Alexander McCullough's Staging Area

1, 2, 3, or 4 days of full or half marathons on 4 different and tough, well marked, trail routes of 5 loops of just over 5 miles each. Or the 26 out and back loops on the flat tarmacadam ‘Road option’ – Each day the 2 distances and the diffrent trail or same road route is yours to make. My target was all 4 states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.) You will actually get to repeatidly run through the monument itself.

The spirit, good humour of the organiser’s, the local hosting tribe and the Four Corners Monument / setting is excellent. You enjoying turning up each day, the other runners talk, nod, smile at each other as the familiarity grows. The ‘aid table’ is literally a feast of sweets, treats, snacks, fruit, water, coke, energy drinks, gels. Each day a meal is served. I had Subway sandwiches, pizza, Indian fry breads and an actual carvery meal – with starter and dessert – on the last day. A diffrent live band plays all day every day and music / seating is set up around the aid tent. The car park ($8 dollars a day) is on the route and a very useful dry secure storage option. Their are ample WC’s right beside the route should you need them.

I thought 26 laps would be a nightmare but they just flew past. I assumed the traffic would be an issue. It was out of season so light and those who did visit the monument were very, very considerate, drove very slowly and nearly always were waving, tooting and hanging out the windows encouraging our collective madness. The setting, the views and little chats with other runners and walkers, let’s just say my ‘tunes’ spent more time on ‘pause’ than ‘play.’ Time is not the issue, encouraging each other to finish takes over. Walking is a very, very feasible option and the reason many opt for this event. Providing a little extra time and fully encouraging walker entries is a clever move by the organiser’s as lots of them tuned up. (They outnumbered the runners.) After 2 days ‘the running’ also became a thought rather than a practical option for many determined souls toughing the distance out for the four medals.

I cannot fault this casual but well run and professional event. I have only one slight issue. A dedicated electronic sign counting up (or down) your laps as your ‘bib chip’ passed over the timing mat would free poor Josh from the laborious task of keeping score.

10 out of 10. Would love to do this again.

You actually start and finish in the city center – unlike many ‘city marathons.’ The frequent groupings of Indianapolis residents seem determined to have a street party and your invited / the excuse for it. The event is silk smooth organisation wise. The aid stations encouraging and frequent, they are also well stocked. The route is flat through pretty neighbourhoods and parks. It’s definitely a very scenic marathon. The finish area is a literal market of complimentry goodies and retail oppertunities. I would happily run this event again.