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Omaha Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Omaha Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 11 12 13 14 15 .. 19 > ]

 

Tonya Janzen from Omaha, NE (9/24/2007)
"My First and my Best!" (about: 2007)

First Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first marathon, and I have to say, although the hills were supposed to be "extremely difficult," they weren't difficult enough to write home about!

Although the end of the race tended to be a little warm, the other parts of the race were all fabulous. Everything about it was more than I expected, especially given the past comments on this site. The weather started out great, the spectators were great considering it is a small race, and the finish line was FANTASTIC!

I guess all of these things were what helped me win my FIRST marathon, as well as winning "overall female" in 3:22:40!

Great job, Omaha!
 

D. H. from Midwest (9/24/2007)
"Hilly. Hot. Humid." (about: 2007)

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


Brutal hills in the first 15 miles. Exceptionally hot with 95% humidity. Not a formula for a PR. Well organized along the course. Great volunteers. Mostly scenic (except for about 4 miles towards the end that were ugly). Great entertainment along the way. Frequent water stations. One major flaw: the medical support at the finish was completely unresponsive to this runners' support needs. I collapsed at the finish line and was effectively ignored for over 15 minutes while I hyperventilated and tried not to pass out. After a challenging course filled with great volunteers, this was a deal-breaker for me. I cannot recommend Omaha for this reason.
 

A. K. from Scottsbluff (9/24/2007)
"GREAT Marathon!!! Much improvement!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I have previously run the half marathon twice, so this was my first time running the full marathon in Omaha. My previous thoughts regarding the Omaha course weren't positive, and after running the half in 2005, I vowed to never run Omaha again. However, this year's race fit nicely into my marathoning schedule so I decided to give Omaha another shot.

Wow! I was extremely impressed with the changes that were made this year! Though miles 8-12 were quite hilly, this was really the only difficult portion of the race. There were Clif Shots at mile 18 and plenty of aid stations throughout the course. I also really liked the finish area this year and the medal was great. I really hope that word gets out about the Omaha Marathon and I hope I'll be back next year.
 

J. H. from Omaha, NE (9/23/2007)
"Omaha has so much potential!" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This was only my second marathon and maybe I was spoiled by Grandma's in Duluth, MN. A run down a scenic waterway is much nicer than an industrial run. Omaha has put together some beautiful trails on Carter Lake and the Missouri River. With the number of marathon runners they could easily utilize them. The run through the zoo was very nice. Water stops were adequate. Spectators seemed few and far between. The declines were not a big enough payoff for what seemed like a ton of uphill action. I'll have to try Lincoln next year. Have fun running.
 

E. I. from Newport Beach, California (9/23/2007)
"Given the size, extremely well done" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This is a smaller marathon, with approximately 500 runners devoted to the marathon itself, and another 2000 or so in the 5K, 10K and half. A challenging course, which I liked, with 4 major hills in the first 10 miles. Otherwise the course is flat with great organization and fan support. Also, the city of Omaha has great public parks, major theater, and good local restaurants. I am from Southern California, so I am not sure I will be back, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. My compliments, and thanks to the organizers and the people of Nebraska.
 

D. M. from Kansas City, MO USA (9/23/2007)
"Omaha Rocks!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 28 marathon and my first Omaha Marathon. Although it was not PR for me, I thought it was great. The route through the zoo - as well as many beautiful parts of the city - was wonderful. The finish down on the river was great!! The organization, course support, fans, and the presenting of awards early was perfect for in- and out-of-towners. Bravo to the director! I will be back!
 

J. K. from Lincoln, NE (9/23/2007)
"Tough course, good organization, quiet crowd" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was my first. Very challenging course; the first half has lots of hills. Second half was quiet. It was about 86 degrees at the end of the race, which made it tough, but the water stops were well spaced. The Clif Shot at mile 18 was apple pie - YUCK!!! - but fortunately there was a close water stop. The part to the zoo was nice, but the rest was run through a blighted, economically disadvantaged neighborhood and miles 23 through 25 were through a dirty industrial area. It smelled like asphalt, oil, smoke and other stuff. The water stops were well staffed, well spaced and very encouraging. I set a PR - only because it was my first. :)
 

Tyson Poskochil from Lincoln, NE (5/21/2007)
"A challenge worth taking and re-taking!" (about: 2006)

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


I ran the half in '05, and the full in '06. Overall, great course, which runs through the Con-Agra Park, Henry Doorly Zoo, and historic neighborhoods of south Omaha. The second half is a quiet and scenic run through north Omaha and Carter Lake. I would like to see a clock in about three different places to measure progress. Very hilly course, but by no means impossible. I liked the addition of bands throughout, and the spectators were very encouraging and supportive. My brother and I always look forward to the post-race food (especially the bread) afterwards. My biggest concern was the finish line, in which a group of children (I'm not sure which organizations) began running with the athletes to the finish line in the last quarter mile. I found this to be potentially dangerous for both groups of people, as some runners want to finish strong and could easily collide with them. Others may want to get a good PR or qualifying time, and would not be happy if they are slowed down by non-athletes flooding up the chutes. Keep the finish chute clear and fun by letting the children put their hands out on the spectator side for high-fives instead!
 

S. P. from Fargo, North Dakota (3/11/2007)
"First marathon for an Omaha native" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This was my first marathon. The volunteer organizers were terrific, and packet pick up was simple and efficiently run. I am from the Omaha area, so I expected the hills. I was very disappointed in the last half of the course. There are nicer parts of town to run through, but overall I found it enjoyable. The German polka music at mile 20 or so pushed me through the wall, and the impromptu aid station at mile 24 outside of a community center picked me up for the push to the finish line. I am running again this fall and bringing my sister along!!
 

C. W. from Omaha, NE (11/8/2006)
"VERY HILLY!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first half marathon and I couldn't believe how hilly the course was. The scenery was nice and I loved running through the zoo, although I was hoping for salvation on the way back since the first half was all uphill and unfortunately we turned to yet another hilly direction to get back. The fans were few and far between until the end of the race where everyone was packed inside the convention center for the finish line. I'm glad I did it although I think I'll be running the Lincoln one next year instead.
 

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