| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| H (°F) | 69 | 71 | 54 | 66 | 69 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 57 | 50 | 33 | 49 |
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also … MORE
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also great post-race atmosphere and amenities. Love this race!
Please login to reply to this review.
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a … MORE
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a easy, hassle free run. Kinda in the middle of nowhere, but worth the trip.
Please login to reply to this review.
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the "staff" are there to answer anything. A decent expo, … MORE
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the “staff” are there to answer anything. A decent expo, smaller then previous years. The first half of the race is good, lots of spectators and then you hit the split. You turn right to finish the half, and you go straight to finish the full. It is sad to see a HUGE majority of runners single off and finish the half. Hardly any spectators for the marathon runners. The second half of the race, there is hardly any shade, so it does get hot, be prepared for that. A few small hills here and there, but overall a decent course. The water station volunteers were awesome. Cheering you on as you walk through their station, which helps if you are one who is a back of the packer.
Please login to reply to this review.
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race. The course includes one long descent and … MORE
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race.
The course includes one long descent and several longer ascents. The out and back of the second half is the hardest mental challenge. If your conserve your energy in the first 10 miles, the ‘underpass hills’ on the trail path is manageable.
The weather was perfect in 2024. Be prepared for sun exposure for most of the course though. I carry by own hydration, but it seemed like some of the aid stations were quite spread out. All the spectators and volunteers were helpful and excited to support. The wet sponges at the turnaround were clutch.
Please login to reply to this review.
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo … MORE
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo were all happy and supportive. This is a very well-organized event that takes runners through a nice route through Lincoln. There are just a few small inclines, giving runners a chance to go for a PR. The finisher medal was great. You can tell that the people of Lincoln really love their marathon! The race poster was hilarious: Photo of President Lincoln with full beard, and half beard representing the full and half marathons. I only ran the half, but I loved the motto for the full marathon: “1 Score and 6.2 Miles”
Please login to reply to this review.
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide … MORE
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide stations. It seemed more hilly than advertised, rolling hills, but nothing not doable. It was actually a great course. We had great weather so that helped. The aide stations all have water and Gatorade. After the halfers split off they have Gu at most stations. Sometimes they are just on the table so you have to look for them.
All of the downtown hotels are within walking distance. It’s worth it because driving downtown is a nightmare. There was lots of construction so I’m sure that contributed.
Please login to reply to this review.
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many … MORE
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many port-a-potties so there were very short lines. Crowd support along the course was hit and miss. Overall a fun race that I would recommend. Nothing to complain about!
Please login to reply to this review.
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course. MORE
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course.
Please login to reply to this review.
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, … MORE
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, ice, snacks, etc. A great race!
Please login to reply to this review.
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking … MORE
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking for both the expo and race start was relatively easy, street parking (parking is free on Sundays) or nearby parking garages. There were quite a few pot-a-pots at the start, but still seemed to be long lines, get in line early. For the most part I think the course was flat with a few long inclines. The first half of the course took us through some nice neighborhoods where many residents came out to cheer on the runners. The second half was a longer out-and-back with very little shade. Traffic seemed to be flowing the entire time, but they kept us separated and highly police monitored, especially at the crossroads. Major props to the Lincoln Police Dept for taking extra measures to make sure all runners were safe from start to finish. Also, the aide stations and volunteers were wonderful, and well prepared for the high temps. The swag was pretty good, no complaints (shirt, medal and finisher food), was good but nothing to brag about.
Please login to reply to this review.
Nice day for a run, but the humidity was off the charts. I was feeling it by mile 3, but the crowds we great, and the other participants were awesome. … MORE
Nice day for a run, but the humidity was off the charts. I was feeling it by mile 3, but the crowds we great, and the other participants were awesome. Wasn’t my best run, but it was just one of those lower energy days too. All in all a good run thru the streets of Lincoln Nebraska and the finish line food was one of the best.
Please login to reply to this review.
People were everywhere cheering you on. Great crowd support. Lots of water stations. It got really humid and warm post race. Could have had a better post race refuel box. … MORE
People were everywhere cheering you on. Great crowd support. Lots of water stations. It got really humid and warm post race. Could have had a better post race refuel box. Hard to find photos from race, they have volunteers, so you have to go through hundreds of pictures to find yourself, still never found any of myself even though, I waved at many.
Overall was a good race, definitely like the Good Life Halfsy overall better.
Please login to reply to this review.
Lightly rolling course through campus, neighborhoods, a bike trail and downtown. Lots of Army National Guard involvement: runners with rucksacks and flags, marshals, entertainment, handing out medals and more. The … MORE
Lightly rolling course through campus, neighborhoods, a bike trail and downtown. Lots of Army National Guard involvement: runners with rucksacks and flags, marshals, entertainment, handing out medals and more. The neighborhoods had good course support too. The course had well attended fluid stations and medics. There were a few unofficial aid stations too.
The expo had a variety of apparel, shoes and other accessories. There were lots of volunteers at the expo. On Saturday, the local running store was open and offered a discount on most items except electronics. In short, if you forgot something, you would be able to get any last minute essentials.
The post race had water, chocolate milk, Gatorade, some other sugary drink, two different canned Starbucks drinks, banana, tangerine, donut holes, yogurt, trail mix, half bagels, pizza and cookies. The post race area had a shirt exchange tent too. On top of all that the race had free finish line photos too.
The city of Lincoln is laid out like a grid that is easy to navigate with streets named with numbers and letters. We stayed at the Cornhusker Marriott which had a free airport shuttle. It was nice because we didn’t need to rent a car or even need an Uber the entire race weekend.
Please login to reply to this review.
This race is very well organized. The app and website is the best I have seen. The pre-race communication is outstanding. The course is relatively flat but has a couple … MORE
This race is very well organized. The app and website is the best I have seen. The pre-race communication is outstanding. The course is relatively flat but has a couple of long gradual uphills. The support was outstanding with many official and unofficial aid stations. It was a warm, sunny day so the extra stations offered by individuals were welcome. The start could use more port a potties. Lines were long and many could not get in before the start. The medal is nice. Wish the shirt was a tech shirt.
Please login to reply to this review.
The course is overall quite flat, with only a few hills of note around mile 9 and a few closer to 18-22. It was a very hot (84F with 40% … MORE
The course is overall quite flat, with only a few hills of note around mile 9 and a few closer to 18-22. It was a very hot (84F with 40% humidity and full sun when I finished), humid day, but Lincoln was prepared with tons of aid stations (official and unofficial, I think) that were well stocked with ice, GU, sprinklers, and there were also spectators handing out popsicles, fruit snacks, and ample encouragement. The only bad part of this race was the weather. I think it was very well-organized, and tons of enthusiasm! Would highly recommend!
Please login to reply to this review.
Great Race. Lots of runners, lots of fan support on course. Nice views of the University of Nebraska and the surrounding neighborhoods. Average sized expo with plenty of stuff to … MORE
Great Race. Lots of runners, lots of fan support on course. Nice views of the University of Nebraska and the surrounding neighborhoods. Average sized expo with plenty of stuff to pick up if you happened to have forgotten something. Course seemed pretty flat with a good sized hill around mile 10. Only small complaint was the water stops were space out a little far apart. First one wasn’t till around mile 4. be But all the water stops were well stocked. Was able to grab 3-4 drinks every stop and didn’t need to stop running to get it. It was warmer than usual so thinking maybe that’s why there weren’t all that many stops. Other than that, great time and great race
Please login to reply to this review.
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.
Please login to reply to this review.
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.
Please login to reply to this review.
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.
Please login to reply to this review.
* 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.
Please login to reply to this review.
Community support
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also … MORE
The spectators lining the course and cheering for the entire half marathon is what makes this race special! Every turn, every hill, they give you the energy you need. Also great post-race atmosphere and amenities. Love this race!
Paced this race and nailed my time
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a … MORE
Great wx for the race. It was a large race so they started in waves which was smart. Good course support and crowds throughout. Small upgrades which made for a easy, hassle free run. Kinda in the middle of nowhere, but worth the trip.
Good!
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the "staff" are there to answer anything. A decent expo, … MORE
This was my 8th full marathon, and it was great. They keep you informed and if there are any questions, the “staff” are there to answer anything. A decent expo, smaller then previous years. The first half of the race is good, lots of spectators and then you hit the split. You turn right to finish the half, and you go straight to finish the full. It is sad to see a HUGE majority of runners single off and finish the half. Hardly any spectators for the marathon runners. The second half of the race, there is hardly any shade, so it does get hot, be prepared for that. A few small hills here and there, but overall a decent course. The water station volunteers were awesome. Cheering you on as you walk through their station, which helps if you are one who is a back of the packer.
The NE Race to Run
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race. The course includes one long descent and … MORE
The Lincoln Marathon is a great choice for your NE marathon. The entire production is well-run with great communication from registration to post-race.
The course includes one long descent and several longer ascents. The out and back of the second half is the hardest mental challenge. If your conserve your energy in the first 10 miles, the ‘underpass hills’ on the trail path is manageable.
The weather was perfect in 2024. Be prepared for sun exposure for most of the course though. I carry by own hydration, but it seemed like some of the aid stations were quite spread out. All the spectators and volunteers were helpful and excited to support. The wet sponges at the turnaround were clutch.
Lincoln puts on a fantastic event!
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo … MORE
The half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska is a wonderful race! The crowd support all along the course is fantastic! The volunteers at the aid stations, finish line, and race expo were all happy and supportive. This is a very well-organized event that takes runners through a nice route through Lincoln. There are just a few small inclines, giving runners a chance to go for a PR. The finisher medal was great. You can tell that the people of Lincoln really love their marathon! The race poster was hilarious: Photo of President Lincoln with full beard, and half beard representing the full and half marathons. I only ran the half, but I loved the motto for the full marathon: “1 Score and 6.2 Miles”
Best Choice for Nebraska
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide … MORE
The volunteers were the best part! You have the option of putting your name on your race bib. Do it!!! They shout words of encouragement as you run through aide stations. It seemed more hilly than advertised, rolling hills, but nothing not doable. It was actually a great course. We had great weather so that helped. The aide stations all have water and Gatorade. After the halfers split off they have Gu at most stations. Sometimes they are just on the table so you have to look for them.
All of the downtown hotels are within walking distance. It’s worth it because driving downtown is a nightmare. There was lots of construction so I’m sure that contributed.
Well Organized, Fun Race
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many … MORE
The packet pickup process was super smooth. The expo was crowded with too many booths, but some good, quality booths so I’m glad they were there. There were so many port-a-potties so there were very short lines. Crowd support along the course was hit and miss. Overall a fun race that I would recommend. Nothing to complain about!
Great support from the community
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course. MORE
The weather was pretty humid that day. The community really gathered together to support the runners. I really enjoyed the race with all the music and supporters along the course.
Hometown race
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, … MORE
Great expo, great route for the half marathon with awesome volunteers at the aid stations, as well as a lot of community members along the route also handing out water, ice, snacks, etc. A great race!
A-Okay
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking … MORE
The expo was medium sized, easy to maneuver in and out of, but large enough to get any supplies that you may have forgotten, or some new running swag. Parking for both the expo and race start was relatively easy, street parking (parking is free on Sundays) or nearby parking garages. There were quite a few pot-a-pots at the start, but still seemed to be long lines, get in line early. For the most part I think the course was flat with a few long inclines. The first half of the course took us through some nice neighborhoods where many residents came out to cheer on the runners. The second half was a longer out-and-back with very little shade. Traffic seemed to be flowing the entire time, but they kept us separated and highly police monitored, especially at the crossroads. Major props to the Lincoln Police Dept for taking extra measures to make sure all runners were safe from start to finish. Also, the aide stations and volunteers were wonderful, and well prepared for the high temps. The swag was pretty good, no complaints (shirt, medal and finisher food), was good but nothing to brag about.
Humidity abound!
Nice day for a run, but the humidity was off the charts. I was feeling it by mile 3, but the crowds we great, and the other participants were awesome. … MORE
Nice day for a run, but the humidity was off the charts. I was feeling it by mile 3, but the crowds we great, and the other participants were awesome. Wasn’t my best run, but it was just one of those lower energy days too. All in all a good run thru the streets of Lincoln Nebraska and the finish line food was one of the best.
Great Neighborhood Support
People were everywhere cheering you on. Great crowd support. Lots of water stations. It got really humid and warm post race. Could have had a better post race refuel box. … MORE
People were everywhere cheering you on. Great crowd support. Lots of water stations. It got really humid and warm post race. Could have had a better post race refuel box. Hard to find photos from race, they have volunteers, so you have to go through hundreds of pictures to find yourself, still never found any of myself even though, I waved at many.
Overall was a good race, definitely like the Good Life Halfsy overall better.
Well organized race
Lightly rolling course through campus, neighborhoods, a bike trail and downtown. Lots of Army National Guard involvement: runners with rucksacks and flags, marshals, entertainment, handing out medals and more. The … MORE
Lightly rolling course through campus, neighborhoods, a bike trail and downtown. Lots of Army National Guard involvement: runners with rucksacks and flags, marshals, entertainment, handing out medals and more. The neighborhoods had good course support too. The course had well attended fluid stations and medics. There were a few unofficial aid stations too.
The expo had a variety of apparel, shoes and other accessories. There were lots of volunteers at the expo. On Saturday, the local running store was open and offered a discount on most items except electronics. In short, if you forgot something, you would be able to get any last minute essentials.
The post race had water, chocolate milk, Gatorade, some other sugary drink, two different canned Starbucks drinks, banana, tangerine, donut holes, yogurt, trail mix, half bagels, pizza and cookies. The post race area had a shirt exchange tent too. On top of all that the race had free finish line photos too.
The city of Lincoln is laid out like a grid that is easy to navigate with streets named with numbers and letters. We stayed at the Cornhusker Marriott which had a free airport shuttle. It was nice because we didn’t need to rent a car or even need an Uber the entire race weekend.
Friendly folks
This race is very well organized. The app and website is the best I have seen. The pre-race communication is outstanding. The course is relatively flat but has a couple … MORE
This race is very well organized. The app and website is the best I have seen. The pre-race communication is outstanding. The course is relatively flat but has a couple of long gradual uphills. The support was outstanding with many official and unofficial aid stations. It was a warm, sunny day so the extra stations offered by individuals were welcome. The start could use more port a potties. Lines were long and many could not get in before the start. The medal is nice. Wish the shirt was a tech shirt.
Lincoln is Prepared!
The course is overall quite flat, with only a few hills of note around mile 9 and a few closer to 18-22. It was a very hot (84F with 40% … MORE
The course is overall quite flat, with only a few hills of note around mile 9 and a few closer to 18-22. It was a very hot (84F with 40% humidity and full sun when I finished), humid day, but Lincoln was prepared with tons of aid stations (official and unofficial, I think) that were well stocked with ice, GU, sprinklers, and there were also spectators handing out popsicles, fruit snacks, and ample encouragement. The only bad part of this race was the weather. I think it was very well-organized, and tons of enthusiasm! Would highly recommend!
Must do for Nebraska
Great Race. Lots of runners, lots of fan support on course. Nice views of the University of Nebraska and the surrounding neighborhoods. Average sized expo with plenty of stuff to … MORE
Great Race. Lots of runners, lots of fan support on course. Nice views of the University of Nebraska and the surrounding neighborhoods. Average sized expo with plenty of stuff to pick up if you happened to have forgotten something. Course seemed pretty flat with a good sized hill around mile 10. Only small complaint was the water stops were space out a little far apart. First one wasn’t till around mile 4. be But all the water stops were well stocked. Was able to grab 3-4 drinks every stop and didn’t need to stop running to get it. It was warmer than usual so thinking maybe that’s why there weren’t all that many stops. Other than that, great time and great race
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.