Mexico City Marathon
Mexico City, Mexico
- Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The City of Mexico Telcel Marathon is an event for all of us that live in the capital and because of this, we work hard focused on having a high quality sports party. In this edition of the Mexico City Telcel Marathon, we want everyone who participates to live an … MORE
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Fun mega race with problems
First off the communication for the race was terrible for non Spanish speakers. For an event that wants to become an international event they have a LONG way to go … MORE
First off the communication for the race was terrible for non Spanish speakers. For an event that wants to become an international event they have a LONG way to go for that to happen. Communication before the race lacked details and was only provided in Spanish. At the expo to pick up the packet there were no signs at the building directing you to the correct entrance leading to groups of people wandering around asking unhelpful unfriendly staff where to go. Once I found the expo I wanted to ask about the buses but went through 4 people before finding one that could halfway speak English. And to make it worse the info she provided was 100% wrong. I found out during the preface announcements which were thankfully done in both English and Spanish that there were a record 550 international runners…so not surprising they didn’t have any info in English.
Now on to the morning of the race which starts at 6am!. There are several free bus lines around the city that will take you to the start at the Olympic stadium running the morning of the race. Contrary to what the lady told me they were not for bag checks (those buses were at the starting area). Also there were dozens of buses at my stop waiting to take racers. The buses were convenient and very easy to get on. Now on to the coral situation . The CDMX marathon has a history of people jumping into the race and running where they shouldn’t. I thought the morning of prep to keep corals separate was great walking groups forward as each wave was started. The problem is they clearly aren’t verifying race times. People in my coral were not even close to a 3:30 or even 3:45 pace. As a result I was weaving through traffic with difficulty until easily mile 20! I was still weaving through people all the way to the finish line. I’m used to the typical coral cutters that I have to dodge for the first 2-5 miles but this race took it to an extreme!
The race course itself was not terribly difficult with some hills in the middle and slight downhill to flat finish. The support was good lots of water and Gatorade stations one Maurten gel station that I recall. The water is in little plastic pouches that was actually really handy for holding onto if you weren’t ready to drink it. Or grabbing two or three at a time. The streets were mostly good. Probably 5k worth of cobblestones. Some very uneven intersections and two tight turns that cut to one lane width which caused the crowd to go to a walk to get through. This race was huge – Boston sized.
The real reason to run this race? The crowd is incredible! Easily rivals the Boston crowds. All though these crowds act a bit more like the crowds in the Alps at the Tour de France. Screaming and blowing horns all the way out in the road! Music blaring and bands everywhere, a Uber deejay mid course. Crowds are handing out little bags of tequila, coke, beer, all kinds of food and candy. The funny thing is it was a huge party all along the race course and then you get to the finish in the huge Zocolo plaza and they are like ok get out. No after party unless you have a special vip tent package (not even sure how to get one). I would recommend this race highly if you speak Spanish. If not, go with someone who has done it before or does speak Spanish.