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Apr 29, 2024

Monument Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 63 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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Linda Adam-Hall from Estes Park CO (9/28/2014) "An interesting course" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The first half of this race can give you a fast start, but the second half is the most scenic, & you get to run on dirt a few miles for a nice change. I loved the views around the monument, so different and interesting. The video tour on the website doesn't give the whole story, you have to run it to experience it! It wasn't my best finish time due to the heat, but it was enjoyable nevertheless. There weren't lots of spectators, but the ones who were out there were very encouraging! Enthusiastic volunteers & friendly locals help make this small event fun and refreshing. So glad I chose this race to do instead of the cancelled Boulder Marathon!
Justin Shaddick from Scottsbluff, NE (9/28/2014) "Great scenery and excellent organization." (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Monument Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run several half marathons and one full, but I love the Platte Valley Companies marathon for a variety of reasons. First, the community support is outstanding. The event is well organized and there are many drink stations located along the course. Second, the course is absolutely beautiful and capitalizes on the most scenic areas in the panhandle. Finally, the race is very challenging making the finish that much more rewarding. I would like to think all the organizers and volunteers for putting on another outstanding race. I am looking forward to next year!
Gary Hall from Estes Park, Colorado (9/28/2014) "Very well-run, and on a beautiful course" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very hot day (84 degrees), but a very well-organized small marathon & half. The first couple miles and the second half of the marathon are where the best scenery is, with the second half rolling through and around the Scottsbluff National Monument. With the forecast for heat, the organizers added extra aid stations, and they were well-equipped (including ice at the later ones) and very helpful. The volunteers, as a group, were terrific, very encouraging and helpful and on-target. I even had a female marine cheer me on with a variation of the military chant ('I don't know but I've been told, Finish Line is paved with gold . . .'). I saw a rattlesnake in the second mile, so watch out for those. I heard other reports of them, including from a runner who had to run into the bushes at one point and who heard a rattler nearby. Yow. Beautiful place, unique, worth it. I was slow, very slow, in the heat, but it was worthy.
A. P. from Yuma, Colorado (9/28/2014) "Challenging course, gorgeous scenery!" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The whole experience was excellent!!! It being my first ever half marathon, my family and I enjoyed it immensely. The setting is gorgeous, all the people were so friendly, and I very much appreciated all the encouragement and support along the route and the announcement of our names and towns as we finished the race. Everything seemed so personal. The post-race fellowship, entertainment, and food was also great. I can't imagine all the planning and organization that would go into such an event. Thank you Monument Marathon organizers, sponsors, and volunteers!
Sue Bollwitt from Seward NE (9/28/2014) "Monumental experience!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 19th half marathon, but by far the most beautiful. The course challenged my 60+ year body but there were enthusiastic supporters around every bend. The promoters did an excellent job to get me to the western part of the state. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Pristine beauty!
K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO (9/27/2014) "Heat in 2014, But a FANTASTIC Race!!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race conditions this year were pretty warm (55 at the 0800 start, high 80s at the finish, very little shade). The race director and crew added some water stops and ice to the back half of the race due to the heat. I would have preferred an earlier start ... but I do not know why that was not an option ... I understand this is sometimes hard to do because of permits and agreed times for road closures - there were a lot of police and volunteers along the course. SO again, an uncontrollable factor to which the team responded very efficiently and well. This course is challenging. The initial 3 or 4 mile downhill run tempts you to run flat out with all your pent up energy. Do not make this mistake ... a hard downhill will shred your quads and make the end of the race somewhat sad. A smart strategy being mindful of what is ahead will serve you well. You will be on road until mile 18 or so. At that point, you will be running on a trail where the footing is a little uncertain at times because of rocks. It's not bad, but you will need to watch yourself. Around mile 21 or 22, you run through some neighborhoods and a bike path. Throughout the course, you have SPECTACULAR views of the unique geology of western Nebraska ... as well as getting to see some of the fabled Oregon Trail. What an incredible treasure this course is! As for volunteers, what can I say? These people are AMAZING! This is why I gave 5 stars for spectators - it's mostly a rural run, but the numerous aid stations and volunteers were absolutely cuckoo excited to see each runner! Ample supplies, and extra water stations because of the warm weather ... some of the best race support I have experienced in 20+ marathons across the country. Shwag ... I have never gotten such great shwag ... go, and you will see what I mean. And then of course, the towns of Scotts Bluff and Gering are welcoming and super hospitable. This is a very small race (120 or so marathoners) in a very sparsely populated part of Nebraska ... it is WORTH it to go for the scenery, but even more for the lovely people. The Race Director greeted all of us on our shuttle buses, and every person involved treated runners with great kindness and respect. Bottom line: If you live nearby, if you are 50 stater or a maniac, or if you are just excited because of all the great reviews you have read, make your plans ... this is a race to run. You will not be sorry.
C. T. from Omaha, NE (1/12/2014) "A must-do if you like a small-town atmosphere" (about: 2013) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my third half-marathon in Nebraska, and by far the best of the 'big' three (Omaha, Lincoln, Monument) in the state. Scenic views, running through a national park unit, and fantastic small-town hospitality. Plenty of aid stations- although one was eliminated this year on the dirt road going through the back side of the Monument due to rain/muddy conditions from rain the day before- kudos to the race director for not taking a vehicle out on that road to keep it from getting torn up for the runners. All of the aid stations had plenty of volunteers and were well stocked with GU gels, fruit, gatorade, and water. Be prepared for the wind (that's normal for western NE). The course is hilly, but I still set a PR. Definitely worth your time and effort to run this gem in western Nebraska!
D. B. from Scottsbluff ne (10/24/2013) "awesome run beautful, good challenge" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Monument Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a perfect day for a run , perfect weather. The Race was well organized. Perfect amount of water stations. Good course with great hills. Incredable fans. I loved it.
D. K. from Minneapolis, Minnesota (10/8/2013) "Fantastic in all respects! A gem of a race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved everything about this race. I'm a 50-stater, so ran it to get my Nebraska race, but would consider running it again. The organization is superb and the course beautifully highlights the fantastic scenery in far Western Nebraska. The course is a bit challenging and has some hills and some dirt roads, but I don't think they should change the course one bit, as you run right through panoramic Scottsbluff National Monument and at times are paralleling the Oregon Trail. Everyone in the town and all of the volunteers are super friendly, and the small-town feel is really special. They gave out awards three deep in each 5-year age category, and I won a beautiful matted print painted by a local artist. The temperature (40s) was perfect in 2013, although there was a headwind at times that slowed us all down a bit. I flew into Denver, rented a car and drove to Scottsbluff, which is about a three-hour drive. Very doable. All in all a wonderful marathon, and I really hope more people make the trek out there to run this memorable race in a fairly sparsely populated but gorgeous part of the country!
Carl Baird from Gering, NE (10/7/2013) "Amazing course and even more amazing volunteers!" (about: 2013) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a fantastic event! This was my first full marathon and it made me want to run more. The course is amazing (since I live here, I can train on it whenever I want) and the organizers and volunteers were even more so! Don't miss this marathon!! You will not be disappointed if you make the effort to come! Thank you to all who made this possible! Also, thanks for having a race on a Saturday when so many others hold them on Sunday.

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