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Kansas City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Kansas City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.1 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 207 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 11 12 13 14 15 .. 21 > ]

 

J. M. from San Diego, CA (10/20/2007)
"This is absolutely a gorgeous course!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The weather for the '07 marathon was next to perfect! The beautiful neighborhoods with the manicured lawns, and the many tree-lined streets make this course absolutely beautiful! Major thoroughfares in Kansas City are blocked off on a Saturday morning for this run. The hilly nature of the course probably keeps it out of contention for getting a PR, unless it's your first one, but your muscles won't get locked into a repetitive-use mode that is possible with flat courses (so I hear), and for pure "scenic and beautiful," this course likely rates near the top! Finishers got both a cotton tee, and a technical shirt, and I also got a nice long-sleeve tee in a trivia session during the pre-race bus tour. Thank you to all of the gracious supporters along the course, and to all of the volunteers for a great experience!
 

C. L. from Kansas City (4/18/2007)
"Great course... not so much for organization" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


I live in Kansas City, but the course really is one of the most scenic. You never lose interest. The hill at the beginning definitely gets you out of warm-up mode, and the hill at mile 21 at the end is tough. It was a good course though, because you are never bored and there is a lot to see. BUT there need to be more porta-potties. I went twice at convenience stores, and I wasn't alone. Also, they ran out of finishers' t-shirts and medals at the end. They mailed them to me more than 2 months later, but it wasn't the same. Hopefully it will get better next year. Because I live here, I will definitely do it again.
 

Chad Johnson from Kansas City, Missouri (4/2/2007)
"This one's worth doing every year!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I would recommend this marathon for anyone who likes to have a few big hills, some minor rolling ones, and plenty of flat land. Two weeks before this marathon, I ran one in Columbia, MO. The KC Marathon's hills were nothing in comparison! Actually, this race in 2006 was my best so far; I PR'd by 20-something seconds over the St. Louis Marathon. I wish we had more of a crowd come out to support us, but the support from the organizers and volunteers was pretty sustaining!
 

J. B. from Overland Park, KS (1/22/2007)
"One of the best marathons I've run." (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Kansas City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I've run almost 50 marathons across the U.S., Mexico and Canada and several marathons in Kansas City. The new Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon is top notch. I'm very familiar with Kansas City and don't think the course could get any better - but we should wait till 2007. The course offers a great tour of just about everything Kansas City has to offer, Crown Center, Union Station, Liberty Memorial, The Plaza, Ward Parkway, 18th & Vine (location of the historic Jazz District and the Negro League Baseball Museum). October weather in Kansas City is near perfect for a marathon, not too hot and not too cold. Nice medal and very nice technical finisher's shirt that is in addition to regular cotton shirt you get for just signing up. I would recommend that everyone give this one a try.
 

S. D. from KC (1/7/2007)
"Very nice race!" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Great course - very scenic. Good aid stations; one even had vaseline right when I needed it. Great snacks at the aid stations as well. I thought organizers did a great job, and I'm expecting an even better race in '07.

Two t-shirts, good medal, beer tent, good weather.... Only con? Not enough porta-potties. Will definitely do it in '07... the fall foliage will be beautiful!
 

R. H. from Houston, TX (11/13/2006)
"Run this if you get bored with flat & are an alpha" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


The hills were challenging, but not impossible, and the weather was perfect. Yeah, trying to find a porto during the race was not going to happen, but the run is very scenic - part of it is through "the plaza" a Seville Spain replica, with flowered boulevards. At the end, they also had nice music, a beer hangout and a relaxing venue. For a small race, it held my interest throughout. Just don't think your going to do a PR. Think you are going to face a rolling challenge. Notes of wisdom for the future: need more parking directions/signage in the morning.
 

Pascal Renault from Omaha, NE (11/2/2006)
"Up and Down - the Rollercoaster Marathon" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


It was my first KC Marathon and I went in thinking KC was pretty flat. I don't think so anymore. There are two big hills, but it's almost never flat. It felt like going up and down from start to finish. Anyway the scenery is nice. Water stations suck. Organization and sponsors? Listen to me: PUT A CAP ON THE GLASS WITH A STRAW!!! A small marathon like Omaha gets it. How hard is it to understand that running and trying drink of a glass without slowing down and spilling is impossible? Chicago two weeks later same deal. What's wrong with these people??? I got it. They do not run 26.2 miles.
 

a. f. from Texas (10/23/2006)
"Good Course, Mediocre Organization" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


the course is really pretty. they do a great job of showcasing the city. two hills worth mentioning. one at mile 3. one at mile 21. but, overall, good course. on the otherhand, the organization of the race was pretty poor. they ran out of finisher t-shirts for marathoners (said they will mail them) and medals for half marathoners. each runner was given ONE 8-ounce bottle of water at the finish (TERRIBLE). water stops were usually every two miles. potties were few and very far between.
 

A. W. from Overland Park, KS (10/19/2006)
"What a great first marathon!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first marathon. I wasn't sure what to expect because I had heard the awful things about the 2005 K.C. Marathon, and several people tried to discourage me from running this as my first.

But it was awesome! The hills weren't bad at all. The course was beautiful - running by some of K.C.'s best landmarks. I enjoyed the bands playing music every mile or so, and the volunteers at the water stations were awesome!

I wish there were more spectators though....
 

N. M. from St. Louis, MO (10/15/2006)
"Will Definitely Return!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Kansas City Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I heard about the course problems last year and didn't know what to expect this year. However, I would highly recommend the KC Marathon.

It was definitely a beautiful course; great weather, with the fall colors just starting to show. The hills were doable, and in my opinion, that makes it much more interesting than a flat marathon. All the goodies were wonderful to get: 2 shirts, nice medal, and a restaurant gift card. Much appreciation to the race directors and volunteers, you all did a great job and I loved it!
 

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