Pros:
- End on 50-yard line of UNL football stadium, on the big screen
- Well organized, spaced out and staffed water/gatorade/gu stops - straws for drinks! straws for drinks!
- Online real-time race tracker (need to add txt/phone support)
- Pacers were great
- Successful staggered start
- BIGGEST PRO: Post-run support. Plenty of food, free massages w/ very little wait time, ice wraps, thermal blankets and very friendly staff/volunteers that really respect your achievement. Can't say enough about their help!

Cons:
- Shared first half w/ 13.1 runners can make it tight at times, but I didn't have to break pace too much really. It is kinda inspiring to see the halfers turn-off knowing that your run has a couple hours left.
- Holmes Lake out and back for the second half. Out and backs are just a little more mentally difficult than a loop w/ some variety. Considering the the LTC, NG and PD do to keep the streets clear, though, logistically this probably makes the most sense.

Lastly, for this particular run we had +10MPH head-winds for the last six miles. Bad weather can hit a run - no fault of anyone, but if you choose to run this Marathon, remember that it is in Nebraska.

The race start was horrible. Participants did not pay any attention to their start time. Walkers and slow runners positioned themselves toward the front, and when you got into your pace they were always in your way. The coordinators have a pace color code, and this should be identified on the bib numbers (or by having different start times for the full and the halfers/walkers. The course was good, with strong support and fans along the way. The route along the path on Hwy. 2 was ugly, but I was told they now moved that. Ending in the stadium was great, but then they route you into the north stadium and exit out next to the east stadium. The walk area was impossible. Runners tried to get to their bags, but they allowed non-participants into that same area and it took close to 30 minutes to walk across to the bag area. I understand people wanting to congratulate finishers, but they should have created a route on the other side of the fence for just the runners and avoided the congestion. Last, the medals for this marathon are PATHETIC. I understand it's to finish the race, but you want to have something to show something for it. For the number of people who run this race, you'd think they'd put some effort into it. I am sure they search all of the bubble gum machines in town to find these medals.

I've run the half many times and finally worked myself up the the full this year.

Good things: Oranges at the water stops! I just couldn't stomach gel that day and the oranges helped. Water stops were plentiful and well organized.

Needs improvement: Expo is in too small of a room, and the packets were empty (just papers - no samples, coupons, nothing). Shirts were paper-thin and had awful sizing. The color and design are not nice either. I thought finishing on the 50-yard line would be cool, but I felt so disconnected from the crowd. I'd much rather have the finish chute lined with people!

Course: not "hilly," but not flat either. Very difficult in the sun around Holmes Lake. If there were any places to change the course, it'd be great to get rid of that hill before the park and run through some shade. :-) Spectators were good. I did Fargo 3 weeks after Lincoln and their spectators were spraying us with garden hoses (encouraged by race directors) and that was wonderful! Would love if Lincolnites were encouraged to do this.

Overall, a nice run, but with the way it's growing, there should definitely be improvements. Also, what about splitting up the start times in corrals, or having the half start 30 minutes before the full (or vice versa)? It's so crowded for the first half.

I had a wonderful first-time marathon experience. The fans were more plentiful than I imagined. The water stops were very well manned and the volunteer base was overwhelming. The only downer for the whole thing was seeing cheaters turning around at the timing mat in the park. Boo! The race directors get a thumbs up on this one.

I'm relatively new to running and have run the half in Lincoln the past two years. Everything is well organized. The route is good except for the stretch along Highway 2. I know they're working on that. It just gets a little crowded there.

I thought the finish in Memorial Stadium was great. I hope they continue this. A little congested under the stadium, but manageable.

The crowds were great, as always. I'd like to see more support for the full marathoners (I usually go out and cheer them on after I'm done). There are a few lonely spots for them, but overall I'd say the support is great.

My biggest complaint, which is weak but nonetheless a complaint, is about the shirts - and not the color even, but the giant logo on the back. If you're going to do that, just use regular cotton shirts because it defeats the purpose of a technical shirt. Last year's had a large logo, but it was printed on in a manner that left the shirts breathable. This year's shirt was like a giant piece of plastic ironed on the back.

Friendly people! Fantastic volunteers - friendly, encouraging, and fun! This was my first full marathon, and it was SO fun! The organization was top-notch. Loved the Christian band in the starting area as runners were lining up. Great crowd support for the first half, but the fans thin out significantly in the last half when you need them the most! Is there some way to encourage more crowd support along Normal Boulevard? Also, kudos to Barb, the trumpet player at mile 20, for taking requests - and taking a cue from her, wouldn't it be great to have local bands every couple of miles in the last half?! Also, because I'm a slow runner, all the food and water had been devoured by the time I got to the finish line! Perhaps next year, there could be some saved for us turtles? (Where was the clock at the start?)

This was my third time on this course (once for the half marathon).

I'll start with what could be improved (since that list is short):
1) Narrow, crowded path on Highway 2 in the first half.
2) New finish. Though the finish in the football stadium was grand, it felt very impersonal compared to the old finish where you could immediately connect with family and friends.
3) Poor-quality race shirts. I've never kept a shirt from this race - they're just not comfortable to run in.

On to what I love about this race:
1) Perfectly-spaced, well-manned aid stations that are long enough for a second grab for a cup if you miss the first chance.
2) Lids and straws!!!!
3) Clearly identifiable Gatorade and water. (I've run races where I had no idea what I was taking until I'd spilled it all over myself.)
3) GU and fruit at every aid station past the half marathon turn off.
4) Crowd support (specifically in the second half of the race); not a ton of spectators, but nearly every one had words of encouragement for me specifically - not just generic "go runners" chants. Such a great motivator!
5) Great organization; everyone involved is totally dedicated.
6) Inexpensive registration and generous benefits (free pasta dinner, good eats after the race, great sales on gear at the expo).
7) New this year: pacers!

Run this race!!!

I thought the course was good but I hated the finish. Ending on the field wasn't so bad, but once you got off the field, it was extremely difficult to get through the massive crowd in the stadium. All I wanted to do was get out of there, change, and stretch as soon as possible, but it took forever to get to the other side of the stadium where my bag was. My suggestion would be to limit that corridor to runners only and keep spectators in the stands or out of the stadium.

I really do love the Lincoln Half and have run it numerous times. This time was the first I had trouble with way too many people bumping in to each other, and I got elbowed several times. The new finish was a disappointment. The runners were herded off of the field and packed under the stadium where the water and snacks were hard to find. It was hot and smelled really bad. It was difficult to find family/friends. I liked the old finish better. Regardless, I will stay faithful to one of the best runs around. Thanks to all of the great volunteers!!!

The pre-race communication was above and beyond. I have never received so many updates and so much information. The Eisenhower in Abilene, KS seemed super organized until this one! Excellent!

The course is great. There is a narrow area, but it didn't bother me. I think they are opening up the road for next year instead.

It was great to have such a big crowd of runners and spectators. I usually run smaller marathons and really loved the volume of this race.

I actually liked the shirts. Not the best screen printing job, but nice fit, shape, and a tech shirt is great. Nice medal.

The finish in the stadium was unique. Water and soda were easily accessible at the end. Water/Gatorade stations on the course were perfect - lids and straws!! Love the straws!

Plenty of port-a-potties.

I will run the full next year. Wish I had this year. I highly, highly recommend this race!!