M E Hall's Staging Area

Okay this is probably what you don’t want to hear! The expo was a bib pickup at the start line not where it was said to be. One of my friends turned his ankle at the bib pickup. The race had the turns marked on the ground however for the first few miles we had 5k, 10k, half, and full on the same course and of course the signage was hidden under racers feet not to mention that the start was somewhat chaos with slow runners in front of faster runners. There was a turn less than 50 yards from the start. So we first saw the industrial side of Jackson before heading out several miles on a boulevard to turn around for our fourth out and back. The race had lots of turns so on the second lap when we only had 220 on the course it was easy to see the turns. There is a section of out and back close to the capitol that is hilly this was probably my favorite section because with the hills and houses it was quite pretty. I confirm what others have said there are holes to turn your ankles in and holes that might break your leg if your shoe gets caught. It was advertised as having pacers and there were none. It was advertised as having lots of music; on the second lap there was none. Lots of promises but not much substance. I told the assistant race director about the signage problem. No no no I am not going back so many other races I can do.

This was a covid race so the expo was just a bib pickup… the people were very friendly. The bib is solid black with your numbers on it. The race is point to point so there is an early bus ride. We decided to stay at the race hotel to catch the bus there, problem no bus back to the hotel. It would have been better to drive to the bus area. Please don’t spend the extra money.
The race starts about 150 meters above the bus parking area. As promised it was cold at this elevation. The first 3 and 1/2 miles are downhill. There is a surprise uphill between 4 and 5, then down again to mile 10. After that you are running up and down continuously to the finish. This seventy-one year old was very challenged on the back half. This race has good organization but is challenging because of the altitude. I am happy to have finished but so sore afterwards. I would not recommend it to a beginning runner. So happy to have finished State #39.

Hey, it looks like things are pretty much back to normal in Portland. We ran this race sponsored by Foot Traffic. They had put in limited numbers for this year 2021. We were 112 in the Marathon. The first par of the race is from the Pumpkin Patch to the levee. So it was completely flat then up a tiny bit to the levee. I really enjoyed the run down the levee and back. This was the scenic part of the race. However, most of the race is not shaded so the early start and your speed controls how much you bake in the July sun. After those two parts we ran the half course back to the start. As people woke up so did the traffic on the road. Most of the time we had traffic only one direction but when drivers entered the course between roadblocks we were scrambling out of their way. So it is done and number 35 state is in the books. Happy running to all.

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.

Nice place to have a race. We were a little shocked that covid19 rules weren’t followed. Lots of runners starting with no masks and no distance between runners. The course was scenic in a gated community. We did see the Ocean at one location. The first three and last three miles were down a highway. The final three involved dodging some traffic. The bling was a medal fanatic, sunglasses, and a soft cotton shirt. No shirts left the correct size for my wife. Again at the finish, the medals were given out by non-masked individuals who wanted to shake our hands. Then came the knuckle bump which I didn’t do either. But finally they were happy with an elbow bump. I guest that’s life in GA.

This race depends on weather especially wind. It is totally flat except for 2.5+ miles of bridge. The course 1-5 is alongside a lake then at miles 6-20 are on the highway to Greenville- this is exposed to wind especially the bridge. This time the wind was moderate and enjoyable. Was able to push my hamstrings which are still healing. So I made reasonably good time… the next part 21-26 is in town running which to me was the nicest part. We ran through a gated community where I had sausage and beer. Remember go easy on the sausage in a race. So I kicked some on the last three miles which of course is pancake flat. There was a small after party with runners distanced from one another. I was able to meet some people from around the country. Thanks John Conner, RD for a great race.

I picked up my packet just before the race. In the packet was my shirt, bib, and pins. The race is flat on concrete paths beside the Trinity River. It is more scenic than the paths in Tulsa. The course is a double loop so we crossed four bridges which provided some up and down. Everything was smooth and though I heard some complain about the course being on concrete you did have the option of running on the gravel path parallel. The best part was the weather. I was prepared for it to be hot but instead we had a covered sky all day. I was able to run comfortably and for long periods.

No expo due to Covid19, Start was planned as a trickle start however everyone was standing on top of one another. The first half was fast for me but of course it was hot on the second… my fault back of the pack runner. But I pushed myself and finished. If it had been cooler I would have done better. The race is well arranged for spectators not so much for runners. When running down the main street (Douglas) runners are in the middle of two lanes of traffic very well marked. But not so good if you are looking for shade from the sun. So I liked the new start venue however there weren’t as many neighborhood streets once again no shelter from the sun.

Day before pick up at race hotel.. The bib worked for all three days which is great. The RD, I know personally and she puts on a great race. So about being the new kid… with only 30 some marathons I was the least experienced runner. These guys are mostly over 300 marathons. The whole idea is to get together as a group and run, run/walk marathons. They are all out there just to finish…. spending lots of time talking on what is going on in their families. I would say this is more of a meeting of runners with running on the side. Very enjoyable and low stress.

Branson is a great place for a race and the RD made sure it wasn’t all hills. Unfortunately, the day was very humid and even with an early 5:00 start it was 70F. I quickly knocked out the half but then the sun came out. It was burning hot and humid. Then for the last lap #6 the storm came in and I was able to finish before lightning started. In all I am very tired now and have the tough back half of the year to finish now. But I successfully completed YTD #9.

Pro… race day packet pickup
Pro .. lots of porta-potties
Pro.. well organized start/ finish and water stops
Pro ..water bottles at water stops rather than cups
Pro..Horseshoe AG awards, nice medal and cotton shirt
Con..Huge hill coming in to the finish
Con.. weather, humidity, lots of rain so an hour delayed start

After Covid 19 races aren’t quite the same. We don’t talk as much and get to know runners as well. The expo was a packet pickup. The shirts weren’t there on time. The course is great… we had a warm humid day to run. The heat and humidity really got to me. But I ran a real marathon in June.

The people that go to these races are very friendly. This is an out and back with repeats in a state park. Little or no elevation. One pit stop for each lap, so you never lack anything.

The people that go to these races are very friendly. This is an out and back with repeats in a state park. Little or no elevation. One pit stop for each lap, so you never lack anything.

The people that go to these races are very friendly. This is an out and back with repeats in a state park. Little or no elevation. One pit stop for each lap, so you never lack anything.

Local race on bike paths produced by running store. This race doesn’t really have much scenery in the winter time with the trees without their leaves. The bridges broke up the lack of elevation change. We had warmer weather than past years but faced a constant drizzle and fog. So the race weather wasn’t spectacular and the scenery not fantastic. It was only four hours drive from my house which was nice and there aren’t too many races that time of year. This race is for you if you like small local races. By the way, the age group medals are fantastic.

I did not go to the expo but I did attend the post race area. The race allows sign ups on race day. This was nice for me because I decide to run the night before. The race is for a great cause and I needed at least 13 miles on my training schedule… so I did it. The race is run on bike paths except for the first two miles which is on an avenue. This allowed runners to spread out. Overall I think there were 185 runners; so actually after the start it wasn’t crowded. I got off to too fast a start… but other than that all was perfect. So there were signs indicating direction and distance as well as race monitors. There were your standard drink stops. I did bring my own electrolytes because I enjoy the mark I use. So in all it is a very flat course with one underpass. There are real toilets at the turn around point and a huge amount at the start. In all I was encouraged in my training by having so many people around. It was a good day in a laid back local way. Hope this helps, I have other reviews.

This is a well put together race. For its size I was surprised by pacers, organization, stops, and after party. The one negative thing I saw was the lack of shade on the course. So that said this is a good price and fun race…. Cheers to all Michael

The beauty of this location grabs me. There are mountains, streams, and irrigation channels and did I say hills. The most friendly people I have been around at 6:00 am. The expo is at the county fairgrounds and mostly consists of picking up you shirt and bib. …. but did I say the people are friendly… met the race directors before the race and ate with a six time Boston runner. Had a great talk with others about which race to run in each state. So what I can tell you is this is a great race and I will try to come back. Really love the people there.

I did this race the week after Brookings so my legs were tired and I almost didn’t come. But the race really was talked highly of by my Maniac brothers and sisters. The atmosphere was electric with so many clubs present. We teased and joked our way through 26.2 miles of beautiful neighborhoods. We even crossed over into Minnesoto. The one problem I had other than my legs being tired was the wind from between the buildings downtown. But you can’t ask the RD to control the weather. So even with lots of rain and some wind I had a great time. I am glad I drove the 12 hours to get there.

This was my sixth marathon in Oklahoma and my first in OKC. The expo is one of the best I have been to with lots of booths. I received two shirts and a heavy medal. We started out cool with a waterfall corals. I had run a marathon the day before. So I ran the first 5 miles and then did intervals the rest of the race. I was with many of my maniac friends so it was a social race for me. The highlight I believe is Gorilla Hill. Lots of cheering fans and food/drinks including champagne. I think is maybe a race I repeat. As for after the race, it was well organized and the thing I loved; those that finished late had all of the food and beer that they could drink also the band was still playing. That could be five stars for me after a few disappointments at other races.

I really like the race production and RD. Everything was extremely well organized. Unfortunately, I was uninformed about the number of hills and the heat got to me before the end. Count it up to bad planning on my part. Watch the weather on this race… it can be extreme.