Anyone doing Phoenix marathon/half July 16 2011 or anyone local to phoenix?

pcsronbo · Oct 11, 2010

I'm considering it for a mini training vacation but never been 
Heard about this mt lemmon that may need to be climbed by my bike....

SpartyGirl · Oct 11, 2010

You've been talking to JH haven't you...Mt. Lemmon is one of her favorites if I remember correctly.

hobey · Oct 11, 2010

July? You want to voluntarily go to Arizona in July? To run a marathon/half marathin? I really, really don't recommend that. Try January or February instead.

mmoonptdeux · Oct 11, 2010

Thank goodness you'd be on a bike. You could be one of these folks "racing" this one this weekend
 
<a href="http://www.mountlemmonmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Mt. Lemmon Marathon - The Only Uphill Marathon in the U.S.</a> 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by SpartyGirl <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953383"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> You've been talking to JH haven't you...Mt. Lemmon is one of her favorites if I remember correctly.
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Stitcher · Oct 11, 2010

The marathon season in the PHX area is September - April, with the Rock N Roll marathon in January.
 
I think you got your calendar turned upside down!

namhela · Oct 11, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by mmoonptdeux <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953387"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Thank goodness you'd be on a bike. You could be one of these folks "racing" this one this weekend
 
<a href="http://www.mountlemmonmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Mt. Lemmon Marathon - The Only Uphill Marathon in the U.S.</a> 

 

 
Just don't let Thor see that, he may want to try it. 

 

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pcsronbo · Oct 12, 2010

Jan not July stupid iPad!

Stitcher · Oct 12, 2010

whew!
 
Glad to know you weren't planning on experiencing heat stroke....and paying for the privelege!

niemsco · Oct 12, 2010

I've done that marathon. Try to find Yo Mikey (Mike), he's local to the area. I stayed at the Arizona Biltmore, you get a marathon rate, and its second to none. Good for the family. 8 outdoor pools!

Alaska Mike · Oct 12, 2010

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by pcsronbo <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953371"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Heard about this mt lemmon that may need to be climbed by my bike....</div>
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Mt Lemmon is in Tucson, not Phoenix. It is an awesome ride and I highly recommend it.
 
Mike

niemsco · Oct 12, 2010

What you could do is drive to Sedona after the race. I went there with the family its not too far and seems like a good mountain bike place. We did some hiking, fun stuff! 
 
EDIT: Not sure if its a good road bike place.

Stitcher · Oct 12, 2010

Sedona is awesome!
 
Gorgeous photograph opportunities as well.
 
Plus, on the way to Sedona, sorta off the beaten path, is this little town called Jerome.
It's an actual ghost town.
Very cool place.
 
I had the best prickly pear margarita there one day.....yuuuummmmmmmmm

Yo Sake · Oct 12, 2010

Ron, when you are at visiting Sedona, stretch your legs a bit to visit Grand Canyon and hike down/up. Then, oh Zion and Bryce Canyon are not too far away either. Great hiking for kids too. 
 
Sounds like you need a full MONTH!

mmoonptdeux · Oct 12, 2010

Tucson seemed to be a triathlete's paradise the time I was there for the marathon of the same name. Lots of wide roads, plenty of hills and some real sedate driving, which was a contrast to the 10+ mph over the speed limit (barring traffic jams) I see here in California. 

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Alaska Mike <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953489"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> 
Mt Lemmon is in Tucson, not Phoenix. It is an awesome ride and I highly recommend it.
 
Mike 

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Yo Mikey · Oct 12, 2010

Ronbo,
 
The PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon is the race I believe you are talking about.( <a href="http://arizona.competitor.com/" target="_blank">http://arizona.competitor.com/</a> ) It's a flat course with really nice running weather. The marathon typically has less than 6,000 runners and the half marathon has around 21,000 runners. You get shuttled to the starting line from busses picking up at the parking area near the finish line at Arizona State University, and the traffic departing isn't that bad. They've polished the traffic scene with years of hosting this race.
 
The two races have different starting lines and cover the same course for about the first mile, then branch off to different courses, different finish lines. Aid stations are great. Music is great, if you've ever run a Rock and Roll Series race you'll have an idea what to expect.
 
Most visually boring part of the marathon course is between miles 22 and 25, but you in the home stretch anyway so who's sightseeing! Finish line area is a zoo of people but a great place to meet family is the ASU track where they have music and a big grassy area to relax.
 
The half course is city, and sadly not the best Phoenix has to offer, but it's flat and worthy of a PR effort.
 
If you're wanting to stay close to the finish line look around the ASU area of University and Mill in Tempe. A great hobbling distance from the finish line place to stay is Tempe Mission Palms. ( <a href="http://www.missionpalms.com/" target="_blank">http://www.missionpalms.com/</a> ).
 
Weather is typically in the low 40s start of race, 60s finish of race.
 
If you want to cycle Mt. Lemmon, heads up, there may be snow up there in January, so dress warmly if you head up. Tucson is a 90 minute drive south of Phoenix.
 
If you're flexible with your time the Sedona Marathon / Half Marathon is challenging and scenic as hell. ( <a href="http://www.sedonamarathon.com/index1.html" target="_blank">http://www.sedonamarathon.com/index1.html</a> )
 
FWIW - they are refilling Tempe Town Lake as I write this so IMAZ should be unaffected.
 
 
Cheers!
 
Mike

Tri-Tammy · Oct 12, 2010

Yo Mikey- how does this marathon stack up to the Lost Dutchman in February?

hobey · Oct 12, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Tri-Tammy <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953641"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Yo Mikey- how does this marathon stack up to the Lost Dutchman in February?
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 Not sure I'd pick that as my first. It's a mix of paved/unpaved and the Superstition terrain is rolling. PF Chang's is more the normal big city marathon.

mmoonptdeux · Oct 12, 2010

1! to that - I knew a couple folks who ran that; pretty tough going for a firstie for certain 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by hobey <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953699"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Not sure I'd pick that as my first. It's a mix of paved/unpaved and the Superstition terrain is rolling. PF Chang's is more the normal big city marathon.
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Tri-Tammy · Oct 12, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by hobey <a href="/forum/thread/70588/anyone-doing-phoenix-marathon-half-july-16-2011-or-anyone-local-to-phoenix#post_1953699"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Not sure I'd pick that as my first. It's a mix of paved/unpaved and the Superstition terrain is rolling. PF Chang's is more the normal big city marathon.
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I had no clue that it was paved and unpaved. It sure is a pretty area though!!! Thanks for the info.

Yo Mikey · Oct 12, 2010

Tammy,
 
The marathon starts on a dirt access road for the Superstition Mountain trails, then hits pavement. It's not flat as it descends then climbs around 2,000 feet at about mile 17 to mile 20.
 
A friend of mine ran the half and mentioned this hill, said it was tough.
 
It's a really small race, about 500 marathoners and 1,100 half runners. I've never run this as it's out in BFE from me, and I like the PF Changs race.
 
The Carlsbad Marathon is another January choice. My wife loves the half ( <a href="http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/" target="_blank">http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/</a> ).
 
 
Mike

Anyone doing Phoenix marathon/half July 16 2011 or anyone local to phoenix?

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