My Review on RaceGrader of the Pasadena Marathon: Submitted by Rocky Morales July 2, 2013 Review I am one of the biggest critics out there of this race, my hometown race that I have run each and every year. Even so, I think this race was not bad but I can only report from the perspective of a well trained sub 1:45 finisher who had no issues with water, cups, not receiving a medal, etc., and who was prepared to run in the heat and adjusted my pace accordingly. The expo at Fuller Seminary was much better than having to go to Santa Anita racetrack last year. I was able to park a block away for free and get in and out in 5 minutes. The race started just a few minutes late, at 6:37AM, no big deal and about typical. I guess the course was pretty good but it is a hilly course as should be expected in Pasadena. I enjoyed running through Old Town, past City Hall, around the Rose Bowl, over the Colorado Street Bridge and finishing at PCC. The only part I didn’t care for was running on Orange Grove but it wasn’t horrible, although I do prefer the RNR Pasadena Half course which takes runners east on Green Street which is much nicer. The water stations were adequate and I counted three different aid stations that passed out energy gel and for a half marathon that is really great as most marathons don’t even pass out energy gels at three different aid stations. Mile markers were all easily visible and pretty accurate. Traffic control was also very good along the route and the course was well marked. Post race was as good as most races although I didn’t bother going deep onto the PCC campus to listen to the post race band. I guess my biggest issue with this race was the horrendous finishers medal. Ugliest finishers medal I have received in 150+ marathons & half marathons and the race shirt wasn’t much better. All in all, though, I think too many runners are being crybabies and were not adequately prepared to run a half marathon on a summer day. The blame for that is their own and not that of the Pasadena Half Marathon. Know your own capabilities and don’t push beyond those capabilities without expecting disastrous results. I do hope a different race director takes over this race and it does not become extinct. This race belongs in February, March, April or even in November but certainly not on June 30th, and the marathon distance needs to be reintroduced but with a better course than it had before.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 23:34:31 +0000
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