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☰
Omaha Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Omaha Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.3 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 2.9
Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
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L. C. from Hawaii, USA
(7/10/2003)
 "Very small - almost no spectators" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is a very small race. The first part isn't too bad because you have the half-marathon runners too. There were pacers as well, and they were helpful. Unfortunately, when I started to slow down around the 16-mile mark, there were very few runners around me, and even less spectators. There were stretches of about 2 miles where I didn't see another person. This was very discouraging, as my second marathon ever (a follow up to the Marine Corps Marathon). There were very few clocks to give you your splits, and the course was changed on race day for reasons unknown. In general, the organizers did an okay job, but don't expect any other support. | |
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A Runner from Lincoln, NE
(10/2/2002)
"Won't return to this race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I ran the 1/2 marathon this year. With the exception of the ConAgra Campus and going through the Henry Dorley Zoo, the course is fairly boring. It's not routed through great or interesting neighborhoods. Also it was disappointing this year that a number of runners had their cars broken into and had personal items stolen during the race (myself included). According to a police officer who came by (but wouldn't take a report as this is only done by phone in Omaha), this has happened in past years. It would have been nice to have been warned! Overall, considering the hot, humid weather, having to wake up at 3:00 am to get there, the dull course, and getting robbed to boot, I would not recommend this race and won't be going back. | |
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A Runner from Atlanta, GA
(9/23/2002)
 "A nice, smaller marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I thought for a small race, the organization was excellent. The course was challenging, however, and was worth the hills. Yes, there are hills in Nebraska! Running through the zoo was terrific. I thought running over the Missouri River was great and enjoyed running around the lake. Although I set my personal worst, I was impressed with the support on the course in the later hours. The volunteers were outstanding. At mile 19 I got an ICE COLD bottle of water. Training in the Southeast should have prepared me for the heat. It didn't, but signing up for a marathon in August, you run that risk. Overall, a nice race. If someone is looking for a summer marathon, I would recommend it. | |
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A Runner from Nebraska
(9/2/2002)
 "A Good and Challenging Smaller Race" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my third tiem running in the Omaha Marathon. I cannot compare it to some of the country's major races i.e. Chicago, Marine Corps, Boston, etc. because I haven't had the opportunity to run in these. But I will say that for a smaller marathon, the organizers in Omaha do a good job and continue to make improvements each year. The course is challenging and most won't get a PR here. However, it is well marked and the Omaha and Council Bluffs Police did a great job controlling traffic. The course also provides a variety of scenery...the zoo and con agra headquarters are highlights. I must admit that the sports drink they used this year needs to changed for next year...it was pretty gross..But on a high note, the water stations were very frequent which was important for this course. the weather is challenging as well...if you come to this race, and are not prepared for the hills and the humidity and heat, do not complain about the course, you have been warned about these elements. the fans were not huge in number but were enthusiastic. The post race was somewhat disappointing this year, the 10K and half marathon personnel ransacked the food and drink tables, there was some for the marathoners, but not as much as last year. the Expo was a distance from the start line, but I live in Omaha so it was convenient for me, but I understand their gripe if they aren't from here...I will continue to run in this event and hope that many others will give it a try! | |
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NW Florida Runner from Pensacola, Florida
(8/27/2002)
"I'll be back!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Being from Florida I never thought I would find a marathon that would do me in because of the heat. I now know what it means to say 'help, I've fallen and I can't get up' because that is exactly what happened to me at around mile 24+. Make sure you have some salt tablets handy or some other way to keep your sodium level up if you do this one. Leg cramps are something I hope to never have again. So much pain and so close to the finish! I will be back next year to claim my finisher's medal! There were not a lot of spectators (who needs 'em), but the course was great...even the hills. And, I can't say enough good things about the volunteers. Lots of traffic control, well marked course and they all stayed out there even for the slow runners. Not a huge number of runners, so us slow folks got spread out, but we were never forgotten. Very well organized, too, although the packet pickup and pasta dinner were not as convenient as it could have been if located downtown (The hotel I stayed in offered a shuttle so it was not that much of a problem). The only negative comment I have is the sports drink-I don't know what it was, but it was awful. By not drinking as much of it as I should have; sticking only to water; (a chocolate gel that I was handed at mile 9 made me sick)I let myself get into the trouble I suffered later. Be prepared for the heat, but otherwise a thumbs up! | |
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A Runner from Kansas City, Missouri
(8/27/2002)
 "Good, smaller marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Overall, this is a nice, smaller marathon (only about 250 runners). Organization was good. Expo very small, and held outdoors, along w/the pasta dinner. Doubletree provided cookies, which were excellent! The course is moderately difficult. There are hills from miles 20-24, two steep, but relatively short in duration. The middle part of the run takes you into Iowa, very flat, but not much to look at. Could have used a few more aid stations, and portajohns at the start. Also, sports drink was Ultima, and it was terrible!!!! Overall, though, Omaha is a decent marathon, worth giving a shot. | |
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A Runner from Kansas City
(8/26/2002)
 "Not a Good Experience!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The Omaha Marathon is a lot of work before getting to the start line and during the race. The packet pick up the day before is not convenient. If you are staying near the start downtown, you'll have to drive 15 minutes to get your packet. Also, the sponsoring hotel (Doubletree) was really bad - dirty rooms and terrible service. The course was hilly but scenic - really enjoyed the zoo, but absolutely no spectators, so bring family or friends if you need cheering. The Ultima was horrible. It looked and smelled like urine and tasted even worse. Two saving graces to this race were the nice and cheerful volunteers and the long sleeved t-shirt. I will not be running this one in the future. | |
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A Runner from Omaha NE
(8/26/2002)
"hot, humid, hilly" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is a pretty challenging course, with very little spectator turn-out, but appears to be building over the past couple of years and the organization seems to be a little better, with plenty of water stations along the route. | |
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A Runner from Kansas City
(8/26/2002)
"A Good Small Marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 If you come here with realistic and reasonable expectations then this will be a fine marathon for you. August is typically hot in the midwest. The marathon this year started in the low 60's and 4 hours later it was about 80. It was similar weather as last year's race. The course is mostly run without shade so it feels hotter. The first 10 miles are a little hilly (includes a nice 3 mile trek through the Omaha zoo). Then it flattens out for the next 10 miles (the boring part through Iowa). Then, there are some large uphills to battle during the last 6 miles (the challenging section). There are no finisher's shirts and the pre-race shirts are the same for all three events. The finisher's medal is the cheapest one I've gotten from a marathon. It fell off me and broke. I notice that I was not the only one. I finished in four hours and the masseuses were already packing it in. They did offer me a free massage later in the week but not being from Omaha it doesn't really help. The expo consists of an outdoor tent with just two different merchandisers offering their ware. I got to the expo at 2:30 on saturday and the woman selling omaha marathon shirts/hats had already closed up her table. The post-race expo is a little better - bagels, bananas, cookies and water (not a lot of variety). Now, while I listed a lot of negatives I actually enjoyed the race. I came here knowing I was not going to get the amenities of Chicago or Portland. The spectators were non-existant, but the volunteers were extremely friendly. The host hotel is one block from the start. It was a nice touch having straws & lids for their sports drinks and there was plenty of GU for mid-packers. Mile-markers were easily spotted and there were ample aid stations. Being a small marathon it was easy to get through the stations. It was nice running through the zoo and ConAgra's campus, and I had prepared properly for the heat and hills. Omaha is also a nice city to visit -- for a day. | |
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A Runner from Omaha, NE
(5/15/2002)
 "Much Improved" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this race in 2000 and 2001. Without a doubt 2001 was much better organized and an overall better experience. The humidity is tough, the last 6 miles are tough due to some steep hills, but the sense of accomplishment overrides those factors. I thought the volunteer support was excellent, and although the fan support wasn't huge, it was fine for me, as I am not one that requires the need for people to cheer me on constantly. The post race set up was very nice, and the finish line being located inside of the Omaha Civic Auditorium was a nice change. The last minute change to the course created a slight controversy in the distance. Rumor has it the course was about 1/4 mile short. However, if a lion would have actually been loose in the zoo and someone would have been eaten by it, I don't think many would complain about the 1/4 difference in the change. I contacted the Omaha Marathon coordinator prior to this race and they assured me it would be much better than it was in 2000, they were correct. I can only see this getting better each year. If you are trying to get a PR, most likely this race isn't for you, but if you want a challenging course coupled with challenging weather, this race would be a good one for you. |
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