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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 51 to 60]

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B. D. from Nebraska (10/7/2013) "Awesome experience!!" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first half marathon. I could not have asked for a better experience!! It was so well organized and the course was beautiful. The best was the signs and all the spectators along the course cheering on all the runners. They were so happy and very encouraging. They made it so easy to run the race and push on to the finish. The volunteers and all those at the aid stations were fantastic. There was plenty offered at all of them and at the finish line...wow!!! What a great selection of food and items available. I am so glad that I chose Monument Marathon as my first time experience. I will definitely encourage others to sign up!! Thank you to all those involved!!
C. B. from Nebraska (10/7/2013) "Amazing People, Views, Run and Experience!" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 1st 1/2 Marathon and I can't wait to run the Monument Marathon next year. What an outstanding experience. The fans, course and support staff made this experience one I will never forget.
S. W. from Boulder Creek, California (10/7/2013) "Fantastic organization, great scenery, no crowds" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I can't say enough good things about this organization and its fantastic volunteers! Even the day before the race, local folks were welcoming me and thanking me for coming to 'their' marathon. The course is plenty scenic, with long views of the Western Nebraska bluffs in every direction. It isn't easy; there's a steep downhill start that's practically guaranteed to draw you out too fast, and the steepest climb, around mile fourteen, also points right into the wind tunnel (at least, this year) of Mitchell Pass. And the hardest, poured-concrete surfaces and the softest sand are all in the last three miles! As you'd expect with a field of 84 runners, crowd support was thin-to-nonexistent, especially on the dirt Canal Path section from about mile 19 to 22-ish. (My Dad tried to keep track of two of us from his car, but the long road-closures and lack of alternate routes made it pretty much impossible.) The folks that did show up were as friendly and supportive as they could be, though. (Special thanks to the kids with the 'Go, Daddy, Go!' sign. The first time I saw them I said, 'Hey, I'm a Daddy', and they cheered for me at three more intersections!) The volunteers and race officials were definitely the highlights. From the comfortable indoor waiting area at the start (in the Wildcat Hills Visitor Center) where there was an impromptu Natural History lecture from the host, through the well-stocked and frequent aid stations (although I would have welcomed just one more station, maybe halfway through the Canal path), everyone was friendly, helpful, and runner-focused. At the finish line, they even sang 'Happy Birthday' as I staggered through! My favorite memory of this race will be hearing the Native American drummers and singers, just as I was struggling in the sand of 'Devils Ditch', well into the final mile. I'm not sure what they were singing ('Please don't let this old guy die on our section of the trail?') but their drums pulled my tired carcass out of the ditch, and pushed it to my fastest mile split of the day! If you need cheering crowds all along the course, you should probably go somewhere else. But if you love small towns and the best of Old West scenery and hospitality, you won't find a better marathon than this!
J. C. from Colorado (10/4/2013) "Beautiful Scenery, Small Field, Well Organized" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Quick Pros: Great organization. Beautiful scenery. Friendly people. Quick Cons: Windy! More hilly than flat. This is a new race (2013 is year 2), but the organization is superb. There were only about 80-90 marathoners and a few hundred half marathoners. Yet the expo was surprisingly large, well, large considering the size of the field. It was very cold and windy at the start, but an awesome wildlife center was open for shelter (and real bathrooms!). The wind was the hardest thing about the race. It was constant and strong. I was told that that's not too unusual for the area at that time of year. But the course itself was beautiful. It starts with a long downhill, then lots of flat, then a big, gradual climb through the monument, where the oncoming wind was very tough, followed by lots of downhill behind it. There's a terrific dirt road section after that that winds through sheltered (from the wind) badlands. The last few miles include a mix of paved and unpaved trails and neighborhoods. Though there weren't a ton of spectators, it's a small town, so that was expected. But the course was very well marked and staffed with terrific volunteers. There were plenty of well-stocked aid stations, including water, gatorade, fruit and gels. The post-race buffet was nice - good snacks, pizza and beer. And, again, very friendly Nebraskans. All in all, I highly recommend this race. You'd think they'd been holding it for decades based on the organization. Be prepared for wind, and know that this area of Nebraska is not flat, but enjoy the scenery and the wonderful people.
J. M. from Scottsbluff, NE (1/15/2013) "I was the LAST in the half...but I FINISHED! <3" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I competed in 2012 at the Lincoln (half) marathon. It is so important to understand that some competitors compete to FINISH...not win. I did not finish that 1/2 marathon. I made it to mile 8 and was so discouraged by the obvious pain in the rears us 'last placers' had become (the aid stations were out of fruit, the water was hot, the timer pads were pulled and the tables were being torn down). My body was giving up and so then, I felt, that I had no reason to continue so I chose not to fight through. Now...the marathon in Gering was different. The 1/2 marathon started almost 13 miles ahead of the full runners. While I walked, I was never discouraged. There were more aid stations, more smiling faces and I knew that, even though I was in last place for the 1/2...there was a whole line of REAL runners coming up behind me. I will never forget when that full marathon runner passed me (I will remember that exact spot on the course forever) and I was filled with encouragement. With ALL that combined; the incredible amount of spectators and volunteers (who were SOOO happy to be standing there in the cold, wind and rain!) and the little things that were available like oranges and water and signs everywhere along that track...it made it easy to fight through. And FINISH!
R. W. from Scottsbluff, NE (10/28/2012) "Great time. Friendly People. Panoramic Western" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run Urban, forest-covered and trail marathons. This was one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the view from the road. We ran past bluffs, fields, and water-filled canals. We also ran along the Oregon, California and Native American trails, same place where the Pony Express rode. But the people who ran, volunteered and cheered made the difference. I rode the bus with people who had run on every continent. One guy had run hundreds of marathons. They said this was one of the best-run marathons they'd participated in. One of the organizers washed my jacket before returning it to me after I dropped it in one of the volunteer's vans. I'll run again. If only to high-five the kids in blankets lining the streets.
Paul Fisher from Thornton, CO (10/26/2012) "Awesome small marathon!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the first small marathon I have done. This was also the inaugural year for this marathon. Even though they were extremely unlucky with the weather (the weather was bad for running only during the 8 hours or so of the race), I had a great time. Everything was super organized, the course was scenic and all the people friendly. I would highly recommend to anyone.
C. M. from Pensacola, Florida (10/14/2012) "Best Nebraska Marathon" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was born and raised in this area and when ever I came back thought of this as a perfect place for a marathon. This year my wish finally came true and I am proud to say it was one of the best marathons I have run in a long time (#259 marathon.ultras). Although a small field for this year's marathon, I am certain as the word gets around this event will double in size by next year. The event was well supported by the local newspaper, area businesses and townspeople. Volunteers were plentiful and did a fantastic job as well as the race director, staff and local police. This is one of the most scenic marathons you may ever run - lots of history in the area. Even though I lived here for 21+years, there were places on the course I had never seen before because it was run on private property with close access. I cannot say enough good things about this first-time event except be sure to sign up for it!!!
D. M. from Fort Collins, CO (10/14/2012) "You wouldn't believe it!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Even as inagural race, this one was one of the very best I've ever run. The organization was flawless, voluntter staff was so darn friendly you thought you were in 'Mayberry' or some place like that. The course was beautiful. The weather didn't cooperate (some periods of rain / cold wind showers - unusual since the area is in a drought) but that didn't take the warmth out of the volunteers and the surprising number of spectators (for a small race in a small rural town). For me, it was tops. Finish was great - nice custom medal . . . organizers right there at the finish line smiling, shaking your hand and congratulating you plus the food was great - besides lots of sorts of packaged snacks they served unlimited pizza - I had three different kinds. I would have to say some might complain about: a small (first year / small town) expo (OK, I don't get much of anything out of expos and actually find them irritating when the clever marathon organizersn forces you to wade through them to get your packets, get to finishing food, etc.) Here's something that astounded me: Out of 400+ 1/2 and full runners (reported number who signed up) I saw exactly 3 water cups on the ground. This was a different set of runners . . . they drank their water/gatorade and then threw the cup in one of 2-3 garbage cans set at intervals down the course. (Sort of made me embarassed at my fellow runner slobs (OK, I'm guessing I've been guilty too) in other races who might throw cups and goo shot wrappers on the ground within a couple feet to a perfectly good trash can.) This race is a ways from large pop. centers . . . but, it's a good one to try to catch.
D. R. from Dallas, TX (10/14/2012) "Most Scenic Marathon in Nebraska!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Monument Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Okay, to be honest, I haven't run the other Nebraska marathons. But they are all in the east part of the state which is primary flat and boring. This one in Scottsbluff takes you around Scottsbluff National Monument and through something I heard the locals call 'The Badlands'. If you have never been to Badlands National Park this is exactly how it looks, but on a much smaller scale. There is about a 5-6 mile stretch which is unpaved. This year it rained during the race and the dirt roads became very muddy - so beware! Other than that I can say that this was a fantastic small race which both the race organization and the community pulled out all the stops to make this great race.

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