Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 5, 2024

On the Road for Education Runner Comments

Back to On the Road for Education Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

N. B. from MN (10/25/2011) "Awesome Small Town Race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved the attention to detail the race director had for this race. Pins were already attached to the race bibs and names and numbers were already written on the drop bags. There was GU at three spots and water and Poweraid every two miles. We were able to wait for the start inside with real toilets. All key intersections were staffed to ensure safe crossing and all other spots were well marked. The half marathon started an hour later, so we didn't run into walls of slower runners near the finish. What a treat. This is a very small race, so the specators were sparse, but the scenery was wonderful. You run on paved and gravel country roads in the early miles and then on to dirt trails. It seems like you're the only one out there at times. The last part is through town, but mostly along the river on roads and trails. The waterstops were well organized and the course was difficult but fair. The gravel roads and the dirt trails got to me, but I still had a blast.
J. B. from Wisconsin (10/25/2011) "great small marathon!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon. My first in Iowa. I knew it was going to be small and worried that I would have to use my MP3 player and run most of it alone but the smallness of the race was also part of the charm. The goodie bags were full of great surprises, the tshirts were very nice, and the medal was nice too. Don't kid yourself - it wasn't a boring IOWA road full of corn - there were trails, gravel, roots, roads, etc. Lots of variety. I think the race was so small that I was able to meet other runners. Loved the start aread - indoors, warm and no porta potties. REAL bathrooms. Loved stretching and visiting beforehand. Not many spectators but I do not really need them. Great awards ceremony afterwards because I got an age group award! nice finish line and showers.
R. K. from West Des Moines, IA (10/24/2011) "Small-town, lots of heart..." (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, let me say that the volunteers and organizers of this event really did a great job of putting this marathon together. I imagine it takes a lot of heart to pull something like this off, so kudos to the people of Mason City and Newman Catholic High School for doing so. Cons: Not that many runners for the full marathon (but that could be a pro, too!), infrequent water stops at the end (every two miles or so), trails made for some tricky running, gravel roads also somewhat challenging (be prepared if you're not used to this surface) Pros: GU packs made available, charming cheerleaders and volunteers, somewhat flat course (especially at the end), easy packet pick-up and easy-to-find start/finish lines, caring medical staff patrolling the course, early start times available, marathon fee goes to a GREAT cause! Best of luck to the organizers next year!
J. P. from Mason City, Iowa (7/5/2011) "This is a great marathon race to run!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The marathon race was a great one to run with great volunteers. One benefit was that there were not many entrants so there were no crowds to contend with. The start at Music Man Square was very unique and a great way to start the event. Mason City is truly River City! The course had great variety in that it went through the city, out on bike travels, past Iowa corn fields on a few gravel roads, a great nature trail (especially in the fall with the leaves turning color) and then back again into the city for the end of the race at the Newman school. Great day!
F. s. from California (12/22/2010) "If had to do over, I'd choose another IA marathon" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Support along the course was fine and we were glad to support the local school system, but I think there should be some reciprocity.
C. D. from West Des Moines, Iowa (11/5/2010) "Beautiful course; super well organized event" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I walked this course and it's the most beautiful one I have walked. From packet pick-up to finish line food, this was a very well organized event and I highly recommend it. Many 50-State Club members were here as well.
Sue Mantyla from Salt Lake City, Utah (10/27/2010) "Great race! Small home-town charm!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've never been to Mason City. What a darling town. It was fun to start at such a famous landmark, "The Music Man" composer's hometown. The race was well organized, and the enthusiastic volunteers were amazing and so helpful. The spectators were so fun, especially the "pinata" that followed us along the course. The course was breathtaking and very diverse. You never knew what kind of surface or scenery was coming up next. I loved running through the serenity of the trails. Even though we were a small "marathon" group, everyone was friendly and encouraging. The towns were so quaint and the homes on wooded lots were so fun to admire. I'd come back to visit. Thanks for putting on such a fun marathon. I love the little home-town races.
David Reinhart from Dallas, TX (10/24/2010) "A real taste of Iowa" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I am originally from Iowa and I returned for this race fully expecting a boring run through cornfields. Yes, there was a good portion in the corn fields, but more than half of the race was on trails along the river. With the changing leaves it was absolutely beautiful! The race organization was superb and very accommodating. I have nothing negative to say about this race.
S. H. from Southwestern Wisconsin (10/28/2009) "Very runner-focused!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my fourth marathon, and I truly appreciate a lot of the little details that showed how much the organizers were focused on making it a great day for runners: * Indoor place to wait for the start - fantastic! * Lots of aid stations, with GU and fruit (though I don't use either during the race, it was a great touch for those who do). * Well-marked course with great volunteers at nearly every corner. I truly appreciated the time that went into marking the rocks and roots in the Lime Creek nature area - by that point my legs weren't always as nimble as they should be, and I'm sure that seeing the obstacles ahead of time saved me a fall. * Making changes to the half course at the last minute so those of us running the full would be the only ones through the wet dirt trails in Lime Creek. I know that had to be a huge undertaking! * Variety of food at the finish, and having showers available was wonderful. Though the event is small, they really do have the runners in mind when they make decisions.
C. W. from Phoenix AZ (10/27/2009) "Put this one on your list" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race!! Here's why: * Low cost * $6 yummy pasta feed * Well organized * Great race director and volunteers * Fun course with variety * Pretty scenery * Excellent course marshals * Friendly and encouraging spectators * Excellent, locally-made Fox River socks as swag * Great post-race food * Hot showers! * Cheap enough to donate an extra $20 when you register * All in all, a great race and a great value!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use