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Route 66 Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Route 66 Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 254 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 17 18 19 20 21 .. 26 > ]

 

Ann West from Boise, Idaho (11/25/2006)
"Hats off to the City of Tulsa for a great marathon" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


What a very well supported race this inaugural event was. The plane flyover was awesome. The electronic updates were exciting to send to friends in Idaho and Arizona. The police staff was absolutely fantastic at controlling the intersections. It was encouraging to see the many spectators along the course, cheering us on. The only drawback was the great distance on concrete. It would have been nice to have mentioned that in the course information, though I probably would have run it anyway. Maybe spread out more porta-potties along the way and less at the start. To top it off, the weather was near perfect. Thank you Tulsa.
 

D. W. from New York City (11/24/2006)
"ok course, good city, bad hotel" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Tulsa was ready for runners; the Crowne Plaza was not. They need to get a clue about 1) early coffee and 2) late checkout. (Ran the half-marathon.)
 

I. F. from U.S.A. (11/24/2006)
"Age-group awards are very plain" (about: 2006)

3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Hills - we all had to run them. I ran the 1/2 and my Garmin had it at 13.22. I don't think I deviated that much during the race. I was all ready to give the race a 10 until the awards came up. I have received a nicer looking age-group award at races with as few as 50 runners. Maybe shape the plaque similar to the highway sign? Plus, even though it didn't affect me, I, along with several others, was very suprised that they doubled up awards for some runners (like a masters award and an age group award). Don't see that very often. Maybe Tulsa should take their awards clue from Little Rock.

With all that, after 30 years of running and over 600 races, Tulsa is still one I would recommend.
 

P. R. from Fort Worth, TX (11/24/2006)
"good organization overall" (about: 2006)

First Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I have run several half marathons and was thankful of the time clocks at each mile. The hills at the end were killer.
 

S. C. from Norman, Oklahoma (11/24/2006)
"Will be back again next year!" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Actually the second time I had run this course - first time was with Dean Karnazes during his Endurance 50. Very impressed with the organization, considering it was the inaugural race. My only suggestions for improvement are to work out a bit more flexible deal with the host hotel so that runners can check out a bit later so they can get cleaned up a bit. Loved the technical finisher's long-sleeved t-shirt... but the sweatshirt, not so much. Would prefer to have a short-sleeved t-shirt; one of the technical t-shirts they were selling at the expo would have been much better than a sweatshirt in my opinion. The course was great, aid stations greater and the folks on the course the greatest. Will definitely be back next year. Thanks Tulsa!
 

Jon Beasley from Ft. Wayne, IN (11/24/2006)
"Very Nice Marathon" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Impressive marathon for an inaugural one! Only realistic expectation is that they get the mile splits corrected for next year. Also, my watch showed 14 seconds quicker than my official time.

Other than splits being off during the second half of marathon (easily correctable), this event was an "A." Volunteers were excellent and extremely friendly and helpful, traffic control was perfect, overall organization was what you'd expect, and the after-race party covered all the bases.

I just really enjoyed the friendliness of everyone and think highly of Tulsa because of this.... There was genuine encouragement from all volunteers and spectators throughout the entire course. I gave the spectators five stars because I value quality over quantity. The course is what it is... downhill the first 1.5 miles and uphill the last 1.5 miles. Deal with it. It's still a fast course. Starting and finishing downtown is the best way to go. I also enjoyed the antique car display.

Great job, Tulsa!
 

L. R. from Topeka, KS (11/23/2006)
"Well Organized - Good Job" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The out-and-back was boring. I like another racer's comment about using more of the vintage route 66 theme with bands, etc.... The water stops need work. I usually walk through after I grab my water or hydration drink but I had to stop about three times because they weren't ready. Some stops were well stocked; others were smaller with much less, it seemed. I was surprised not to see more spectators. The gravel incline in Jenks was odd. I was looking forward to the choirs in the end. But, what did get me was a group of enthusiastic church kids shouting, "Go, go, go, go" - while jumping up and down. They were cute. The markings for the last few miles - where they accurate? I lost track and was stunned when I asked a policeman if he knew how much farther and he said 4 blocks. I would have picked it up sooner. The volunteers in the finisher's area were great!
 

Charles Seefeldt from Ft Worth, Texas (11/23/2006)
"Best first-time marathon I have ever done." (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was marathon number 42 for me. I plan to do this one again. I must commend the organizers for a very good first-time marathon. Most of the course was on concrete, but that is not unusual for most races. I enjoyed running by the river. The crowds, although small, were very supportive and the aid stations were about the best one could hope for. The post-race food was a pleasant surprise. (Not many races serve freshly made hamburgers, pizza and beer.)

The only suggestion I can make would be to move the starting time to 7:00 am. My reasons for this are: First, there's not as much to worry about with late check-out. Second, this year the weather was PERFECT, but when you have a warmer-than-normal race, your runners will not have to suffer from the heat at the later stages of the race. Third and finally, starting an hour earlier means more of the day is left at the end of the race for everyone.
 

A. M. from Seminole, OK (11/23/2006)
"Great for an inaugural event" (about: 2006)

3 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


Overall, this was a great inaugural event. I was at first a little hesitant to run it because most inaugural races have some growing pains but I decided that I would give it a chance.

The organization was quite good, everything at the expo went smoothly and I love that we received a sweatshirt in our race package.

The technical finisher's shirt is awesome and the medal is very appropriate. Thanks for announcing the names of the finishers - that was a very nice touch!

The things to improve on:
The course - the hills were a killer at the end.
The entertainment: even though a lot of bands were advertised, barely any showed up. I was looking forward to the church choirs, but they weren't there, either.
Aid stations: please add a few more, especially late in the race.
Finish line: there were not a lot of things to eat for people who have a hard time consuming solids. I really could have used a Jamba Juice, but even though I finished the full marathon in under four hours, they were out already. Just add some yogurts or smoothies to the pizza and Mexican food.
The sandals: who is supposed to wear them??? I have extremely narrow feet and still can't get them on....
 

J. P. from the midwest (11/22/2006)
"Good Inaugural Event" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This was my 28th marathon. I usually don't think much of inaugural events because they're usually filled with growing pains but this one hits all the important marks. Good water stops, excellent overall organization, traffic control by the police and no hassle packet pickup. Only suggestions would be to have it more on Route 66, if possible, less concrete on the course and get rid of those hills at the end. The neighborhood was nice to run in but those three plus miles of hills were not. The run in Jenks was pretty dull but what marathon course doesn't have a few dull spots. Spectator rating was low because not many people came out but those that did were terrific.

Thanks Tulsa for putting on a great event. Would recommend. Especially the Blue Dome Diner down from the host hotel. The atmosphere was quaint and the food was down home good.
 

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