5/5 Stars

Everything about this race is memorable. I have never been around so many nice, positive people - the volunteers, the other runners, everyone is so great!

No, I didn't train this year, so I was just having a leisurely Saturday run with my best friend!

The course is tricky - lots of down, but lots of up too! The toughest part is the last mile - why did it change to uphill? I liked it better the first year.

I didn't do any this year - BAD IDEA! Those hills are killer on your ankles. Train on hills!

Train on hills!

5/5 Stars

It was a perfect day in a perfect location. You couldn't have a better run race.

No, I PR'd in this race two years ago.

beautiful, but no piece of cake

Remeber that it is a very fast course, but you are going to have to deal with some climbs.

I was lucky to get to my car.

5/5 Stars

The race was very well organized and small (just over 1,000 runners I think). I've been running for 10 years (7 marathons) and had yet to run a sub 4 hour marathon. I had run the Marine Corps Marathon 2 weeks prior to Revel Canyon and didn't achieve my sub 4 goal so I decided to run this one. I had already been training and it was the only local race that was close to the Marine Corps Marathon in terms of timing. Anyway, loaded the bus (directions were very easy) and it took about an hour to get to the top of the mountain. It was cold at the top, so I was so grateful for the gloves and mylar blanket they provide you with. The wait prior to the marathon was pleasant with plenty of places to sit and beautiful scenery. The race started promptly at 7:00 a.m. with no real signal for it, people just started running. There was no horn or National Anthem (that's one thing I'd change. You should play the National Anthem prior to the start). There were pacers that were easy to identify and easy to stay with if you wanted as the race was not crowded. Plenty of room for everyone. As I took off, I quickly passed the 4:00 hour person, then ran past the 3:40 person and stayed well ahead of the 3:40 pacer until about mile 17 when she caught up to me...and then passed. The first half of the marathon is all downhill and it's a dramatic down hill. I finished my half 10 min faster than usual (1:43). I just went with it. I was feeling good and thought well, I'll just bank the time because I didn't know what the second half was going to be like. Well friends, it's a good thing I banked the time because my legs went into a state of shock during the 2nd half. They had no idea what had hit them. I decided in the second half to walk up the hills and run when it was flat or downhill. Around mile 22 that strategy was difficult for me to stick with and I began to run/walk. My mind was at ease though because the 4 hour pacer hadn't passed me yet and was no where in sight. It wasn't until mile 25.5 that I saw him coming up on my heels. No way was I going to let 4 hours pass me by. I had trained too hard, had been through too much, and that's when my mind took over and pushed me through the final half. I finished in 3:59:48 and couldn't be more proud of myself. My toe nail is black (as an experienced runner, that has never happened,) and I'm having a hard time walking today. My legs are trashed! Another new experience. Although the first half of this race is downhill, my body had to fight hard to get me to the end because the downhill portion really beat me up. It was a beautiful race and I loved the experience. The medal is beautiful, too.

Yes, by 10 minutes.

First half of the race is a dramatic down hill and the second half is rolling. The first half is hard on the body so the second half felt harder than it was. Had I just ran the half, I wouldn't have noticed it as much. Very beautiful, peaceful, scenic course. I enjoyed the serenity of this small, no frills, race.

I started training in July. I only run 3 days per week and my long runs aren't over 20 miles. I did two long runs in Palos Verdes, but over all, little to no hill training. I also spin one day per week. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon 2 weeks prior.

Take advantage of the first half that is downhill and just let your body fly. You will need the banked time for the second half. I suppose it would be good to get some hill training it and the website offers good advice for that. I had a difficult time walking 4 days after the race. I didn't do a lot of hill training, but still PRed.

Just had dinner in downtown Arcadia, which is a really cute town. I could see it being a little hipsterish in a few years.

We traveled all the way from Long Beach!

5/5 Stars

This race was organized very well. Everything from the website, the communications we received before, the expo, and finally the day of the race were handled perfectly. I loved the swag we got and the thought put into it- the gloves, blanket, beenie and even safety pins for your bib were all in your race packet. Parking was easy and plentiful. Buses were comfortable. Course was beautiful and well marked. Volunteers were helpful and friendly. This is the first Revel race I've done and won't be the last, I hope they always keep the race small so we can enjoy the perks and the way things were!

Yes, hard not to on the down hill. I PR'd my half by 3 mins.

Beautiful. Fast.

Followed Hal higdon intermediate half plan. I didn't train on the downhill as much as I should have.

Don't hesitate to do this race, especially if you're going for a BQ!

5/5 Stars

This was my first marathon, we stayed at a hotel that was recommended, it was 15 min away from the bus pickup. Uber to the busses for sure. $11 from out location. We to the top in about and hour and it seemed like the whole bus hit the portapotties right away. The race started right at 7:00 and off we went. The best part was rounding the last corner and seeing my family there.

Of course it was my first marathon. But I didn't hit my goal.

The first 13 miles were fast. It didn't feel like I was working much at all. Then the pounding from the down hill and the uphill at 13, 16-17 and 20 kicked in.

I wish I had trained more downhill and better for the climbs.

Train for the hills. Down and Up. Bank your time in the downhill.

I ran 26.2 miles there was no fun after the race.

5/5 Stars

The memorable part will always be running strong crossing the finish line with an injury free race. Thank you to all volunteers, staff, photographers and organizers and most especially to Azusa PD who made this event a success. Wish you all the best!

I didn't PR but good enough to BQ. Thank you Revel!

No doubt about the scenery, it's beautiful. The first super fast part will make up the loss time for the second half where most people struggle.

We went here twice (Crystal Lake & West Fork) and did both courses on a separate occasion. Then we continue our training on most downhill and rolling hills along the neighborhood nearby.

The advice I can think of is train and focus mostly on downhills then alternate it with rolling hills repeatedly during the course of the training.

One thing I'd like most is the great location of both parking, bus loading, and the finish line area at APU. Very convenient. Perfect!
Lastly, your unique Revel photo posters & signs are awesome!

I'm from West Covina, CA

5/5 Stars

Everything was smooth from the beginning to the end. The weather was also awesome, I thought it'd be super cold on top of the mountain but it wasn't too bad and the gloves helped for the first few miles too, I didn't even bother to wear my arm warmers. It was well organized and they prepared so many porta potties which was really nice.

Yes I PRed by 17 mins and qualified for Boston.

The course is fast but very hard, I read other people's reviews and mentally prepared for the downhill grade. I also drove the course once just to get a feel, but when I ran it I realized it was so much harder than I thought. I did try to hold back a little during the first half which was mostly downhill, but your legs and quad muscles get so tired regardless. Then there was the 3-mile long incline slowed you down big time. the second half is pretty much rolling up and down and my legs and butt started to bother me with some severe pain...I managed to finish it but struggled bit time the last few miles.
The course is gorgeous especially the first half when we ran down from the top.

I trained about 12 weeks for this race and I was planning to BQ. On average I ran 40-50 miles a week, I do one day speed, one day tempo/race pace run, one day hill repeats and weekend long run each week. I also did a lot of trails runs for my 12-14 miler long runs. I think the amount of hill training (both up and down) is enough for me, if I run this race again next year I'd probably keep the same plan.

mentally be prepared for the second half, it is tough and will give you all sort of pain no matter what. At one point my IT band and hip joints hurt so much and I thought I might not be able to finish. But this is a very fast course and you can certainly PR big time if you just tough it out.

My kids did the face painting which was super fun. I also liked the photo shoot with the gigantic BQ sign :)

5/5 Stars

Beautiful scenery and great course. Enough up hill to make it interesting at the beginning followed by consistent downhill to get the average mile time down.

First half marathon so it definitely was a PR. I was shooting for the 2:00 mark and came in at 1:49.

The half marathon course was really nice. Beside the fact that it was great to be in the mountains, the elevation gains and losses were great. The mix of uphill and downhill during the first half, the consistent downhill during the second half, and the flat to finish the race made it a great setup.

Give myself more time to train (eight weeks ago I was laid up in bed from surgery on my back)

Use text alerts for family members, bring more warm clothes than you think you'll need since you can have them shuttled down.

Pre-race dinner with friends

5/5 Stars

Well organized, controlled and

FAST, FAST, FAST!

5 days a week minimum. Learning to lean forward at the ankles instead of the waist makes such a huge difference. My time was reduced tremendously, without any additional effort.

Find a course that is similar to prepare yourself for the downhill.

I enjoyed the festivities. After all the hard training, all runners deserved some play time!

4/5 Stars

Beautiful course

No

Quad crusher

Not enough hill training

Warm clothes for the top