Great course, fantastic support, perfect day for the event. The only glitch seemed to be a huge distance between mile markers 22 and 23. Was a lot longer than a mile. Only mention it because many of the runners commented on their splits at that marker. Couldn't find anything of substance to complain about if I tried, though. Congratulations on a great event.

I really appreciate the water stop folks, but need fuller cups. Many were less than 1/4 full. Thanks.

This was my first half marathon and my wife's first full marathon, and I enjoyed meeting other runners, and being greeted at the finish line with all of the hoopla - being treated as if I just walked on the moon. My body was tired but my feelings of accomplishment were overwhelming. Thanks for helping me make a goal. I will be back for the full marathon in 2007.

- Bib# 5332

Nice, mostly flat course. Note: There was lots of hard concrete that's tough on the legs, a good chance of a headwind on the last half of the marathon, and those hills at the end are tough - even though it's still mostly flat. As such, though, it is still the kind of course you can run a personal best on.... I know because I did. Beautiful city and running along and across the river offers some spectacular vistas.

I was in the 4:30 pace group, but they started with sub 10 minute miles for the first three miles, which was faster than the 10:18 pace I was expecting. I finished in 4:43. I was surprised and disappointed that they didn't run a steady 10:18 pace from the beginning. However, I enjoyed the group while I ran with them and would encourage you to offer pace groups again.

Add additional bathrooms on course.

Add more organized support on course - where were the marching bands, cheerleaders and church choirs during the entire last mile?!

I appreciated the police officers who were actually cheering us on while directing traffic at around the 22 or 23 mile marker!

I've already planned to come back next year to run with my sister, husband and children - glad to see that you are adding a kid's marathon.

First off, I must say that this was my very first Half Marathon. I had a great time, yes I hurt today but who doesn't, and the course was great. There may be some who say that the hills at the end were too much but I loved it. They killed me but at the same time I conquored them.
I now have the motivation to run a Full Marathon, and I definitely plan on running this as a full next year.

As for the course, it started off with a nice down hill and a quick turn onto the Historic Route 66. That took us over the Arkansas River and through a neighborhood and light industrial area. I would like for the race to have continued along Rt 66 for a bit longer, at least until 23rd street then left back over the river. As soon as we got back over to the East side the crowds were fantastic. I didn't really want for water or powerade, one aid station was even handing out Gu packets! Running through Historic Brookside was nice and the crowds were great there also. Nice to see Channel 2 doing live coverage (with play by play) of the race from in front of the studios. After that though the course toughtened up a bit. The hills started and, except for a brief downhill into the SoBo District, they didn't stop until right before the finish. Big and motivating crowd on the downhill into the finish.

The only minor complaint I'd have would be that they ran out of free hamburgers in the food tent. They did fix that quickly by bringing in TONS of free pizzas for finishers.

As for the medals and goodies. Since this is my first long distance race take my comments as you will. LOVED the medals, they are not gaudy or flashy but very classy. It's in the shape of the Historic Route 66 road sign. Granted no finishers' tech shirt or sandals for us halfies (they were there for the fulls) but we all got a really nice sweatshirt.

Overall a great experience and I plan to run it again next year.

Thanks guys!

This race was great! The gravel road at 14 was a little tricky, but each course has its own set of difficult features. The weather was just perfect for my orange speedo! Great first marathon... or 17th marathon!

Overall the marathon was a great experience, but I would like to see more GU at the water stations sooner than at the 20-mile mark. I took for granted that it would be provided and I feel it would have been beneficial to my performance during the run.

Overall, a great experience. From the web page, which included a mile by mile review of the course (with photos) to the expo to the fireworks/laser show to the volunteers to the course to the weather to the finish, you couldn't have asked for more. Well, the hills in the last mile and brisk wind out of the north coming back weren't fun, but there wasn't much the organizers could have done about that. Most of the course was flat and scenic. Not much of a crowd, but I didn't expect one, and having run Boston, NYC, and San Diego, didn't want one. The size was perfect - I think about 1200 in the marathon and maybe 3000 overall, so there was plenty of room for everyone, and the announcer called out your name and city at the finish. Lots of water stops with Powerade, splits, signs, no traffic, music on course, pace groups, good enough food at end, technical long sleeve finishers shirt, sweat shirt and Spenco sandals. I didn't go to the pasta dinner, but thought bringing in Sam Thompson, the 'other' 50/50 marathoner, was a nice touch. Congrats Tulsa - you nailed it on your first try.

I didn't know exactly what to expect on my first marathon. It was a beautiful day, good course and a great experience. Some complaints I had would include the entertainment, mile marker placement, and spectator numbers. The website showed to have entertainment at appoximately every mile. I only noticed a handful of people providing entertainment. A couple of mile markers were quite a ways off (mile 15, mile 23). Lastly, in some areas there were good numbers of spectatators, but not as many as I would have thought on Riverside. I was definitely looking forward to the 'mile of inspiration', sadly there wasn't much support going up main street. Not to totally sound like I am bashing the event, I had a great time. TC