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May 3, 2024

Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.9

Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 81 to 90]

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E. M. from Brooklyn, NY (1/16/2008) "Skip the Twin Cities Marathon..." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 ...and run this one! I had a great experience running the indoor marathon in St. Olaf. The weather is, of course, not an issue; the shirt and medal are top-notch; and best of all, the women of the St. Olaf Track and Field team volunteer to keep count of each runners' laps and time! My scorer was a lovely woman named "Allison," who had a big smile and boundless encouragement for me each time I came around the track. Thanks, Allison! Race director Dick Daymont not only puts on a great race, but he runs in it as well (and passed me MANY times, ha), and he cheers on all of the other runners by name. What other marathon does that happen in? This was my 21st state, and despite the fact that I vowed no repeats until I do all 50, this is a race I would absolutely run again. Since the field has to be limited because of the size of the track, my advice is to sign up sooner rather than later. This marathon is bound to become one of the "must do" races very soon.
A. Y. from SD (1/15/2008) "Ya! Ya! Run The ZYY!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you live in the north, a bit of fun and a run in shorts and a singlet in January can't be beat. The organization of this race is top-notch, and the dinner, at the college dining hall will show you how far college dining has progressed over the years! Ya, ya, it may be boring-sounding to run 150 laps, but the St. Olaf Women's Team is dynamic, smart, and AMAZING! Caitlyn was my scorer, and that means that she tracked my laps and cheered me on every time I passed, which was less than every 2 minutes. You have your own personal cheerleader, and lots of other scorers helped her cheer me on as well. Music was great (well, they need more Motown and some early Frank), and since no one had iPods, we all got to chat with each other. Really, a unique experience I'll cherish.
R. T. from Washington, DC (1/14/2008) "The course is ovular, but the race is a diamond" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There are plenty of marathons out there - big ones, small ones, city ones, rural ones. But if you're looking for a good one, and one that is completely unique, your quest will be rewarded at the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Marathon. The race is 150 laps of an indoor track on the beautiful campus of St. Olaf College in southeastern Minnesota. Before you wrinkle your nose at the thought, consider the benefits. Being indoors, there are no weather concerns. Being on a track, there are no elevation concerns, course surprises, or huge demoralizing hills. With 150 laps, there are 600 aid stations - one in every corner - where you control your refreshment and when you want it. With only 40 entrants, there are no traffic problems or long stretches of boredom, and with music playing, you lose yourself in the running experience. Perhaps best of all, you are not alone in your quest. The race director and his family plan for every aspect of the race, including the dinner, which is held at the school cafeteria. If the thought bothers you, realize that this is no typical "school cafeteria." The race director isn't kidding when he says this may be the best pre-race meal around. He will also go out of his way to see that all of your needs are accommodated. Also, keep in mind that each runner is assigned a lap counter, a member of the track team whose sole mission is to count and record your 150 split times. The women who make up the lap counting team become more than your statisticians; they become your cheerleaders and your driving force around the 282 meter track. What other race can claim a vociferous cheering section every 0.17 miles? As one runner put it, "I'd slow down this lap, but I don't want to disappoint my lap counter." For the first time in more than 100 marathons, I was almost sad to see the race end. Whether you need a January race or just want to experience what all races should be like, the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Marathon is a true gem.
stuart jackson from Coraopolis (Pittsburgh), PA (1/14/2008) "Spectacular Family-Oriented Race" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Whether it be the director's family, the family of the university, or other racer's family members, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the night before expo and pre-race dinner, and the morning of pre-race preparations, as well as the race itself. Thanks to everyone who helped organize this wonderful event.
d. j. from los angeles (1/14/2008) "Crazy... yet fun" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A must-do marathon. No hills, wind, or sun, and the temperature was perfect. You run 150 laps around the soft track. You reverse the direction every 30 minutes. They played good running music the entire course. An intimate race with only 40 runners. The best pasta feed! The race director, his family and friends, and the St. Olaf women's track were great. If you're planning to do a marathon from A to Z, this is a marathon starting with Z!
Arvid Fristad from Sartell, MN (1/14/2008) "Perfect racing conditions" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2008 Zoom Yah Yah Indoor Marathon was even more than I expected it to be. Dick and his crew did a great job making it all happen. The dinner at the St. Olaf College Commons was far better than any pre-marathon meal you will find anywhere. It is worth the trip to Northfield, MN just for that alone. The Women's St. Olaf Cross-Country Team recorded every lap time and cheered till the last runner came through the finish line. The great music throughout the race was a bonus. This was my first Zoom Yah Yah but not my last. It was a great experience.
Don Pattison from Bartlett, IL (9/26/2007) "Perfect weather conditions" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race in 2007 with very little idea on how it would work and how I would do. The field in 2007 featured just 30 runners and each and every runner had his or her own lap counter from the girl's track team. But the girls didn't just count your lap time; they also cheered for everyone out there. The weather was perfect and they had music going throughout the course so no need for iPods or MP3's or tights or gloves. You set up your own water station(s) at any of the 4 corners so you were never very far from your own water, Gu's or Gatorade (bring whatever you are used to). Because they changed direction every 30 minutes, there were times that anyone could be in the lead of the pack. Being able to use the showers at the building made it easy to be checked out of your motel before even getting to the race in the morning. There are no hills, no curbs, and no dogs, but it is still a challenging course. Dick and his crew are great and the folks there are super friendly. I liked the race because it was easy to drive to from Chicago and it was in Jan. It is hard to find Jan. races in the Midwest and this one fit into my schedule perfectly. This is one race that challenges your mind more than your body because it is 150 laps in a row.
d. f. from Northfield, MN (8/22/2007) "Ideal conditions for January in Minnesota" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I participated in the half-marathon in 2006 and decided to run the full marathon in 2007 (the half has been discontinued). I was surprised at how pleasant the experience of running a flat marathon on an indoor track can be. Having competitors around you at all times and great tunes on the p.a. made the 150 laps very enjoyable. Try it - you'll like it!!!
R. P. from Northfield, MN (7/31/2007) "600 turns and you're home!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Join a great race and raise money for the famous St. Olaf Cross Country Team as they count your laps and cheer you on. Race directors Larry and Moe will supply you with never-ending humor and commentary. Changing directions every 30 minutes lets you see both sides of the trees along the course.
J. L. from Minneapolis & Tampa (7/30/2007) "It's certainly like no other!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I gave this 5 stars across the board, since there is nothing else like this! The course is flat, and is the only sure way to run a Minnesota marathon in January. The organization is stellar. Dick, the race director, has this down to a science, and keeps his sense of humor throughout. The shirt and medal are great, and don't miss the pre-race dinner at St. Olaf's! The women's track team, and others, are built-in spectators, and the periodic visitors cheer for everyone. Running in circles you get to know them pretty well! The indoor track is easy on the knees too. Don't let my late finishing time dissuade you from this marathon. I was very slow, but had a great time!

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