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Submitted by frazledmom5
April 3, 2013
Review
This was my first time running Carlsbad, I always missed entering before it sold out. I ran the full, and this is my new “favorite” race.
I enjoyed the FREE parking at both the expo and on race day. The expo had a wide variety of items and packet pick-up was hassle free. I LOVED the jacket that was included with my full marathon entry.
Start line was close to parking and plenty of room for my family to wait with me while waiting for the start and there were plenty of porta potties.
I really enjoyed the course. Views of the ocean were awesome! Course support was great, and entertaining…..loved the aid stations that wore costumes. On the parts of the course were the half and full runners merged together runners were separated which kept the course from becoming congested.
Results were posted inside the tent quickly, but AG awards took FOREVER because the awards table didn’t have the results. Not fun considering runners were cold and wet.
My only other complaint was that they needed people to direct traffic out of the parking lot. It took us over an hour to leave.
Overall I consider this race an A and plan on running it again in 2014
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Submitted by crystalclear1616
April 3, 2013
Review
I ran this race in 2012. It was my first 1/2 marathon. It was a nice somewhat flat course with a few hills. The course was beautiful along the ocean. Parking was easy. They had lots of porta-potties available. Getting to the starting line was easy. My only complaints are it took a while to get my stuff that I checked in. It was a bit unorganized. It also took us over an hour to get out of the parking lot after. Overall, it was a great first course.
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Submitted by Karla Niles
January 27, 2013
Review
Bib and shirt pickup were easy. Parking and getting to the start line was easy. There were plenty of porta-potties at the start. The course was nice. The only part I didnj’t care for was the little out and back on Avenida Encinas – it would have been better to take the course out longer on Coast Hwy.
The volunteers were great – the aid stations were well placed. The live music helped – the louder the better.
I liked having the the first name on the bib – it helped to have people encourage you by your name along the way. It was also nice hearing your name called out as you crossed the finish line!
All in all – my first Carlsbad marathon- and although painful at times – was worth it!
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Submitted by ireneruns
February 9, 2012
Review
The Carlsbad Half Marathon course is my absolute favorite. This was my third year participating. Out of the Triple Crown series, Carlsbad is the best. Once the course goes along the coast it’s absolutely beautiful. Since I train on hills weekly, I had no issues with the hills on the course, but I would advise someone coming from flatter parts of the country to get in some sort of simulated hill training, such as stairs (for example). There were plenty of volunteers along the race, plenty of water and electrolyte, plenty of restrooms, too. Post race (the first time I ran Carlsbad in 2009) there were volunteers watching out for runners who needed assistance as they crossed the finish line. A volunteer noticed I was looking sick and escorted me to the medical tent, where the doc and nurses took very good care of me and monitored my vitals for an hour. The post race “festival” area needs some improvements, though. The band was great, but they do need to get permitted for a beer garden and offer more food concessions. Post racers are wanting something to eat once they cool down. I also heard that the gear check was a mess this year. I haven’t used gear check at Carlsbad since my car is just in the adjacent parking lot, but some of my friends had issues. Kudos to the organizers at Carlsbad for sending out apology notices right away. I know that doesn’t change the mayhem at gear check, but at least it was acknowledged. Kudos for having traffic control in the parking lot area at all of the parking lot intersections — this made a HUGE difference getting out of the parking lot, eliminating the cluster of traffic we experienced the past two years. All in all, it’s my favorite. I’m signing up for next year’s Carlsbad Half Marathon as soon as registration becomes available.
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Submitted by Jim Wenzell
February 8, 2012
Review
A great race and a gorgeous course! The race was very well organized. Great expo, friendly volunteers and a great overall experience. It is an out-and-back course, so there are no shuttles and parking is ample at the mall. The course, for the main part, is right along the ocean and slight rolling hills. A great experience.
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Submitted by Amanda Daley
February 6, 2012
Review
This is my second year back for carlsbad and I think it just may be my annual race of choice. From the expo to the finish everything is very organized. The volunteers are amazing at this event. TONS of race support through the entire half marathon course. The course is really rolling with small hills but scenic along the ocean the entire way. Nice finishers long sleeve T and great metals.
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Submitted by jeg2001
January 27, 2012
Review
This was my first time running the Carlsbad Half Marathon as my family and I just moved here. I really enjoyed the race.
We went to the expo on Friday to avoid the crowds on Saturday. We got there right at 2:00 when it started. Everything was well-organized and went smoothly. There were a lot of people there already so it was busy and took a while, but that’s nothing new for a race.
Getting to the race on race morning was fine. We got there kind of early and there was plenty of parking at the mall. The mall actually opened and we were able to use the bathroom inside (a nice perk for a race!). Though we did have to use the port-o-potties right before the race start. There was quite a line even though there were plenty of bathrooms.
Getting into the start line is my only complaint. When races block off the starting line and only allow runners to enter at specific areas, there are bottle necks and it’s annoying. I hate being herded into the start line.
The course of the race is nice. Running along the beach in January is pretty unbeatable for this former East Coast girl. All the aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were great.
I didn’t really stick around for the post-race festivities, so I can’t say much about that. I do know there was an issue with the gear check, but I didn’t check any gear so I can’t speak to that either!
Overall this was a well-organized race. I would do the half again.
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Submitted by redvelvetrunner
January 23, 2012
Review
Overall: This is a great run and I highly recommend it! Of the Triple Crown, this is the easiest course and both years that I’ve done it, the weather has been great.
Registration: This race sells out EARLY! They are great about posting accurate updates on their facebook page and this is also a place to find a bib for transfer if you miss out.
Packet pick-up: The expo is a little hectic in that they route you through the carnival barking vendors and time share booths to pick up your shirt. Even though it’s not intuitive, you are better off to cut straight through the middle to grab your shirt. The big vendors with race-day gear are in the middle as well.
Race day parking: While it’s easy to find a spot, it takes FOREVER to get out so plan on being there a while.
Course difficulties: NONE – it’s an AWESOME course!
Support/aid: I always carry my own water but this is one course where you really don’t have to. There are so many course stations as well as local groups with stations there is plenty of water. The race organizers advertise that they have GU, but I haven’t seen it in the 2 years I’ve run it.
SWAG: The shirt is a great long-sleeve tech and I love that they have women’s & men’s sizes. The medal is great as well but the “goodie bag” is virtual so no other real swag to speak of.
Spectator information: The course is lined with people and there is info. on the website on the best places to be. It’s nice that it is an out and back course so people in downtown Carlsbad can move from one side of the course to the other to cheer twice.
Post-race party: They have a stage and band, but not much else. At the finish this year I got a bag with a banana, a mini lara bar, a tiger milk bar and some pretzels. I didn’t see water but because I had my own I wasn’t looking for it. As mentioned above, getting out of the mall is crazy so have your friends & family bring you lunch and chill out or park on the perimeter near an exit to avoid the mayhem of leaving.
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Submitted by The Bear
January 23, 2012
Review
Just finish yeasterday. It was a good race and I would recommend it to others. It is a well orgnize smaller race (only 1,500 full & 8,500 half). The course was not very flat but not too tough either. I always enjoy running along the coast. Plenty of support along the road. Lots of bands come out and play, which made it very entertaining. The post race had some issues with the bag check and one huge line. There was not much to do after the race. City regulation restrict beer sales, but it would have been nice to buy some food afterwards other than kettlecorn. The live band was good. I will do this one again.
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Submitted by Mike B
January 19, 2012
Review
This was my first marathon. Absolutely loved most everything about this race. Seemed to have a good number of water/aid stations throughout the course. There was also entertainment that helped keep you running. This race got me hooked. The registration process and after race was average. No real complaints. A race I will do again.
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