I have run in a number of marathons and will be returning this year for the second round in Lincoln. I am former military and love the fact that the Guard shows their support. I was also impressed with the fans on the side of the road. They were either cheering or handing out water, and overall it was a great morale-builder. I look forward to the running again this year, and for years to come.

Lincoln is a great race - well organized, with a great post-race meal and nice awards. The National Guard brings a lot to this race. This race nearly has the highest percentage of finishers under 3 hours in the U.S. The prize money is reasonable for most. Tim Dooling, the current Lincoln record-holder, can race Ryan Hall if he wants the big bucks.

I ran my first marathon when I was 16 here in Lincoln. Boy has it changed. Now I am 42, and I run the 1/2 marathon. I have run the L.A. Marathon, USMC and Lincoln - and Lincoln is the best.

I don't hold any course records, but I know a fun race and a topnotch event when I see one. I've completed many 1/2 marathons at this event, and 1 full marathon (I'll adding another Lincoln Marathon in 2008). The race directors put on a first-class event, with plenty of support and enthusiastic volunteers. I've spoken with plenty of National Guardsmen and women who praise this marathon, and you will too.

I have the current course record 2:20:09. I have a couple of complaints about the Lincoln Marathon. Whatever happened to just showing up on the day of the race when you happened to be peaking at the time? Maybe Dirk Chatlain of the Omaha World Herald should have thought about that as a reason that times in the marathons for Americans - not just nationally but locally as well - are so slow. The Lincoln Marathon doesn't allow race day entries. Do you know how inconvenient that is for an impulsive, healthy, young male distance runner? Spontaneity is what it's all about when you're young. Sorry. Another complaint is the lack of prize money for the marathon, and the sport in general.

I also believe the Lincoln Marathon should not be the host site for the national gaurd, and should just be called the "Lincoln Marathon." I mean if you don't have any local runners, don't try to put gimmicks there to draw numbers. It makes it obvious that the priorities of the race officials aren't right.

Other than that, the race is good. But you have no quality runners, as of lately.

I am a native Licolnite, although I now live in the east. I have run the Lincoln Marathon 3 times and it is a great little marathon. Unlike Omaha where there are long stretches of nothingness with no fans, here there are fans at every turn. Only one small hill at mile 20. Where I run now has little wind, so the wind on Capital Parkway for miles 22-26 can be tough.

I came from Chicago to run the 2007 marathon due to good reviews by runners from previous years. The good reviews were correct. Even though the weather was rainy, the race organizers', spectators' and runners' enthusiasm was not diminished. The registration fee was a bargain and included the night-before pasta dinner, post-race meal, a techical T-shirt and a cotton finisher T-shirt. The aid stations were plentiful and I loved the cups with lids and straws. If you're 50+, be sure to go to the Sat. luncheon where you will meet some very sociable people. The course was fairly scenic and flat. I plan on coming back in 2008.

It was a thrill to complete the full Lincoln Marathon for the 13th year in a row. I was excited about receiving my Lucky Thirteen Club award. The jacket was nice. I had family with me for the award reception, but the long wait, and additional discovery of a lack of communications between awards staffers concerning the jackets and presenters was disheartening. After waiting a long time, and having staffers dig through a box for my jacket, I had to leave, and missed the Lucky Thirteen Group photo op. at the end. I may not be back next year.

I ran the half marathon. The organization of all aspects of the event was excellent and the overall value was exceptional. For a very reasonable race entry fee, one also received entry into the pasta dinner and post-race party (both included the runner, family and friends), and a high-quality technical shirt, plus a finisher's shirt. The course was well marked and there were frequent fluid stations. I have run over 700 races and this was the first one were the fluid cups had lids and straws. This was a nuisance and created more clutter on the road. An open cup is much better.

Some of the many good points include: plenty of free and convenient parking; friendliness of all of the volunteers; availability of indoor facilities before and after the race; easy recovery of checked gear; and plenty of toilet facilities. The weather (50s and rain) was perfect for me (especially with a tailwind for the second half of the HM). I anticipated crowded conditions at the bike path but it was not a problem when I went through that area. I really enjoyed the entire program.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the Lincoln Marathon. I would especially like to thank the Lincoln Police Dept. for a fine job of traffic control. My only change for the marathon is to start the full marathoners at 7:00 and the half marathoners at 7:30. This would alleviate any congestion on the course. Thanks again for a great run!