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Jun 28, 2024

Monument Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 63 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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N. S. from Hopkins, Minnesota (9/28/2016) "Small marathon race directors take note" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon is one of the top small marathons no question about it. When you run a small marathon you don't expect large crowds and at times with so few participants, you may be running on your own. Often times this means there will be less volunteers, less course markings and more chance for a bad race experience (getting lost, dehydrated or forgotten). Not the case with this race. The course was well marked with volunteers and traffic control at every important part of the course. Traffic cones to keep the runners safe and a beautiful course. Even prerace snacks and a shelter for warm up. Kudos to the race director. This was also an easy trip from Denver airport where I was able to get an inexpensive plane ticket and rental car and park right at the start/ finish line. If you love to run in a place you may never see otherwise, this marathon is well worth the trip especially for 50 staters looking to add Nebraska.
B. S. from Chicago (9/27/2016) "Awesome small race." (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was marathon #57 for me and I couldn't have been more impressed. As with most small races, don't plan to be energized by endless, high volume crowds. The RD, staff and volunteers delivered a well organized and supported race with a true personal touch. Pre-race marathon shuttles take runners from the finish area (lots of free parking) to the start. Runners could stay warm on the buses or in an enclosed structure. The course winds up and down with awesome views as you pass by historic Oregon Trail points, cornfields, and neighborhoods. The aid stations were well spaced, well stocked and manned by enthusiastic volunteers. There never seemed to be a line at the numerous porta potties. The nice short sleeve shirt, post-race food tent spread and massages made it a perfect experience. They don't need to change a thing.
C. B. from Detroit, MI (9/25/2016) "Fantastic Organization, Beautiful Course" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I can't say enough good things about this race. I have nothing bad to say about it at all other than that it is not the easiest to get to if you're not from the area, but who cares? It's worth the drive (3 hours from Denver Airport). People are friendly, organization is impeccable, lots of affordable places to stay in the area, course WOW, amazingly beautiful, great medal, awards really nice, cash for overall 1st/2nd/3rd and really nice age group awards too (and small race, so even if you don't usually place, you have a good shot here). Maybe there weren't really enough spectators to get a 4-star rating but it's just hard for me to rate this one anything but tops on everything, I loved it so much. I am a 50-stater and am so glad I passed on Lincoln and Omaha to do this one instead.
K. B. from Colorado (10/12/2015) "HUGE SHOUT OUT!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I would like to give a shout out to this most incredible, first class marathon, but, I don't know where to start. Maybe at the beginning of our Nebraska stay and the extremely welcoming Hampton Inn Host hotel. I was completely surprised walking in my room to have such a thoughtful, runners gift basket. Thank you for the well stocked lobby full of bananas, gatorade, water, peanut butter, and nutty snacks (and of course the famous HI cookies!) You were all so kind and accommodating. Thank you to the expo for providing a really nice Pasta Feed and Horse Drawn Carriage ride, which was definitely the highlight of my kids trip and SO unexpected. Thank you to the sponsors for the swag bags and volunteers for putting them together! (hands down best swag from any marathon I have done!) My true shout out goes out to the AMAZING course volunteers and their cups of ice!! Thank you! Ice has never tasted so good. (and I am sorry about the cups that did not quite make it into the trash bins.) Thank you for standing out there in the heat and cheering us all on!! Thank you for having the results and a FINISHERS CERTIFICATE emailed out so quickly. And finally, Jennifer, Monument Marathon for being SO INCREDIBLY gracious, well organized, SO WELL communicative, welcoming, responsive, and calm in the midst of such an undertaking (even without sleep) You were there for me within minutes of my first email to crossing the finish line! I am amazed by you and your marathon yesterday! Thank you all!!
A. R. from Colorado (9/29/2015) "The Monument Marathon is amazing!" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience: great organization, fabulous volunteers, awesome aid stations and beautiful scenery! We, the runners, were treated like royalty - just well cared for throughout the whole race and after the race. This area of western Nebraska is a very warm, welcoming community, too!
Pete Kostelnick from Lincoln, NE (9/28/2015) "Well run and beautiful" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Monument Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run over 50 races from 5k to 135 miles, and this race is the best run race I have ran. The race director does an amazing job adding a personal touch to each runner's experience. There are lots of great local sponsors and volunteers, so you get a lot for your entry. The course is beautiful (just google Scottsbluff, NE), with some soft dirt/gravel road mixed in during the second half. Not particularly fast and flat, but not overly challenging either. There is a lot to see in the area as well, including the Monument and Chimney Rock. Scottsbluff also has tons of great Mexican restaurants. I don't think anyone regrets doing this race.
E. G. from Utah (9/28/2015) "Well run small town marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 You might think that Nebraska is all corn fields and miles of boring plains, but Scottsbluff is definitely different. I was pleasantly surprised by the natural beauty of the area. This is a small marathon but the race organizers really roll out the red carpet for you. The expo / packet pickup was an easy in and easy out. The swag bag was absolutely packed with goodies and coupons for the area. The t-shirt was a nice design but I would've preferred a tech shirt. The cotton one is high-quality but tech is in these days. Transportation to the race site went off flawlessly. The course was well marked and supported throughout. Being that it was a hot day, the organizers did have a few extra support stops. The crews manning the stops knew what they were doing and were enthusiastic in their support. Most stops had sports drink, water, gels and sometimes fruit. The first few miles of the course are very scenic as you make your way into town. I was snapping a lot of pictures. Miles 4 - 11 were sort of ho-hum as you wander around the farm country. However, the payoff comes when you get to run around the Scottsbluff National Monument. It was challenging as the course is mostly uphill at this point. Also the course is run partially on trail as well There isn't a lot of shade on the course, so be prepared for the sun. I would hope that the organizers make at least the marathon start at 7 AM. I really wilted in the heat late morning heat and sun. The finisher's medal was definitely a work of art and high-quality. After the race they had cookies, chips, water, Gatorade, and pizza. Most people had already left by the time I finished the marathon, but there was still stuff to eat. I would run this race again. The race was organized extremely well and you can tell that the people who put on the race really care about it. There was fairly strong community support as well and I really felt welcomed there. If you are looking to run in Nebraska, this marathon is well worth the time and investment.
t. k. from louisville, nebraska (9/28/2015) "Incredible race" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Monument Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Incredible countryside, organization and a super runner friendly race. Best marathon in Nebraska and one of the best mid-American marathons. You can't go wrong running this one.
L. G. from AZ (9/27/2015) "a must-do small marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race organizers and volunteers go way behind the norm in putting on a high quality event. I received the heaviest goody bag ever, filled with all kinds of promotional items and discounts. The pasta dinner was a lot of fun with great food and music. Every volunteer I encountered was friendly, helpful, enthusiastic about the race and the town, and thanked me for being there. The scenery is gorgeous, and running over and around Scotts Bluff gave me a renewed appreciation for what the travelers on the Oregon trail endured. The post-race food, volunteers, and awards were outstanding. I love small races in general, and this one is my favorite.
J. R. from Boulder, Colorado (9/27/2015) "Spectacular views & wonderful volunteers" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third-ever marathon and it's my favorite so far. The course is absolutely spectacular- you are bused south of town up to another bluff, and then you run 13 miles into town (with Scottsbluff visible ahead of you most of the time). At the halfway point you pass the area where finish line is, and the remainder of the race is a closed loop that passes between the two bluffs in Scottsbluff monument. Most of the race is on paved roads but parts of the last quarter are on soft, dusty gravel roads. It's a little hilly but not too bad. The weather this year was pretty good - a bit chilly, windy and overcast for the first couple of hours, but warming up later in the morning. My favorite aspect of the race is the way it feels like the entire town is supporting you in some way. There are a lot of enthusiastic volunteers and plenty of spectators cheering you on. It feels like this is a big event for the town and everyone is thrilled for you to be there. One other thing I appreciated was that the race organizers worked out a deal with the YMCA so you could go shower immediately afterwards. The race is only about 3 hours' drive from Denver, so I definitely recommend it if you're anywhere nearby!

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