I coach a few women looking to achieve the US Olympic Marathon Trials B standard qualifying time this spring. In terms of timing and location we are intersted in having them run the Eugene Marathon in early May, but I cannot seem to find a course profile anywhere. Is it nearly flat and/or considered a fast course? I saw via the results one woman qualified there last year. Thank you for any helpful input.
you mean this?:
http://eugenemarathon.com/site_media/dynamic_media/2011/01/2011.elev.mapmyfull_1.pdf
To be specific: the only hills on the course are pretty easy. That first one may look pointy, but it is actually quite gradual. The second hill is noticeable but not long at all. After that, there are only rolling hills. I would say the harder part about the marathon course is that the last 10 miles are mostly concrete, as opposed to black top. The course is not very difficult.
It's a pretty easy course. Only one hill of any significance and it's short and early. The elevation profile makes it look a bit worse than it is.
Unfortunately, the section of the run along the river is concrete and it will take its toll.
Its a fast course. I ran a recent PR there. However, you may experience some respiratory problems if you are bothered by allergies to pollen, weeds, and trees.
Thank you for the heads up. I find it hard to believe they would run the last 10 miles on concrete. We may look elsewhere for that reason alone. Thank you very much.
Also the route is very twisty in the 2nd half. Obviously not a big detriment if you pay attention and run tangents, but not quite as nice for running fast as a course with nice long straits.
I have marathon-trained on the bikepath portion of the course (long runs up to 20 miles). Won't say that the legs got any more beat up because of that, although, now injured, I avoid it as much as possible.
On the other hand, on race day, I have "assisted " a bunch of mid-pack folks between miles 24 and 25 on the course and have heard may comment that their legs were thrashed by path.