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Apr 27, 2024

Marathon-to-Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 76 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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George Wigen from Spencer Iowa (6/14/2009) "What Other Marathon Could Offer What This One Does" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Marathon-to-Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second time running this marathon. Where else could you register, pick up your goody bag, and get last-minute instructions - all under five minutes? Where else could you park your car fewer than 50 feet from the finishing line? I loved the early start, and the bus transportation from Marathon to Storm Lake. Flat and fast course. I'll say this again: if you need elbow-to-elbow racers to motivate you, this one will not be your cup of tea. You will probably see more cows and roadkill along the way than spectators, but those you do see were wonderful. Great aid stations. Hats off to Al Pierce/Lois, and everyone who made this happen.
A. K. from Nebraksa (9/30/2008) "Fun little race!!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run the half marathon here before, but this was my first year running the full. Although you are running on country roads the entire time, the race seemed to fly by! The volunteers were great! Around mile 8, there were some kids outside a farm house with a bunch of pies and a sign that read, "Free pie if you quit now!!!" It made me want to quit. (Haha not really... but it was hilarious!!) The one and only annoying factor about the whole race experience was when I was told I could only take one Gatorade... come on, people, I drove across a state and a half to get here and just ran 26 miles! I'd run it again.
A. S. from Iowa (9/16/2008) "First Marathon!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
B. D. from Pacific NW, USA (7/11/2008) "Celebrating Marathon!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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."
A. W. from Wheaton, IL (6/22/2008) "Small Town At Its BEST" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
A. T. from near Chicago (6/16/2008) "Beautiful, friendly race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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!
J. H. from Tennessee (6/16/2008) "Greatly enjoyed this race!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!!!
Christine Dierickx from Wilmington, DE (6/15/2008) "Awesome Small-Town Marathon" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
C. D. from NE (6/15/2008) "Small-Town Fun!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
George Wigen from Spencer Iowa (6/15/2008) "Mentally Challenging" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Marathon-to-Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.

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