This was my 13th marathon and probably best overall experience due to the great organization and atmosphere. The course is spectator-friendly for support crew to meet runners, yet at the same time runners did not have to worry about traffic at all. My wife could have met me at every corner if needed. Although not as flat as advertised, the course was simple and easy to follow. Packet pick up was a breeze and everyone wanted to help.

This was not a "negative splits" course for two reasons: 1) Strong headwind from 15 - end, and 2) More inclines than declines on the second half. However, on the right day, this could be a PR course.
As far as temperatures are concerned, I train in subzero WC all winter long, so temps in the 20's were OK with me. Thanks to Abilene for a great experience in Kansas.

This race is a nice out-and-back course through gently rolling Kansas farmland. It is basically an "L"-shaped course that also has a 2- to 3-mile loop attached that goes through a really pretty local park. The course is not flat and has gently rolling swells. I ran really hard and fast, and my quads still felt great.

The pasta dinner was only $6 and well worth it. It's held in the church community hall right where the race starts and it gives you a chance to hang with your fellow runners and check out the start/finish line. If it is cold, you can literally sit in the hall, wait till the race starts, and then literally just run out the door. Packet picket was very well organized and friendly.

Support is solid with well-staffed water stops every mile. They have both water and PowerAde and most even had a person stationed 100' before the station to ask what you wanted, and they hollered the order ahead to the table so they handed you the right cup without you having to think. All intersections were blocked and roads were closed to traffic.

A lot of runners comment on the weather because it does tend to be windy in Kansas. I didn't think it was so bad and actually never felt like I was fighting the wind, but I did run into it the last half of the race. It was cold but it was a record for Kansas for April, so I doubt if that it will repeat anytime soon. Temps were 17 degrees at the start and went up to the upper 20's by the end of the race. I run well in the cold, so I like it.

The town itself is one of the great American experiences because it reflects culture and values that are largely missing from larger cities. So with the race, you also get a taste of Americana. There are motels, but I stayed in a 100 year-old Victorian mansion that is a B&B. Abilene's Victorian Inn (785) 263-7774 was very accommodating and totally understood runners and their needs. They also have free wireless access.

The finisher's medal and T-shirt are really nice as well. This is a great race to add "Kansas" to your collection.

Having grown up near Abilene, I was expecting unpredictable weather. The temps were very low for April, and the wind was brutal! However, it was a fun race. I recommend running this one with a friend, because it can be lonely since it is such a small marathon and the spectator points are so far apart.

This is a well-thought-out, well-run, well-organized race. Sure, there aren't going to be thousands of people cheering along the route, but I'm not sure why someone who wants that would be considering a marathon in the middle of Kansas anyway.

The volunteers and few spectators that were out there were helpful and enthusiastic, despite not only record 20F cold but a stiff wind to boot. I think they're best summarized by the lone woman who was in the Scout camp during those last few miles: I saw her staying warm in her car until us runners approached, then she climbed out and clapped and cheered for us the whole time we went by until we were out of sight. When the course looped us by her again a mile or so later, she was again out of her car cheering for us as we headed by in the other direction. She probably spent hours doing that on a frigid Saturday morning.

The course itself isn't flat, but what elevation change there is comes mostly in gradual inclines rather than "hills" per se, so it's easy to handle them. The organizers distribute a map of places to cheer along the course, but since the farm roads are just one giant grid, it was easy for my one-person cheering section to follow me around... I ended up seeing them nine separate times!

Other than maybe some larger mile marker signs along the road (I missed a couple in the first half), I can't think of anything else I could ask for. I'm glad I picked this race to run.

I was expecting a 50-60 degree type of day when I registered, but it didn't work out that way. It was in the low 20's and quite windy. In fact, the last 10 miles seemed to be directly into the wind.

However, barring the windy, cold day, the race was good. The people in Abilene are amazing and really support this race. They treat you like old friends and really go out of their way to make sure you enjoy yourself.

The course has a few miles through a park but otherwise is mostly highway (rolling hills, but nothing too scary). I gave the course a 3 simply because it was a little repetitive.

This was my 25th marathon and if not my favorite, it is in the top 3. This is a top-notch event that has everything a runner could ever want!!! The RD needs to be complimented for putting on the type of event other cities only dream about.

The organization was amazing. There seemed to be 3 volunteers for each marathoner. At some of the more-than-plentiful water stations, there were volunteers 50 yards in front of the tables yelling back what you wanted to eat or drink. It was like having your own private staff.

The rolling hills made the run interesting and not redundant or boring. The open road for miles was amazing to see and great to run.

I could not have asked for a better experience. The food after the race was more than plentiful. The entire town seemed to come out to celebrate with each runner that crossed the finish line.

This RD needs to take this show on the road and teach other RDs how to put on a top-notch run. Thanks for making us marathoners feel special.

The title says it all. Record breaking low temp at the start (entire race as well). I think when we started it was 27 degrees out, then the wind shifted and for the entire return trip into town you had it blowing in your face. I have to admire the folks that manned the water/aid stops. I was cold running but it must have been worse standing there handing out drinks and snacks. It was so cold that the cups of water were freezing and sometimes you got a cup of slush. The cold and wind kept most of the spectators in doors and I don't blame them one bit. It was one of those races you just couldn't wait to get over so you could take a warm shower to get the feeling back to your fingers and toes as well as count body parts to make sure some didn't fall off.

The pasta dinner was fun, and got to meet a lot of fellow marathon maniacs and several 50 state members. The pancake breakfast afterward was good too, but it had to wait until after the hot shower (did I mention that is was COLD and windy?).

I also checked out the Greyhound Hall of Fame and everyone I talked to in town was very pleasant and helpful when I needed directions.

The medal and t-shirt were great and several people (smart people) used the bandana that was in the goodie bag to cover their noses and mouths during the race. Like I said, smart people did that; I didn't, so you can see what category I'm in.

This was my first marathon and I am very happy that I chose this race as my first experience. The weather was a little cold (8 degree wind chill!) but normally this time of year in KS it would be much nicer. The course was pretty flat with minor rolling hills. However, after the halfway point turn, running into the 15-20 mph north wind was NOT FUN!!! However, I made it through and the spectators and volunteers were wonderful. I give Abilene an A+++++ and thank you for a wonderful experience.

Even in the bitter cold, volunteers cheered runners/walkers on and offered plenty of drinks and snacks. Police stationed throughout course. Nice change of elevation, nothing too drastic. Everything that was controllable was handled very well. The wind and chill gives us something to talk about! Thank you each and everyone for your support and handling of the marathon.

This was my 19th marathon, and I used it to "check off" Kansas in my 50 states trek. First the positives: can't speak highly enough about all the volunteers (bib pick up, brunch, on the course, etc.). On the course there was little crowd support, but you couldn't find a nicer bunch of folks working as volunteers! There was NO traffic to battle while running - they closed the roads completely! Everything was well organized, we started pretty much on time, and for a small-town race, this was fun. I liked the way they moved right into the age group awards, so you didn't have to hang around for hours for the awards ceremony (held indoors, with the brunch).

On the negative side, how in the world do you get headwinds both ways on an "out and back" course? I mean, they were BRUTAL! Add that to the 20-degree weather and we're talking COLD! The water was actually freezing in the cups at the aid stations - literally.... You had to squeeze the cup to break the ice on top up so you could drink! Other than a couple of miles through a park area (which was beautiful), this was basically a long, straight (boring) road with farms on both sides, few spectators, and slightly rolling hills. The "live broadcast" was not worth the time to listen to (per my husband). Needing tickets (from bib pickup) for the brunch was odd.... Fortunately parking is plentiful, so I left mine in the car and could easily retrieve it after the race. If you don't have your ticket, you don't get any post-race refueling.

Bottom line, not a bad little race, but be prepared for brutal Kansas weather!