Todd and the Buzz RD, Eileen Rogers
After participating in nearly 250 marathons around the world, the Buzz Marathon (www.buzzmarathon.org) near San Miguel, CA is still one of my favorites!! The full, with its associated half, 5K and kids 1 mile events, is held at Camp Roberts with proceeds benefiting athletic programs at the nearby Lillian Larsen School, whose mascot is the hornet (hence the name).
Race Director (AKA Hornet Queen) Eileen Rogers does an excellent job organizing this event in conjunction with her dedicated volunteers - including her ever hard-working husband Dick. For being a smaller event, having well-stocked aid stations with enthusiastic volunteers every two miles and a porta-potty at every three (with no line!) make this one of the best supported marathons I have ever done.
The Buzz is always held in mid-February around Valentine’s Day. With the romance surrounding the nearby wine country, this is an excellent opportunity to take your mate on a romantic get-away (for those of you who are lucky enough to have one) and to sneak in a marathon en route. For those of us (like me!) who are single and not fortunate enough to have a sweetheart, this is also a great chance to get out of Dodge and to sweat far from the hoopla and heartbreak of the manufactured “holiday” for lovers.
One of the important runners’ benefits that this race offers is an early start for those of us who may not be as speedy as the elites. It gives us “more normal” (read that however you like!) athletes a chance to feel a part of the event at the finish - and to not keep the excellent volunteers any longer than need be.
Todd and the Buzz RD, Eileen Rogers
There are not many spectators along this self-proclaimed “meditative” course which allows the athletes to focus on what they are doing and to enjoy the beautiful scenery en route. Eagles and kit fox are common sights along the route. The course has also been described as “serene” and certainly lives up to this tranquil description.
The medal is most certainly a CLASSIC! Since the event is held on a military base, in lieu of the heavy gaudy bling provided by some events, the finisher's medal is a nice "dog tag" with a rubberized edge. Of the couple hundred marathon finisher's medals I have, this is amongst the most original and the ONLY one I have ever worn around my neck on the subsequent days after.
For the very reasonable entry fee, there are age group awards for each event along with hot dogs and soft drinks afterward. EVERY marathon finisher also receives a bottle of wine of his choice from a large selection of all types donated by many local wineries (Anyone want a date? With me?? I will bring the Caparone Zin!!). Draw prizes are abundant, the après-event food is good, and an excellent supportive feeling amongst everyone there makes this a most excellent marathoning experience! After my several finishes in this event’s nine-year history, I am already planning on participating in the Buzz Marathon’s 10th Anniversary. Will you be there? I hope so!! In the meantime, Buzzzzzzzzzz On!!