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May 4, 2024

Okanagan Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Okanagan Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.1

Organization 3.3

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 48 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

D. K. from Kelowna (10/13/2009) "Accidental turn made the race about 600m too long" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The lack of race marshals in the last few kilometers resulted in many marathoners (myself included) taking a right turn into a section meant only for the half-marathoners. This added about 600 or more meters to our 42.2KM. For those hoping to qualify for Boston, this extra distance cost them their dream; 600 meters means about three minutes added on to their overall time. That's very disappointing and this should definitely be addressed and made public. How will this be rectified? This cannot be hushed or brushed under the rug. This was a Boston qualifying course and those mistakes can't be passed over.
Y. M. from Kelowna (10/13/2009) "great support but poorly organized" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 The volunteer at the stations were great, supportive and very helpful. The spectators were also very enthusiastic and encouraging. This was my first marathon so I really enjoyed and appreciate the support. The course was beautiful. However, I found the loops extremely confusing. At some points, it was very well marked and well-staffed, and everyone did a very good job at letting the participants know where to go. But at other points, there was a lack of marshals. I ran the wrong way a total of three times. The first time, I didn't know if I was on the first lap or second lap, so I started down the first lap again until I saw the 16K marker and knew that was not right. Another time, I followed the pylons around the traffic circle and went a long way down the wrong way until someone in a van pulled over and told me I went the wrong way and I had to run back to the traffic circle. When I was going the wrong way at the traffic circle, there was a group of people with vests who watched me and did not say anything, so I had assumed it was the right way. And then, close to the finish, around Walnut Avenue, I ran down the wrong way because I missed an arrow sign that was not very visible. I'm sure that I ended up running an extra 5K. Despite these things, I still thoroughly enjoyed my first marathon experience, and I had a wonderful time. I ran in the Victoria Half Marathon last year and I found that one to be a lot better organized and very easy to follow. I understand it can be difficult organizing an event of this scope. I hope the organizers can take this feedback and make the next one a even better course next year. Thanks for the great effort.
B. M. from Vancouver (10/12/2009) "Was the course 800 meters too long??" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was a good marathon. I liked the course (although not all of the loops!). I thought the marshaling on the course could have been better, especially with separating the half and full marathoners. The loops were very confusing, and since I'm not from Kelowna, I wasn't sure if I had done two or three loops. I am very disappointed that I didn't qualify for Boston, especially since I was told by a pace bunny that the course was 800 meters too long! My time was only off by two minutes or 30 seconds, depending on whether you go by the chip or net time. I find this confusing and unclear.
S. S. from British Columbia (10/12/2009) "2009 race was 26.53 miles" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I was a little concerned about running this race on account of some of the comments on this website. Now I can see why this is a not a good overall race. First and foremost, there was an extra section with a hairpin turn towards the end, which was part of the half-marathon only. There were no race marshals or signs, only pylons so that many runners were confused. Actually, perhaps "confused" isn't the right word, as it seemed that the course was clearly marked! It cost me around three minutes (I downloaded the course from my Garmin and could see the extra distance and time). Rather than qualifying comfortably for Boston, I missed it by 21 seconds! That's frustrating, as I was running a great race, with a strong final 10K. The course itself was OK, though the way it was looped and intermingled with the half-marathon was confusing. Also, the last section of the race near the end required running over a bridge that was crowded with people when I ran across it - I had to shout to get people to move out of the way. I also heard people at two different spots saying, "One KM left" and a photographer was giving directions at one point where there was no signage. The web page for the race leaves much to be desired. For example, I couldn't find info pertaining to where the aid stations were or how often (or where) gels were being handed out. The road closure info handed out was also incorrect.
Sherri Harbaruk from Calgary, AB (6/16/2009) "Qualified for Boston!!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed the route. I knew the course had changed from previous years, so I expected a tougher course than advertised. I liked the small-town feel of the marathon, as I prefer to run alone rather than in packs. The marshaling and volunteers were great throughout the entire event. City Park is beautiful and brings me back to the years I grew up in the area. I loved that my daughter got to play at the playground and beach I have such fond memories of. As others have commented, I found the boardwalk challenging at a time when bobbing, weaving and uneven surfaces were unwelcome; however, it was nice to run along the water. I would have preferred a course that didn't feature two identical loops. Kelowna is such a beautiful place that there must be a 42K route without having to double up. The unisex shirt is one my husband is now proudly wearing, as the small was much too large for me. Please consider gender-specific sizing. I loved the color and design of the shirt. I will be back to try out the new route, as I hear that there will be a new course for 2009.
P. R. from Calgary, Alberta (3/13/2009) "challenging race; old route was better" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is a nice "small" marathon to run, but not an "international" or "fast" race as advertised. Expo was small; nothing special was happening to make it worth more than a quick look on the way in to register or pick up race packages. That's our fault for registering late, but what is up with cash only? Good luck finding an ATM anywhere near the staging area (in a lakeside park) 0 if you don't have cash with you to sign up in person. Start was well organized; good pre-race vibe with enthusiastic announcers, staggered starts for the various races, and good crowd support as you headed out. Water stations were ample and well staffed. Spectators and entertainment along the route were marginal, but where present were enthusiastic and supportive. The new (2007) route was a challenge! VERY hilly (and you get to run them all twice). The Okanagan Valley is a beautiful place, but this route does not take advantage of the scenery nearly as well as the old route. My understanding is that the route was changed in 2007 because of road construction, but now that the new route has been used two years in a row it seems to have become the norm. This is definitely NOT a flat, fast course; train for HILLS, HILLS, HILLS. Worse is having to do them all twice; the old course went through a scenic tour of the city, lake shore, and some nice rural areas, all without having to repeat sections and with only a few hills. The new route is less interesting visually and makes you run the majority of it twice, including some long, grinding uphills and downhills. If you have trained for hills you might be okay, but if your training has been mainly on the flats you will find this race a real challenge; you will have a whole new relationship with your quads by the end of your second lap through the ups and downs of the course. The finishing section along the downtown boardwalk were troublesome. The last couple of KM's involved lots of weaving around through the public who didn't seem to know that there was a race going on (think families with kids and baby strollers, people walking their dogs, couples stopped in the middle of the sidewalk taking photos of the lake, etc.), with numerous changes in direction and few signs/marshals showing where the route went. I was able to keep an eye on where the runners ahead of me were headed, but it would be easy for a tired/inattentive runner to get lost or have a major collision in this section. Overall this was a challenging race, well organized in most respects, but more of a local event than the "international" race that the organisers seem to be aspiring to. Comparing my experience in 2008 to my first time in 2005, I'd say that things are not growing/getting better, but drifting back to becoming a smaller, more regional event. Not sure if that is a bad thing, but be prepared for something less than what the website and advertising would have you believe. Would I run it again? Yes, but only after some serious sessions of hill training!
Andy Colton from Langley, B.C (10/17/2008) "Local, yes; international... no." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 For a little big town (which I believe Kelowna is), the marathon is well represented on the small stage. When you add the word "international," it becomes a whole new show and requires a little more bang for the buck. The course is challenging, the crowds are sparse, and there are no clock, mat or hoopla at the halfway mark. Having the obstacle course at the end along the uneven promenade amid all of the tourists taking pictures, people walking with their dogs, strollers etc. was more challenging than the hill (both times). The expo... well, in a nutshell, actually I think you could get more in a nutshell. It's a beautiful city; showcase what it is known for, step up to the main stage and make your mark as an event all runners rave about.
Maria Wilson from Calgary, Alberta (9/17/2008) "Wonderful" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the full marathon last year - it was my first and I loved it. I actually choose this particular course because I heard it was flat, but it was changed, and although it was hilly, I really enjoyed it (I had trained for hills so it was a breeze). I only rated the spectators a "3" because by the time I was finished (5:18), not many people were left; however, John Stanton was still there and he called me in when I crossed the finish line. That really made the race for me. The volunteers worked very hard; there were lots of smiles, cheers, gels and water for me on the run. They were well prepared and this also amazed me because I had heard that the year before they ran out of water. The only thing I'd change is the t-shirts; they sucked big time. I was hoping they would be much nicer and have long sleeves for the full and short sleeves for the half.
J. M. from Calgary, AB (6/13/2008) "Surprise" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I went to this race as I thought it would be fast and flat, as advertised. I found out once I got there that it was hilly and a double-loop course. Too many surprises for me to ever go back. On to Regina this year....
J. L. from Vancouver (3/17/2008) "Could be and should be so much better." (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 I came here thinking that it was a beautiful course and well-organized event. It was billed as a flat and fast course. As others have commented: it wasn't. That wasn't my beef, even though I was let to believe that it was a fast course, as sometimes courses get changed due to factors that are beyond the control of organizers. Things that could be and should be better: The website is rather weak with information. There wasn't much of an expo for a marathon that's been around for some time. The double-back loop across uneven section of the road, which was under construction, was not ideal. The bouncy and uneven boardwalk during the last KM was unexpected, but worst was the two-step stairs during the last KM where you needed to go down, and no mention of that anywhere or in advance. They really should have at least a race marshal at the spot to warn people and/or to spot people in case they fall over. After all, this was the last KM of a marathon where your legs weren't exactly fresh. The medal should have at least the year of the race, even if you decided to give all finishers the same medal regardless of distance. This is the first marathon that I have seen where finishers for the 10K, 1/2 marathon and marathon get the same unisex T-shirt - a short-sleeve at that - with no year on it. With that being a windy day and the finish in an open area, there was no place to hide after finish, no blanket, and the tent where they kept the "food" was too small. Many didn't even wait for the prepaid massage because of the wait. After a 45-minute wait in the cold and still not getting it, it just wasn't worth it. Maybe a runner's compound at the finish under some cover, or even in a tent that is big enough? Maybe add space blankets, and/or a heater? These are things that the organizer should consider in moving forward. You would like to see post-race food for a marathon event being more than just bananas, limited cookies, apples and water. It didn't even measure up to many 5K or 10K events. You come away with the impression that the event was organized by bean counters who are non-runners with little experience and not many corporate connections. It's such a great city with so much potential. It could be and ought to be better.

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