This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the … MORE
This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the University of Nebraska’s campus. The second half had few turns after dropping off the half-marathoners at UN’s Memorial Stadium by hitting the bike path. While the path was concrete, just having to go straight was appreciated as I was nursing a bum ankle. Finish area was well spread out making it easy to move around and find the rest of my party.
– Kudos to the Lincoln Track Club for putting together a top-notch event. They put together a good track from start (being able to hang out in a Cornhusker facility out of the elements) to finish. But I really want to know how you managed to wedge a perfect day (sun, cool but not cold, only slight wind) for running between multiple days of wind and rain.
– Nice swag.
– Well organized pasta dinner (pick your time).
– Lincoln also provides lots of dining options in the Haymarket District.
– Parking is also relatively easy to find in the area.
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The skies parted and we ran
This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the … MORE
This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the University of Nebraska’s campus. The second half had few turns after dropping off the half-marathoners at UN’s Memorial Stadium by hitting the bike path. While the path was concrete, just having to go straight was appreciated as I was nursing a bum ankle. Finish area was well spread out making it easy to move around and find the rest of my party.
– Kudos to the Lincoln Track Club for putting together a top-notch event. They put together a good track from start (being able to hang out in a Cornhusker facility out of the elements) to finish. But I really want to know how you managed to wedge a perfect day (sun, cool but not cold, only slight wind) for running between multiple days of wind and rain.
– Nice swag.
– Well organized pasta dinner (pick your time).
– Lincoln also provides lots of dining options in the Haymarket District.
– Parking is also relatively easy to find in the area.
Great support and easy course
Atmosphere: This race is a well-oiled machine. From the line up to water stations and past the finish line, the race organizers and volunteers were great. I gave birth less … MORE
Atmosphere: This race is a well-oiled machine. From the line up to water stations and past the finish line, the race organizers and volunteers were great. I gave birth less than a year before this race so I was worried that I would struggle to finish the half. Despite my concerns, there was a lot of spectator support which made pushing through easy. The longest stretch without support was maybe 1.5 miles (miles 6-8 are on a trail along the highway) so I never felt like I was “alone” which made it really easy to continue. There was plenty of music, cheering, water, and food from the spectators.
Course: Because the half marathon runs through neighborhoods, there was plenty of shade. I was told by a friend that the last five miles was uphill. This terrified me. But it really was not bad. The hills never felt like they were more than one block long. So I just took those as a short walking break if I needed to–after all, I did have a baby recently so I knew this wouldn’t be a PR race for me. This year didn’t end on the football field but on the outside of the stadium. Because of this, you could see the finish line from about .20 miles away. I really enjoyed this because it was a reminder of “you’re so close” but it wasn’t like other races where you can see the finish line from so far away that it seems like it will take forever to get there.
Swag and such: There was a nice t-shirt, medal, and lunchbox. Immediately after I finished, racers were shuffled into a line to get water, a foil/space blanket, a lunchbox with food and drinks, and a chocolate milk. This was really nice that I didn’t have to go find the stuff on my own after I finished.
Suggestions: The half marathon is a loop throughout town. It is advertised as drivers/spectators can’t get in or out of the circle throughout the race. The police monitoring traffic were great. I wish the race website would offer a map to guide how family and friends can get through the course to get to the finish line. My husband didn’t realize until we were leaving that he didn’t need to go all the way to Holmes Lake to get through traffic to go to UNL but rather he could have gone down Antelope Valley Parkway because the marathoners actually go on the trail under the road, not across it. Would have saved 30-45 minutes of driving but oh well. You live and learn.
Second half is tough
Very organized starting line and expo. You can stay in the gym right by the start where it’s warm (42 degrees at start to 60s at end)… Wave start is … MORE
Very organized starting line and expo. You can stay in the gym right by the start where it’s warm (42 degrees at start to 60s at end)…
Wave start is firm (rather than a mishmash style of go! St. Louis), so they have separate staggered starts. First half is scenic with lots of spectators a few rolling hills. Second half was gradual uphill with tail wind for six miles (sadly didn’t appreciate tailwind) then the downhill I was looking forward to was more than countered by a strong headwind. Maybe the wind picked up?
It was sunny and there is not much shade on that out and back, but the wind was cooling at least . To go snacks at end did not include banana, which I literally crave at the end, but did include a plastic water bottle and Gatorade. (As opposed to a cup that is harder to carry (st paddy’s marathon)).
Stayed at marriott Cornhusker which DID have bananas on offer and the expo on site.
What A Half Marathon Should Be
* Expertly organized event with great pre-event communication. * Mostly flat, scenic course through the neighborhoods of Lincoln. * Helpful, enthusiastic volunteers. * Lots of cheering spectators, and live bands … MORE
* Expertly organized event with great pre-event communication.
* Mostly flat, scenic course through the neighborhoods of Lincoln.
* Helpful, enthusiastic volunteers.
* Lots of cheering spectators, and live bands along the course.
* Free pastathon dinner the night before the race.
* Hotels near the packet pick-up, start and finish lines.
* Organized wave start.
* Live results and day-after-race finish video and finisher certificate.
Quintessential Midwestern Half Marathon
This was a great event. The expo was small but sufficient and had everything I needed. The Lincoln Track Club even offered me a free long sleeve shirt when I … MORE
This was a great event. The expo was small but sufficient and had everything I needed. The Lincoln Track Club even offered me a free long sleeve shirt when I mentioned I was from Florida and it was colder than I was expecting! Then the free spaghetti dinner.
The race itself was fantastic! It was perfect weather. I loved the rolling hills, the many many families and band cheering runners on, with full extra aid stations. What a great welcoming city. The Nebraska Army Guard was everywhere which was really nice. They were working , running, and playing music! The roads were nice and neighborhoods were scenic to run through. The swag at the end included a lunch bag filled with goodies. The best part was the water/Gatorade came with lids and straws. I’ve never experienced this and I didn’t have to stop once. Brilliant.
This is one I would come back to – it was delightful!
Had me in the first half
The first half was super great as you ran with the half marathoners, then there was a big drop off and the second half was far less enjoyable. The first … MORE
The first half was super great as you ran with the half marathoners, then there was a big drop off and the second half was far less enjoyable. The first half also had quite a few spectators as it ran through town. There were ample aid stations with lots of Gu and water. I’d probably recommend doing the half over the full if you thrive on more support and runners around you.
Legs went numb in these Lincoln Parks
I traveled from eastern Illinois to run this race, my first post-covid race and first marathon in 2.5 years. The race expo was great, held in a hotel a few … MORE
I traveled from eastern Illinois to run this race, my first post-covid race and first marathon in 2.5 years. The race expo was great, held in a hotel a few blocks from the capitol building. Production was fantastic for the most part, except we couldn’t finish in the football stadium this year because the Huskers decided to hold their stupid spring game the day before and they couldn’t clean up the field in time for us. I got to hear all about how “it ain’t the same this year”. We finished on the adjacent track instead. Oh well.
Lincoln may not be the prettiest city, but this course milked what it had to offer, from the downtown to some nice neighborhoods to some quality parks. This is by far the biggest, oldest, and most reputable marathon in Nebraska, so it’s a good choice for you 50 staters looking to run in Nebraska.
Plenty of parking about a half mile away in some parking garages downtown.
The crowd support was amazing here. The city really showed up to cheer us on and plenty of spectators handed out water or beans or oranges as well as the official water tables. As other reviews say, they hand out cups with straws at the water tables here. Makes it easier to drink between steps.
I smoked the first half in about 1:48, but died on the back end (2:28). Mostly because I didn’t train enough, but also because the back half was a lot of black tar roads with little/no shade and it was sunny and low 70s by 10am. It got up to 89 that afternoon and I really struggled here, 25 minutes worse than any other marathon I’ve run (4 others so far). Be prepared for those tar roads, few turns, little shade on the back half if you run this one. I would still recommend this as a good Nebraska race!
Stroll through cornhusker country
Unfortunately, this year the finish was inside the track stadium and not the football stadium. I would like to have been on the field where Ohio State always dominates the … MORE
Unfortunately, this year the finish was inside the track stadium and not the football stadium. I would like to have been on the field where Ohio State always dominates the cornhuskers. I assume it was due to Covid precautions.
The course started with a bit of an uphill for the 1st couple miles on paved streets. It eventually goes onto a paved pedestrian trail for a while before returning to some residential roads. The last mile is a nice downhill sprint to the finish inside the track stadium.
It was my second day in a row running a half, so I did not have my best time, but the course wasn’t too difficult and allowed me to at least make it respectable. It was humid and windy, so that added a little challenge as well. Luckily, the area with the most direct wind was a nice downhill in the middle miles of the race.
It was the largest race I’ve done since Covid. There were a lot of waves at the start and surprisingly a decent amount of spectators. Lincoln seemed to be the typical college town and larger than I thought. Spectators were not allowed in the finish area and had a special meeting place further away. The medal and shirt were nice and there was a nice gran and go goody bag at the end with some nice snacks.
The only thing I didn’t like about the race was my starting wave. I’m not sure how, but I ended up in wave D. There were a lot of good runners in the competitive wave, but I found myself dodging a lot of runners for the 1st couple of miles and was still passing several people up until the end. I used a lot of time and energy the first couple of miles when it was rather congested. Otherwise, I enjoyed the race.
Back to back Marathon from Eisenhower
First half is really great with specators and lot of energy. 2nd half heat but they give ice and water pretty good. MORE
First half is really great with specators and lot of energy.
2nd half heat but they give ice and water pretty good.
I like the race but not the outcomes
We rush from Eisenhower Marathon in Kansas to do this race the next day. We were able to find parking and pickup our bibs with lots of time to spare. … MORE
We rush from Eisenhower Marathon in Kansas to do this race the next day. We were able to find parking and pickup our bibs with lots of time to spare. The race start was supposed to be Covid 19 proof however many of the runners weren’t wearing masks. We had staggered wave starts. The first 13 miles of the race is rollers in neighborhoods with a lot of shade. Unfortunately the second half is on a different loop. We were exposed to 88F temperature with little to no shade. There were lots of drink stops fortunately. As I am slow I worried about the 3:15 cutoff for the first have which I easily beat at 2:50 however after reaching mile 18 I had race officials coming to me every mile asking me to speed up. I did and was on course to finish at 6:30 when at mile 22 the police required me to get on the non-existent sidewalk. Of course they removed the markings of the course. So instead of finishing at 6:30 I finished at 6:50 after going a long ways off course. Who’s fault I believe the Police and the city’s. However, it wish the race well they can’t control the weather or the police. Cheers, see you out there.
Relatively flat race with good support
There are lots of pre-race porta potties - if you know where to look. They did not do a good job of identifying the location, and the 'holding pen' for … MORE
There are lots of pre-race porta potties – if you know where to look. They did not do a good job of identifying the location, and the ‘holding pen’ for later waves, was nothing like the map implied.
Once the race started, it was very enjoyable. You start on the UN campus and run by some scenic buildings, before heading across town and past the Nebraska state capitol building. You run past Union College, and along a rec trail before returning back through neighborhoods, back through downtown and finishing back at the UN campus.
The race usually finishes inside Memorial Stadium (Nebraska Football), but this year we finished on the track due to construction. The National Guard provides excellent support, and there are also members out rucking the course.
Nice post race snacks and drinks.
Parking meters are free on race Sunday, and there are also plenty of parking garages and lots within reasonable walking distance of the start/finish.
Well organized, good spectator support
Overall, this is a very well-organized, solid marathon. There's nothing terribly unique that sets it apart, but it's a good race. Pre-race: Parking was free and readily available beside the … MORE
Overall, this is a very well-organized, solid marathon. There’s nothing terribly unique that sets it apart, but it’s a good race.
Pre-race: Parking was free and readily available beside the finish area. The indoor football field was a nice area to relax prior to the start. Perhaps most importantly, porto-o’s were PLENTIFUL!! Corrals were also well-organized, and the start times were accurate. I appreciated the attention to detail.
Race: The first half is a loop around Lincoln, while the 2nd half is an out-back to a park. It’s all relatively flat with some rolling hills. There’s only one significant hill in mile 19. We did run past the capitol building in the first mile or so of the race. Otherwise, it’s mostly residential and paved bike paths. I’m not a Huskers fan, but finishing on the track was cool.
Spectators/Aid stations: This was by far the best part of the race! The spectators were plentiful and the number of aid stations (especially in the 2nd half) were fantastic…especially on a hot/humid day. Lincoln comes out to support their race!
Swag: Shirts are nice, medal design is cool, and I appreciated the ability to do an shirt exchange at the expo. They also emailed a link to your clip of finish line video, which is a nice touch.
Great Post-COVID Race
For my first in-person race coming out of COVID, the amount of spectator support was a pleasant surprise. The weather was a bit warmer than I would have liked and … MORE
For my first in-person race coming out of COVID, the amount of spectator support was a pleasant surprise. The weather was a bit warmer than I would have liked and things were still limited because of pandemic restrictions but the overall production was great! Very organized and I LOVED the medals this year.
Nice race, relatively flat course
Very nicely organized race for 10,000 runners. Finishing on the 50 yard line was a great end to the race. Medal a bit lame, I have to say. MORE
Very nicely organized race for 10,000 runners. Finishing on the 50 yard line was a great end to the race.
Medal a bit lame, I have to say.
Great race
One of the best managed races I have run. One of the local churches had a Saturday night service so they could dismiss on Sunday and assist in the race. … MORE
One of the best managed races I have run. One of the local churches had a Saturday night service so they could dismiss on Sunday and
assist in the race. I found the entire experience delightful.
Running into Husker Stadium!
Well organized, nice medal and shirt. Excellent support. Course was challenging but fair (a few hills). Run into Memorial Stadium. Not a Husker fan but it was cool. After race … MORE
Well organized, nice medal and shirt. Excellent support. Course was challenging but fair (a few hills). Run into Memorial Stadium. Not a Husker fan but it was cool. After race food was better than average.
Ok race. Highlight was finish in stadium
Decent race. About what I expected for a race in Nebraska. Highlight was clearly the finish inside Nebraska Cornhusker stadium at the 50 yard line. Lots of food/donuts/drink at finish. … MORE
Decent race. About what I expected for a race in Nebraska. Highlight was clearly the finish inside Nebraska Cornhusker stadium at the 50 yard line. Lots of food/donuts/drink at finish. Medal was a little disappointing. Large race with competitive/strong finishing times overall, and in my age group. Not much going on post-race.
So much cheering
I'm not a runner. I do my best to jog and when needed I walk. The Lincoln Marathon (and half in my case) was my first race, so I didn't … MORE
I’m not a runner. I do my best to jog and when needed I walk. The Lincoln Marathon (and half in my case) was my first race, so I didn’t appreciate the just how unique it is to have SO MANY people lined up across every mile of the route cheering for you. It totally keeps you motivated.
Patriotic Marathon
Weather can play a huge role in Lincoln, NE and this year's race was a good example. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and the … MORE
Weather can play a huge role in Lincoln, NE and this year’s race was a good example. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature climbed quickly from 60 to 75+.
Aside from the weather, the race is very well organized and the course very well marked. The start is adjacent to the football stadium and there’s an indoor practice field with bathrooms where you can hang out until the start. The finish is on the 50 yard line of the football field which was very cool.
Runners are supposedly organized by pace and bib color though I saw zero indication that this was enforced which is too bad. There is a wave start with a minute or so in between each wave. The gun went off at 7 and I crossed the line around 7:10 in the 8:00-8:59 pace wave.
The first several miles felt kind of congested, with lots of weaving and dodging slower runners. I’m not saying I’m a speed demon but people weren’t seeded very well and one of the half marathon pace groups had a huge group taking up most of the road. After four or five miles things spread out some and by the 13 mile mark it was wide open!
This race did water stops very well, with not just one or two tables but several spread out over a significant distance with alternating water and Gatorade. I loved this. If you missed your shot at the first table it was ok, there were a few more chances just steps away. They also had lids and straws on their paper cups which was crazy to me at first but so nice. Additionally, it was a hot day and the water was SO nice and cold. It was kind of amazing actually. Pouring it on my head felt great. People were giving out bags and cups of ice too, which was a lifesaver in the second half as there was little to no shade. I also snagged an otterpop which tasted divine.
Overall the course wasn’t bad. There were some pretty park areas, residential streets, downtown etc. I would not call the course flat at all though. It’s not a monster but there are several hills and the back half has some rollers. I’m okay with hills but it shouldn’t be called flat.
Finishing in the stadium was cool and the medal was pretty good. Water and Gatorade, Pepsi, chips and chocolate milk were among the food options at the end. I think half runners cleaned out the cookies and other treats though, those tables were empty.
Again, weather could make or break a race here but I squeaked in under 4 and call that a win. It’s a good race with great support from the National Guard and community. I’d recommend it, especially for those running the states. Sign up early, it does sell out.
Great way to see a great town
I loved this race. it was well organized and a challenging course for the most part. loved ending in the football stadium. great crowd support. MORE
I loved this race. it was well organized and a challenging course for the most part. loved ending in the football stadium. great crowd support.