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☰
Missoula Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Missoula Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 166 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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D. Z. from Montana
(7/22/2018)
 "Outstanding!" (about: 2018)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon and the course was great! Starting out in the pines, then moving into town made it more enjoyable. The spectators really make this race, the best crowd I've ever seen. | |
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T. K. from Cincinnati, OH
(7/22/2018)
 "A Marathon Embraced by Missoulans" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Top 10 Reasons to Run Missoula 10 - An amazingly flat course in generally mountainous terrain 9 - Early race start (6AM) means early race finish and avoiding later day hot weather 8 - Simple but nice touches for the runners - moose antler finishing medal, race bib in the shape of the state of Montana 7 - Missoula police - when thanked for traffic control, THEY thanked Us for running in THEIR race 6 - Large farmer's market at Finish Line for both Saturday and Sunday races 5 - Amazing community engagement - e.g. so many private residential sprinklers turned on to keep us cool 4 - Beautiful scenery in the first half - sunrise over the ranchlands, early morning along the forested Clark Fork River 3 - Mary's Mountain Cookies Shop at Finish Line - the most delicious cookies ever! 2 - Opportunity to visit Glacier National Park - just 2-3 hours away 1 - Heart-warming community pride - Montana is known as The Last Best Place; when Missoulans became aware that I was running my 50th state, they shouted at me "Saving the Best for Last!" | |
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m. s. from mansfield, TX
(7/19/2018)
"One of my Favorite marathons" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Missoula Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 2018 was a bit warm but there is a lot of shade on the course and plenty of aid stations. The locals turn out but there are not a lot of locals. Around 13.5 mi, a sharp hill then a steady incline for about 2-3 miles, otherwise a relatively flat course. Awesome scenery, I like this marathon so much that I this was my 4th trip to Missoula. Be sure to climb the swithchback to the giant 'M' after the race, a lot of the runners do. :) | |
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P. E. from Valatie, ny
(7/18/2018)
"Beautiful race, well organized" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very nice, well run race. Best runner tracking app I've seen in 50+ marathons. Course is gorgeous with super support by tons of households offering free sprinklers, water, ice, food, running support and of course adult beverages. Volunteer support tables along the course were numerous and well stocked as well as friendly staffed. The shirt and finisher medal are nice, along with free pics (nice). Kudos to race director and organizers. The only con to this race is that not enough post race food was available. After I finished there was over 1.25 hours of finish line support with a few sandwiches and some rice salad was left. At least have some extra bananas or oranges for the back of the packers. Would highly recommend the race and would do again if scheduling allows. | |
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D. H. from Washington
(7/17/2018)
"10 Stars All Around" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race reminded me why I love Running races so much, the freaking people. Missoula residents SUPPORT this race, so many random strangers cheering you on it's unreal, even the police clap and cheer. Yes do this, it's a must. | |
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J. T. from Pittsburgh, PA
(7/17/2018)
"Missoula Marathon - Must Do Race" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The first half of the course is beautiful. Not as much crowd support, but once it heats up, you need the support and you get it running through the neighborhoods. This is very well organized race down to the details such as shuttle pickups. Since I was from out of town, it was good to see that people did not assume I knew where a location was. Overall, this race gets an A+. I did the Big 3 challenge (Beer Run, 5K, and Marathon). | |
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T. P. from Akron,Oh
(7/22/2017)
"Go West" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was a little worried when the temp hit 104 degrees 12 hours before the race but an hour before the race it was only 64 and I stood around shivering like junkie waiting for his next fix. This was my 45th state and my 105th marathon and I place this in my top 3. The expo was adequate but having food trucks there was a plus (try the mini donuts yum). The bib was cool shape like the state and nicely colored. The shirt was only so so. The buses took you to the start. The waiting area had plenty of port-a-johns. Lots of fireworks before and at the start even during 'the bombs bursting in air' part of the national anthem. The course flowed like a ribbon only one hill of note. It didn't' start getting hot till 8:00 and with the low humidity it was not a problem. The aid stations were perfectly placed and the volunteers enthusiastic. When you got back to town the awesome citizens were out in force with hoses and sprinklers.The sponge stations were an added plus. I hit the finish line dancing and singing knowing I just experienced one of this country's best marathons. The finisher's medal was the icing on the cake so well thought out and finely crafted a thing of beauty. Do I recommend this race? Does a bear s**t in the woods? | |
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Jessica Davis from California
(7/20/2017)
"One of the Best I have Ever Run" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this marathon was beyond expectation. I ran it because I heard it was great but it was beyond that. It was very organized. It was a beautiful course with lovely rolling hills. And there is no way to describe the support of the locals. It was an unseasonably hot day and the residents were out on their lawns, with sprinklers pointed at the road. And ever aid station was fully staffed and very supportive. From the police to the volunteers to the spectators - everyone was smiling and cheering and supporting each and every runner, every step. | |
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Donna Swanson from Quincy, Michigan
(7/18/2017)
"Great marathon in a scenic and fun town!" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the most well organized marathons I have run with nice shirts, large finisher medals, free beer at finish, free photos, nice finishing venue. You are in a valley surrounded by mountains the whole way! Missoula is a fun college town and has easy access to Glacier National Park, which we visited after the marathon. Aids stations, spectators, sprinklers were all great! Communication via the race director was excellent. | |
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j. e. from Pennsylvania
(7/15/2017)
"HOT, well aided, organized" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: Jeff Galloway and his advice were priceless. Anyone who didn't attend his lecture the night prior definitely lost out on key advice. This is coming from someone who has done 70 marathons, proving there is always something to learn. The female cut shirts were nice. I thought the expo was adequate for the size of the race. The course was pretty and fairly flat. I was so pleased with all the hoses that were on the course. I felt like the locals really got behind this race. It was very organized. People complained about the swag, but I dont need all that. I loved the medals. Postrace food was terrific including the beer and wine. You could tell this was put on by runners. I thought the aid stations were plentiful. People commented on how they should provide pretzels etc. Seriously, bring your own then. It's a race, not an ultra or a cafe. The volunteers were terrific in the heat. Buses were organized. There were plenty of bathrooms prior to and on the course. Fireworks were a nice addition. I really cannot complain about anything that the RD could control. Ample emails were sent out. RD has no control over the heat and I think the decisions were smart on their part. They are responsible and maybe you wouldn't but some would actually sue if the outcome is death/hospitalization etc, so the RD has to consider the liability in the heat. I think it was handled well. Again, they warned you that the temps have been high in the past. If you don't want this as an issue then run in December somewhere. To me, the point to point made it go quickly, as there was no repeat of scenery etc. I am still glad that I carried a water bottle, gels and gummies, but thank you for having 3 gel stations on the course. That was perfect. I ran this for my 40th state and would recommend it to anyone whether they are a 50 stater or not. Another plus is that you are just a few hours from Glacier National Park. We took advantage of that and spent a day and a half in the park post race (I suggest starting in St Mary's East side and drive Going to the Sun Road, ending on the West side, then your drive back to Missoula is 2:20 instead of 4 hours). The park was amazing and a perfect finale to the weekend. Cons: The host hotel was super expensive. it was in a terrific location and walkable to everywhere but crazy expensive in my mind. A July marathon lends itself to unpredictable weather and that's what we encountered. Yes, it go warm, but I finished in plenty of time to really avoid the heat and took in the wealth of advice from Jeff Galloway and implemented each and every thing he suggested for this course in this heat and far than exceeded my expectations with my time and how I felt. I was so grateful for the 6 am start...earlier the better for me, especially in the heat. I am not a huge fan of the drawstring bag and would rather have the option of not getting it and receiving a few dollars off the entry fee (and giving out a clear bag for a drop bag if requested). |
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