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P. B. from California, USA
(9/25/2006)
"A butt-kicker" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 In all fairness, I was warned about the hills in this race, but I had to experience it for myself. Throughout the race, I felt as though I'd put an extra five miles on my legs, by far my slowest finishing time! The first half is fun, if you like the challenge of hill running. But for us mortals, it was very tempting to veer off to the half marathon finish and call it a day instead of continuing up the steep hill enroute to the second half of the course. Although the second half was mostly flat, it was also far more sun-exposed, so for me this was where I wished I had carried my own water. The streets also went on and on as far as the eye could see, so it was not as interesting as the first half of the course. Spectator support was sparse, but those who came out were great. The volunteers were angels, gamely staying out there to ensure those at the back of the pack were taken care of. With more publicity (and more participants), this could be a great event. | |
J. S. from Sioux Falls, SD
(9/25/2006)
"Omaha could design a much nicer course." (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I've run races in a lot of cities; and the communities usually want to show themselves off - why wouldn't Omaha? Very few specators, runners competing with vehicular traffic, second half of the marathon goes through vacant, boarded-up, trash-lined insdustrial streets, and the first half is one hill after another. I should have listened to Pascal's comments from 2005. The out-and-back, and back-and-forth is boring - running on the same streets. Nothing to take your mind off the hills and looking at a lesser side of Omaha. Plus, I can't believe they couldn't get the cars off the streets, instead of speeding down Florence and other roadways. Finishing in the auditorium was hot, humid and claustrophobic. | |
R. J. from Lincoln, Nebraska
(9/24/2006)
"Good organization, plenty of aid stations & hills" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first experience with Omaha in 2006 - did the half. I was impressed with the organization. Finish was interesting, as it was inside the auditorium... but it added nice warmth at the end of the race. There were not as many spectators as I have seen in other cities. I was not prepared for the hills.... It was a good, challenging run, but be sure you train for it. | |
T. K. from East Lansing, MI
(12/31/2005)
"Nice, small race. Hilly first half." (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my fourth marathon, and by far the hilliest. The first 13.1 miles were almost all hills, from slow and gradual to pretty intimidating. The last half was way out in the country or on wide sleepy streets and got a little boring, but finishing downtown made up for it. The organization was terrific, as was the pre-race dinner, the guest speaker (Dick Beardsley), the t-shirts, packets, and the fans (what there were of them). We flew from MI to run this race, and were not disappointed. | |
S. J. from Minnesota
(9/28/2005)
"Great small race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The friendly volunteers and race organizers take the prize! The first half of the course was hilly and spectators limited. Fun to run through the zoo. 2005 was hot and humid but still a good experience. Parking close by, sufficient bathrooms. Good food at pasta dinner. Race results avoided double dipping. | |
Pascal Renault from Omaha, NE
(9/28/2005)
"Tough marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Omaha Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course is a leg-killer (even if there are worse courses), and the scenery is not great (except the run through the zoo). The first half is hilly and there is a short but steep hill around the 20M. Anyway, the organization is good, but the potential spectators never showed up. It's a very small crowd for a nice size city like Omaha. The weather was cool but unfortunately too humid this year. That's my third and I never enjoyed it. | |
s. o. from austin, tx
(8/27/2005)
"great time" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Had a hamstring act up at 17, so I limped in, but what a fun race. Wasn't running for a PR, so I really enjoyed just having a relaxing run. I must admit I was a little scared when we took the bus tour the day before, but those hills were a piece of cake compared to what we run around here every day. It is a small race, and the organization seems a little scatterbrained, but the intentions are terrific, the execution is pretty good, and the people who support the race really do a great job of it. I'd run it again and again if my schedule allowed. | |
M. M. from Omaha NE
(4/11/2005)
"Overall I liked it!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course was hilly. I was expecting that though. The course ran through the zoo and by Rosenblatt. It was overall a good course if you train for hills. Needs more fans though that is for sure! | |
J. S. from Arlington, VA
(11/1/2004)
"A Great Race in a Great Town" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I had my slowest time at this race (yes, there are hills in Nebraska!) and yet, in many ways it was by far my favorite of my 5 marathons. I simply cannot say enough great things about the volunteers who were friendly, organized and encouraging. Omaha is a sweet city; stay near the old market and enjoy the great eats and drinks. | |
D. H. from San Antonio
(10/1/2004)
"Nice job, Nebraska" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Good choice for 50-staters. Great weather (50 degree start), well-marked, good traffic control, plenty of water stations, friendly people, great medal. No clocks on the course, so take care not to get caught up with the 10K-ers and half-marathoners and start out too fast. Less than 300 marathoners and probably around 1000 total runners at the start. The race packet included sunscreen, which concerned me, but I didn't need it. There was plenty of shade on the course. I ran in all-terrain shoes instead of racing flats, and boy was I glad I did. Even though it didn't rain, much of the zoo part of the course was wet and potentially slippery. Also, some of the roads in the back half were a bit rough. My feet came out of this race in great shape for a change! We stayed an exta day to see more of Omaha. Nice city with plenty of good restaurants, shopping, and micro-breweries. We had an excellent time. |
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