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May 3, 2024

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 61 to 71]

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N. P. from Mass street Baby! (10/20/2009) "Going to KC" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Kansas City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second year running the KC Marathon. I thought the support on the course this year was far superior to last year or the years that I've done the half-marathon. The weather was great, which means a balance between cool weather and race fans. The pacers went on clock time and were right on. It took my group one minute to get to the start, so I would assume clock time would be off for others, but they were right on for chip time. More porta-potties were needed. And I finished in the top 20% of the marathon and they were out of beer when I finished - that's not cool, not cool at all. I would have also liked some warm soup or something warm at the finish, but those are just the little things. I'd do it again and most likely will!
P. O. from Iowa (10/20/2009) "Terrific Race on a Beautiful and Challenging Cours" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Kansas City was my fifth marathon. I set a PR by 17 minutes and had a great experience. Course: The course began and ended in Crown Center in 2009 with the start/finish area conveniently located by two large hotels. The course took us to many of KC's highlights, including downtown, Westport, and Country Club Plaza. KC is a hilly town and there is no way for a course designer to avoid hills. The most challenging hills are in the first half, and the one around miles 21-22 didn't seem that bad to me. The last couple miles are downhill and flat. I can't imagine a better course for KC. Organization: I thought that it was great. Packet pick-up was easy, the start went smoothly, and the finish line area was well run and efficient when I got there (around 4:17). They had a variety of food at the finish and plenty of volunteers to help with chip removal and t-shirt and medal distribution (the finishers' medals were really cool, too). It seems like the organizers took comments from previous years' races seriously and worked to make a lot of improvements. Spectators: There were a lot more of them and they were louder than I expected. If you are a KU or - God forbid - an MU alum, you will get a lot of additional support, too! The volunteers on the course were great cheerleaders as well.
J. H. from Salt Lake City, UT (10/20/2009) "What a great marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization and fan support on this race was great. There were lots of water/Gatorade stops and first aid stops. At many of the aid stations they had fruit, gels, candy, and pretzels. They gave a cotton t-shirt with the race packet, then once you finished the race they gave you a finisher's tech shirt. There were fans cheering along the entire course. The course did have some tough hills, but it was a very pretty course and it was a true closed course as well, which is nice. The medal was very good-looking. The only negative to the race was that the marathon was started with the half-marathon and 5K, which did make it a little congested at the start. Overall, a race that I would definitely recommend.
K. Y. from Oklahoma (10/20/2009) "Beautiful course, great support and organization!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was an awesome experience. The expo was great. There were enough vendors that it was interesting but it wasn't overly crowded. Packet pick up was a cinch and the start location in Crown Center is great for parking. The race itself was very well done. The course is absolutely beautiful. You get to see many of the historic sites and beautiful neighborhoods of Kansas City. There were four major hills on the course but the two toughest are in the first four miles. The hills keep the course interesting, and they are challenging but fair. I ran with the 4:00 pace group and Jim and Al put us right on pace and helped me to finish in under four hours in my first marathon. Thanks, guys; I couldn't have done it without you! There was plenty of water and Gatorade throughout the course. Overall, this is a very well run marathon and I would recommend it to anyone.
G. M. from Kansas City, MO (10/20/2009) "Great marathon, nice downhill finish" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Kansas City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the second time I have run Kansas City, and the finish area is much improved with the new location. I love the course layout, with a good mix of hills and flat areas and the most difficult hills in the first half of the course. I'm not sure why the 5K race started at the same time as the half and full marathons this year; it seemed odd to have these faster-paced runners bobbing and weaving amongst the longer distance runners. I would like to see the 5K go back to a later start like they did last year. Also, that would help alleviate congestion getting into the parking ramps and lines for the porta-potties. I loved the fact that Waddell & Reed gives both an entrant's cotton T-shirt and a technical finisher's shirt - plus a cool medal. I like that the finisher's medal for the full marathon is of a different KC fountain each year. This event is first-class all the way!
A. B. from Rochester, Minnesota (10/20/2009) "Excellent Organization" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great marathon from start to finish. Plenty of water stops and friendly volunteers. I loved the start and finish being in the same place. The host hotel was awesome, and there was a great expo and the best spaghetti feed I've had at any marathon. The course showcased KC very well. No changes needed for this marathon. Keep up with the great job.
K. T. from New York, NY (10/19/2009) "Great Mid-Size Marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course takes you to all the landmarks and scenic views that KC has to offer. The organization was top-notch, and the volunteers were very helpful. I've run over 15 marathons and this is a well-kept secret. The course was hilly and rolling, but downhill from miles 24-26. Course, organization (email updates frequently before the race), expo, and volunteers were top-notch EXCEPT for the mile marker on 20. Other than that, it is a minor detail, but nothing is perfect and this is by far one of the best marathons I ran on. I ran this on Saturday with a 3:05 so I could be a bit biased. ;) Thank you, Kansas City!
C. B. from Kansas City, MO (10/19/2009) "Great First Race" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Overall, this was a great first race. The course was fantastic, featuring some challenging hills and hitting all of the hot spots of the city. The crowd support was also excellent (I loved all of the live bands). My one complaint: the finish line. I finished in under four hours, but most of the vendors had packed up and left (including the free beer :( ). From reading older comments, it looks like this has been a problem in previous years, but organizers have done little to correct this. Despite that, I would recommend this race to anyone, and I am looking forward to next year!
W. W. from Kansas City, MO (10/18/2009) "Wonderful!" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and the hills were definitely challenging (as others mentioned), but the course was nicely designed, so that the last several miles were flat or downhill. I also know that they have changed the course design from previous years, so that the start and finish are both at Crown Center. There's beautiful scenery and a very friendly atmosphere from the spectators, the volunteers, and the other runners!
A. R. from Oklahoma (10/18/2009) "This race was the start of many!!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Kansas City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am from Oklahoma, and this was my first time training for a half-marathon. I had so much fun running the race!!! Kansas City spectators were so encouraging! The signs, the costumes, the music... it was all just an awesome experience!! I hope to run this race again, but next time with my family! Oh yeah, and the hills... one word: tough! But I made it! :)

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