Most of the run is along the river which was very scenic and flat. There was water and gatorade every mile, but not a lot of spectators or other support. … MORE
Most of the run is along the river which was very scenic and flat. There was water and gatorade every mile, but not a lot of spectators or other support.
I didn’t think 5000 ft of elevation would be a big deal even though I live and train at sea level. However, it was much more of an impact on me than just slowing me down a little. My heart rate was over 90% from the very start of the race and by mile 10 I was getting light headed and tunnel vision. I needed to walk much of the middle of the race as a result.
My advice to any other flat landers coming in for this race is to take the time to acclimate and do a better job than I did at listening to your body through the race.
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Nice river run, but altitude was tough
Most of the run is along the river which was very scenic and flat. There was water and gatorade every mile, but not a lot of spectators or other support. … MORE
Most of the run is along the river which was very scenic and flat. There was water and gatorade every mile, but not a lot of spectators or other support.
I didn’t think 5000 ft of elevation would be a big deal even though I live and train at sea level. However, it was much more of an impact on me than just slowing me down a little. My heart rate was over 90% from the very start of the race and by mile 10 I was getting light headed and tunnel vision. I needed to walk much of the middle of the race as a result.
My advice to any other flat landers coming in for this race is to take the time to acclimate and do a better job than I did at listening to your body through the race.
A view from the back of the pack
Nice, well run event. Course begins in downtown and migrates out to a multi-use concrete trail, out and back. The volunteers and support stations were plentiful. I only saw 1 … MORE
Nice, well run event. Course begins in downtown and migrates out to a multi-use concrete trail, out and back. The volunteers and support stations were plentiful. I only saw 1 porta-potty stop on the course. The host hotel is conveniently located steps to the starting line. Pre-run gives full access to the convention center and numerous restrooms. No serious negatives. Like most races, only water and beer available which for non-drinkers is disappointing. Happy to do the event as a destination run but would probably go elsewhere in the future for a destination run.
Great run and nice hiking in New Mexico
My first time in New Mexico so I wanted to explore a bit before the race. New Mexico has many hikes in the Albuquerque area and all were fantastic, but … MORE
My first time in New Mexico so I wanted to explore a bit before the race. New Mexico has many hikes in the Albuquerque area and all were fantastic, but to the race… Enjoyable HM course. No hills and plenty of scenery. Worth running for sure. Expo and post race activities/food was good as well. Stress free from a person traveling to the race.
Mediocre at best
Course was flat and fast, out and back Expo and packet pick up was easy with plenty of options. No signage to let know where to go or if you … MORE
Course was flat and fast, out and back
Expo and packet pick up was easy with plenty of options. No signage to let know where to go or if you were in the right place.
Staff and volunteers were helpful.
Aid stations had water and Gatorade, and there was an ample amount of them. I did not see any gels or nutrition.
Nice medal and shirt for swag
Post races was seriously lacking for a race event with around 2,000 runners, with apples, bananas, and wheat bread.
Overall a okay race, but would not not run again.
Convenient and straightforward
This race is in Albuquerque, and has a lot of locals and fifty staters running. I wish I had stayed in the host hotel—parking was needlessly confusing, for a small … MORE
This race is in Albuquerque, and has a lot of locals and fifty staters running. I wish I had stayed in the host hotel—parking was needlessly confusing, for a small “city” and getting from the parking garage ($10) to the start was a maze through event spaces without signs.
The good news—we could wait inside this warm building with flush toilets before the start. Race started on time, with different events starting after the full.
As you can see from the course map, it’s 13.1 miles out and back; ten of those miles are on a bike path with water and Gatorade every couple of miles. No portapotties except at the start and maybe mile 2/24. The web site said there would be one at the turn around but there wasn’t. Fine for the boys… no gu.
The weather was windy and overcast but not as rainy as forecast. The shirts were offered in two colors on registration form but my choice was not honored. Medal was nice. Same logo as shirt which is reasonably attractive. The shirt has too much letter/design “coating” for me to wear as a running shirt though.
Overall it was a flat course and I liked Albuquerque—the people are so nice and laid back. I felt very much a type A east coaster! Just a few nitpicks.
PR but Wouldn’t Recommend
First off I want to say this was a relatively easy course that allowed me to run a personal best. So if that is your ultimate goal then maybe this … MORE
First off I want to say this was a relatively easy course that allowed me to run a personal best. So if that is your ultimate goal then maybe this race is for you. The altitude ~4000 ft was the only “hard” part of the course. Besides that, was not happy/satisfied w my experience. The health expo closed at 6pm the day before, and they did not offer any race packet pickup later in evening or day of. I think they assume most people are going to stay multiple days in ABQ, I drove in the day before and nearly missed it. By the time I got there there was no free swag left, all I got was literally my race bib and the race shirt not even in my size (since they were out). Day of race was OK. It was cold and rainy (not really their control). Parking situation was not the greatest. Easy to walk around in the Civic Plaza. Course itself was fast and flat but a bit boring. It’s an out and back course, you run a mile through downtown and then another mile through a neighborhood, then 11 miles down a nearby trail and back. That’s 22 miles of trail running out and back! Which is normally fine, but when you have marathoners, half marathoners, 10ker’s all running the SAME out and back path on a two lane trail, things get congested rather quickly. Would have liked to run more though downtown and the neighborhoods. There were plenty of aid stations by some had run out of Gatorade and were handing out Tampico orange juice. There were not many port o potties on the course either. I saw a good number of people running off into the woods to take care of business. By the time I finished my marathon, there was pretty much nothing left at the finish line. I finished around 4:30, not fast yes but not slow enough to wher I’d expect nothing to be at the finish line. Not even water. I got my medal and the only food was apples and wheat bread. I’ve been in half marathoners w much better swag. Crowd support was spares but better than expected. Overall it was a good experience since I PR’d but I would not run this race again or recommend to anyone. It’s a race that seems to cater more to the half marathon crowd. Bonus tip: The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown ABQ was very nice for 3-star. Very accessible to stuff. Their famous hot air balloon race was weekend before. If you absolutely need to visit ABQ I would recommend checking out the hot air balloons the weekend before. Skip the Duke City marathon race and try a different NM race.
Where was the post race event?
It’s really too bad the marathon ended with such disappointment after a solid, well organized race (from expo, start, nice flat route, many water stops & enthusiastic volunteers). I was … MORE
It’s really too bad the marathon ended with such disappointment after a solid, well organized race (from expo, start, nice flat route, many water stops & enthusiastic volunteers).
I was a little panicky about the weather being from upper Michigan leaving my warm and water resistant gear at home. But handled the light rain, then peeks of sun and a little wind that often was at my back. It’s good it was not hot and sunny as there was no shade to speak of. I did not have bathroom issues (thank goodness). Good thing because I really don’t remember true porta potties anywhere except mile 2.
The expo was small but those groups that were there were enthusiastic! The start was well organized and I appreciated the ability to stay dry and warm in the huge convention center. The course was not hard but I’m a slow runner, and also had a slower than usual time waiting for my friends to bring me my traditional mile 20 fireball shot. Lol!.. Medal was nice!
Ok now let’s discuss this post race. Apples, 2 pieces of bread (not even anything special about it). No chocolate milk and the supposed “beer garden” was pay to drink even for those who ran??? I think there was water in cups, but I just got done drinking water and Gatorade for the past 5 hours. I know this race will get some flack for this, as I haven’t heard anyone compliment that aspect even those that finished well before me, so it’s not like they really ran out, it’s all that was offered. Hopefully future races they can turn that around or just plan to have your friends and family bring a well stocked cooler for the end!
Fun race!
Pros: Plenty of water stops and Gatorade Course is on asphalt, no concrete or stone Few ups and downs, but nothing excessive, even for this flat lander 7 hour time … MORE
Pros:
Plenty of water stops and Gatorade
Course is on asphalt, no concrete or stone
Few ups and downs, but nothing excessive, even for this flat lander
7 hour time limit gave everyone lots of time
CONS
There were a few spots near the end that were not well marked and we weren’t sure which way to go. Lucky for us, a spectator was at one of the tables and showed out to us and helped us out.
There was no Gu on the course and only a couple tables offered any type of food.
Not enough porta potties.
We had fun and I’m glad they held the race in person!
Great organization. Pretty course.
If possible, secure lodging downtown. Easy walking distance to expo, start and finish. Generally flat course mostly on asphalt paved paths. MORE
If possible, secure lodging downtown. Easy walking distance to expo, start and finish. Generally flat course mostly on asphalt paved paths.
Fast Course
Last year My wife and I ran Duke City 10k, and this year opted for the half. I PR’d this time and felt great doing it. Swag was a little … MORE
Last year My wife and I ran Duke City 10k, and this year opted for the half. I PR’d this time and felt great doing it. Swag was a little light this year. Nutrition at the end included water, Gatorade, fruit and healthy looking bread. They didn’t have us in the system nor our names on the bibs even though we registered way early. Save your email receipts. Some of the folks handing out bibs and shirts seemed as though they would have rather been somewhere else… My medal was really small compared to other half marathon medals I have.
Flat, fast course
This is a very fast out and back course. Be warned, Albuquerque is above 5000 feet, so if you’re not used to racing at this altitude, it’s a bit of … MORE
This is a very fast out and back course. Be warned, Albuquerque is above 5000 feet, so if you’re not used to racing at this altitude, it’s a bit of a challenge. Indoor bathrooms at the start of the race at the convention center, which was fantastic. Not a huge amount of course support, but what was available was well-managed and well stocked. The race swag was nice in that there were several colors of shirts to choose from. Overall, I have no real complaints. Not my favorite race, but maybe that’s just me. A big plus is that Alburquerque is a beautiful city and the people are friendly.
Ok Race - Mostly Flat Course
This was an ok race. They have several walking events ongoing so that if you are trying to run the 10K you had to dodge a lot of people. I … MORE
This was an ok race. They have several walking events ongoing so that if you are trying to run the 10K you had to dodge a lot of people. I probably won’t run this one again…
Another great Southwest Race
Great race atmosphere! A lot of the race was on the bike/pedestrian paths. Volunteers at aid stations were aplenty and very nice. Loved coming around the corner and seeing the … MORE
Great race atmosphere! A lot of the race was on the bike/pedestrian paths. Volunteers at aid stations were aplenty and very nice. Loved coming around the corner and seeing the hot air balloons! The course wan’t really difficult if you are from the area but if you’re coming from low altitude that is where the difficulty lies. If you absolutely need the spectators participation there is a pretty decent stretch without spectators. (Local friends told me that was unusual, typically more spectators on that long stretch) Parking was not the best situation. We were still trying to get into the parking garage when the race started after sitting for more than an hour. However, I would definitely do it again!
Bad logistics, NO RACE PHOTOS
I really enjoyed the course for the Duke City Marathon this past Saturday. I traveled from Tennessee and it was my 27th state ! There were NO photographers on the … MORE
I really enjoyed the course for the Duke City Marathon this past Saturday. I traveled from Tennessee and it was my 27th state ! There were NO photographers on the course or finish of the marathon. I always choose a couple pictures to put into my Marathon 50 state memory book. What a bummer!
The Expo is so far away from the convention Center! I stayed at the Doubletree at the start. As the city is not big and the airport close, I did not rent a car. There were no shuttles to the casino so I had to take a taxi.That was $40 each way!!!
Also, there were water stops out if WATER on the way back on the marathon course! It was getting hot,
Also, the shirts are HUGE!! Mine is a medium and is down to my knees. I can use it as a throw away, but loved the color and wish I could wear it.
I placed in my age group. The award is basically the exact same medal with a different ribbon.