calendar icon May 19, 2024

Route 66 Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Route 66 Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 254 [displaying comments 191 to 201]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 18 19 20 21 22 .. 26 > ]

 

E. R. from New Jersey (11/22/2006)
"This race has a lot of potential" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Overall this race was 'OK'.

Pros:

- Very good organization.
- Full marathoners get an extra finishers 'technical' shirt.
- Enthusiastic crowd, when possible due to course layout.

Cons:

- Course was mostly on a straight, boring road with very little scenery. (Logistically, it may be impossible to get the permits to spend more time on 'actual' Route 66, so I can't fault the organizers for that.)
- No finishers shirt for half-marathoners.
- On course entertainment was not there as advertised.
- PowerAde as replenishment. (PowerAde is probably the worst product on the market for people that actually want to ingest a hydration drink, due to its market-leading level of high fructose corn syrup. You might as well be drinking soda.)

Suggestions (in order of my desire to see a change):

- It's Route 66; give the race a 'classic 50s/60s theme and get related bands out there to break up Riverside, which is booooring for miiilles. This could instantly transform the weakest link into one of the strongest!

- Get something other than PowerAde out there for runners. This may be hard since Coke was a sponsor, so maybe we should just lobby them to market a more responsible product.

- Trash the ugly sweatshirt and just give everyone a technical shirt for participating. More races are doing it and it makes it easier for folks to justify the registration fee. If you want an additional perk for finishers, maybe consider a cold weather beanie or racers hat.
 

K. T. from OKC (11/22/2006)
"Good course, Fantastic finish" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


My first marathon and it was great. Only slight complaint would be the gravel bit in Jenks. I expected - and did - finish way at the back of the pack but what I didn't expect was that past 5:30 point they would still be announcing finishers by name. Very classy. I was waiting to get this one in the bank to determine if I would try another full. This was such a positive experience that I will definitely continue to enter marathons.
 

B. B. from San Antonio, Texas (11/21/2006)
"Wonderful race & organization" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This is my fifth marathon, and I thought it was excellent. Everything was great - the web page, expo, organization of the race, announcer at the finish line, post-race, and especially the community of Tulsa.

This was my first time traveling to Tulsa and I have shared the race with several of my running friends. We will be back next year.

The only suggestion that I have is having vaseline at some of the stations or first aid area.

Again, congratulation on a perfectly-run race. Enjoyed my time in Tulsa.
 

Kristina Priest from Oklahoma, USA (11/21/2006)
"It was a lot of fun!!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 1


This was my first half marathon, and it meant a lot to me that it was also the first Route 66 Marathon. I would like to run the marathon next year.
 

Tim Kelly from Tecumseh, OK (11/21/2006)
"Made my First marathon Memorable" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


What an amazing experience, I had a blast! this was my first full marathon, and first organized race I've run in yet. I thought all the support from the crowd was top notch, the aid stations worked quite well, especially the GU handout at mile 21, which really helped. I enjoyed the flyover at the beginning SO much, it was really cool to see the planes disapear over the river, leaving vapor trails.

I was a little surprised to know I got second in my age group, and I'm looking forward to running this race again next year, and improving in the mean time!

Oh, and the awards were great, nice quality finishers shirts.

Thanks a bunch for making it such a success, I'm definitely hooked on marathons now!
 

T. T. from Seminole, OK (11/21/2006)
"Good race, but don't forget the back of the pack!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my first marathon, and I was dealing with a hip injury, putting me literally at the back of the pack. I think only 5-6 people finished after me. I was disappointed that the food tent was abandoned and the medical tent was folding up shop by the time I got through. In fact, several of the water stops between miles 22-24 were closing while I was out on the course. It's frustrating to watch volunteers dumping water/powerade on the ground as you're running or hobbling by.

Don't forget that the last marathoners to cross the finish line need -- and deserve -- the same level of attention as the other runners. I'll run this course again, hopefully faster, but I certainly don't want to feel like I'm a 'distraction' if I come in dead last.
 

L. J. from Topeka,Kansas (11/21/2006)
"average" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


A few hills in the middle of the course would be nice, instead of just the last few miles. I was very disappointed that the choir/band was not there for what was supposed to be an "inspirational mile." More music and spectators along the course would be helpful. The location of the host hotel was great, but that was about the only good thing about it. Rooms were not too nice and they would not allow late check-outs. The finish area was awesome!
 

M. E. from Edmond, OK (11/21/2006)
"Thank you God for a beautiful race!!!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Just like almost everyone else, I thought this was a GREAT inagural marathon. There seemed to be more hills at the end than the elevation map indicated, but what a challenge to overcome! My training partner and I were able to get around the hotel 'No Late Checkout' dilemma, by signing up for their 'preferred customer' plan. We only had to fill out a brochure and were able to get a 2:00pm checkout, but it took some begging to get that information...probably would not stay at that hotel again. Food tent was a little disappointing. The heavy food was not what I wanted at the end of a grueling race. More fruit, maybe some bottled smoothies, and fruit juices would be great. The fans were AWESOME and our 4:15 pace team leader was GREAT. Very motivational and right on the pace....even though I fell behind her at mile 23! Overall great race. Let's thank the One in charge of the weather too....couln't have asked for a more perfect day....Thank You GOD!
 

J. G. from Enid, Ok (11/21/2006)
"Well organized; enjoyed car show & flyover!" (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Well organized race with great location and course. I enjoyed the classic car show and the aircraft fly over. All the volunteers and workers were helpful. I have marked my calendar for next year's Route 66 Marathon, and I am looking foward to it!
 

M. H. from North Dakota (11/21/2006)
"Great Event" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Route 66 Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was a great first-time event. The vintage plane fly-over was great and I have yet to witness, until now, a shotgun start. The hills at the end made it fun. It separated those who have quads and those who do not. And hey, free beer at the end. I was running with a lady from Tulsa, and I know she needed a 3:45 - I hope she made it.
 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 18 19 20 21 22 .. 26 > ]


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