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May 5, 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 11 to 21]

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J. A. from Minnesota (11/22/2016) "Very flat, small race" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As others have said, this is a small race in a small town, in other words, my kind of race. This was state #39 for me. The first mile is down hill then a double out and back on very flat asphalt road. It is not closed, but there wasn't much traffic. Packet pick up was at THE school in Cotter and was easy and quick. Warning: the restaurants in town close early, so plan ahead for your pre-race dinner. We stayed at the Cotter Trout Lodge, don't let the outside fool you, the rooms were nice.
k. p. from Oklahoma (11/21/2016) "Easiest 26.2" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 When I say 'easiest', I am talking about every aspect of the event. It's well organized, the expo was small but had all I needed. Even free gloves for the cold morning. The course was a no brainer. I was worried about the two out and backs, but it is so beautiful that it was a nonissue. I enjoyed being able to see the other runners, that was all I needed as far as spectators. I thoroughly enjoyed this 26.2
Eric Schneider from Los Angeles (11/21/2016) "Cool race in every respect" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 We benefited from cool temps32 or so at start. (It was 79 two days prior). Race starts with fairly steep decline for first mile then gentle downhill slope for next 6, come back on same road with slight uphill grade and then repeat. I avoid up and back on training runs, but the scenery was quite nice so it didn't become boring. I enjoyed seeing runners the whole way (and avoided getting lapped by the winner). Open road, but difficult for spectators to park. Nevertheless, my wife saw me and delivered Gatoraid throughout. Very well organized and well stocked.
B. H. from Nebraska (6/2/2016) "Punch your ticket to Boston!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon fors COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race has taken me to Boston the past five years. 'Nuff said.
A. R. from NW Arkansas (11/25/2015) "great event" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon fors COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you like a large event with a bunch of sponsors and spectators, this race is not for you. If you like a beautiful fast course and to run with a whole bunch of other people who like to run this is the perfect race. With the out and back the runners cheered each other on. I liked going to the race without any pre-race nerves and acting like it was a long run. The finishers medals, shirts, awards, and REAL food at the end were great. The race's staging area was near Cotter School. You could keep warm before and after the race, and the food at the end included homemade soups, pizza, and chicken wings.
J. O. from Missouri (11/21/2015) "Great course, awesome charity, really a fun time!" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time at this event, and I was highly impressed with everything from start to finish. It is a smaller event (I think they limit it at 750), but that gives it a really cool vibe. The race is a fundraiser for an awesome charity in Kenya, and you could tell that the promoters we're really passionate about there charity. Great course, great food at the end, really cool event!
m. r. from Mountain Home, Arkansas (12/2/2014) "Great organizers/poor aid station hydration!" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 First marathon (63yrs old). Used the standard 16 wk training program. Didn't miss a day or mile of training. Been running for 35 yrs just for health/recreation. This course layout was very level/scenic. Carried my own Cliff bars/gels, depended on aid stations for hydration (bad idea). Power ade was diluted so far, it was useless. Could not even taste it. Made the turn at 20 miles & no one at station, only water in cooler, no cups. Had to gather water in hands to try to drink. Was running on empty last 15 miles due to poor hydration. Had carried/stashed Gatorade Endurance G drinks during longer runs at the course during training practice,on race day I should have used support person for hydration (but shouldn't have had to).Always maintained 10 min pace up to & including longest run of 20 miles before race without running out of gas. Even 20 miler was pretty easy & ran 10 min pace. This was a pace I set for myself to finish & not have to walk (did accomplish those goals). With the amount of money they took in, it is unacceptable to not provide proper race hydration-shame on them cutting back on power ade to save money at our expense! Ended up with 11:08 pace due to crashing last half of race. For all I went thru, running at 5am when hot, 7am when cooled off, thru all kinds of wx including morning of thunderstorms & then them not being there for us with critical hydration-terrible!
M. B. from OH - Ohio (11/26/2014) "Nice small race with some room for improvement" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros 1. Good organization and communication from the race director 2. Ample close parking 3. Latest in chip technology results delivered quickly 4. Nice long sleeve technical shirt with acacia tree emblem and zero sponsor tags (very nice) 5. I heard the post-race food was good 6. Hotels in Mt. Home cater to runners (early breakfast/late checkout) Cons 1. Open course to traffic, by 3:30 clock time, there were only a few runners still on the field so they are strung out along the course and cars with frustrated/impatient drivers were taking risks in dodging runners and passing other cars. I saw at least 2 examples of unsafe vehicle use near runners 2. Medal doesnt state which race was completed 5K, half, full (that is unacceptable for all parties) This is a nice moderately-organized race with a fast course. The previous reviews show a 4.5 star rating and I personally feel that this isnt a fair representation of the event. The course, in particular, is hardly noteworthy other than it was flat (and seemed protected from the elements not on an open ridge, etc). There is very little creativity required from the planners when running out and backs and I personally avoid them during training runs. I ran this with family, some of who were running the half and it was perfect for seeing them multiple times as we all had different paces. If you want fans, this is not your race. I personally could care less so I rated 3 stars, but for others it would be a 1 or 2. It is an open course and there was a fair amount of traffic. It seems that one side of the road could be for the race with cones or perhaps run facing traffic. I dont know if there has been an accident but in the age of texting and driving, I want to see the vehicles coming at me not coming up behind me. The entry fee was lower than some races but it seems like there should be enough money for a small police presence other than just at the beginning of the race. This even supports Kenya? The website states that the race has raised thousands of dollars for the village of Katito. I think it would be nice to know the amount raised. I couldn't find that anywhere. Thanks to the Director and the wonderful volunteers we really appreciate you being there.
G. M. from Dallas (11/22/2014) "Great small race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is great small race. I love small ones and this is good. Not much crowd support but you just visit with the person next to you and life is good. The out and backs help with seeing people all along the way. When they say flat they mean it.
G. D. from Boston, MA (4/10/2014) "Didn't Like it" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 White River Marathon for Kenya (prev Mountain Home Marathon for COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Way too boring. Out and back of some boring Arkansas farm land. Not many fans except for the end.

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