I thought that this race, from the expo to the finish line, was top-notch. The course was scenic and challenging, and the staff and volunteers were attentive and knowledgeable. Nice work!

I'm by no means an expert, but I've done the St. Louis Marathon, Lewis and Clark Marathon, and now Kansas City - and I really think Kansas City was my favorite! The course takes you through gorgeous parts of the city, and the scenery is beautiful. Everything was very well organized. The morning of the race was flawless. Parking was easy. There was no traffic. Getting to the start was a piece of cake. Pace groups were very well organized. Water and Gatorade every two miles. There were even fruit and snacks at some of the stops, which was perfect! And the boulevard at the finish line made it all worth while. All in all, my favorite marathon in Missouri.

This is my 2nd full and I have ran 3 half's. I thought it was organized very well. The race started exactly on time. Plenty of water & Gatorade. Start was organized by expected pace. There was elbow room along the way. Hills were challenging but not impossible. Three main hills at 2, 8, and 21. Cheering spectators most of the way. Free beer at the end to replenish carbs. It was long, it hurt, I did not have to worry about anything, but me along the way. What more could you ask for? It was a marathon. If it was easy, everyone would do it. ; )

I enjoyed the race. The course was challenging but very scenic so there was always something to look at to take your mind off (briefly) all the hills. The race shirts, finisher's shirt and medal are all top notch. Water stops had plenty of water & sport's drink and lots of gu was handed out. I would have liked to have had a couple more of the water stops. My main complaint is the lack of crowd control at the finish line. I had to yell at the one of the spectators to get out of my way,as I was trying to run to the finish line. A tired runner should not have to run through a maze to get to the finish line.

Beautiful city and was well organized. It started on time, water and aid stations were plenty, volunteers were nice, good support, and nice finishers t-shirt and medal. Run this course if you want a challenging hill experience...felt like we were ascending for the majority of the run. Overall, good experience.

I ran the half and am recommending it to all my running friends for next year. Everything about the race was great - even the weather (which I know you have no control over). I lived in KC in the late 60's and for me the course was scenic (and nostalgic). And the hills weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. The race really showed off the best of KC. Thanks.... I had a great time!

Loved this marathon! KC is a beautiful, unexpectedly elegant city, and we ran through the incredibly gorgeous parks, monuments, and neighborhoods. I was so proud to show off the city to my fellow runners.

Wonderful perks: 2 t-shirts, one of them a technical finisher shirt;
my first name printed above my race number, so that everyone cheered me personally;
and a $25 gift certificate to Jack Stack barbecue, (which we used Saturday after the marathon for a late lunch).

The weather was perfect, and the organizers were smart to start at 7 am. Because of the early start, before sunrise, we ran in the shade until the sun came above the buildings 3 hours later. Even then, shade trees and buildings shadowed much of the course.

It's got a couple of hills at the beginning (remember, the Hospital Hill Run is held here  it's not in Kansas, and it's not flat). If you don't train for them, they could bother you.

Also, miles 21-23 were hilly, but the relatively flat ending was terrific.

Because they've had difficulties other years (including holding it too early in the fall, so that the weather was hot, and accidentally cutting the course short), I've been worried about trying it. But all problems have been worked out, and I would enthusiastically recommend this to all!

This is everything I heard it was going to be. Tough, but fun as well. The course was a little hilly, but it is the Midwest. Each hill had an aid station at the bottom. The people holding traffic were great cheerleaders as well. Very well organized and plenty of treats at the aid station. They did add aid stations due to the warmer fall weather this year. Great example of the great care.

Overall, the race was really well done. The aid stations were well manned with friendly volunteers and (despite a warning in my race packet) everyone I saw got a medal and a tech shirt at the end.

I did not train for hills (I live in flat, flat Wichita, Kansas) and I pretty much got what I deserved. While this race isn't impossible by any means, make sure you train for the terrain to avoid my bonking experience! I went out slow to try to conserve my energy but I ran this course 20 minutes slower than normal. I think that is because I used all my energy on the hills through mile 9. I thought the slower pace would save me and I'd be ready to pick it up at about 18-19... but not so much.

Run this race if you want a challenge, want to feel good about your accomplishment and want to see the highlights of a really lovely city.

I ran the half. The course is a good sampling of KC's sights. Running across the country Club Plaza into the morning sun was especially beautiful. I also appreciate that the course spans our racial divide; it would've been easy to keep it all on the "white side of town." It's good to show folks that there's beauty in all parts of the city. It was great going through the 18th and Vine District, where a smoking hot blues band was playing. I wish they could somehow work in Cliff Drive, which is a real gem for our city. But I can understand why - it's a little detached from the other sights in the city. I'm a little disappointed by the lack of fan support. I'd like to see the city get more behind it. Perhaps the co-sponsor Kansas City Star could rally folks a little more.