Avenue of the Giants Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Frank T.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

  (01-05-2010)

"Fast and gorgeous run, with a small crowd. I have to admit I was hoping it would include some dirt trails through the forest and was disappointed that there was only cracked asphalt the whole way. Maybe that was unrealistic of me. I also didn't realize that big redwoods cast lots of shade, so it gets cold after awhile. Bring gloves!

Lodging nearby is limited, we stayed at the dingy Brass Rail Inn."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007

Winona N.
Mountain View, CA

  (08-11-2009)

"I used the course location as my motivation for my first half marathon. BEAUTIFUL AND COOL! No sun beating down on me. Although there was torrential rain the day before and after, you're taking a risk up in NorCal. Very "locally grown" organization by a local runners club. The aid stations only had water. Many of the port-o-potties were out of toilet paper. If you are being driven there by someone else they aren't able to leave the lot (only one way road so everyone is either coming in or going out all together). But overall, loved the course and would do it again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Brooke B.
san diego, CA

  (06-21-2009)

"I LOVED this race. The air was crisp and cool, the course was beautiful...literally like a morning run through the redwoods. I had a bit of a different take on the whole thing because, while I was running the full marathon, my 2 friends were doing the 1/2 and one of them had to catch an early flight home. They asked me if I wouldn't mind running with the early bird group, which was starting out an hour earlier than the rest of the marathoners, since they expected they'd take longer to complete the 26 mile course. I didn't mind, so I did just that. But then a race official threatened to not give me my time using my timing chip, since I hadn't signed up for the early bird version, etc. etc. Honestly, I just wanted to run the race and do my own personal best (and make sure my friend caught her flight home!) so I ran with the early bird group. But since my pace was faster, I literally ended up running all by myself (and we are talking ALL by myself) for 26 miles. And while there were some drink stations, there was hardly anyone around. It was almost surreal, like I was on this journey alone...
However, it was a beautiful race, and, had I run it with the regularly scheduled marathoners, I am sure my experience would've been a bit less lonely! It was peaceful, though...I must say that much!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2004

Merrill F.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-30-2009)

"Three words for this race - location, location, location. Nothing beats a half marathon run through the Redwood National Forest on a 65 degree sunny day. The race is relatively small and I don't remember any great finishing shirts, other shwag or stellar aid stations but who cares when you are running in one of the epic locations on earth. You have to really want to do this race as it is in the middle of nowhere (no offense Eurekans) but it is one of those "do it once in your lifetime things)."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2004