The whole town seemed to welcome us with open arms. The packet pick up was very easy; however, there were a couple of glitches with pasta party tickets not being in packets. That was easily resolved though. The pasta dinner was very good, with seconds offered. The race started about 30 minutes late due to the number of last-minute registrations. The volunteers and the whole town were very friendly. The course was an out-and-back, and the middle section of the out-and-back was a bit boring, but the part through the park was nice. Pretty much no spectators on the course, but I didn't mind that. Lots of water, PowerAde, and fruit out on the course. I received an enthusiastic welcome at the finish line from the few spectators there. After finishing, a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast was provided. I would recommend this race.

This is a tiny marathon, and I put four stars for spectators because considering its size, there was always somebody along the course. Wonderful support with water and food every mile, nice volunteers, people on horseback riding the second part of the route, and wonderful Kansas scenery with plains and fields, farmhouses and windmills. What more could you want? I was most impressed with the organization. There was a great pasta dinner and a hot after-race breakfast, and one could tell there was much work and dedication put into this race. Cute town, too. As far as I'm concerned, a perfect Kansas race. I can't think of a thing that needed improvement. And out-and-back races are comforting when you're out in the boonies; you see other runners more.

This was my first marathon and overall it was a great experience! The course was flat with a good mix of open road and time in a park. The race got a late start because registration was unorganized, but other than that, it was good. Aid stations were well placed and workers were very helpful. There were few spectators throughout the race, but most of the race was out in the country. I would recommend the race and plan on running it again!

I ran the EM in 2005 and they had everything running like a well oiled machine. This year, not so much.

The main issue was that they started the race 25 minutes late. To me, this makes it clear that the organizers cannot be runners themselves. They don't understand that the race start time is SACRED and the basis for how we plan up to 24 hours in advance. For me, it dictates when I eat the night before, when I go to bed, what time I get up, when I get to the race, when I eat breakfast, when I begin stretching, etc. That all gets thrown off with a late start. And for a race that's been around for this long, it really is inexcusable.

The other thing that irks me is that the late start impacted how much time I had between when I finished and when I had to leave to drive back home. Instead of an hour, I had only 30 minutes. Therefore, I couldn't stick around for the awards. And they want $5 to mail out an age-group award!!

They could really benefit from hiring a runner as a consultant to help them manage some of these finer points.

The community puts together a great effort for this race. Very friendly atmosphere compared to some of the other races that I have been at. Everything is very organized, from the packet pick up to the end. Course is an out-and-back, mostly out in the country, but it does go through a nice scenic park. Small race, so not a lot of spectators. Course is made up of rolling hills, with potential for some wind. Race crew made one fatal mistake by postponing the start 30 minutes to let others register. Lots of runners complaints - doubt that they'll do that again. Other than that, great event.

Well put together race. The weather was terrific this year. The course runs south from Abilene with fantastic views of the Flint Hills to the east. The course is relatively flat, with little in the way of cover. This year the wind of almost non-existent. For the marathon, there must have been 3 or 4 volunteers for each runner. They are terrific! A volunteer asks what you want to drink as you approach an aid station, then yells your request to the station and it is waiting when you get there. There were even real cowboys on horses at various points of the course. If you are looking for a marathon that takes good care of you, that provides the support you need to run well, run Abilene! Well done to the organizers and volunteers.

On the down side: If you want or need spectators, do not come to Abilene. There are long stretches were the only folks out there are the runners and enthusiastic volunteers/support personnel.

This is such a nice small town and the volunteers and organizers did an excellent job with this race, but the course is a disappointment, in my opinion. They run you out of town on a lonely highway with no fans and very little scenery, and then you turn around and come back. There is a very nice park in the beginning and at the end, but I might suggest they incorporate more of the town in the race and not make it an out-and-back on a lonely road. Only constructive criticism; otherwise very friendly, fun people.

This was my first marathon. I grew up in "flat" Kansas and thought it would be nice to return home. The organization is great, and the people involved in the race are wonderful and friendly. But because it is a very small race, there is non-existent support on the course. After running another larger marathon, I don't think I can ever run a "small" marathon again. The crowds just keep you motivated. I also was very surprised by the steady inclines of the hills and the horrible headwinds. You're running on an open highway with no one in site being beaten by wind. But if you're OK with inclines, headwinds, and little crowd support on the course, then run it. The people are great. I ran in 2007 when they had record-breaking lows; the weather was awful. A wonderful man at a water station booth gave me his gloves since my gloves were not doing the trick. I would not have been able to finish without his kindness.

It would be hard really to say anything bad about this race. If you're looking for a race expo - skip this one. If you're looking for crowds thronging the course - skip it. If you want to run in a pace group and have time splits on display every mile - don't bother. If you're looking for a field of thousands and that "super" marathon feel - you'd also be advised to skip this one. However, if you are looking for a well-organized, very solid, friendly, small-town event, with people that make you feel welcome at every turn and that do some "extra" things for you that really are not the norm anymore - along with a course that runs well - this just might be an excellent choice for you. The pasta dinner, the race day breakfast, the packet pickup, the refreshment stations and a community that is glad to see you and offers some nice things to do before or after the race were all real positives.
As for the course, I confess that I certainly wouldn't characterize it as flat, but it may be fast despite that. It runs well and there is enough variety to keep you interested and enough roll to keep you honest.
I was surprised by the small number of people. Okay, it IS Abilene - and there are probably a few that ask, "WHERE?" But hey, it's only a couple of hours from Kansas City and my wife and I - who both ran the race - certainly have not a single regret, having come clear from Utah.

Small-town marathon that was very well organized. I think comments from other years have pretty much summed it up. For a small race, it was nice to have the highway closed to traffic, more than enough course support, every mile marked. The pre-race dinner, pre-race breakfast and post-race pancakes were great.

If I have to make two minor suggestions: Put the year on the medal and provide tech shirts.

Well done, Abilene, KS!!