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May 7, 2024

Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic Runner Comments

Back to Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic Information & Reviews

Course 3.7

Organization 4.5

Spectators 2.5

Number of comments: 31 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

J. M. from Omaha, NE (6/17/2009) "Challenging race but hated running on highway." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This course was challenging with all of the hills, but having to run a majority of the race on a highway is not my idea of a good time. The traffic was noisy and irritating. In addition, the aid stations really needed to have some food available, even if only pretzels. The people working the aid stations were very nice and the Chamber did a great job of organizing everything. However, I would never run this race again because of the course.
C. M. from Pensacola, FL (6/15/2009) "Great small-town race" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 A wonderful event for the money. Friendly volunteers, and a small community with surprising large college campus. The course is a double, with lots of challenging hills; some were steep, while others had a gradual climb of over a mile. Few spectators, but to me that is not a requirement. There is a beautiful lake about 6 miles from town, with RV and tent camping, if you are so inclined. I have to mention that the chamber members are so thoughtful. I registered on a whim because I was traveling through the area, but was going to have my dog along. I sent an email to the Chamber asking if they might know of someone who could "baby-sit" my dog while I ran. One of the members had a son who "volunteered." Both Tommy and I had a great time. Now that is what I call a friendly group! Well worth the trip!
M. B. from Kansas City (6/14/2009) "My First 1/2 Marathon" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my first half-marathon, and I was a little leery about running it at first because I had read all of the comments about the hills on this course and the stretch of highway part of the course. The weather could not have been more perfect: cloudy and cool (60 degrees) at the start of race, and it didn't change much. The hills, mostly in the beginning, were not as bad as I feared. The long stretch of highway I loved; I was able just to cruise along and not worry about the next turn, and was able to take in the country as I ran past it. I posted one of my fastest paces for a long run, and felt great afterward. Water stations every 1.5-2 miles with water or Gatorade were great. The only thing I didn't notice were any snacks or nourishment along the way. I brought my own, which helps on these long runs to avoid hitting the wall. I plan on coming back next year, but to run the whole marathon.
P. C. from Kansas City (6/13/2009) "Great, inexpensive, well-run, small-town event" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race began with temperatures around 60; it was overcast, with a slight breeze. Great running conditions. Water/PowerAde support was almost too much - I kept turning stops down! Nice touch with the female pop star lookalikes at miles 3 and 20 (which helped out there on the backstretch). They don't disguise the hilly nature of the event, so if you are looking for a PR, this should probably not be your event. A very well run race with amazingly polite and helpful volunteers. On many parts, you run next to Highway 71, but the truckers mostly slowed down to pass alongside us. Great job, Maryville Chamber! Missouri is now off of my list!
M. P. from St. Louis, MO (6/16/2008) "Nice job" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For such a small marathon, I thought it was well run and there were plenty of cold water stops along the way. The race director did a great job. I can't say enough about how smoothly everything went. There was someone (perhaps the race director) there at the end who even offered to catch me if I fell (guess I didn't look the best). It was a good, little marathon.
D. M. from Kansas City, MO (6/15/2008) "Better, better, better" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classics COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the second time I have run this race and I have to say kudos to the director for making this year better. There was plenty of water and sports drink on the course, and every glass I took was nice and cold. That was awesome! The fans, even though there are few, were very supportive and encouraging!!! The course is a mentally tough but fair. All in all, a great experience!! I will run this one again! One more thing: the firemen at mile 13 and 26 spraying the water were wonderful! Thanks, guys!
W. R. from Overland Park, Kansas (6/28/2007) "Best volunteers ever for a well organized marathon" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The race course was well marked with mileage markers and arrows for turns. The course in the city was the best part to run. The part of the course along Highway 71 was very hot and the hardest part to run. The shoulder was not easy to run on in certain areas - too broken up and uneven. The water stops were manned by great volunteers and that made the race easier. There were no spectators, but that does not matter. The volunteers were great at the finish. One thing to mention is that we had reservations with America's Best Inns and Suites for several weeks and had a confirmation number for our reservation. We called the Wednesday before the marathon to ask if we had a single or double room and their reservation system was down. When we arrived Friday night, their system was still down and they had given away our room and had no more rooms. Their attitude was that their computer was down so they could not know we were coming. They did not even apologize. They knew by then that there were no rooms in Maryville and suggested we drive the 45 miles back to St. Joseph to get a room. It is incredible they had no backup system for reservations. I suggest you stay at the Holiday Inn Express or the Comfort Inn in Maryville or elsewhere and avoid the very unreliable America's Best Inns and Suites. Try to stay in Maryville for the convenience on the race morning. We were in St. Joseph and made it to the race, but staying in Maryville would have been easier.
a. u. from Chicago, IL, USA (6/11/2007) "Excellent organization; challenging course" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I think the organization was one of the best I've seen for a long time. The City of Maryville and NW Missouri State University teamed up to make sure everybody felt welcomed. The atmosphere was a friendly as an ultra, and the course was quite hilly. The race started out in cool temperatures, but got pretty hot later in the day. Also, kudos to the race director for replacing the proverbial Wall at mile 20 with a 2-mile long, real hill! If you live in the KC area or have plans to be in that part of the country, I would strongly recommend this race.
Ronald Gebhart from Biloxi Mississippi (6/9/2007) "Great half marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First, a major thanks to all of Maryville - me and my running buddy came in from Fort Riley, Kansas. We found out our room was over an hour away. One of the race staff was going to have us stay with a family member. You don't see things like that in bigger towns. We ran the half and the course, I thought, was really nice - except those wicked inclines. I was a little unsure of the course once I hit town. The organization was great and very encouraging. The spectators were great; they were few, but that was ok. The water points were spaced well enough for me, and those folks were awesome and full of encouragement. I read past years' feedback and almost did not do this race. But I am glad I am hard-headed and did the race anyway.
A. E. from Parkland, FL (5/30/2007) "I love this little race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classics COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I love this little race. I was born in Maryville but moved away 20 years ago. I was so excited when my home town offered a marathon because I am doing 50 states and liked having Maryville as my Missouri State. I know the route, the weather, the hills, the volunteers, and so on. I have done huge marathons like Chicago, Disney, Houston, Marine Corps, Grandma's, etc... and it is a nice break from the crowds - and especially the cost - of those big races. You will probably never find a cheaper race to fly to, drive to, stay at, to register for or to eat at. Plus, you can't beat Midwest hospitality. I also graduated from NWMSU and love the bearcats. The football team has given us a great 10-year run in the Divison II National Playoffs, making it there 4 times since 1998 and winning twice. I am also planning on retiring to this little town. This doesn't talk much about the race but all the other reviews have that. I just wanted to let you know what Maryville is like. Hopefully you won't care how many runners and spectators there are on the course. Just enjoy the sights and the fact that you are doing what most people can't achieve or even attempt. And when you're done, wear your shirt on the way home and hang the medal from your mirror.

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