the heat. I sprinted like my legs were fresh.

I will definitely run this marathon next year. After all, it can't get much warmer than this anyway :).

 

E. F. from Sacramento, CA (3/28/2004)
"Just Right" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)s
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Negative comments abound for this marathon. And I can see how it may be so. Nevertheless, I loved this race (my second):

1) Yes, I struggled in the heat. But I'll take too hot vs. too cold any day.

2) This is an urban marathon. The tastes of pale stuccos, immigrant hopes and sun-baked parking lots are fine by me. If you want nature, stick to the Avenue of The Giants.

3) This is a real 'people's' marathon. Some may say half shouldn't even be out there. I say it's a kick when so many borderline runners and the community can so enthusiasticly get behind this race.

 

J. S. from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (3/24/2004)
"Great race, but possibly a new area?" (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon and I have to admit it was both a lot harder than I originally thought it was going to be and a lot more rewarding and exciting as well. Thanks to all the fans for support! I plan on coming back because it was such a great experience.

Like many I felt the day was a bit warm and that the race could possibly be started a bit earlier, but I also would like to offer one other suggestion: changing part of the course to a different area. The course in general was fine, but aren't there any parks or other general relaxing areas that we could also run through. Even though this particular course does run through some neat parts of the city, it doesn't offer a whole lot in the form of a relaxing environment (as much as you can be at least). I really miss having at least some trees that provide some shade on a long run! I'm not originally from CA so maybe something like that isn't an option, but oh how nice it would be!

Also, I think as far as organization there should be a better system in place for having runners be in there correct time slots. I was were I should have been, but I passed people walking in the first couple of miles. I also feel that there should be an option for people that are not able to make the seminar the few days before the race. I was not able to attend and seeing that this was my first race my original bib that said 'chubby bubby's mommy' was going to be a sentimental tool for me. Unfortunately I have found out that it was trashed. Better luck next year I guess!

 

A. P. from Los Angeles, CA (3/22/2004)
"TOO HOT! Start earlier! Fun run though..." (about: 2004)

1 previous marathon | 1 City of Los Angeles Marathon (L.A. Marathon)
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon, and it was not too bad outside of the heat. LA residents on the streets with hoses and encouragement were a godsend! This race MUST start earlier in the future, I trained beginning in November in 50-70's temps, and the race day temps ranging from 85-92 were really demoralizing in terms of my personal performance. Also, I thought the course could have been more interesting. The hills weren't that bad, I kind of liked them. I really liked the photo system and the tracking system! My family is out of state and could still watch my progess!

 

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