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May 18, 2024

White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for Kenya) Runner Comments

Back to White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for Kenya) Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 111 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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N. D. from Michigan (11/5/2008) "Amazing Small-Town Race" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon in 2007 and had an amazingly wonderful time. The scenery was beautiful, the race was extremely well organized, and the people were very supportive. There was water, Gatorade, gel, and food at every station, and each one had a unique and fun theme. This marathon was definitely worth the trip. Thanks.
D. P. from Milwaukee, WI (11/28/2007) "Worthwhile Cause for a Marathon" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course finishes miles away from the post-race activities, requiring a shuttle to get back to the start line, which is primarily why I gave it 4 stars. It's almost like running two courses, since the second half of the course is flat (running along a river), though the pavement is rough (like compressed gravel). First half is hilly, with the decline after mile 14 being the most extreme road downhill I've ever encountered - my heels felt like they were going to burn off. Lots of scenery and variety. Race is very well organized and the post-race massage was the best I've ever received - the therapist is not a clock-watcher and really takes time with each runner. Delicious post-race food, and the Friday night feed was excellent (bow tie pasta was very delicious). Spectators were sparse, but enthusiastic. Very worthy cause if you are looking to participate in a marathon to help others. Funds raised by this marathon have helped to install 20 fresh water wells for a village in Kenya. Fresh water is something we take for granted, but these people used to have to spend all day just gathering dirty water for their needs. Certainly help put things in perspective with every water stop.
C. S. from Colorado (11/22/2007) "Outstanding small-town marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was so much fun and so well organized that I am sure to do it again. The course featured rolling hills of beautiful scenery all the way until mile 15 where it flattened out in the White River flats. The number of spectators was low but they were so enthusiastic that they really gave runners a lift. The race support was excellent and the free massage at the end was a treat. Speaking of treats, they had home-made chili and soups, plus awesome deserts for the runners at the end. This is a marathon worth getting to and it is for a really worthwhile cause. Thanks to Race Director Laura Kassinger and the volunteers. Y'all are awesome.
J. D. from Auburn, Alabama (11/22/2007) "A great event with a special purpose!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I went to Mountain Home, Arkansas this past weekend to run in the marathon there. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision on my part. You meet really interesting people at every race. A group of guys I met in Mt. Home were going to run this marathon on Saturday and then drive to Tulsa, OK, for that marathon on Sunday (and my wife thinks I am nuts!). We ran in Arkansas on a beautiful day. Shortly after the run I saw them off to Tulsa and I went home. The Mountain Home Marathon is a charity event started just a couple of years ago to help a village in Kenya. As part of this event, they have a 5K, half-marathon and full marathon for adults - and a young children's "marathon" for 5 and under kids. I won't bore you with the details of how it all got started, but there was a short presentation at the pre-race pasta dinner to inform people why they hold this event. It is a small event, with no more than 150 participants in the 4 races. Even so, in the short time they have been doing it they have managed to raise over $56,000.00, with virtually all of this money going to the village they have adopted. World Vision administers the funds, and at least 87% of all money raised gets to the target village. Knowing this did not make the marathon any easier, but it gave me a good feeling to know where my entry fee went and to know that it was going to help somebody's life a little bit. A key point of emphasis is that the organization and support for this race was excellent. The weather on Saturday was perfect; it was about 45 degrees F at the start of the race and slightly overcast, and by the end of the race it was clear and sunny and over 70 degrees F. There were not many participants in the marathon - I estimate about 50 or fewer. The marathon, half-marathon and 5K all starting at 8 a.m. The kids event was at 11 a.m., before the post-race lunch began. The marathon and the 5K started together ran a loop through the Arkansas State University, Mt Home, campus. The marathoners continued past the 5K finish and out into the country. The half-marathon started at the halfway point for the marathon and finished at the same place as the marathon. The race was very well organized with good support at the many aid stations throughout the course. The race was a point-to-point course and was kind of a two-part race; the first 14 miles were very hilly, with some very steep downhill sections, and the last 12 miles as flat as a table top. In the first part of the race, the uphill sections were not as steep as the downhill sections, but were longer. The scenery was very interesting and pleasant fall colors were abundant throughout the race, but particularly in this part of the run. The first part of the race, particularly the downhill sections, was very hard on the legs. The last 12 miles were out-and-back section run on a very flat road along a river in a valley and was without much shade or breeze. The temperatures did not get "hot," but it did get warm enough to affect the runners. This part of the race was hard on your mind, but that is not unusual for a marathon. The last 6 miles or so is always a test of the mental fitness of the runner as much as it is the physical fitness. Overall I give this event high ratings in most categories with the exception of ease of access. There is no easy way to get to Mountain Home, but the drive up from Memphis was very pretty. Other than this, it was a fun event with very nice people and excellent hospitality. I will do it again!
B. S. from Missouri (11/18/2007) "An Ozark treasure" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I did the half marathon and enjoyed it so much I had to post my comments. The drive to Mountain home was beautiful which was a real treat! Packet pickup was a breeze and all the race folks were very friendly! The course was flat...really folks! My Garmin showed very little elevation change. I liked the out and back course because even though there were no spectators, all the runners were encouraging each other and it was enough! Water stops were plentiful and they had powerade at all of them.It was cold that morning but the 'bag drop' was right up by the start line so we kept our jackets on right up till start time. The post race massage was great and the post race meal was delicious! The people of Mountain Home are warm and friendly and the race is for a very good cause. Our hotel gave us an outrageously late checkout time so we all got to have a nice hot shower!! I loved this race and plan to do it again!
kirt goetzke from minneapolis (5/7/2007) "small town race" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course description was right on. Small town easy to find your way around in. At the finish, they had four dessert tables. Much better than any bake sale you've ever been at.
M. J. from Missouri (11/21/2006) "The support stations were great!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Organization was good. Crews at each support station were encouraging and they made great spectators. Thank you for the water and sport drink. The gel was helpful beyond measure. Some places on the course felt a little lonely but every turn was manned and the police get my applause for their help. My family got lost trying to find the finish line and missed my entry so I wish there was a picture I could buy. This was my first marathon and loved it. Thank you for making the effort for a great cause. I am glad I participated.
Ernie Heymsfield from Fayetteville, AR (11/21/2006) "Great experience in Mountain Home, AR" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran in this year's Mountain Home and it was a great experience. I ran in the marathon and my son was able to participate in the 5K. The course is hilly, however scenic. The strengths of this marathon are the volunteers and the cause - to support orphan children in Kenya. The pre-race dinner was an added bonus and the after-race homemade desserts would be hard to match.
N. H. from Columbus, MS (11/20/2006) "Nice rural jaunt, well organized." (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first, and the experience has made me want to do it again. Well placed and well manned aid stations with enthusiastic local supporters. The run can get a bit lonely at times with so few participants, but I commend the organizers for a race well done.
Kristofer Savino from Gepp, Arkansas (12/5/2005) "Wonderful Experience" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 5K in 2004 and I wanted to be up to a bigger challenge for 2005, which I was. I ran the marathon and trained most of the year for it. It was an experience I will never forget (instead of the old 3.1 miles, running 26.2 miles).

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