My Profile

@abbey.road

Oklahoma City, OK Raving since 2019 Boston Marathon finisher, 50 States hopeful/finisher, World Marathon Majors Six Star hopeful/finisher, Marathon Maniacs #12040, Half Fanatics #12031 Active 3 months, 4 weeks ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    The Landrunners, Boston Buddies

  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:

    California International Marathon

  • I run because:

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

50 States Map
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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (4)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Memphis, TN Dec 4, 2021 3:11:15
Half Marathon Oklahoma City, OK Apr 29, 2018 1:34:53
5 Miler Des Moines, IA Oct 19, 2019 36:43
5K Tulsa, OK Nov 18, 2023 20:53

Future Races (5)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Marathon Newport, RI Apr 13, 2024
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Apr 15, 2024
Marathon Brookings, SD May 11, 2024
Marathon Shenandoah, IA Sep 14, 2024
Marathon Chicago, IL Oct 13, 2024

Past Races (63)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Lahaina, HI Jan 14, 2024
Half Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 19, 2023 1:49:45
5K Tulsa, OK Nov 18, 2023 20:53
Half Marathon Salina, KS Nov 4, 2023 1:49:07
Marathon Indianapolis, IN Oct 28, 2023 3:25:12
Marathon Charlevoix, MI Jun 17, 2023 3:47:33
Half Marathon Dallas, TX May 6, 2023 1:49:43
Marathon Tokyo, Japan Mar 5, 2023 3:27:50
Marathon Jekyll Island, GA Jan 15, 2023 3:43:49
Marathon Folsom, CA Dec 4, 2022 3:20:14
Marathon United Kingdom Oct 2, 2022 3:29:09
Marathon Harrisburg, OR Sep 17, 2022
Marathon Frenchtown, MT Jun 26, 2022
Marathon Ogden, UT May 21, 2022
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Apr 18, 2022
Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 12, 2022 3:26:58
Marathon Memphis, TN Dec 4, 2021 3:11:15
Marathon Kansas City, MO Oct 16, 2021 3:32:51
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Oct 11, 2021 3:21:44
Marathon Snoqualmie Pass, WA Jun 27, 2021 3:16:40
Marathon Wichita, KS Oct 11, 2020 3:35:36
Half Marathon Oklahoma City, OK Oct 4, 2020
Marathon Malvern, IA Sep 12, 2020 4:08:36
Half Marathon Stillwater, OK Jun 7, 2020
Marathon Little Rock, AR Mar 1, 2020 3:20:25
Half Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 24, 2019 1:41:50
Marathon Durham, NC Nov 10, 2019 3:28:54
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 20, 2019 3:26:29
5 Miler Des Moines, IA Oct 19, 2019 36:43
Marathon Berlin, Germany Sep 29, 2019 3:18:36
Half Marathon Stillwater, OK Jun 2, 2019 1:37:43
Marathon Fargo, ND May 18, 2019 4:15:46
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Apr 15, 2019 3:20:46
Half Marathon Wichita, KS Mar 24, 2019 1:45:32
Marathon New Orleans, LA Feb 10, 2019 3:49:35
Marathon Dallas, TX Dec 9, 2018 3:40:07
Half Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 18, 2018 1:50:05
Marathon Evergreen, CO Jun 3, 2018 3:18:57
Half Marathon Oklahoma City, OK Apr 29, 2018 1:34:53
Marathon Gulf Shores, AL Jan 28, 2018 3:39:29
Marathon Jackson, MS Jan 27, 2018 3:30:11
Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 19, 2017 3:38:46
Marathon Chicago, IL Oct 8, 2017 3:23:58
Marathon Two Harbors, MN Jun 17, 2017 3:28:33
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK Apr 30, 2017 3:26:51
Marathon Staten Island, NY Nov 6, 2016 3:58:25
Marathon Grand Island, NE Aug 27, 2016 3:40:59
Marathon Two Harbors, MN Jun 18, 2016 3:41:00
Half Marathon Kansas City, MO Jun 4, 2016 1:42:17
Marathon White Sands, NM Mar 20, 2016 4:57:28
Marathon Wichita Falls, TX Jan 16, 2016 4:05:29
Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 22, 2015 3:49:09
Marathon Wichita, KS Oct 11, 2015 4:18:32
Marathon Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Sep 19, 2015 4:21:40
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK Apr 26, 2015 3:47:48
Marathon Arlington, VA Oct 26, 2014 4:11:32
Marathon Little Rock, AR Mar 2, 2014 4:22:04
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK 2014 4:14:32
Half Marathon Kansas City, MO 2013 2:00:23
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK 2013 4:10:35
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK 2012 4:10:37
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK 2011 4:17:53
Marathon Oklahoma City, OK 2010 4:42:36

My Raves

Plenty of toilets in the start corrals First 6 miles is downhill then you have a decent climb at 10K before heading downhill again. Just before the half the course … MORE

Plenty of toilets in the start corrals
First 6 miles is downhill then you have a decent climb at 10K before heading downhill again. Just before the half the course flattens out through the outskirts of town.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

Was this review helpful?

First off, I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a fast, BQ course. While not 100% downhill (there is a ~200' climb from mile 5 to the … MORE

First off, I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a fast, BQ course. While not 100% downhill (there is a ~200′ climb from mile 5 to the 10K point), you get plenty of gravity assistance everywhere else.

Expo is small and outdoor but lots of pre-race photo opportunities. Race staff was outstanding when my wife’s bib couldn’t be located. They quickly corrected the problem with her registration and got her a bib. Compact and nicely organized whether you lingered or grabbed your swag and left.

Parking was clearly communicated and well marked for half marathon (we had a few in our group running the half). Walk to the buses was a quick 5-7 minutes then just a couple minutes wait to load. 45 minute ride to the start where the buses stayed if you didn’t want to wait outside in the ~45º air. Propane heaters were a nice touch lined up opposite the porta-potties, which were plentiful.

It was still dark at the start but lighting from the corral helped to provide some visibility in the first 1/4 mile. The sun was just starting to light the horizon to the east, which reminded me of scenes from Forrest Gump. If you looked at the course, you knew there was a steady climb leading to the 10K point then downhill or flat the rest of the way. The aid station at Mile 9 was far and away the best on the course. The neighborhood embraced the challenge with a Christmas theme and had signs along the median every 25-50 feet for about 1/4 mile. Sun finally rose above the mountains in a clear blue sky. Crossing the halfway point, the scenery noticeably changed to more city/industrial with long, straight stretches. I would have liked a at least one more aid station at Mile 20 to help with hydration for the last 10K. Last mile was unremarkable but there were plenty of spectators near the finish line.

Volunteers in the finish chute were outstanding and the medical staff was very aware of runner’s conditions crossing the finish. It was nice to be able to stay near the finish and be there for my traveling partners when they finished. I never felt rushed to clear out as in other races. The ice-water soaked towels were outstanding!

Post-race PT for stretching was a great asset especially on a warmer day. Line moved along quickly. Food and drinks were plentiful and I really liked being able to get printed results before leaving.

One suggestion for a better race experience:
1. Many runners travel for this race and may not be used to the AZ winter temps (like me). Consider offering ice, ice packs or ice-water soaked sponges after Mile 20.

All in all, a great destination race during the winter. I will definitely consider returning in the future.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

Was this review helpful?

This is a mostly flat course that has just enough elevation changes, at the right times, to allow your legs to change muscles. I was apprehensive about the weather (60s … MORE

This is a mostly flat course that has just enough elevation changes, at the right times, to allow your legs to change muscles. I was apprehensive about the weather (60s with 90% humidity) but it ended up being great. Cloudy until the sun peeked out about Mile 24 but quickly hid behind the clouds again.

Overall the course is a loop with a double loop through Overton Park. Course marshals were visible and vocal in the key locations to direct runners. City scenery was nice as you ran through some of the older neighborhoods around Memphis.

My biggest complaint about the course is the shared portions with the half marathon. The marathon runners merged with the half multiple times which meant mostly walkers for my finish time. Course marshals were not as evident at these points and could have done more to direct half marathoners to one side or the other. This would have allowed a lane for the marathon runners to pass without having to dodge the half marathoners.

Post race area in the Redbirds stadium was very nice and open. They also displayed the finish line live feed on the jumbotron so you could watch others finish. Overall a smoothly run race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Deferred my September 2020 entry to June 2021 and dragged a group of 12 to this race. It was one of the best ever. Some of us volunteered for the … MORE

Deferred my September 2020 entry to June 2021 and dragged a group of 12 to this race. It was one of the best ever. Some of us volunteered for the half marathon held on Saturday morning which enabled us to get a preview of the course. There was some uncertainty due to the extreme heat wave gripping the pacific northwest. The race director stayed engaged and communicated two days before that the marathon would start 1 hour earlier to help mitigate the temperature.

Packet pick-up was race morning but still left plenty of time to warm-up and get ready. The relatively flat 2.5 mile out-and-back set up nicely for entering the tunnel to begin the long downhill portion of the course. Headlamps are required and they had a drop point once you exited the tunnel if you so desired.

The scenery is outstanding and even with the limited aid stations, I felt there was plenty of water available (I did carry a bottle to refill every aid station too). Race director made ice available around Mile 18 and again later on due to the heat. It was a godsend.

My only complaint would be the finish. The last .1 miles has a sharp, descending turn off the trail toward the finish line. I really had to slow down to avoid hitting a tree and not tumbling into the brush. I wasn’t prepared for that and with tired legs it was a real challenge. Despite the heat, I managed a new personal best though missed my goal time by a couple of minutes.

Post-race area was compact but shaded where you could watch the other runners come to the finish line. Plenty of water, Gatorade, ice and snacks available.

I highly recommend any of the Super Series races or any race this race director puts on.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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Group of 10 travelled to run the marathon and had a great time. The course is flat and fast on reclaimed RR right of way. Mostly tree-lined offering shade on … MORE

Group of 10 travelled to run the marathon and had a great time. The course is flat and fast on reclaimed RR right of way. Mostly tree-lined offering shade on 90% of the course.

I would do the race again.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I chose Little Rock as my backup race after Tokyo Marathon got cancelled for the general entrants. This race is well organized and creates a festive atmosphere from start to … MORE

I chose Little Rock as my backup race after Tokyo Marathon got cancelled for the general entrants. This race is well organized and creates a festive atmosphere from start to finish. Expo had a wide variety of vendors and on race day became the race bag drop point and post-race party. Short 200 foot walk to corral entrance from bag drop.
This year’s weather was a bit warmer than usual and more aid stations would have been beneficial but did not hinder my performance. Course is moderately challenging with hills and a long ~2.5 mile climb to Mile 17. Steep 1 mile downhill toward the river will beat up your legs. Mostly flat finish from Mile 20 onward. Cut more than 1 hour off my previous Little Rock Marathon in 2014.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

RDC Challenge is a great way to get a bunch of races in one weekend! You can do the 5K & 10K on Saturday and follow-up with either the Half … MORE

RDC Challenge is a great way to get a bunch of races in one weekend! You can do the 5K & 10K on Saturday and follow-up with either the Half or Full Marathon on Sunday. Travel problems prevented me from completing the Challenge but the marathon on Sunday was great. Weather was cold to start (28º) but sunny.
After a loop around the shopping center, the race proceeds down the American Tobacco Trail for about 12 miles before reversing along the same trail. Scenery is very pleasant with tall pines lining the trail. Mostly flat course with small ‘bumps’ throughout. Garmin registered 759′ elevation gain. Simple post-race party offering snacks, beer and wine. With only 179 marathon and 406 half marathon finishers, it is one of the smallest races I have run.
If you like this type of race, RDC is the place for you.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

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