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Submitted by lbclove
November 5, 2013
Review
I really enjoyed this race this. I am always happy to run races with wide open streets that are easy to maneuver and not shoulder to shoulder with other runners.
Packet pick-up: Was very easy to get to however, the expo was small and did not offer
much if you were not a local resident. I would have really appreciated VIP same day packet pick up.
I live over an hour away so hopefully it will be something they offer the next year.
The start line was very well organized with gear check nearby and plenty of potable restrooms.
It was smaller race offering a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon. The vibe was great and all the runners seemed to be very friendly.
The course started out downhill the town and streets of Santa Clarita are very pretty of lots of big trees and nice views of the valley. The course then lead to the paseo system/bike path walkways that connects the community. It ran along a riverbed and was mixed with flat twist and turns but lots of inclines as well. I found the course to challenging but still a lot of fun on the downhill areas.
It seems as if water station were ever couple miles. I wasn’t paying attention since I carry my own.
I never saw an aide station and counted one portable restroom on the course.
The finish line was awesome with lots of spectators cheering everyone on, music and plenty of refreshments and food. Gear pickup was inside the finishers chute and easy to get to.
The tech shirt and medal were both very nice. I PR’d on the half marathon course so I will for sure be back next year!
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Submitted by The Bear
November 4, 2013
Review
This is a small race, as mentioned by others. No fanfare, no band playing at the end, but no big price tag either. I enjoyed the race. The expo was easy to get to, and I did not have to pay for parking to get into the expo. The parking for the race was in a big garage right next to the start / finish line. Again, the parking was free. They had water stations every mile and some had nutrition. The course was tough, I thought. There were a ton of turns and ups and downs. It was pretty crazy. Most of the run was along the river bed bike trail, which was shut down. It was not the most exciting scenery, but it was not the worst. The metal was nothing to write home about (neither was the shirt.) I guess you get what you pay for. Most likely, I will do this one again. I did enjoy my two days at Magic Mountain riding roller coasters. I would recommend this race to friends! It is a heck of a lot better than running through the farm fields of Ventura.
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Submitted by eddied26.2
April 3, 2012
Review
I last ran the Santa Clarita Marathon in 2009. This was a good smaller race in the LA Area with a reasonable price tag!
The Start of the race was pretty straight forward, very easy to find which is all I ask for. The Expo was decent for a small race as well.
The course was not too bad but not scenic like some of the major races or races by the coast etc. If I could describe this race, I would say it was like a very relaxing, serene long run, except it was a Marathon Race! If I lived in Santa Clarita I would likely run those same paths so I don’t have any complaints there. That there was not much in terms of crowd support actually added to the feel of this race, although there were some points where I kinda wished there was someone to say “You can do it” it wasn’t such a big deal on this course. There were hills but mostly rolling hills and nothing major to worry about.
The finish area was cool but the real benefit was being right at the Valencia Town Center. There were lots of restaurants short walking distance to make up for the limited refreshments.
Overall I’d say this race is good for what it is. Its a very affordable smaller race that has a loyal base from the locals and many runners who run this race every year. Its a race where you can possibly win your Age group if you are fast, without having to be an elite, which I think I’d definitely try for once I get “up to speed”!
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Submitted by adriana48
February 19, 2012
Review
The last time I run the full was in 2010. Parking was no problem. Plenty of water stations and electrolytes, maybe even too much for the amount of marathoners (only about 300). My only criticism is the course: very repetitive, boring and some what confussing in the last 6 miles. Runners keep on coming back around and around, and you don’t know if you are going the right way because you start seing the same runners you passed earlier coming toward you. Mile signs are sometimes missleading; between miles 16 and 19 you find yourself running alone around a little park, and there are no people or arrows to guide you where to go. It’s very easy to get lost. Post race was mediocre, no live music, still some food left, and it’s easy to meet your friends or family. I think the half marathon is better.
