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May 2, 2024

Brookings Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Brookings Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 104 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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A. K. from Iowa (5/25/2009) "Great organization, support; good course" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The flat course has multiple surfaces, which breaks it up nicely; unfortunately, because of the size of the town, there are places with multiple, sharp turns in quick succession. A small gripe was the sidewalk along a busy street, in the last few miles; when you're tired, stepping up and down on the curb every block is not enjoyable. The course is flat and exceptionally well supported by volunteers at every turn, who are there for every runner. Great organization before and after, and the best shirt I've seen from any race, marathon or not, including a zipper (and the fact that it's made from recycled materials). It's well worth the effort of getting to this pleasant community.
T. O. from Sioux Falls, SD (5/25/2009) "Great Organization and Volunteers" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I concur with the other positive comments about this race and course. Much has been said about it, and I agree. I think the course is great. I want to say more about the organization and volunteers at this race, and there were a lot of them. All were incredibly supportive. And everything went incredibly smoothly as far as the race organization is concerned. My hat is off to the director and the volunteers. Thanks for making it a great day. But I want specifically to thank the volunteer at the packet pick up who went out of her way to include my 3-year-old son in the event. She asked him if he wanted a "backpack" just like his dad's (the race packet was handed out in one of those nylon runner/gym sacks). He was excited to get the same one and wore that thing the rest of the weekend. She didn't have to do that, but I really appreciate it. He was proud to be included. Just one of many examples at this race of the beauty of small town hospitality. Come and enjoy it next year.
T. p. from United States (5/22/2009) "Nice small marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A run to add to the list. Could be 5 stars if the course was reversed for the marathoners. I would much rather run the portion in the open first and not have to deal with the wind at the end of a marathon. Really good support along the course.
K. L. from Orlando, FL (5/19/2009) "Great Small-Town Race" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great small-town race. The weather was a bit cold and windy, but coming from FL, I should have expected it. The race was well organized and very accommodating to the runners. The finish line was great, with a band and the free massages. It could have had a few more supplies - no GU until after mile 17. I carried my own, but was running out of pockets. Water and PowerAde were plentiful. All of the volunteers and the race director were super! The loved the race shirt! Definitely worth doing.
Laurence Macon from Republic of San Antonio (5/19/2009) "Great Volunteers and Race Director; Nice Town" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Brookings Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 No matter what the weather, the volunteers and race director do their best to make this flat marathon enjoyable for all.
J. S. from Omaha, NE (5/18/2009) "Nice, flat course; well-organized; great volunteer" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the smallest marathon I've run, but I was won over by the previous year's reviewers and the proximity to Omaha. The temperature at race-time was below 40, but it was a really pleasant day. It was windy, but you change directions often. The variety of the course (roads, bike trails, city, residential) was enjoyable, and the frequent turns broke it up. Mile markers well marked. I arrived 50 minutes before start, checked in, and still had plenty of time. They did not have the throngs of fans you'll see in Chicago, but the ones out were very polite and supportive.
T. N. from Kansas City.MO (5/18/2009) "This is a great, small-field, small-town marathon." (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was GREAT! It is clearly organized by people who are primarily interested in producing a quality event. They know their limits, which means that they support the last runner as well as the first. This year the weather was cool and beautiful. The town is so nice and neat that it reminded me of small New England towns that I have visited. While there are several SD marathons to choose from, this is a good one.
M. G. from Overland Park, KS (5/18/2009) "Great Marathon" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 How do you have a marathon in a town that is only 3 miles wide? Brookings has done it by taking you on a route that meandered though the entire town on streets, sidewalks, park paths, gravel roads, and grass. I especially like the sidewalk near the end that went through the backyards and under the roadways. Just today, when I was running, I saw a sidewalk that went between apartment buildings and thought that if this were Brookings, I would have turn there. LOL! This year the weather was perfect. I love the shirt. There were very few spectators but the volunteers at every turn made up for that. If I get another opportunity to run this one I will.
Benjamin Moore from Bellevue, NE (5/18/2009) "A great first marathon for me!!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Brookings Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon ever, so I don't have any others to compare it too, but I thought it was great. It had a small-town feel, and we got to see that small town too, literally. The course wound through neighborhoods, downtown, parks, and everything else in between. It was a nice, flat course with plenty of people at various spots to cheer us on, and aid stations at perfect intervals. Everyone was so friendly and, although I plan on doing many more marathons in other places, I will definitely bring the family back to Brookings for another marathon in the future.
Dave Graves from Volga (5/18/2009) "Well-run, well-designed, small marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Brookings Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If a small, friendly marathon on a flat, fast course is your pleasure, the Brookings Marathon is your place. This small-town race has the accommodations expected at a larger marathon, without the annoyance of long lines. The runners can get spread out on the second half of the marathon, but distance running is about being out there on your own and succeeding. That's not to say that there isn't plenty of help along the way. There are aid stations every 1 1/2 miles after mile 2, and each of the many turns were marked by volunteers. With the crabapple trees and other trees in full blossom, it was more beautiful than one would expect for eastern South Dakota. Most of the course is through nice residential neighborhoods and on bike paths. Fans are few to be found; most are supporters of other runners, but aid workers were supportive too.

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