AZDC Participant Feedback 2005

Read some of YOUR race stories: click here

Anyway, I wanted to let you, John Bingham, and the entire organization know of my experience this past Sunday at the race in Oro Valley.

My family had made plans to be visiting Tucson, AZ from March 8 until March 15. We had visited Phoenix 3 years ago and had wanted to visit Tucson but ran out of time. When we decided to visit Tucson, I contacted my friend, Jen Lynch, just to let her know we'd be in the area. She informed me that I was choosing a good time to visit Tucson for two reasons. One was that the weather would be fantastic - the other was that she was running in a 1/2 marathon the weekend that we'd be around. She thought I should check out your website and consider the 5K race.

I have been "running" for the past 14 years or so. 2 miles four times a week has been my limit. I had run a local 5K race with my wife (I was 45 at the time) and found the experience to be OK but nothing special - and boy was I tired afterwards, and actually had a bit of trouble finishing. I was not really considering this 5K, but when I mentioned it to my wife and 3 daughters, my middle daughter, Hannah, thought that she might like to train for the race and try it. Well this was the result:

My 14 year old daugher and I ran the 5K. She had absolutely the time of her life and is still beaming from the experience. She now lives in the race shirt she received and the race medal is proudly displayed in her bedroom. I had the time of my life and ran a faster time than I did 5 years ago with energy and enthusiasm to spare. My wife did not run because she has been having trouble with her knees - but she and my other two daughters were so caught up in the energy and enthusiam this event generated, that they will all run the next time around. I may even consider training for a 1/2 marathon now.

You folks put on absolutely the best event of its kind with the best people. The repercussions of this race may very well cost me the price of a family trip to Tucson next year - because its an event that my entire family would now like to share in! I just wanted to let you know how much my family and I appreciated the event and the atmosphere that you created. The people were all great - both the runners, organizers and volunteers. The music was great. The weather was great. The cause was great. Your efforts certainly are very appreciated - thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Rich P

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I was a participant in the Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon on Sunday, and I just wanted to let you and Mr. Bingham know what a wonderful race it was for me and many others. Thank you so much for coming to Tucson!

Everything about the race was enjoyable—from not having to catch a shuttle to the start, to enjoying being able to wait inside a building for the race to begin, to the kind volunteers, to the plentiful water stops, to the very end where people walked the last finisher in greeted by you and Mr. Bingham. You even brought out the best weather! You are both kind and thoughtful in your planning and your consideration of everyone involved.

I'm part of a growing group of runners, walkers and run/walkers known as "Better Than Ever" (BTE) here in Tucson, and the woman who came in last is also a member of our group. To see her treated so warmly was very special to me and other members of BTE. (Some people say that we're the ones who are at the back of the pack—but we're the ones with smiles on our faces as we finish the race.)

I heard comments that the race was well organized from runners who have "been there, done that", and considering this was the inaugural race, that's quite a compliment in my book. I agree with them.

I completed my first full marathon in San Diego last June, and you and Mr. Bingham were at the Expo offering words of encouragement and advice. It meant a great deal to me to have your time and attention when I was really nervous about the race.

So....THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for all you and Mr. Bingham have done for us waddlers who like to enjoy the scenery and get our money's worth. You're great!

Sincerely,
Lynn

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Hi John:

I want to say thanks for managing such a well-run event. I've done over a hundred distance races in the past decade, and I think you get first prize for the best inaugural event that I've ever done. I generally avoid first year events because I hate: no water, a lack of buses, late starts and all the other chaos that occurs. But you avoided all that! Thanks!

I think you should organize more races. Fun destinations would be states underserved by half marathons, like Oregon, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico and maybe even Utah, but it's generally cold as heck there!

Again, congrats on a well-run event and be I'll running another race of yours soon!

Suzanne

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Hello John,

Just wanted to say thank you for an awesome race on Sunday!! What a great experience! You and your staff did a superb job of making this 1/2 marathon the most memorable of my racing career. I've been a runner for many years, and have run dozens (probably over 100) races around the country, and this was the smoothest run event I've been a part of.

The medals were awesome! The shirts and logo were awesome! The cheering sections along the course were awesome! My time wasn't so awesome. But that's my fault! I trained for this race, and had pretty even splits. And even hit the time I guessed I would hit. (sadly enough!!). The course was incredible. I loved having clocks every mile, and a few of the people I was running with even commented the same. We loved it! Some of the hills were tough, but we managed.

Count me in for next year. I'm already spreading the word around with my training groupies that they HAVE to do the Penguin's race next year! Told a couple of them not to expect great 'times', but to expect a great 'time'!!!

Thank you again for a wonderful experience.

Michael T.

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Thank you very much for putting on the great race yesterday! I have run a few other half marathons and seven marathons and this was definitely one of my favorite distance events. The volunteers along the course were terrific! My sister in law, father, mother and sister also participated in the half marathon and had wonderful experiences. Your timing staff was also terrific in helping me resolve a timing problem after the race which I really appreciated! (My chip time was not recorded originally)

I do have a few comments/suggestions for next year. The first is that it would have been really helpful having water stations every mile. I loved having the option for Gatorade at every station but maybe next year Gatorade could still be offered every other mile while water is offered at each mile. Also, a few Vaseline boards along the course would have been nice. My final comment is regarding the distance... Four of us ran with different distance monitors and although we had different brands our distances were between 12.7 and 12.8 miles. Are you sure yesterday's course wasn't a bit short? Although I would love to believe my time was accurate it did seem a little fast.

Again, thanks for the terrific event! I hope I can do it again next year!

Bridget

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Dear John,

Thanks for putting on such a fabulous race in Oro Valley. This was an awesome event - inspiring music, lots of fun, and great energy. I know it took a lot of planning and hard work behind the scenes, and it is much appreciated. I love your idea of giving every participant a medal, and announcing each person's name as they crossed the finish line was very moving!

Everyone I spoke with had a great time, and just about everyone did better than they had expected. Their feeling good about themselves was contagious.

I even met a woman who only started running after her 60th birthday!

Trish

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I wanted to let you know I had a great time. I hope the race met your expectations as I am looking forward to next year's already.

I wasn't able to run at the pace I should have due to a pulled hamstring, but thanks to you I learned how to enjoy a race even if you can't be competitive.

Rich

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