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| Not one of mine...Odessa marathon...look at that scenery! Sorry LSP! |
#10. White Rock Marathon, 1993 version.
Technically, the White Rock marathon no longer exists, as it is now called the Dallas marathon. The course has changed considerably since 1993, with the biggest change being that it no longer runs entirely around White Rock lake. As the Dallas marathon continues to make changes to incorporate newer neighborhoods and less of the Lakewood and White Rock Lake areas I will be more inclined to run it once again. To be fair, my main reason for considering this marathon one of my least favorites is mostly subjective. This is where I train! By the time the marathon approaches I am so sick of White Rock Lake and Lakewood! In 1993 I was at the halfway point of the marathon and could see the downtown skyline across the lake. Yes, the finish line was in that horizon. The distance between me and the finish line was all too familiar. I knew exactly where I was and what was around every single corner. Boring! Some people find comfort in familiarity. I guess I don't fall into that category.
I just ran the Dallas Rock and Roll Half marathon and really enjoyed it, mainly because we ran through the newer neighborhoods of Dallas, including Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts District and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. We also ventured into Kessler Park, a neighborhood I hadn't ran in since the good old days of the "Kessler Classic 10K". These areas would be great to run in a full marathon someday.
#9. San Diego Rock and Roll, 1998, the first ever Rock and Roll...
They were overwhelmed with over 25,000 runners signed up for their inaugural event. Their water stops were a disaster, and most of their live bands didn't even show up on the course. The course itself, which has changed since then, wasn't the greatest that San Diego has to offer, and even included a make-shift plywood bridge late in the race. We had a great time, regardless, but I'm still not convinced this race is the best it could be. I'm from San Diego, so in my opinion it doesn't accurately capture the soul of the city as I know it.
#8. Vancouver Canada, 2005 version.
This is a beautiful place, but the race organizers get an F for this one. The water stops were few and far between, and in more recent versions of the course they have stopped runners to allow cars to pass at various points, utilizing chip mats to subtract standing times. Seriously? By all means. travel to Vancouver and enjoy its beauty, but don't bother with this race.
#7. Baltimore, Maryland.
If you are running the full marathon be prepared to be ignored and trampled upon by the half marathoners at this event they call a "running festival". The half marathon starts at the exact time the bulk of the full marathoners run by, merging into one another after about 200 yards of fencing. Yeah. It's a pretty course, but the marathon is just an after thought. Be prepared to search for a full marathon medal at the finish, and if you happen to need medical attention you will be out of luck!
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| At least we were able to find the beer trucks... |
#6. San Antonio, 1998 (before Rock and Roll)
It's hard to be objective when your major complaint is that it is almost always too warm and humid in San Antonio for a marathon. The marathon itself wasn't terrible, but there were glitches with mile markers and water stops. It was a pretty small crowd, which isn't the case now, so maybe it's a better experience overall.
#5. Houston
Organizationally, this marathon is top notch. I just didn't find the course interesting and had way too much concrete.
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| Close my eyes and make it go away! |
#4. Santa Barbara
This marathon had a short life, which doesn't surprise me. I ran their inaugural, which was pretty bad, considering what they had to work with. The first half circled remote areas inland around Goleta before heading towards Santa Barbara. The saving grace for the course was the final mile, coming off the ridge; mountains, on the left, ocean on the right, and palm trees lining the street to the finish. They never improved on the course, so it died off I guess.
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| 13 miles and still nowhere near the beach. But saw the goats...TWICE |
#3. Tulsa's Route 66 marathon
What I said about Houston applies to this marathon as well. It was one of the most boring courses I have ever ran with way too much concrete. Organizationally it was awesome though.
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| It wasn't all bad |
#2. Eugene Oregon, 2008 version
I was really disappointed in this one. It was one of the smallest marathons I'd run, but I knew it would be small. I expected too much, I think. The year I ran it, the famous Hayward Field was closed off to the runners, and our finish line was in the parking lot of the Autzen Stadium. The course zig zagged through the town of Eugene and along somewhat boring bike paths around town. There was no charm to this one, but Eugene is a fun town.
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| Seriously, where the hell are my sunglasses? |
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| The last mile into the parking lot. Can you feel the excitement? |
...And now for the absolute worst marathon I have ever ran...
#1. The Las Vegas marathon, 1995 version.
I don't think this marathon will ever lose its position as my least favorite marathon EVER. I don't think it can get any worse than being dropped off in the desert and having to run along an abandoned highway for 26 miles, seeing your hotel in the horizon, never moving, forcing you to look down and stare at a yellow line in the road instead. The single turn on the course was about 200 yards from the finish, leaving one half of my body sunburned. At the finish line I had stale popcorn and water from a dixie cup that crumpled in my hand. Over time the crappy finisher's medal has oxidized to where you can't even read what it says. I think it's fitting.
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| My reminder to do my homework on choosing marathons! |
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