The Ave Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Derrick W.
Oakland, CA

  (03-30-2010)

"I ran my first marathon at Humboldt Redwoods SP in May 2009. The entire 26.2 mile course is on a paved road through an old growth redwood forest. The redwood trees are beautiful! They also provide shade to keep the temperature comfortable in the 50s-60s.

The Avenue is an easy choice for me, because I am looking for a scenic course without huge crowds and expensive entrance fees. The race is a bargain these days at $70, especially compared to the $130 you need to fork over for the SF marathon. You might not get a huge fancy expo or a band at every mile of the course with your entrance fee, but you get the opportunity to run in relative solitude on a breathtaking course.

The event is well organized, especially since its put on every year by the local running club. The aid stations are stocked with both water and sports drink, and port-a-potties are scattered throughout the course. The start/finish area isn't too crowded either. After the race, a few runners take their 'ice bath' in the chilly river right alongside the parking lot.

The biggest drawback is the remote location of the event. It's a solid 5 hour drive from the Bay Area, and the nearest motels and restaurants are about 15 miles away. I decided to save money and camp two miles away from the start in the Burlington campground, and unfortunately it turned out to be a rainy night. The long drive home also extended my recovery time -- my legs were cramping in the car and I was sore for a week.

All in all, a great experience. I'd recommend the event to Northern California locals, nature-lovers and no-frill runners. I will be back in 2010!

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009