Race Information :: Testimonials

To get a sense of how special the Napa Valley Marathon truly is, please read some of our runner's testimonials for the 29th Annual running on March 4, 2007. Also, visit marathonguide.com for additional comments.

This is a fantastic race, including the course, the organization, the view, the size, the fans, and the local amenities. I toyed with skipping it due to less-than-stellar training, and am SO glad I didn't. I will run this one every year.

MC – Silicon Valley, CA

I loved this marathon - everything about it. To run a fast time, be sure to cut back on your marathon pace for the first half of the race. I tried to run an even pace through the hills in the first half of the race and paid dearly! Also, do some squats at the gym to get yourself ready for all of the declines.

JB - Ohio

This year, 2007, marks my 7th marathon and my 4th year running Napa. I keep coming back because of how organized the event is. I love the gym bag, the spinner medal, and most of all the helping arms of the volunteers at the finish line. I just wish they had an extra-small t-shirt for smaller people like me. At any rate, the hospitality of the volunteers and organizers cannot be compared to the bigger marathon venues, like LA or SFO. To next year!!!

AC - California

First NV Marathon, even though I only live 40 minutes away. Nicely organized race, with excellent people every step of the way... at the expo, at the high school organizing the buses, at the start, at every aid station (best aid stations I've experienced... pre-opened Gu packages, bananas, oranges, Gatorade, all the amenities), and at the end. It was pretty cool to hear my name announced as I crossed the finish line. Excellent assistance at the end; a nice young lady greeted me, asked if I needed anything, handed me my medal, and pointed me to the water and food stations. Very personal and very appreciated. Nice medal, T-shirt and bag.

If you want to do a California race, this is the one to do. I've done SF and Sacramento, and this one was the best.

RO Martinez, CA

Add this marathon to your list!! It has many wonderful things to offer. Here are just a few:

1) Long-sleeve technical t-shirt - very classy and colorful balloon design.

2) Nice, large duffle bag to use as your sweat or 'drop' bag. This is the ONLY race where I have received such a 'nice' and useful bag for clothes pickup at the end of race. I can re-use this bag as a traveling bag; take to the gym - it is great souvenir.

3) Bus service to starting line - they actually let you STAY on the bus until the start so you can keep warm!!

4) Beautiful 'spinner' finisher's medal

5) Hot soup and rolls as post-race food.

PLUS - the weather was fantastic; the course one of the most beautiful. The organization was A++++++!!!!

NS - USA

What a great weekend! I flew into the Bay Area on Friday morning and was able to enjoy the sights, shops, and neighborhoods of San Francisco. The 1.5-hour drive up to Napa was breathtaking. Truly one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Accommodations: I recommend staying in Napa close to the finish line. The early morning shuttle from the hotel really isn't that bad. It gets you to the start 45 minutes before race time. No stress involved and it's nice to drive five minutes to your hotel as opposed to heading back to Calistoga!

Expo: Small, quaint and very well organized. A little different from the "big city" marathons that I have done in the past.

Volunteers: Outstanding! Thank you to all.

Support: The few places where spectators had access to provided runners with a huge adrenalin kick! They were loud and supportive - but such places are few and far between. This race is run in solitude. You are not able to rely on the energy and support like those of a "big city" marathon. Having done Chicago, this was a huge change. Not a bad one, just a different one.

Course: Excellent, rolling hills that were just tough enough. After the hill at Mile 20, it's flat for the last 6.2 miles. As beautiful as the scenery was, the novelty wore off after Mile 17. Little places of support along the way and you really are left to your own devices. Be prepared to suck it up solo!

Goodies: The duffle bag is a great idea and it is very useful pre race. The medal is very cool. The performance shirt is practical but the design is out of a bad 1970's art book.

Food: You have to enjoy the food in the Napa Valley. I recommend going to Tra Vigne for your carbo loading dinner. It was fantastic.

All in all it was an excellent weekend. I probably won't be coming back because there are other races to run, but it is a race I recommend.

SS – Vancouver, BC, Canada

Every marathoner needs to run this race! The course was just challenging enough, with a couple of good hills. The surrounding beauty, the great volunteers and the organization were truly impressive. Everyone, from runner to volunteer, was so friendly. Being a solo runner, that is running alone; and I really appreciated the immediate camaraderie and good will. One more thing: the days before and after are filled with many wonderful activities that include sight-seeing, eating and wine-tasting.

PC – New York

This was my fourth marathon and my favorite. The organization was first-rate. The staff and volunteers were professional and friendly. This was so well organized that I am unable to come up with any comments for any changes. The pasta feed was excellent and I learned some helpful running tips from the marathon college on Saturday. I want to thank everyone involved, especially the volunteers and spectators who came out to support the runners. The scenery was spectacular and the weather could not have been better for the run. This should be a must-run marathon for everyone. I plan on running this marathon again. The shirt, duffle bag and finisher's medal were great. There were not may places for spectators to come out, but when they did, they were all friendly and supportive. Thank you all again and I definitely recommend this marathon.

AT – Dallas, TX

This was my first marathon, and overall it was a great experience on a beautiful course with nearly perfect weather. A few things I noted (that I hadn't seen in other comments):

1) The pasta feed was very good; much better food than basic spaghetti.

2) There is a road (Highway 29) that runs parallel to the entire length of the race, with several connector roads so family members can drive ahead and see their runner a few times along the course.

3) I had thought it would be good to stay in Calistoga within walking distance of the start (to get a little extra sleep). I don't think this was a good idea; it wasn't really that close, and Calistoga was inconvenient for the rest of the weekend.

4) I didn't think the water/Gatorade stops were sufficient. The Gatorade was quite watered down, and it tasted like well water. If I run this race again, I will bring my fuel belt. Another option is to take advantage of the fact that this race will place your personal water bottles at whichever rest stop you request. I was surprised how few people used this; I think it would be quite beneficial.

BG – Cupertino, CA

It was my first Napa Marathon, and it won't be my last. I guess the weather this year was far better than 2006, and I felt that the race could not have been organized any better. While the elevation map was a tad misleading, there weren't any inclines that were overwhelming. Great course, great support, great organization. And Napa Valley is indeed a place you will want to treat yourself to a fine post-race celebration. If you are from out of town, stay Sunday night and enjoy the food and drink!

JS – Martinez, CA

You'll find countless reviews about the course from others. This marathon gets 5 stars across the board because the organizers care about us runners. What really impressed me the most was when I crossed the finish line - a volunteer immediately greeted me, walked with me, and held on to my arm to guide me through the chute. She asked how I felt, if I needed aid, and if I was happy with my time. She didn't leave my side until I asked her to. That's special. Try to get that personal care at a big-event marathon... not. Anyway, great destination marathon. Put it on your must-do list!

KM – Phoenix, AZ

This is one of the best organized races I've been to. Everything from the pasta party to the awards was enjoyable. Loved the comp wine at the expo AND the dinner. Lovely people. Course was a little challenging with gently rolling hills but not too bad. What the spectators lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm. Pretty country.

FW – Melbourne, FL

I truly enjoyed my first marathon in Napa. I have done two half-marathons in the past two months, and Napa definitely has fewer spectators to cheer you on. I missed the cheering during miles 17-21 when I needed them the most, but the beauty of the course and the low-key atmosphere made up for it. The water stations and bathrooms were well spread out and volunteers were very friendly and supportive. The expo was small and enjoyable, versus the bigger, overwhelming ones at big-city marathons. I would definitely recommend this marathon to anyone wanting a peaceful, low-key, simplistic marathon... and the weather could not have been more perfect!

AM - Reno, NV

Excellent event this year. The amenities were first-rate (long-sleeve technical shirt and Asics gear bag for gear check). The expo offered everything you would need, without excess. That pretty much goes for the whole event - just what a runner would want, without the distraction of excessive stimulation. Very scenic run along the Silverado Trail through wine country, and the weather was just about as perfect as could be. Where there were spectators, they were enthusiastic and encouraging. The peace of the countryside without the throngs in the big cities was well worth the extra work in the hills. I am very glad to have been able to run this race.

MB – Fort Wayne, IN