Has anyone run the Long Beach Marathon and have any thoughts? I'm considering it as my first marathon, hoping to run 2:45-2:50. I've heard the course can be boring, windy, hot and mostly concrete. Alternatively I've heard it is flat and fast and fun. How's the organization? What's the weather generally like in October? (I'll be coming from out of state. Is it worth coming from out of state for this marathon?) Thanks a lot.
1. There's about a 6 mile stretch of concrete as you run along the coast.
2. The weather is normally mild. High 50's at the start and quicly climbing to the 60's- 70's. But you can never be certain.
3. Orginization is good but Ive heard their drink sponsor last year wasnt a good one.
4. relatively fast course.
5. Check out
as the previous poster wrote
There is a few miles on concrete in the first half. The second half goes a little inland and with your goal time it is likely that you will be alone. There aren't any real hills on the course so it is a fast course.
The last 3 miles can be rough if you have to weave through the walkers in the half but they might get that problem corrected...hopefully.
one more thing...make sure you get to the race early or stay at a hotel near the start. it can be a mess trying to get to the race on the morning of the race.
I ran it quite a few years ago. The course has changed somewhat, but really not much different. How far do you intend to travel for this race? If you live in SoCal and want a fall race, I say go for it. If you are coming from out of town, I think you will find better options for an October Marathon...
thanks everyone. i'll probably pass on it, or just use it to "get one under my belt".
Check out marathonguide.com. They usually have good reviews. The year I ran it, it was HOT and even the Kenyan elites (they usually have 3-5 or so) didn't break 2:20 it was so hot. LBC really is run down unless you are on the coast. I would defintiely run another fall marathon.
Look no farther than indy classic. You can do it i signed up myself. the other marathon won't get the numbers.
I ran it last year and I didn't have a very good experience.
-- Too much concrete. My feet were very achy by mile 13.
-- Very lonely second half. I ran 2:36 something and didn't see anyone near me.
-- Too many people to weave through the last couple of miles where a lot of the half marathon runners were still finishing. That was very annoying.
-- No volunteers the last couple of miles to get the half marathon runners out of the way for the marathon finishers.
I'm not sure if I will ever do it again. The weather was OK, but it was very warm four years ago when I first tried to run it. I didn't finish my first try at the LB marathon.
I will probably run the half marathon this year, but not the full marathon.