Location: Shiprock, NM
Distance: 26.2 Miles
Price: $45.00
Race Rating: 10/10
Course Review:
This was my first full marathon and honestly loved the weather, location and I plan to do it again next year but it will be for a half. Bus loading starts at 5am at Shiprock High School with bus entertainment. We had a great flute player play us some Native American music and short prayer for all the runners. The buses took out 26.2 to the course where there were 20-30 portables, water, and gear check. It is a beautiful course that starts out close to Red Valley, Cove, NM. You start running 20 miles from the junction of Hwy 666 Southwest of Shiprock, NM. The remainder of 6.2 Miles is completed from the Junction Hwy 666 decline into Shiprock, NM ending at Dine College. The entire course is asphalt pavement, starts at 7 am in 55 degree weather (cool breeze), warming up to 85 degrees by 12 noon.
Overall Course Rating 9/10
Race Atmosphere Review: The race atmosphere was very cool with a beautiful sunrise. You start running the course towards the East direction with the sun rising. The announcer started the course wonderfully with a beautiful prayer for all the Runners to be blessed, no injuries. It was very moving & heartfelt. The first 3-4 Miles is a small peak with a downhill allowing you reach your high speeds within the first 5 miles. There are 4-5 inclines but no major hills. You could feel the excitement and it pushed you to finish strong once you reach Mile 20 at the Junction. From there it is all downhill. The volunteers were every 2 miles from Mile 3-Mile 20. From Mile 20 – Mile 26 they are available every mile with water, GU, fruit and medical station every mile straight to the finish. From Mile 20-26 you are running alongside Hwy 666 where the otherside of the road is drivers and spectators honking & cheering on runners. Mile 20-26 is amazing and so positive and energetic. There were people sitting outside of their vehicles cheering you on and holding signs. The energy and positivity of this race to the finish line was absolutely amazing.
Overall Race Atmosphere Rating: 10/10
Post Race Food and Drink Review:
The race offered a pre-race spaghetti dinner free to all runners, snacks & refreshments every 2 miles from Mile 3-Mile 20, every mile from Mile 20-26.2. Finish line had drinks, water, and free pizza to all Runners and vendors selling various type of Navajo traditional foods if Runners choose to pay extra. Medical Stations, EMT’s, Emergency Response teams are available throughout the 26.2 mile course including EMT’s driving up & down the course asking runners if they are ok and also medical response riding back & forth on four-wheelers checking on Runners. Music entertainment at certain areas. I think there was at least 10 aid stations as well as EMT’s, ambulances, four wheelers checkin g on runners throughout. They were equipped with GU, Gatorade, water, oranges, snicker bars. I was given an orange creamsible ice cream at the finish line but I’m not sure if that was part of the race. I was very impressed with the food and drinks that were provided and it kept me fueled through the whole race and at the end.
Overall Post Race Food and Drink Rating: 10/10
Written by Miranda t Navajo Running Mama.
Check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgtsnavajorunningmama
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