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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 31 to 41]

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

g. w. from us (10/9/2007) "terrible!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was an out and back course which was run twice for the marathon. The course got changed from that advertised, due to road construction. Hills were added and the course was slower. Also, we had to squeeze through a small gate at the start, which was terrible if you were trying to do a BQ. It was my first and last time running this marathon.
Cyndy Brown from Langley BC (10/25/2006) "Fast course with best traffic coning ever !" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I would normally not run the same marathon twice, but Kelowna is an exception. The flat course is completely marked with orange traffic cones and the volunteers and police at the road crossings make it easy to concentrate on running, not watching for cars. Thanks to the drivers of Kelowna who waited in some very long lines as the marathon route took over some streets. Please provide water at the prerace expo - buying a warm gatorade doesn't reflect well on organizers. Fantastic to see Power Gels at so many stations. The small water pitchers were great to self-fill my water bottle at stations. A technical shirt is better than cotton, putting the photo on the front is not a good idea for people taking a closer look, at my female runners chest anyway - uncomfortable ! I would recommend this course, especially if you trying for a PR or Boston qualifing time.
Jo Anne Haworth from Terrace, British Columbia (10/14/2006) "Fun Race" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my second Okanagan Marathon, and I would do it again (but not too soon!). I almost derailed, however, at the 1/2 marathon turnaround, when I turned with the 1/2 marathon runners and ended up going through the finish chute with them instead of continuing with the marathoners. I had to return to the turn point (approx. 8 KM round trip) to get back on course. At the turn station, there was a volunteer standing there cheering me on, and it would have been nice had she been aware of the marathoners who missed the sign (since the turn signs looked the same as the other previous signs where both marathoners and 1/2 marathoners turned). The numbers on the bibs make it very obvious which race is being run, and perhaps they could be instructed at that particular turn station to watch for wayward racers! This mistake cost me an additional 8 KM, making my race 50 KM. I managed to calculate where my own 42 KM race would be (at the 34 KM marker), and my time was 4:41, which took over 1/2 an hour off of last year's time. So I was pleased with my time, however it was a difficult race to keep focused on after my screw-up. Better food at the end would be appreciated. But thanks to all the volunteers and organizers. I hope to see you again next year. - Jo Anne Haworth P.s.: You have my name listed incorrectly. You have it as "Anne, Haworth Jo."
B. B. from Vancouver, Canada (10/13/2006) "Great race and volunteers" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Good: flat and fast, with great volunteers and lots of water stations. Bad: Walkers started an hour before the runners, which ended up being an issue as the runners overtook the walkers. No foil at end to keep warm - lucky it was sunny. Minimal food.
P. M. from Vernon British Columbia (10/10/2006) "Well organized, great volunteers, poor food" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The day was beautiful - you couldn't have asked for better - and the volunteers and aid stations were fantastic. The race announcer was great, and the race was very organized. For $100 the food was, to say the least, embarrassing! Come on you guys - plain white bagels, bananas and oranges?? Where is the reward? After running 26.2, we deserve more than this.
V. H. from Vancouver, Canada (10/9/2006) "Great course to qualify for the Boston Marathon" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The Okanagan Marathon takes place in the heart of British Columbia's wine country. Kelowna has very good accommodations - many inexpensive - and the marathon takes place during the local Wine Festival. Absolutely book a tour of one of the exceptional local vineyards. Perhaps post-race would be best! The marathon course is flat and fast, making it easy to keep your pace and the field is small enough that you won't be fighting any crowds to keep your line. The course itself can border on the tedious in places, but you often have straight sight lines for several kilometers giving you an excellent sense of where you are on the course at all times. The organization has done a great job on the course. All mile markers are highly visible and the water stations are frequent and well run. A few more porta-potties in a few more locations might be an idea, but the field is small enough that line-ups are short. The only slight negative about the course layout is the final mile that winds along the lake front. It's scenic but very narrow and you will want to make sure that tired legs don't stumble on the cobblestones, which are quite uneven, thrown up by tree roots and frost. The crowds are sparse along the course but very vocal at the end. A great course in which to get your qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, or simply a friendly race on the small side where you can soak up the local ambience and a little vino!
L. T. from Vancouver, BC Canada (12/8/2005) "Organizational help wanted." (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Ran the half marathon and got a PR. Course is overall flat. For such a beautiful city, the half route wasn't very nice (a lot of industrial areas, etc). But if the organization had been better, this race had much more potential. At package pick-up, they had run out of t-shirts. They took my name and number, said they would call, etc. (2 months later and a few follow up calls by me, and I still haven't seen/heard anything). They also ran out of medals; I don't know how well they followed up on that point. My pace rabbit of 1:45 (half) took off far too fast and I thought my goal was shattered... only to find her with 0.5 KM to go, standing there cheering runners on, saying, "You can still make it, I went too fast." Wow, I didn't appreciate that from a 'rabbit.' Don't be a pacer if you can't come close to the target pace. I would recommend the Victoria race (same date) over this one, if you're planning on visiting our province.
s. M. from Kamloops (10/29/2005) "a very basic, no-frills race" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 3 Okanagan Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The route is good (and it is flat to those of us from the BC interior), the number of aid stations was exceptional, and the traffic control is phenomenal! The volunteers were very friendly, which is a good thing, because there are no spectators.... The food is typical 1990's runner's fare (bagels and banana's), and the t-shirt is always boring white. And to boot, they ran out of both medals and shirts. Not their finest hour.
Alan Marleau from Kitimat, B.C. (10/14/2005) "Fast and Flat.BQ course for serious runners." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A great event that was very well organised.The course was fast and flat with only 2 minor hills. Hats off to the organising committee,as the course was marked very well, and with aid stations every mile,it was a runners greatest joy to see the happy and encouraging volunteers.The only beef I had was that the faster marathoners ran into the half marathoners at the aid stations and through the park it was a little congested weaving in and out of slower runners. Overall it was a great race.I will be back in the future!
D. P. from West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (10/14/2005) "Modest event, small town, good time" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Okanagan Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 753 marathon finishers, on a pleasant course, run through residential and rural neighbourhoods with the start and finish by Okanagan Lake. Course is not as flat as stated as there are a number of steady inclines, but no steep hills. It's an enjoyable course where you can run your pace. Beautiful autumn weather - cool & sunny. Pleasant city - some good restaurants. Stay at The Grand Okanagan Hotel, the best in town. Visit the local wineries afterwards - Mission Hill is beautiful + good tour and great wine. Refreshing change from the large races with thousands of runners. Kelowna won't be confused with Paris or New York, but it's still a nice area.

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