Malibu International Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Carmen R.
La Mirada, CA

  (12-07-2009)

"This was the inaugural race for the Malibu Marathon, and it was billed as a very eco-friendly race. I got to participate in this race as a winner of the Racevine giveaway so THANK YOU RACEVINE!

The race staff did a great job of marketing the event using Twitter, Facebook and it's website. They were very friendly and offered motivation leading up to the race.

The expo itself took place where the finish line area was being set up in Zuma Beach. It was small, but considering that this was the first race it still had pretty good vendors.

Packet pick up was extremely easy. We received a little bag with the race logo that can be used for gear check. We also used a timing system that was new to me. It's called a J-Chip, and it comes on a band that you can wear either on your ankle or your wrist. At first, my friends and I joked that we felt like we were on house arrest but the system was very comfortable.

The course itself was beautiful. It started in Camarillo for the full marathon, and the half started near Point Mogu. We ran along PCH, and there were amazing views of the ocean. The weather at the beginning of the race felt cold, but as we were running the race the sun came out and it started to feel hot. One thing I must say about the course is that it was hillier than I expected. Many fellow runners later compared their Garmin elevation maps with the course elevation map and they were different. The course wasn't the hardest I've ever experienced, but the combination of more hills and warm weather made it challenging.

There were plenty of aid stations. The electrolyte on the course was Zico coconut water. It takes some getting used to, but it really helped me feel hydrated. They also had Lava gels on the course. The taste of the gels wasn't that great, they were sticky but nonetheless I was grateful they were there. Plenty of water and oranges along the aid stations as well. There wasn't much crowd support, which was a little tough.

Finally reaching the finish line, we received an awesome Malibu beach towel, medal and a little lunch bag with fruit and fuel! Hanging out at the beach afterward was a lot of fun as well.

All in all, this was a fun race albeit more challenging than I thought. I highly recommend it.

Video of myself and fellow Racevine athlete JT aka Anotorias along the Malibu Course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RdaoE8UDco"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

southbaygirl .
San Pedro, CA

  (12-05-2009)

"I had to run the Inaugural Malibu Half Marathon! It was in November-i thought PERFECT time of year to run along the ocean!!

I signed up, viewed the elevation chart and even drove the course to see the location of the hills! This was going to be a hilly course! But I knew that going in-but didn't realize just how hilly until i was running it!

This is a point to point course, which I LOVE! We were bused to the start. Considering this was their first attempt and busing participants-I think race management did a good job!

Once at the start, we waited for over an hour and a half to start-that is WAY too long!

The Half started at 8:40am (10 min later that supposed to) so that the Half Marathoners could run with the Marathoners. I think the start was way too late! I would have preferred an earlier start time, for the Half, because it got HOT! And there is no shade on PCH! So combine the dry, sunny heat with the hills and you had a tough race!

From mile 8 on is HILLS! You will run up for a long time. You'll get a bit of a downhill respite and then up again! Tough to have those hills at the end. But the heat is what got me!!

I liked the medal and the beach towel. I had to have a beer afterwards!!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jennifer T.
Los Angeles, CA

  (11-19-2009)

"When people ask me what the biggest attraction there is for me to do a race (bling, series, crowd, etc.) for me, it\'s hands-down all about the course. Running on PCH off the bluffs in Malibu where the Pacific is bluer than you thought existed? Um, HELLO yes please!

I loved this race. Usually I\'m not a fan of a point to point course (which it was) but in retrospect, I liked the fact that the half marathoners got a 1.5 hour start after the marathoners and got to join them on the course - that was very cool!

The course elevation was a little different than expected (a lot of rolling hills and not as flat) so I wasn\'t as best prepared mentally when running.

The organization had some kinks in it but this was an inaugural race so hopefully by next year they\'ll iron those out. I CAN NOT WAIT to do this race again next year!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

lp .
, CA

  (11-16-2009)

"The course was PCH = hilly! Me thinks the elevation map on the site was misleading if not wrong. The day started off in the 30-40s but with the half not starting until 8:40 it was downright hot. Jumping in the ocean after finishing started to seem like a really good idea. Only one lane of the PCH was closed and with not that many runners, running in the shoulder was adequate although not the best on the ankles. There were water stations every 1.5 miles which was great, oranges and gu at 2 of them. A couple kinks to be worked out for next year is the gear check system and making logo gear available online. The finisher medal and the lunch bag of snacks were awesome. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009