I am a 50-stater and chose to run the Lincoln Marathon becasue it appeared to have more of a small-town feel than the Omaha race. I heard good things about that race too, but I was very happy with my experience in Lincoln.

I really enjoyed the first half of the course - running through rural neighborhoods, with a decent amount of tree shade, and lots of locals running about. However the course hits a narrow bike path at one point, which crowds the runners, and the second half is completely exposed to the sun in the later part of the morning (and on concrete, with few spectators). I saw this course as two very different half-marathons run in succession. The second half was much more difficult due to the change in course conditions and the rising temperature. With that, my rating for the course was three, because I didn't care for the second half - except, of course, for the awesome finish in the stadium.

Crowds were great, but less so in the second half, but they surprised me with where they popped up.

Race organizers did a great job. My only complaint was that the first water stop was about three miles in and the second was close to six miles in. After that it worked itself out.

Lincoln is a very cool, Midwest, college town. I went to a microbrew called Lazlo's, and had possibly the most memorable filet ever. The beer was great too.

I am not factoring this into my review because I think it is silly to consider the t-shirt or medal as a reason to run/not run a marathon... but good grief, that was the ugliest, most awful shirt I've ever gotten. I might need therapy just because I looked at it for too long.

All in all, this is a fun race to do, and if I were local to the area, I'd run it again.

Overall, this was a good marathon; the congestion at miles 6 -8 is the only reason that I gave the course a "3." The aid stations were well stocked and the cups with lids were great. The packet pick up was quick but crowded. Thanks to the pacers!

It was my 32nd state, and the Lincoln Marathon didn't disappoint me. The course was plain - there was really nothing to see and I don't remember much of it - but there were great, friendly spectators all of the way. A well organized race, and bib pick-up and parking were easy. AND the CUP with STRAW was great!!!! Thanks, Lincoln!!!!

I have run this approximately 10 times, and this is the first time I got a one-of-a-kind award. Running along Highway 2, I felt something hit my head. What a deal - a bird gave me an award like no one else ever got. I got a lot of comments and laughs about the bird poo in my hair.

Overall, a marathon I would do again. Great course support. Decent aid stations with water, Gatorade and ice - plus oranges and GU on the second half.

Oh, and a kind lady spectator handed me a Twizzler at mile 23. Thanks, whoever you are!

But:

- No chocolate milk at the finish; what is up with that? The sight of yogurt made me want to hurl.

- Bike path at miles 6-8 is way to narrow; can we get a lane closed on Highway 2 next year?

I came into this year's race aware of the changes but not yet sure what to think. After running, I was pleased at what I saw:

1) The course was improved to divert marathoners on the newly-poured trail along Antelope Creek, which meant less time on the streets and less traffic disruption. Also, I liked the finish at Memorial Stadium on the 50-yard line and the great eats immediately following.

Improvements:
1) Spectators felt a bit distant from the race finishers in the east stadium stands as runners finished at mid-field, so it may help to find better proximity for both.
2) Try to either divert half-marathoners by sending them at a different time (or in waves), especially if trying to accommodate more in coming years, as they make up about 75% of those running.

Finally, the National Guard continues to do an outstanding job in assisting, whether at aid stations for water, at the start line for directions/bag checks, and now at the finish line to meet finishers and assist with medical emergencies. I was proud to be greeted and congratulated by our men and women in uniform, and will take their goodwill after a race over Hollywood celebrities any day.

My first half! I will be back for next year! Love the finish in the stadium! Awesome to be seen on the big screen! I would suggest guidelines about slower/walkers to keep to one side; I felt like I had to zig-zag in in out throughout the whole race! Just a suggestion!

Loved the finish in the stadium! A wave start would alleviate congestion along the course, especially on the bike path. The orange slices/jelly beans around mile 10 were a nice touch, but I would rather have had a few more fluid aid stations, as I brought my own gels. I learned the hard way not to park in the parking garage, as it exits onto the marathon course and many of us leaving after the half were (properly) held up until a break in the runners allowed safe exit. Next time I will park away from the course and walk a little farther.

I've run the half here twice now. There are a few places that get thin spectator support, but overall it's very nicely attended. Race officials do a good job of keeping you on the course wherever there might be a questionable turn. Water, facilities and traffic control are well done. Straws in the Gatorade are a nice touch. For the most part, the course is two lanes- or a full street-wide - until about mile 6 where you are on a narrow bike trail for awhile, and then the last 2-3, which are single lane with a pretty good side slope.

My only disappointment with this year was the change in finish line location to Memorial Stadium. Friends and family were herded into half of the stands far away from the finish; runners were treated like unwanted guests and hurried off of the field. Initally we weren't even allowed back out onto the field to cool down. I give the course a 3 for this reason. I'd much rather finish out on the bricks like before.

Even with 8,000 runners (most of them halfers), the course was not crowded. They constricted the entrance to the starting mat, which allowed people to spread out for more leg room once they got past it. There were also no hills in the first few miles, which also allowed people to spread out more. Spectators were plentiful and supportive, especially in the first half. But even the back half still had people cheering you on. Course is scenic and showcases the city well. The park with the nice lake around Mile 20 was scenic, and there was a woman playing a trumpet just before that who was taking requests. And stadium finishes are always great! Complementary pasta feed the day before the race was nice, and after the race they had the most massage therapists I have ever seen after a race - I only had to wait for two minutes. The tech race shirt was excellent, and is one of my new favorites. The medal looked like they were trying to imitate a Lincoln penny, so a bronze color would have been more effective - otherwise it was somewhat weak in design in contrast to the shirt. I have never seen Gatorade served in cups with lid covers and straws at aid stations before. I guess they did not want runners to spill on their shirts or something.