This was my fist marathon, so I cannot compare my experience to a previous race. Tulsa is a neat community, and the course was scenic. The hills at the start are the best part of the course. I had more trouble mentally with the 13 mile out and back along riverside than I did with the hills.

Weather was perfect for most. Starting temps in the 50's. About 65F four hours later.

The race seemed well organized, with the exception of the post-race food. I finished in 4:30, and the food tent was completely empty - with a 300-foot-long line of people waiting to eat. Some pizza, I think, showed up later, but not nearly enough. There was food for my friends who ran the half and 5K. I would do it again, but I will plan on bringing an ice chest for something to eat.

I truly loved my experience at the Route 66 Marathon. It was my first marathon and it was amazing. I am very disappointed that someone can go buy my finisher's medal online. I busted my tail for four months, put in the time and effort, paid my dues - physically and financially - only to find out anyone can go buy that medal that I was so proud of. I know that I have the story to tell, but it still tends to devalue the event.

A very well organized race, and I thought the crowd support, volunteers, police, and the community at large were excellent. Be forewarned: you have to hammer out a lot of concrete miles in this race.

My boyfriend and I traveled to Tulsa to run the full marathon. It is a small-town feel, and everyone that we met before the race was very helpful for out-of-town racers, giving lots of info and help. We had been warned that there would be lots of hills in the front part of the race. There were some hills, but from our training it was not bad. The hard part was the second half being flat and mainly concrete. The lowest part for us was the use of water from hoses at the aid stations in the second half of the race. I was one of many that used the medical tents for fluids, as the chlorine in the water at the aid stations turned my stomach. The volunteers were wonderful, despite the horrible tasting water they had to offer. They kept cheering you on no matter what. Not sure about the food post-race, as there was a line, so we did not stay to see what was offered. I would say the big fix would need to be the water situation, and then figure out a way to entice more spectators to the back half of the marathon. This race has potential in the years to come. Maybe use a paid perks tent like Little Rock.

I have no complaints regarding this race. Everything was perfect. It was well organized from the start all the way to the finish. Aid stations were well stocked and the course was perfect. One of the nicest medals I have seen. I highly recommend this race.

This is the third year in a row that I have run this marathon. Overall, everything was greatly improved. To those with negative comments, keep in mind that this is a relatively new marathon. The new course turned out to be much faster than the old course - I PR'd by more than five minutes. The stretch downtown was great. The miles down and back on Riverside Drive are a little boring, but I have run in several other marathons with stretches that are worse. I saw plenty of porta-johns on the course, and most seasoned runners shouldn't need to stop anyway. The post-race food and beverages were fine when I finished - much better than in the past. I would highly recommend this marathon for anyone hoping to qualify for Boston. It is a very fair course - one you can run negative splits on.

Overall, a job well done, Tulsa.

The Route 66 Marathon is well worth a trip to Tulsa. There's so much the organizers do well: awesome medal; two shirts (cotton participant and nice tech finisher; I love the turquoise in the cotton - very unique); a fine, well-organized expo; well-staffed and equipped aid stations; and lots of fan support. The car show at the finish is a nice bonus.

A couple of observations and suggestions: The first half of the course is somewhat hilly, while the second half is a pancake-flat out-and-back along the Arkansas River. While it is a nice course, there is a lot of concrete in places and the second half does not have a lot of shade.

Also, I would suggest more port-a-potties at the start and along the course. A similar issue exists with parking (a lack of it) at the start, though I understand why they want to begin at Veterans Park. Get there early for a good parking place on the downtown streets. The finisher food did run out, as well, causing us to have to stand in the sun for quite awhile. But all in all, Tulsa is one of the best out there, in my opinion. I highly recommend it as a great marathon value and a totally enjoyable experience.

I ran this marathon directly after having traveled from the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Antonio, Texas. I would like to say that the City of Tulsa was a good, low-key sort of place. For the four days I was there, it was chilly. The night before, I had to run in a way-out-of-town place in the middle of nowhere - all dark and lonely, with great big lorries speeding by in the dark.

Enjoyed the start and the laps around the city, but the long pull down the river and then back up from the 20-mile turnaround was a bit of a grind. All in all, it was okay. That's another state done. Straight after, I went immediately to the airport, and was only able to shower properly at home 19 hours later, having chucked a bottle of water of my body whilst getting changed.

This was my 66th marathon/ultra, and 32nd state.

PROS:
Good race expo and pre-race dinner. Also, getting two shirts is nice, but having all of the sponsors on both is overkill - take them OFF of the finisher's shirt. Great medals; nice touch having name and home city on each runner's bib. The pace teams rock too.

CONS:
The cement street is hell on your legs. Also, where are the people?? Tulsa has over a million citizens in the metro area; advertise the race and gain more community support. Often I had to energize the crowd with, "Lets hear it, Tulsa!" Downtown is a ghost town on the weekends. I stayed at the Crown Plaza (very nice and good location); however, almost all delis and fast food joints are closed over the weekend. I had to walk far for food. Water stops are consistent: Gatorade first, then water. Each also left 30 feet in between the tables.

For only its fourth year, this race is doing well and has plenty of room for growth. Overall grade: B.

I traveled from Minnesota to Tulsa by car, and would definitely do it again. What a great experience. Tulsa puts on a first-class marathon for everyone.

Positives:
1. Course was very fair. It had rolling hills through a gorgeous neighborhood at the beginning. Fun to run through the downtown area. Flat as a pancake from miles 13-26. The last half ran out and back.

2. Loved the food at the finish: Pizza, bagels, Gatorade, pop, beer....

3. Live band, massage tent, and merchandise tent made for a fun atmosphere after the race.

4. Tulsa really puts on a great race for all runners. Half marathon, relay marathon, 10K - I think - were all races that were going on.

5. I would say the race is a celebration of running. The announcer at the beginning and end was super enthusiastic. They want people to come to Tulsa to run any of the distances and make all people feel welcome.

6. The organization was excellent - one of the best I have attended.

7. Volunteers do a great job at the expo and the race.

8. Really appreciated the medical people on bikes throughout the race. Great idea! Medical tents, and water/Gatorade stations were perfect.

9. Medals are awesome! Wow! Thick, large, colorful! Well done. Really liked the tech finisher shirt and cotton shirt they gave everyone.

Only negative I can think of was the wind and sun from miles 13-20. Tulsa can't help that. Part of running.

If you are thinking of a smaller race, Tulsa is perfect!