I have run this marathon twice and the half marathon three times. the last two years I have done the half marathon. Maybe next year I will do the full marathon if it fits into my schedule of races. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I train and race regularly in hot weather races so know what to expect and how to prepare for warmer summer races. It is easy to cut down the organization of this race compared to some others but lets look at what is good about this race first.

Good points about the race(s):

1) This marathon is probably about the cheapest race in the US.

2) The T-shirt in one of the best heavy duty and designed shirt of any race.

3) The race course except for the 5 miles along HWY 86 is one of the most scenic courses. The course is always changing and you are anxiously awaiting what new scenes are around the next corner. The lake views are real nice and the finish at the pier just great. This would be better if the state had paved a nice shoulder on the side of HWY 86 for running and biking. I personally have had no problems with cars on any part of the route. In fact I had fun chatting with a couple drivers at mile 22-23 while running. They were very nice and in no hurry to push me out of the way.

4) The route is over 50% shaded. And I really mean shaded. Many routes advertise shade (like Green Bay marathon) and end up only having sparse shade or no real shade at all. From my calculations, you are in shade for 8 miles in the first half and 6 miles in the second half. I mean real shade, large trees totally covering the road. How many courses can boast of that much shade. It is really welcome in a summer race.

5) How many small cheap races have computer chip timing. Wow that is something from a small cheap race!

6) Water stops were plentiful this year. Every 1.5 miles on the average. I just ran the half this year but had 8 water stops in 13 miles and the first part was just as good. There were even orange slices offered at a place or two on the route.

7) The workers and organizers were all very friendly and really into helping people.

8) There were spectators along the route and all of the runners starting in the shorter races become spectators. When I ran the marathon I liked having the runners coming up from behind saying HI and wishing me well. When the marathoners go by the half marathon start we all clap and cheer all the runners. This year the 10K started just as I was getting there and I had a whole new bunch of running companions.

Some possible improvements:

1) Everyone one is hollering about some electrolyte drink. No matter what is offered someone always complains that it is the wrong drink. What drink should it be and how often? From miles 20-26 the 10k runners would snatch it all up quickly and they really don't need it. I personally do not count on or need electrolyte drinks provided by the organizers. I usually wear a small fanny pack and carry my own supplies with me in the longer races. Actually the only electrolyte I have found that people really need is salt. Just take a little salt with you and take it with the water stops. Do people properly train and prepared for warm weather races. How many drink a minimum of 1 gallon of water a day and eat extra salt for the last days before a long hot weather race? And how many drink 16 oz of water with a little salt just minutes before the start of the race.

2) As for the person coughing up blood and going to the hospital, I am sorry for that person, but I am not going to quickly blame that on the orgaizers not carrying. These people care. They had plenty of water stops. Years ago none of these races offered electrolyte drinks and 3 miles was the standard spacing. Everyone just got used to drinking 10-12 oz (two glasses) at each water stop and we were fine. we carried salt with us if we really thought we might need it. How many water stops do you have on your 20-22 mile training runs? I run my long training runs with just 2-3 water stops and no electrolytes. Just tank up when you can.

3) The weather has been warmer than average the last two years. If the race had been earlier in the week the humidity and overnight lows were much better. Maybe next the averages wil start evening out. But nobody really counts on running summer marathons for good times. You just cannot run your fastest time in hot weather. Summer marathons make good fun training runs unless you get a break in the weather.

4) Many hot weather races have casualties due to the heat. Even very well prepared races cart many people of to the hospitals even when they have plenty of water stops with electrolytes. Race preparation and moderation based on your body are the keys to surviving hot weather races.

5) My solution for the electrolye situation is to have electrolyte drinks at miles 6, 12, 16, and 20 (just before 10k start). It would also be nice to offer something like the 'elite drink' placement tables. I personally would prefer to have my own formula placed at the tables so I can pick it up. The table would be at the same miles as above. You would plce your name on the bottle and give them to the organizers before the start of the marathon. they would drive them out and place them on card tables at the designated mile points.

Although I did enjoy running this race, I'd have to say I would not recomend it, were I asked. I expected my time to be slower than other races, I expected the heat. What I did not expect was so many cost cutting things associated with the run. The medal was smaller than ANY medal I've recieved, whether it be a 5k or whatever. ZERO porta-potties on the course......ZERO race officials at any intersection....no sports drinks on the course....no goodie bag, nothing to eat except banana's after the race, and only 3 deep in each age group, which would be ok, except that the age group are in 10 year, rather than 5 year increments.
I do want to say that the T shirt was very sharp. And the volunteers at the aid stations were nice & friendly. I knew going in this was a 'no-frills' marathon.....I just didn't expect it to be quite so much so.

We ran this race in 2002 and agree with previous runners comments. This is a nice hilly run through tree-covered neighborhoods along a highway circling Lake Okoboji. We thought aid stations were spaced out correctly. Would be nice to have the power-ade at the water-only stations instead of just after the race. Volunteers manning the aid stations were heroic!

Better organization could make this race more enjoyable. Organizers didn?t provide good directions to the starting point. Few relied on this info and showed up a few minutes late for the race. I recommend finding the starting point the day before ? and rely on the welcome center in Lake Okoboji for directions instead.

Watch for the many markers on the road directing the marathon. Only a couple pointed off the course. There is a gravel shoulder along the highway to avoid vehicles zipping by. Control yourself for no port-a-potties along the way.

Sorry folks, the clowns in charge are still holding this race back. Still no electrolyte drink on the course (one runner went in the ambulance vomiting blood today) and they don't seem to care. The race director seems to have no clue about safety. I don't care if they think it's 'low key,' it's lazy and when I pay to run, I don't expect lazy. If you must do an Iowa marathon - try Marathon to Marathon - a small town race that cares.

This course has the potential to be a great place for a marathon, but after 25 years I still don't think the race organizers quite get it. Running about 5 miles total on the side of 86 is definitely not a highlight of this course. Also, with the weather climbing to 95 degrees and with the humidity, they could have had water stops every two miles. It would have also been nice to have Poweraid or something at the water stations also.

I grew up in Iowa and love the Okoboji region. I loved portions of the course but the conditions were hot and humid and the support too sparse to truly enjoy the race.

I strongly recommend the organizers do three things to greatly improve this marathon:
1.) Have water stops every 2 miles (currently it is every 3 miles)
2.) Have sports drink in addition to water
3.) Move as much of the course off highway 86 as possible.

This race has much potential, nice course, beautiful area to run and nice people. What it needs are the race organizers to really take a close look at what marathoners need during a marathon. Not enough water stations, the need for an electrolyte drink, and more safety on the course (marshalls, medical support, protection from traffic)and after a marathon, most runners need more then just a banana and a bottle of power-ade.
I will come back to run this race, just to beat this damn course, (I ran my slowest time since I was 15 years old, I'm now 37) but I will bring more support and place electrolyte drinks at a number of spots on the course.
Do not run this race unless you are an experienced marathoner or want to experience hell.

Course was hilly. Temperature was hot. Great combination for someone to THINK to put water stations closer together. Water being three miles apart on a course like this and with the weather as hot as it was can only be summed up in one word...unconsciounably. Ran a PW. At mile 16 put it in survival mode.

Sports drink and more frequent water stops would be nice for such an arduous event. Luckily the sun didn't come through much, which saved my cookies! I, too, was surprised by the rolling hills and running on some traffic-heavy roads, but when we dipped into the lakes area...a piece of heaven. The volunteers were wonderful. One even fetched me a soda from the kitchen since I was desperate for something other than water. Overall, we had a ball. My husband ran the 10k and loved it! So there is something for everyone. What a friendly race, but organizers...could you offer runners some gatorade next year and a few more stops along the way? (Thanks for giving us a great race otherwise...no I am not whining really. Was thrilled to add another state!)

Sports drink and more frequent water stops would be nice for such an arduous event. Luckily the sun didn't come through much, which saved my cookies! I, too, was surprised by the rolling hills and running on some traffic-heavy roads, but when we dipped into the lakes area...a piece of heaven. The volunteers were wonderful. One even fetched me a soda from the kitchen since I was desperate for something other than water. Overall, we had a ball. My husband ran the 10k and loved it! So there is something for everyone. What a friendly race, but organizers...could you offer runners some gatorade next year and a few more stops along the way? (Thanks for giving us a great race otherwise...no I am not whining really. Was thrilled to add another state!)