Congratulations to Steve, Chris and the other organizers for a nearly flawless inaugural of a smaller city marathon with all of the benefits that a second or third tier marathon offers to its participants.

First, the price is right and includes a very good, all you can eat, pasta party. Secondly, the smaller town civic buzz is nice for runners and spectators alike because it gets everyone ( well, not QUITE everyone!) involved which is a very welcoming experience and it's a very low hassle day. If you've ever done Chicago, for example, you will appreciate what I'm saying!

The only blips were in non operational areas such as not getting the pasta party speakers on stage and a few hiccups at the awards ceremony. Hardly worth mentioning.

Finally, the course is a bit more difficult than the web site profile implies but it's not killer hills end to end either and has plenty of flat and fast miles, shade trees and a enough scenic vistas along the Missouri River to distract anyone.

Having completed 50 states and on the second time around, I can recommend this to anyone and personally, I think it would be a very good choice for the first time marathoner because of the low hassle factor, reasonably fast course and well supplied, frequent aid stations. Best of all, the start holding area is indoors with REAL plumbing...so you don't have to observe the 'never look down' Porta John rule!