Redding Marathon Reviews

  Great scenic marathon in Nor Cal

By JE about 2024

Review

Logistics: registration in person and getting from finish to start via shuttle buses was smooth and easy. Low priced marathon even registering day before. Great t-shirt (long-sleeve with 1/4 zip).

Course: spectacular dramatic start at top of Shasta Dam with fast descent on road for first 2-3 miles. Then transition to paved river trails for most of the rest of the race. Flat up until mile ~11 and then some notable hills that shake up the legs. Another descent back to flats with a few short/steep little hills in mile 24 that are surprising but not long. Route marking was a little lacking in last 2 miles with multiple intersections not clear. A few runners were misled by lead cyclist which made them add an extra miles, but most won't be in that situation. Enjoy this scenery - it's the #1 reason I ran it.

Post-race: great finish line on Sundial Bridge, very warm welcome back with a mylar blankie which is helpful because temps are cool for this place, great post-race food (soup and pie!). Results were a bit informal and not posted within ~1 hr, but you could ask how you finished. Nice plaques for top 3 age groupers.

Race Tips

The marathon relay makes it interesting and creates fun crowds at the transitions, which was helpful to us solo marathoners. It also made it harder to track who was ahead/behind me if you're keeping score of your relative place, but it all washes out in the end. Relayers gave me someone to chase once in a while. Save something for the later hills in Miles 11-13 and Mile 24; don't go hard on that first long, big downhill, or you will regret it, and I train a lot on hilly trails.

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

Be familiar with course map. Some areas on this course are a little tricky. Get a hotel near race finish and ask for late check out, so you can get back and shower for the long drive home if you're from out of town. Hang out afterwards to meet great local runners.

  

By Km about 2017

Review

Most beautiful views the whole way. Awesome volunteers and well organized.

Race Tips

Be PREPARED for the hills.

  

By markv about 2016

Review

Pretty course, good wildlife. However, the aid station fuel didn't match what the website said. In fact, no calories provided in first half of the race. Deceptively hilly with lots of subtle rolling. Still fun though, just tough going.

Race Tips

Bring a couple of your own gu's even if you don't usually do that. Maybe more hill training. Don't expect any socializing. It's a quiet race, and i think often a wet race.