Pasadena Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

southbaygirl .
San Pedro, CA

  (03-18-2010)

"The expo was held in a HUGE hall-plus but like all the races in Southern california, it's the same exhibitors each race! I do like the tech t-shirt I received!! It's one of the nicer ones.

Race day:

the signs for parking were FANTASTIC!! I think they hired a company to do this-very well marked. But once I got to the race area and of course, had to use the porta potties-this is when it got ridiculous! Seriously, I stood in line for over 30 minutes and missed the official start. Good thing it's chip timed! I ended up starting almost by myself-or with the other poor runners who had been stuck in the porta potty line! So I was behind the walkers!

This is a GREAT race for walkers!! Very supportive for walkers! But I ran past them-they did seem to be having fun! But I had to get to my fellow back-of-the-pack runners! So I probably ran a bit hard just to get to fellow runners.

The course is deceivingly hilly! Pasadena is not a flat city! So if you are expecting a fast flat course-this is not it! They have some long upgrades and of course the big hill coming from the Rose Bowl. I knew the hill would be good when we ran down down down to the Rose Bowl.

You do get to see some pretty neighborhoods of Pasadena. And alot of it is tree lined-but being Pasadena, if the sun is out it can be hot!

The last 2 miles was relatively downhill-so i tried to make up some time!

The aid stations were manned by great volunteers!! I commend you!

Of course, the reason I run these races is for the bling-gotta love bling!!! and it's a nice medal...nothing to write home about but nice to add to the collection!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Derek B.
Long Beach, CA

  (02-22-2010)

"Great race...difficult weather but a wonderful scenic course"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Ronald K.
Valencia, CA

  (08-28-2009)

"Poor inaugural. Porta-potty situation was abysmal. The parking situation is the worst I have ever seen. The course was below average. I understand this was the first year, but please big improvements need to be made next year. I will participate again with my fingers crossed."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Freddy B.
Los Angeles, CA

  (08-12-2009)

"The Pasadena Marathon was just cursed - hopefully the curse gets lifted next year.

From the original start date back in Nov. 2008 due to the wildfires and poor air quality the race was cancelled.
The organizers didn't officially cancel it until 4:00 am that same morning. Literally 2 hours before the scheduled gun time; Not cool!!
- Kaiser Sponsored it you'd think Doctors would have called it in the day before the race.
Which leads to poor $$$ management, that much more $$$ was spent for that mornings preparation, only for it to be cancelled.
[common sense the organizers are not responsible for the fires, duh!]

So it got re-scheduled, for Feb 2009 - AGAIN [common sense the organizers are not responsible for the rain, duh!]
Both expos were ho-hum.
Starting line had no corral or wave system.
The course was ok; just miles 7-9 were scenic.
I forgot to mention I had to re-pay for my entry (at a discount, but still had to re-pay)

When I called them up for my finisher certificate, they mentioned due and I quote 'Natural Disasters' (I thought that was funny) their budget did not allow them to send finishers certificate
Their reply sounded very scripted as if I was the 5000th person to ask.

Regardless of the poor, poor event management; The Volunteers, and all the crowds that bared the rain to stand out there to support, help, & aid saved this event.
I train all around Pasadena and the Rose Bowl so the fact that this was an inaugural event; I'll do it again just to be a legacy.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Zachary E.
Toluca Lake, CA

  (07-29-2009)

"for a first time race, things went alright, but there are bugs that need to be worked out... a significant one being the traffic/parking the morning of the race. I live nearby and drove to the race; however, while I did attempt to arrive fairly early, there was a wait just to exit the freeway (over 40 min!), and I finally resorted to parking on a side street half a mile from the start. It also rained that morning and there wasn't much of an expo/vendors/covered areas around the race."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Rina G.
Fontana, CA

  (07-01-2009)

"Absolutely one of the best races I've run so far. The crowd was fantastic even though it was pouring rain right before the race. The course takes you through Old Town Pasadena,some beautiful high dollar real estate, and the Rose Bowl. How great is that? Every mile is clearly marked and they use chip timing which is very important for those of us who obsess on their times. Overall, I highly recommend this race. I'll definitely be running next year's in March."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009