Back to Camarillo Marathon Information & Reviews
S. G. from Los Angeles, CA
(1/12/2016)
"Terrible" (about: 2016)
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50+ previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I started running marathons in 1986 and have consistently raced since then. This was my worst marathon experience. I have run $20 races that were immensely more organized and equipped. I can't believe I paid $80 for this one. The course was boring and had traffic on it, the pavement was uneven. The course did not have marshals at the turns and I missed two turns which sucked. They ran out of Gatorade on my second loop and I never saw gels (I heard there were some?). The start was ridiculous- we didn't even know it started- and the finish was terrible- no water or anything. We heard that the t-shirts will be mailed but I don't believe it. I can't believe I paid for this race and I feel bad for anyone who traveled for it. Maybe it's fine for a 1/2 marathon but it was my worst marathon experience ever. | |
j. h. from los angeles
(1/6/2016)
"Decent course, but organization needs to step up" (about: 2016)
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50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Camarillo Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have run this course 3 times, and the new improved course cut out the section of share path with the train. Still flat, and perfect weather with cool temperature with no wind. But they ran out of gels and any sport drink way too early. How early, by mile 16 around 2 hour range all gels and Gatorade are non existed. They never offered banana or fruit from the previous years when I was in so I wasn't expecting that. But only one gel around mile 10 and after that, nothing, only water. No race t-shirt this year. On their emails, they said they would mail them out. But they need to charge more on the registration fee in order to provide more to the runners. But ran out all the basic supply before the first 10 finishers crossed the the finish line was unacceptable. | |
A. M. from CA
(1/5/2015)
"Perfect BQ Course" (about: 2015)
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4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is really well run and organized. Aid Stations were exactly as advertised, volunteers were very nice and traffic control was impressive. This was my first time running a looped course, I loved it. The second loop I knew exactly what to expect and where to fuel, drink, hold back and push. The course provides a great back drop to PR or BQ... | |
k. h. from Los Angeles
(1/4/2015)
"improving every year" (about: 2015)
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50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Camarillo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my 4th camarillo full marathon, and they have improved every year. Perfect weather for the race, not windy like last year, sunny later on but still cooling, course is flat as a pancake. Usually I don't like looped course, but I am OK with this one cos it doesn't have many turns, u get to run for couple straight miles before you need to turn. Race started at 7am, on time as always, around low 40's, perfect for race. We can pick up the packet just minutes before the start of the race, so easy. Plenty of free parking spaces, easy to get to the startline, it is just right by the 101 fwy. Tons of inexpensive hotels in Camarillo if you would like to spend the night before the race. Water stations every 2 miles with plenty of volunteers and Gatorade on every other stations, gels were given out this time on 2 separate stations, wonderful, much improved from last year. At the end, they give out awards on top 3 overall male and female finishers then top 3 on different age/gender groups, another plus. Race t-shirt and bottle, plus free reusable groceries bags are all nice. Post race snacks were not much, oranges, prezels, water and so on. But hey, this is the least expensive qualifer I had ever participated, so can't ask for too much. I just hope they won't lose money on this race. I really think if they can build up their reputation, they can attract more runners to run in this race as it is a great course and weather in southern CA to get a PR and BQed. | |
S. C. from Portland Oregon
(1/12/2014)
"Well done!" (about: 2013)
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50+ previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The RD must have been reading the comments, he has gotten it right. Don't let previous year comments scare you off. This is a very easy, no hassle marathon. Low cost hotels nearby. Easy parking. Easy packet pickup. Marathons start before the 1/2 marathoners AND get their own medal. None of this sharing medal bull. Only downside was a pretty strong wind, but we can't ding the RD for that:) | |
M. A. from California
(1/8/2014)
"Rename this marathon to Boring Marathon" (about: 2014)
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11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 PROS: 1. I like small town race 2. Ample parking for runners at the start/finish line 3. Easy to get to and packet pickup was a breeze 4. Great volunteers CONS: 1. Registration fee was a bit high for a small event 2. Boring course. 2 loops around the farm (celery fields, strawberry fields, cabbage fields and horse farm). 3. Extremely windy on that day. The wind was against you. Would have been great if the wind was behind you. 4. The loop around Airport Drive was extremely boring and windy. 5. No gels/snacks/fruits given out at the course! Nothing! 6. Only had bananas and oranges at the post race. | |
J. S. from Thousand Oaks, CA
(1/7/2014)
"Camarillo Marathon has made some nice improvements" (about: 2014)
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11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon the inaugural year of the race when the full marathon had logistical issues. This past Sunday I ran the newer, 2-loop course and have to say that the race director has made very nice improvements and the race was actually very well done. There were water/Gatorade stops every few miles or so, porta-johns available at regular intervals and the course was well marked, with a decent amount of police patrolling key sections of the event. Not an 'exciting' course like LA Marathon and big races, but flat as a pancake 98% of the course through mostly farmland with views of the surrounding mountains - quite beautiful and peaceful, though not for everyone. I was pleased with the frequency of the water stops as another local race, the Malibu Marathon, I've encountered a lack of them. Do bring your own gels as they don't provide them, which is not a big deal to me. I used the race as a training run this year and enjoyed it. There were only like 120 runners. What I like most is that you can drive in, park, run, finish and leave with minimal effort here The only issue I had this year had nothing to do with the race...those damn Santa Ana winds were back, making it quite windy and dry. Hopefully next year it'll be overcast, cool, maybe a light rain and in the low 60s... | |
K. H. from Los Angeles, ca
(1/5/2014)
"Great course, but can be better" (about: 2014)
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50+ previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It is a great course, but super super windy. It is a 2-loop course, from mile 3-5 we were running towards the mountain and it was like running inside a hurricane with strong headwind. It is a flat course but with the wind, it was like worse than running uphill. On the second loop, the wind even got stronger. The wind blew up the dirt and we were running into a dust storm. There were plenty of water and Gatorade stations, but nothing else, no gel, no nothing. Got to say this is the only marathon I ran didn't give out gel. We just have to keep drinking Gatorade and the with the few gels I carried with me for the whole 26.2 miles, no bananas, no slices of orange or anything else. It is an inexpensive race to sign up, but still, it is a qualifier and people run 26 miles and we do need the gels. At least provide one gel per person if they want to save money... Overall it is a great flat course(without the strong headwind) with signs nicely marked. The after race snacks were adequate, volunteers were very helpful and friendly, and I know there was not much they can do about the wind, it is part of the Mother Nature's wk. But if they can improve with during the race food, it can be a more enjoyable race... | |
Terrie Greene from Beverly Hills, CA
(1/10/2013)
"Love the course and country side/farmland" (about: 2013)
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50+ previous marathons
| 1 Camarillo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Extremely small field, don't know why? I loved this marathon. The scenery was absolutely amazing. It was very well organized and the volunteers and Sheriff Dept. were WONDERFUL. I would highly recommend this marathon. I ran it in 5:05, so was myself alot of the run, but who cares with views like this! Parking and race day packet pickup was a breeze! | |
M. P. from California
(1/13/2012)
"Organizers not competent..." (about: 2012)
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11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 First of all, the organizers postponed the run twice very unsure of when the run will be held, not very considerate to the paid participants, just an email saying 'race postponed to...' no explanation of why race is postponed twice, nor were they apologetic. Second of all, I asked for refund because of frustration of unanswered questions about the run, and no response at all. So we decided to run it because we didn't get our money back, then we go and get our bibs and they don't have our names down. Third of all, we finished the run and we are placed anonymously in the male category. Lastly, the cost for this kind of run should be as less as what it offers the participants. |
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