Sandia Crest Marathon Reviews

  Very fast, but high altitude

By MB about 2021

Review

Disclaimer: I only ran the HM, but I have run most of the full marathon course at other times. This is a very fast downhill course, but it starts at ~10,000 ft and you might have trouble with lower O2 if you don't train or live at altitude. I suspect many of the negative reviews expected it to be all downhill and went too fast on the "easy" upper sections and were operating at a higher metabolic rate than they realized because of the downhill. Most of the drop is in the first half, but even the second half of the course (the HM course) is very fast. Even with the small uphill sections, I PR'd by over 3 minutes in the HM. It was so fast, that I'm not even counting it as my official HM PR.

I had two issues with the race. First, the HM course is definitely too long by about 0.07 miles. Both my Garmin and MapMyRun agree on the point. I heard full marathoners also complaining that their course was almost 0.25 miles too long too. It's time for them to revisit that length certification. Second, they took way too long to hand out the awards for the HM after it finished. I was waiting at the finish for close to 2 hours to get my medal.

Race Tips

Be very careful with the early sections, particularly the uphill around mile 4 just past the ski area. You are still at ~8500 ft at that point and you don't want to get breathing hard during that climb. Also, the hill at mile 23 will be brutal if you're not careful.

  Best race

By ham about 2018

Review

I'm a marathon snob. I've done almost 50 and this is in my top 5 of all time. Don't listen to these negative reviews. They are a bunch of babies who went out too fast.

The race has almost no elevation gain. There are a few slight inclines but nothing that should stop you from running! Not even close to "rolling hills." The race is dramatically downhill at the beginning but does level out more in the second half, still with ~100ft of loss per mile. Register, don't be an idiot in the first half, and you'll crush your goal. I PR'ed by almost 18 minutes.

Race Tips

GO CRAZY EASY 1-18, save your legs for the flatter portion Hill at mile 5 (130 ft), mile 12/13 (153 ft), mile 21 (59 ft) and 24(35 ft)

  Only 12 miles of downhill - rest = heat

By Rlack about 2018

Review

This was my 23 marathon in my 19th State.

The course was downhill in the mountain only, once you left mile 12 the rest was rolling hills (which I don't mind) however would not like them after 12 miles of downhill running which was very steep drop. The rest of the course was on an a highway that was open road and pure open beautiful New Mexico heat lol. Made for a fun slow second half. Yes the last two miles maybe 5 were quite dangerous with traffic. But people friendly. Oh and only water and tailwind. So take your own fluid.

Race Tips

It's going to trash your legs. You may not feel it during the race but train for it.

  Not a downhill course

By Not downhill about 2018

Review

I am surprised the organizers in good conscience actually market this marathon as downhill and fast. Hopefully they will revise the description and be more truthful moving forward. Yes the first 12 miles are downhill and fast but after that it is not "downhill". Not a marathon I would have traveled to had I known. If you are looking for a challenge with hills and heat, this is the run for you. If you are looking for a true fast downhill experience with cooler temperatures this is not the race for you.

  The description on the race website is not truthful!

By Very disappointed about 2018

Review

This race was NOT 25 miles of downhill, and was by no means a fast course. It was extremely challenging. People do marathons for different reasons - so for those looking for a race to test their limits, this one would be a good choice. But for people looking for a fast race and a good time, this would definitely not be a good choice. It's very unfortunate that the race website was so untruthful - that cost myself and others a lot of expensive travel for a marathon that wasn't at all what we signed up for. And not only was the course not as described, it was a very hot day and there were very few water stations in the latter part of the race where they were most needed. Additionally, there was no traffic control at one of the very busy intersections later in the race, and I actually had to wait for a bunch of left turners before I could run through the intersection.

Race Tips

Expect hot temperatures and a very difficult course.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking was good. Hotel was good (because it was a Marriott) but they didn't even know they were the race hotel, so no early breakfast for runners, etc.

  Inaugural Run

By LMR about 2018

Review

I ran the Sandia Crest Half Marathon. This was my first long distance run after coming back from a bad injury and I can say I really enjoyed the race. There were some rolling hills which I expected and one longish hill at mile 10. I was going at a fast pace until I hit mile 10 of the half ( mile 23 of the full) and did have to slow down. I do believe this was more to do with my conditioning rather than the course. My husband had trained running some hills and he didn't find it difficult at all. I still ran the time I wanted and will definitely be back next year. There were plenty of water stations and ports-potties on the course. The volunteers were all exceptionally nice and welcoming.

Race Tips

I do an interval training which works for me especially coming back from injury. Parking before the race is easy and we are bussed up to the start line which is nice and convenient. Training for all weather conditions is recommended, we are in the Midwest and having a net elevation loss will in of itself have a rise in temp. Be prepared for some rolling hills.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking is easy.

  Misleading

By NotHappy about 2018

Review

Beware - This was not the 25 mile downhill course it claims to be. The first 12 with the exception of the hill at mile 4-5 was beautiful, downhill and shaded though I had to move out of the way of upcoming cars. After mile 12 there were many rolling uphills. And it was hot- 87 at finish and running on black asphalt.

No split records taken just a final finish time. Some aid stations did not provide Ice - I was thankful for the spectator who held a bag of ice and offered it to runners. Not much traffic control. The cones did not discourage cars from driving onto course and had to stop at a major intersection due to no traffic control. No food at finish with the exception of bananas and orange slices.

The T-shirt was not a tech shirt but a cotton T-shirt. Not enough volunteers on course. Coming down the last 2 mile stretch felt very unsafe. This was my 9th marathon and one I would not recommend or try again. Felt this was extremely misleading.

Race Tips

Prepare for heat, uphills, cars on course, and no food at finish.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Bus to course was fine. Volunteers at check in were friendly. The recommended hotel was convenient with friendly staff.

  Very challenging marathon, not good for PR or BQ

By CH about 2018

Review

The race website called this the fastest marathon in New Mexico - and said there was 25 miles of downhill. The first half of the race, with the exception of a big hill at mile 4, is like this. The second half is not! The second half of the course has MANY large uphills and is not fast at all. In fact, this was the most challenging marathon I have ever done, and I have done 70 marathons.

Race Tips

Well organized, but don't look for a fast time in this race.