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.

This was my second half and I enjoyed it. The finish line inside of the football stadium is great - glad to be part of this great run. I thank all of the organizers, volunteers and city police for helping with the arrangements. Great crowd.

OK, this is my "home" race, so I'm biased. But in comparing this to others I've run (five other fulls and numerous halfs), this provides great value, a fast course and a unique finish. I've seen a lot of kinks get worked out for registration as this race has grown. This isn't run by a corporation that is out to suck every dollar from you. It is a good value ($50 for the half, $75 for the full) with a free pasta dinner the night before and post-race treats comparable to other races that cost twice as much.

The finish in the stadium is cool - with the big screen and finishing on the 50-yard line. It was an adjustment, compared to seeing 85,000 cheering fans, but as a life-long Husker fan, it was cool. No, this isn't Chicago or Minneapolis, with a million fans; Lincoln is a smaller city. But what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in volunteers and small packs of cheering fans at various places. By far the best race in Nebraska and comparable to races I've run in Des Moines, Charlotte and even (dare I say) Las Vegas.

They still need to get off of the bike trail, but if that gets fixed, this will be top-notch. I'd also like to see the half get capped like some races and leave registration open to the full marathon runners longer.

Do not expect anything special about this race or Lincoln. As a half marathon it would be great, but as a marathon it is somewhat less. The first half of the race and the second half of the race are like two totally different races. The half marathon is crowded, with a lot of spectators, big hoopla, a good course and a lot of support. But after 80% of the runners turn into the stadium, the race takes on a whole new flavor. The course is boring, it is much less crowded, the spectators thin out, and. frankly, it is a much less interesting experience. Do the half, but unless you need the whole to complete a goal, it is just not worth it. Also most of the course is on cement, which is very hard on your feet. Even worse - and maybe exclusive to me - at the turn-around point I tripped and fell, missing the timing pad and having to limp/run in the last 10K. I know the organizers cannot do anything about it, but the uneven pavement proved a problem to me. The expo is small but serves its purpose.

The organizer are a very friendly and helpful group. I owe them a debt or gratitude for letting my friend sign up the night of the expo even though the course was full. The free pasta party was great.

Finishing in the football stadium, having you name announced, and seeing yourself on the Jumbo-tron was very cool.

In sum, as a half-marathon, this would be a great event; as a fun marathon, it was a good event.

I ran Sunday in my first ever marathon. The excitement of the finish in Memorial Stadium cannot be put into words. Best thing I have ever done.

Organization was very good. When I laid down in the stadium because I couldn't walk, people were right there to assist me. Great job, Lincoln!!

Lincoln really puts on a great marathon! The race is well organized, the volunteers and National Guard members are the best, and the course is pretty nice - bike paths and nice residential areas. Love the lids and straws on the cups at the water stations, and the new finish on the 50 yard-line of Memorial Stadium was awesome!

Huge thanks to the wonderful volunteers and to the Race Directors Nancy and Gary for a great marathon experience!

Ran the Lincoln half in 2009 and a full in 2010. Overall, this is a great race, the spectators are awesome and very plentiful for the first half of the course, fewer along the second half. The section from miles 6-8 along the bike path is too congested though, and needs to be changed. The finish inside Memorial Stadium was a nice touch, but family is not allowed on the field, so there's a huge disconnect from you and your loved ones. Also, you have to walk all the way to the South stadium to drop off your bag, and pick it up again. Not good when you've just run 26.2 miles. Also not a lot of shade (none) on the second half of the course, be prepared for the blazing sun if there aren't clouds.

The Good: This is my second time running Lincoln. The parking is adequate and the field house is open pre-race so you can use the toilets. The course is VERY flat and fast, and the aid stations were well stocked. I ran a 3:30, so I don't know how they were at the tail end of the group. The straws in the cups are a nice touch, and the lady playing the trumpet in the park around mile 20 was entertaining. I gave the race four stars for organization based on the Lincoln Police support. They did a wonderful job at all of the traffic control points.

The Bad: The starting area is very crowded and it starts at a 180-degree bend. The streets are very narrow in the first half and only one lane of traffic is opened in the second half. Returning runners and those going out could and probably did collide. There were several injuries caused by the steep drainage slope of the road in the second half.

First and foremost, I was happy with my overall experience (first marathon and BQ). However, they need to have corrals or pace groups set up so 10-minute-per-mile runners aren't lined up in the front. I didn't have a problem with congestion, since I was pacing myself for the first half. The second 13 miles were BORING. Absolutely no crowd support except for family/friends of runners. Porta-potties were very scarce as well. Pioneers Park had ONE water station and it wasn't enough. Overall, Lincoln does a fine job, but to attract more people, they need pace groups or some sort of live entertainment on the second half of the marathon.

This was my 38th state and marathon. What a terrific community effort for this race. Good traffic control, friendly people and excellent water stops. Almost every mile has an incline so it's neither flat nor hilly - it just has a lot of grades. I had a group of volunteers that cheered a group of us all the way in from about the 19- or 20-mile mark. When we would pass, they would hop in their car, honk, wave, yell and meet us at the next mile. That was so much fun and really made my us feel special. Thanks for doing that. What a hoot.

My only improvement or suggestion for this race is that, while they had porta-potties where they said they would, there simply weren't enough. Only two at each area and usually the line was 5- to 10-deep. I lost almost ten minutes waiting for a bathroom. I usually commandeer a tree or bush but the course winds through a lot of areas where there just isn't much cover for that kind of activity. Showers at the coliseum were just awesome. What a fantastic facility that is.

Other than that, the rest is minor with the starting area being crowded and a small amount of food at the end. No big deal. I ate at the airport on the way home. I really enjoyed this race and would recommend it highly.

Thanks to everybody who volunteered or worked this event; it was just top-flight.