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Kansas City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Kansas City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 207 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
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A. B. from Kansas City, MO
(4/23/2003)
 "Poor organization and preparation" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The course was poorly marked, several people made wrong turns because they didn't have enough volunteers to staff confusing intersections, and it was a miserable day weather-wise. The last thing you can't do much about (well, maybe schedule the race for sometime other than November), but the first two are inexcusable. As someone else mentioned the post-race festivities were a joke. Unless you're desperate to spend a few days in KC, this is one to avoid. | |
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B. L. from Lincoln, Ne
(3/19/2003)
 "First 1/2 Marathon, But Loved It" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first half marathon. It was very hilly, but it was beautiful. It was very enjoyable to run. The weather was cool, but I like running in cool weather, so no complaints. I thought there was a lot of support from people. Several times, people playing radios with inspiring music. Thought it was great. I plan on running again in 2003! | |
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Z. H. from Chicago Illinois
(1/17/2003)
 "Moderately hilly means mountainous" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I'm from illinois and when I read 'moderately hilly' on the web site I figured there might be one or two ramps we had to climb. Woah there, not the case at all. I'm sure if you are from Kansas city you think I'm nuts, but Like I said, I'm from Illinois. I wasn't use to the hills we had to climb. This was my first marathon and I enjoyed it a lot. First 20 miles were a blast but the hills really got to you in the last 6. I think I would definitely consider doing Kansas City again, although not if I wanted to pr. You don't do this race for the fans or for the goodies at the end. You do this course if you want a fun challenge and some cool medals when you finish. | |
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A Runner from Omaha, Nebraska
(12/11/2002)
"This is not a normal marathon...." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This is not a marathon for first timers or a place to set a PR. It was my 6th marathon and hardest. The course is very hilly and changelling. The organization was not good. There was no pre-race activites. No pasta party. When I got there (race morning) even though I pre-registred they had run out of tee-shirts. They asked me to sign a list and that they would send it to me. I never got my shirt even though I e-mailed the race director many times. They couldn't find my name even though I am listed on the web-site results. The web-site did not list the schedule of events for the race until the week of the marathon and than it just said 'start training' (and it had the day and start time.) They wouldn't mail out packets or information just confirmation of race entry for marathoners. They had soup and doughnuts to eat after the race in a tent outside. The finisher medals were really cool. I'm really disappointed that I put all my effort time and money into finishing and didn't even get my t-shirt. The spectators were freezing but at least they were out there. Overall I was very disappointed. | |
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A Runner from lawrence, ks
(11/21/2002)
 "One small knock against organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This race's organizers do what is called double dipping with the awards. As a person who is always just out of the running for an age group award i was disappointed that a race that was otherwise reasonably well thought out and organized blew this one small (and easy to fix) organization detail. Admittedly it doesn't impact very many people. In fact this little item affected 18 people or about 4% of the sub 5hr finishers. 9 men and 9 women. The overall winners, 6 of them, also received age group awards meaning that 6 people received too low an age group award and 6 people, me among them, received no award. it's a lazy way of dealing out medals. the people who win races have so much of the stuff that i've actually had one give me his age group item after a race. Race directors listen up! the winners don't want the age group awards. The organizers of this one have pissed me off and i won't be running it again. | |
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A Runner from Lenexa, Kansas
(11/13/2002)
 "Hilly course, well organized race" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Despite the extremely hilly course I ran a PR by 2 minutes on 11/2/02. Since the course was hilly I wore my training shoes rather than the racing flats that I normally wear for marathons. The weather was not too bad, its much better to be a little chilly than too warm for me. Don't start too fast in this marathon or the hills will kill you. | |
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A Runner from Houston, Texas
(11/11/2002)
"Not a Marathon for Walkers" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Even though the website states that the course is open for 7 hours, it wasn't. The police opened the road to traffic when I hit the 4 mile mark about a hour after the start of the race. All walkers and slower runners were required to move to the sidewalks. The water stops were removed fairly quickly so if you didn't have you own water you were out of luck. At mile 12 there was virtually no one behind me that was completing the full marathon. I continued on and completed the marathon even though I wanted to quit. It was lonley on the course. This was my 6th marathon. The organizers did stay at the finish line to pass out the finishing medal. They were terrific to stay outside in the cold weather for such a long time. The course was very scenic through mile 12 through mile 18. | |
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A Runner from kansas city, mo
(11/5/2002)
"A nice tour of kc!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The day was a cold dark rainy one, but in spite of this I had a great time running this marathon. It was well organized and took the runner through parts of KC that most people don't see. The course is very hilly (yes in KC!) and there weren't a lot of spectators (it WAS cold and rainy) but an excellent first time-run race. I would recommend this race for experienced runners, not first time marathon runners. | |
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A Runner from Omaha, Nebraska
(11/4/2002)
"I'll Be Back!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Good combination of hills and flats. Starting in the center of downtown was great. The running conditions were perfect. Beat my best time by 15 minutes. Traffic control was spectacular, at least for a 'middle of the pack' runner. The food tent was crowded to say the least. Fan support was decent. The inspirational woman near 32nd & main (around the 4-5 mile mark) was awesome. She needs to move toward the end of the race next year. Thanks for the race, we'll see you again next year. | |
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A Runner from Kansas
(11/4/2002)
"Hilly but Scenic" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This is a very difficult and hilly course. I ran the half-marathon which followed the first 11 miles and then the last 2 miles of the full marathon. I've run many half and full marathons and this is definitely the hilliest course outside of Atlanta (though, marathons are supposed to be challenging). However, it is a fairly senic course. The course goes by many of Kansas City's landmarks, commercial centers and historic sites. I really enjoyed the course. The only change to it I'd like to see is to have the finish moved so that it is not at the end of a half mile trek uphill. Now, as far as the organization goes, that needs to be improved. With over 2,000 particapants in the half and full marathons they need to have some sort of an Expo, not just a packet pick-up. Also, chip timing needs to be implemented. The start is on a narrow street and it took me about 40 seconds to get to the start line. Aid stations were generously staffed (never had to wait for a drink), but there were several stations that had water only - No Gatorade! Not a lot of spectators either, but I've been in marathons with fewer. Also, the ones that were out were extremely enthusiastic. Overall, I really enjoyed this course. Just a few improvements and this could be a terrific mid-size marathon. |
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