I ran in the half marathon in Abilene. It was not a pleasant race weather wise, but I had a great time. The food was great, the people were great, and morale was high. The crowds were very supporting at the beginning and end, but there weren't many people inbetween except for those at the water station. It was truely awesome to watch the marathoner's finish. The only thing I didn't like about the race (besides the wind) was the out and back course. It made the race a little monotonous. However, I plan to come back next year!

This was an incredibly well organized, friendly, well-run race. It is hard to believe that it was a first time race. The course would have been very fast but for an obscene headwind on the return of this out and back course. I will never complain about wind again after this race. I would like to try the course again with less wind. The people were great at all the aid stations. The fans and all workers were very enthusiastic and friendly. Great small town atmosphere and race.

The inaugural Eisenhower run was a true challenge. The weather was cool with a blustery headwind the entire 2nd half. Despite the frigid-like temps hats-off to the volunteers who stuck to their water/powerade stations every 2 miles. I think they suffered more than the runners. At least we were generating heat and energy by constantly being on the move. The organizers did a great job their first time out. Being able to close entire county highways for 6 hrs allowed runners the luxury of using the whole road without worries of traffic and pedestrians. The post race pizza and sandwiches, free to all runners, was an added bonus. Nice looking finsiher's medal also. It got plenty of positive comments from the airport security screeners. A bit of a trek to get to (2+ hrs drive out of KC), but a first rate Kansas marathon.

the organization for a first time event was good with room for improvement. finding enough volunteers in such a small town must have been difficult and then expecting all of them to show up given the conditions would have taken a miracle. running the chisholm trail was something we did in name only. the course is paved road the entire way. i enjoyed the course but not the weather. what can you say about 30 degrees and 30 mph winds? a few water stops were undermanned but i can't blame people for not showing up. it was mighty cold. someone attempted to call out our first mile split. it was nice of them to try but they certainly weren't standing anywhere near the mile marker. the course runs primarily through open gently rolling fields of dirt. at this time of year there was next to nothing growing or green. if you like to run there wasn't much to distract you from that task except the wind and personally i gave up fighting the wind in mile 19. i could continue to pick on the marathon but in general it wasn't the marathon but the weather that just screwed this one up.

The people were wonderful. For an inaugural marathon they did a great job. This would be a fast, relaxing, serene course if there was no wind. This year the wind/cold was absolutely brutal! Having done only big city marathons in the past, this experience will make me consider smaller runs in the future. Great job Abilene!!! Thank-You

I ran the half marathon. For a first time event it was great. Well Ran! In a few years this could be a great race. Very flat course. But alot of wind!! The last two miles was ran into a stiff north wind.

Aid stations were well stocked. Maybe the use of lids and straws would of helped the drinks. With the wind it was hard to drink on the run. Also maybe GEL at the aid stations would be great. They might of had this latter on the full marathon stations.

Again all and all a well ran race for a first time. Good luck next year.

For an inaugural event, the people of Abilene, KS did a heck of a job. Beautiful course that goes through a park, rural highways and is also flat. There were plenty of toilets for all. The aid stations were about 2 miles apart and offered not only water and poweraid, but oranges, bananas, M&M's. The station volunteers were very supportive and I enjoyed the school band at Mile 10. Pre race pasta dinner was a town affair with everything coming directly from home ovens and brought in. (Loved the baked spaghetti) After the race, there was a pizza and sandwich luncheon. WOW, they thought of everything. Truly a glimpse of a smallish town getting together for a good cause (Red Cross) and raising money. Unfortunately, I pulled a muscle and had to pull out, but I'll be back to finish next year. Thanks.

Hello Runners,

Abilene is a small town with a great deal of history. The weather for this one was cooler but the wind was intense. The race organizers and helpers made it worth running.