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☰
Central States Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Central States Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 22 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. E. from Ellicott City, MD
(5/17/2007)
 "Unique trophies are a MUST-HAVE!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved the early start as this was a back/back and temp. was going up! Running through the beautiful tree-lined park with gurgling streams and well marked course was such a treat. Having many supportive 50 staters and other friendly runners around was the best you can get for spectators in a park. Friendly people were also at the water/food stations. Really appreciated that the first station was left well equipped with ice, cups and drinks when attendee left late in race. I'm slow anyway and took forever to finish. The trophies and water bottle were just absolutely unique and fantastic, and choosing the one you want was such a hoot. I can't play basketball, but I have a great big trophy and great conversation piece. Director recycles old trophies and makes them fit the event. Water bottle has label he made also! Those efforts are much appreciated. Other directors could take a lesson from that. Topping it off, one race official took a couple of us out for the evening since we were staying over in Ames with no particular plans. What a great way to end a race! Thanks, Ames, for the friendly, fun event. It's a YES to anyone who wants to enjoy nature and personal service! The unique tropies are a MUST-HAVE! | |
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The Rrrick Karampatsos from Temple Terrace, FL
(5/16/2007)
 "Small race, but BIG HEARTS!" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was # 42 of 50 states for me and I picked a great race to do in this state! I took my time and enjoyed the day, the runners and the wonderful folks at the water stops. My only regret is that I had to leave right away for the motel checkout time! Sure would have enjoyed the fellowship at the finish line! Thanks for your friendly marathon day in Ames, IA! - The Rrrick from Temple Terrace, FL! | |
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J. D. from Ames, IA
(5/13/2007)
"A great time!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A no-stress marathon. The organizers and volunteers were wonderful. The course is beautiful and flat. The price can't be beat. And, I'll proudly show off my bowling trophy for the completion of the 50K run. :) | |
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J. R. from Nebraska
(5/30/2006)
"Casual, no-pressure marathon" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great weather, cost, setting, and people made this the perfect marathon for me this year. | |
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Daisy Onedot from Ames, Iowa
(5/15/2006)
 "Great first marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a local resident, and I wanted a simple, no frills marathon to be my first. This marathon was run more like a club run with a can't-be-beat $10 entry cost (and because it was mothers day, all mothers ran for free). The course was a 5-times out-and-back in a beautiful city park, but there was enough diversity in the scenery that the repetition wasn't tedious. There was plenty of aid, the the organizers have great senses of humor offering all finishers a trophy (old bowling and softball trophies) and door prizes made out of real doors. When I finished, there was some guy playing the theme from 'Rocky' on a trumpet. Everyone there patted me on the back and made me feel really special for finishing. In all a great time with some really great people. I think I could have run the race a little faster, but my pacing partner (who's run over a 100 marathons or ultras) kept a pretty tight rein on me and kept the pace down because it was my first. Probably wise choice. I'll be back next year. | |
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a. l. from kansas city
(8/1/2005)
 "a sunny spring day" (about: 1999)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Central States Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Except for the 5 minutes waiting for a train it was a nice run. The NEW course - VERY FLAT - has one less hill and no railroad tracks to cross so no one will have to wait for a train again. (Actually, I ran the marathon course plus the extra 5 mile loop to do the 50K. My dad came out to cheer me along and gave me a banana, cookies, etc. Thanks dad!!) Ames running club helps with this race (water stations, finish line, etc.) and they are great!! Many of them are marathoners so they know better than to say stupid things like 'looking good,' 'no more hills,' 'almost there,' etc. | |
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Jessica Johnson from Ankeny, Iowa
(5/18/2005)
"A great day!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I am so happy I chose this one to run! Everybody was so friendly and helpful, and the water stops were frequent. One stop (about halfway through the course) was equipped with lots of food, too. It was like an oasis in the desert! The majority of the race was run on gravel (and unfortunately we had a bad headwind on the way back), but the scenery was beautiful, and the other runners were so supportive. If you are looking for a race with lots of hype and tons of fans, this one isn't for you. But I felt such warmth from the other runners and the race organizers that I didn't mind. One of my highlights was seeing a family who lived on the gravel road passing out water and Gatorade to all of the runners. Though I was EXHAUSTED at the end, I am so glad I did it! | |
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A. S. from Dubuque, IA
(5/16/2005)
"Unique and Laidback Race" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I picked this race due to its laidback and fun-loving atmosphere that was presented on the website. I am so glad I participated. The course was great - even the gravel section was not that bad. We did have a headwind on the last 1/2 of the course, but all in all it was great. The lack of hype was wonderful, which is why I rated the non-existent fans as a '4.' My family was there and that was all I needed. If you want to run a marathon that seems more like a training run - relaxed and fun - then this is it! The cost, the freebies, the refeshments were all great, and I love my 'door prize.' The organizers were wonderful and seemed to love what they were doing. Great job, great race! | |
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K. K. from Oklahoma
(5/18/2004)
 "Is this heaven?... No, it's Iowa" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Well, not quite heaven. But definitely Iowa. This is as good a small marathon as you could find. It is a well-organized, very friendly, mostly flat, somewhat scenic event. The price is right ($25), and the freebies are fantastic. Yeah, no spectators, but after doing 2 recent RnR Marathons, which both started late and were not that impressively organized, you realize all that hype is a little overstated. This one was a great alternative. I'd definitely recommend this event. And hey, Ames is a beautiful, small town and quite nice to run through. | |
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V. S. from Minneapolis, MN
(5/17/2004)
 "As advertised!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Central States Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The website does not advertise that this is a big-time marathon - and they are right. ('Door prizes' = actual small cabinet doors... I think they had a few left over.) But - if you enjoy an out-and-back course, this was really a great race. The course does not have markers telling you what mile you are at, so unless you have a running gadget telling you where you are that may get a little frustrating (i.e. the turn-around point is more than 1/2 way, approximately 14 1/2 miles) but if you know where you're at on the course it was very relaxing - you are certainly not bumping elbows with anyone! The water stops are frequent (except I think something happend in 2004 between miles 21-25) and in some cases you had to 'pour your own', but the supplies were there! I hope these comments are not mis-construed as negative because I really enjoyed the day. But I enjoyed it because I had realistic expectations. Times were recorded by a gentleman with a stopwatch, a legal pad and a Bic pen. But he's accurate! |
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