This was the perfect marathon for my first experience. It was a small, no-frills marathon but a wonderful experience. I ran the first 1/2 by myself, which was fine, and then a veteran runner ran with me for the last 1/2. The weather was perfect. The volunteers were great. The last 6 miles, the water stops were a mile a part and volunteers gave out fruit, which gave me the boost I needed to finish. They definitely need more port-a-potties, there were only two. I saw many runners using the ditches. The homes and yards looked beautiful, and gave me something to look at. It was so nice to meet Lois at the finish line. The finishing medals were very nice!
I will definitely run the marathon again next year.

This race is an example of so much that is wonderful about marathoning! It's low-key, but more "professional" than most "big name" races. The organization is exceptional... from registration (old-fashioned - you sign up by snail mail with a check), to packet pick-up, to a runner-friendly pasta feed (all carbs, no salads, etc.), through day-of-event logistics (transportation, safety, course markings, etc.).

The course celebrates America's farmland - this is Iowa, and this is what the people who live in this community (and support this race) live and breathe day in and day out. This race is an opportunity to experience a bit of that....

The people that worked the water stops are amazing! Each aid stop was at exactly where advertised, and was themed!

The marathon finishes in a quaint village aptly named "Marathon." This year was their 125th birthday party... and our finish line was just part of their fun (parade, bake sales, fireman barbecue, fun runs, etc.).

Extras: inexpensive race fee, inexpensive accommodations and restaurants in the area, unadvertised early start option, race officials constantly drive course for your safety and to offer refreshments/aid if needed, PR flat, and MP3-friendly.

Go visit America's farmers, and give them a big "thank you."

My favorite by far. Everything just right. Super friendly natives. Lois is a doll, even sending back the running shoes my husband left at the shower! Course was beautiful - just farmland, open skies and easy. Not many spectators but the enthusiastic water stations made up for that. Dorothy from OZ is a lot prettier on the big screen, but nice, red work boots! Stay an extra day; Storm Lake is gorgeous (I have the Chicago lakefront nearby but this is small-town perfection.) Eat in town. We loved Boz Wellz - good pasta, and cheap. We wanted to meet lots of 50-Staters and Marathon Maniacs, and did so at this race. After the race, the fest was tasty and fun, with live music and showers!!!! If I weren't trying to run 50 states, this would be a summer destination.

If you want small, beautiful, friendly, "Americana," this one is it. All country roads - flat, pastoral farms and fields (and ALL SUN, no shade!). Great aid stations (costumes, friendly people, food - bananas, oranges, grapes, watermelon, Twizzlers, but only two porta-potties!). Great festival at the end - really "small town." Live music, hamburgers at the fire station, pie by the church ladies. Carbo-load at BozWellz in Storm Lake. Keep this one going, Lois!

I enjoyed this race very much! If you like small-town races, this is definitely "one for you!" If you need a large group of runners to run with and/or a large crowd of supporters along the way, try somewhere else. Since I train alone all the time, the lack of support was not an issue for me.

Not being from Iowa, I GREATLY appreciated the pre-race car "drop off" at the finish line and bus trip back to the start, so my car would be waiting for me at the end. I also liked the 5:30 early start, which helped in reaching the KC airport on time for my flight home. The pre-race spaghetti dinner was nice too.

The workers were great, the post-race food was fantastic, the post-race showers were welcomed greatly and the cool temps were appreciated (50's at the start and nice cloud-cover much of the way).

If I had to search long and hard for a negative, it would be that I never saw any port-a-potties along the race course. If they were there, I missed them. That didn't affect me, but for someone who needed to "find some place to stop," about all you had along the course was "not-very-tall grass in the ditches along the road."

Thanks for a GREAT time in Iowa! Lois, you and your team host a very nice event! It was great to meet you all! You guys ROCK!!!

I had a lot of apprehension going into this marathon. I was worried I would miss the big-city crowds and skyscrapers. But I was delightfully surprised. The organization was excellent. There were plenty of aid stations. Spectators were incredibly nice. One water station had ready-to-go watermelon slices! I didn't get bored at all. The option of starting at 5:30 was greatly appreciated to take advantage of the cooler-before-the-sun-rises weather. Tons of individual attention. One race official drove by and asked if I was alright and if I needed anything. And! Best of all, waiting in Marathon, IA was a large crowd on bleachers, cheering for each and every finisher.

WONDERFUL experience. I wasn't sure if I'd want to run a 3rd marathon after this one, but I'm motivated to keep on running now, after all the fun and great hospitality.

This was my 1st marathon, though I've run in many races. The marathon itself went great - 6 a.m. start, mild rolling country hills, in the 60's, SW breeze, and some clouds for shade. The organization went well. Good marathon for the money. Cheap pasta feed the night before (fed the family of five for under $20). Pick-up at the high school was easy and had plenty of room for all of the participants. The course was easy to follow - well manned, and the water stations were just right for me. Marathon was a neat little town - and the fact that they announce your name and town over the loudspeaker at the finish line is cool. Having Lois personally present the medal made it special. I was running alone for most the race, which was OK for me. I was alone, but never felt lonely. Crowds were sparse, but encouraging. Scenery is definitely rural Iowa at its finest - farms and cornfields. After the race, a meal was included. The town of Marathon has their city celebration, so there are other activities going on. My kids enjoyed the Tot Trot there. Overall, I liked it and would recommend the race.

This was my second marathon. I felt the packet pickup was well organized and the people were friendly. The fee was very reasonable.

The race day transportation was especially appreciated. I loved the 6 a.m. start time (and appreciated the 5:30 slow group start}. Everyone must realize that in Iowa... June can be a very warm month, and expect it to be a rather warm run.

Even though I'm from Iowa, and I'm used to seeing nothing but corn fields on the horizon (and few runners around me), this can still be a very mentally challenging race. If you need large crowds and elbow-to-elbow runners to keep you going, this race is not for you.

At the finish of the race, Lois greets each runner and presents you with your finisher medal. What a feeling that induced!! I was honored.

Al Pierce did a great job with the race. I was worried about the aid stations, but found them to be more than adequate.

Great job, marathon/Storm Lake. A great "little" marathon.

I read all the comments before doing this marathon and boy was I blown away! This was one of my favorites! Great organization, great volunteers and beautiful countryside. This is a great marathon to PR in and just enjoy the town and great people. The marathon was definitely one to remember, and at the top of the list of great fun for Iowa. Keep it going, and for those looking for a marathon that helps you get your 50 states, this is it!

The course was a little hilly - only you cannot tell because of the long inclination. Hot, humid, and lonely country roads - but I loved it. If you are slow runners like me, you will be running alone most of the time. It is a small marathon. There is no looping on this course, so you would never see other runners again on the course after they pass you. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. There were not many spectators. Much appreciated the volunteers, especially at the water stops. They were out there in a very hot day to help the runners. Thanks again for everything.