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May 5, 2024

On the Road for Education Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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E. L. from Connecticut (10/24/2006) "Fantastic, fast course in the heart of Iowa!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have been a marathoner for nearly 10 years and grew up in Mason City. I ran the On the Road for Education Marathon because I wanted to run a race in my hometown. I found the course to be relatively flat, fast and scenic--also, the course has been certified and can be used as a Boston qualifier. The route takes runners past all the highlights of Mason City, from Music Man Square to neighborhoods boasting Prairie School architecture, a Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Brick & Tile Building, cornfields, rivers, ponds and a large nature preserve. There were even ducks and cows along the course who seemed to be cheering for the runners! The 26.2 miles offer a great mix of dirt, gravel and paved trails and paved and gravel roads. Northern Iowa is beautiful during this time of October and the miles that take runners outside of town through some rural areas are lovely and fast. I have run 9 previous marathons, all in big cities, and although I enjoy the crowds, I found this smaller race to be equally enjoyable. Runners can really focus on running, while the spectators that do come out for the race are really enthusiastic and cheer for everyone. A really terrific surprise was all the personal attention at water stops! The race is extremely well organized with excellent community involvement--plenty of water stops stocked with Powerade, water and Gu in the later miles and a fantastic pasta dinner the night before. For those who don't want to run a full marathon, On the Road for Education offers a half marathon, 10K and 5K as well. This is truly a wonderful event and I will certainly be back to run again!!!
r. b. from southwest wisconsin (12/6/2005) "my first marathon was a wonderful experience" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was the culmination of a lifelong desire to run a marathon. I had picked this course by chance, having wanted to run a much larger one that was closed, and therefore started searching for a nearby race on an open weekend. This race was small, but extremely well run, with enthusiatic if sparse spectators, wonderful stops (every other mile at least, with water, electrolyte drink, and later on, Gu and other options). One well-meaning older volunteer even offered me a ham sandwich at about mile 23, which I have to say I turned down with all the energy I could muster. One of my reasons for choosing this race was the description of the varied terrain, which included city streets, country roads, dirt nature trails, and paved bike trails (along a small river with entertaining ducks and kids), and the race definitely delivered. The only slight negative of the day was the conditions on the trail after the morning sprinkles, and I definitely slowed down to avoid slipping on mud or turning an ankle, but that also kept things from getting boring. There were fun people running and we definitely had a good time. The end had foil blankets (needed) and standard post-race bagels and fruit, as well as some great chili and hot cocoa. All in all, I would highly recommend this for other people who just want to run a beautiful run without all the hysteria of a bigger event.
K. B. from Ames, Iowa (11/8/2005) "First Marathon--Great Experience!" (about: 2005) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon and I have to say that it was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the fact that it was small. All the volunteers were very eager to please--from helping me get registered (had website problems), to letting me know what stations in the area were good to listen to, and for being just as excited about my finish as they were for the first-place person. Thank you to all of those that made my first marathon so great!
S. H. from Davenport, Iowa (10/29/2005) "First-class event." (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 46 marathons (Boston 10 times). The On the Road for Education Marathon, that I ran for the first time in 2005, is at the top of my list of favorites. The course, run on paved and non-paved bikepath, hiking trails, city streets and sidewalks, gravel and paved county roads, is just beautiful. The fall colors this year couldn't have been better. Race organization was perfect; no glitches whatsoever that I could discern. For me the weather was perfect: Slight drizzle and 40 degrees. This is a quaint, cozy, low-key race that showcases the city of Mason City in all its splendor. I'm ready to run the race again next year.
Thomas Brooks from Glenarm, Illinois (10/28/2005) "Small marathon, excellent course" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 26th marathon and I had a great time. The course was a great mix of city, country, trail (paved and dirt), and riverside segments. It was very well organized and had excellent support. All volunteers had upbeat attitudes. I expect this race to grow rapidly. Thanks to all who put the race together - impressive.
Dave Lipinski from New Hartford, IA (10/29/2004) "Small but great race" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 In Chicago you practically cannot run a straight line. Here you will be able to take the line of choice from start to finish, and I loved it! The course includes several miles of dirt trail running, which is about the most beautiful stretch I have ever experienced. There are many turns, but it is well marked and the students from the school who line the course were very spirited. Water stops were well placed and well stocked. I liked having many of them right at the mile mark, as I take walk breaks every mile. The enthusiasm for each person who came by was awesome. From the packet pick up, the pasta party and start to the finish line this race is well organized. You feel taken care of and get exactly what you pay for. Maybe not a great first time marathon due to the low crowds on and off the course, but if you have a couple under your belt this one is sure to please, and will be a welcome reprieve from the mega-marathons! Hats off to the organizers and the volunteers. This marathon is a sleepy little secret, and should be at 500 entrants!
Dick Beardsley from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (10/25/2004) "A wonderful event, Marathons like they used to be!" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What an awesome little race! I was fortunate to have run in this year's marathon in Mason City, It brought back some great memories of how marathons used to be! Small but very well organized! The people of Mason City will embrace you like one of there own! The course is fairly flat with running surfaces from pavement, to gravel roads, to dirt trails. It was lots of fun! The course is certified, well marked, excellent traffic control, and aid stations around every two miles with water and electrolyte drinks at all stations with GU at 12,18,and 22 miles. There are not alot of spectators but the ones that are there are great and everyone gets a big cheer at all the water stops. The Pasta feed the night before was one of the best! All homemade with a special sauce that was some of the best I've ever had. If you're expecting lots of extra's as far as goody bag stuff you may not find it to your liking, but if you're looking for a well organized race, with great volunteers, and some of the nicest people you will meet anywhere, head for Mason City, Iowa next year and I promise you that you will not be disappointed! I know I will be back again! Dick Beardsley
Minnesota Runner from Twin Cities (10/24/2004) "Fun Course" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 On the Road for Education COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Having grown up near Mason City, I was skeptical of how good a race could occur there and was very pleasantly surprised. The course was well marked, so taking a wrong turn amoung the twists in the course was not an issue. The volunteers were great and there was not a shortage of water or Powerade. They also provided oranges and bananas. Miles 14 to 19 were on a trail along a river. This trail had tree roots and rocks, but was not a problem as long as the runners paid attention to the path ahead of them. This was my favorite part of the race. After this trail, we continued along a combination of roads, bike paths and some sidewalks. At one point in East Park, there were ducks, cranes and geese in the river to our left and a herd of deer to the right. The course is advertised as flat and for the most part it is. There were just enough rolling terrain to keep things comfortable and interesting. The surface as mentioned above alternated, which I found better than all road surface. Despite all the surface changes, I ran a PR. The pre-race pasta meal was well worth the $6.00. This is not a big race as there were about 90 marathoners and 70 half marathoners. I have run both distances with thousands of other runners and found the smaller field of runners at this event to be fun. Next year I'll be back. Good job Mason City!
a. r. from twin cities (1/31/2004) "26.2 miles of fun" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is not your typical course... the run changes from street pavement to rough gravel roads to dirt trail to black-top parkway and then city sidewalks. I enjoyed the change in the course surfaces but some runners may find the rocky gravel, tree roots or sidewalk curbs to be a distraction. Nicely organized from start to finish (it was great having a place indoors to wait for the start... a cool 30 degrees at the start!). Thanks for the 26.2 miles of fun!
G. V. from Minneapolis, MN (11/14/2003) "Wonderfully motivated staff - a few concerns" (about: 2003) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This is a quaint little event that exists as a fundraiser for their private school. It is staffed by a group of very motivated individuals and seems to have the support of much of the community. The course starts off with a swing through the outskirts of Mason City which is uninspiring and tedious due to the gravel roads, but in the second half, you get a great 6 miles of dirt trails that run along a small river. This stretch alone is worth coming back for. A couple of critical comments include the fact that the walk-on registration for the 1/2 marathon is prohibitively expensive at $55.00 and they are flat-out cheap in their awards (1st place male overall and 1st place female overall - and that's it for the marathon). There should at least be a three-deep recognition for overall and masters runners. Generally, I think this is a good little course to run for a less-than-serious marathon.

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