The Omaha Marathon is a lot of work before getting to the start line and during the race. The packet pick up the day before is not convenient. If you are staying near the start downtown, you'll have to drive 15 minutes to get your packet. Also, the sponsoring hotel (Doubletree) was really bad - dirty rooms and terrible service.

The course was hilly but scenic - really enjoyed the zoo, but absolutely no spectators, so bring family or friends if you need cheering.

The Ultima was horrible. It looked and smelled like urine and tasted even worse.

Two saving graces to this race were the nice and cheerful volunteers and the long sleeved t-shirt.

I will not be running this one in the future.

This is a pretty challenging course, with very little spectator turn-out, but appears to be building over the past couple of years and the organization seems to be a little better, with plenty of water stations along the route.

If you come here with realistic and reasonable expectations then this will be a fine marathon for you. August is typically hot in the midwest. The marathon this year started in the low 60's and 4 hours later it was about 80. It was similar weather as last year's race. The course is mostly run without shade so it feels hotter. The first 10 miles are a little hilly (includes a nice 3 mile trek through the Omaha zoo). Then it flattens out for the next 10 miles (the boring part through Iowa). Then, there are some large uphills to battle during the last 6 miles (the challenging section). There are no finisher's shirts and the pre-race shirts are the same for all three events. The finisher's medal is the cheapest one I've gotten from a marathon. It fell off me and broke. I notice that I was not the only one. I finished in four hours and the masseuses were already packing it in. They did offer me a free massage later in the week but not being from Omaha it doesn't really help. The expo consists of an outdoor tent with just two different merchandisers offering their ware. I got to the expo at 2:30 on saturday and the woman selling omaha marathon shirts/hats had already closed up her table. The post-race expo is a little better - bagels, bananas, cookies and water (not a lot of variety). Now, while I listed a lot of negatives I actually enjoyed the race. I came here knowing I was not going to get the amenities of Chicago or Portland. The spectators were non-existant, but the volunteers were extremely friendly. The host hotel is one block from the start. It was a nice touch having straws & lids for their sports drinks and there was plenty of GU for mid-packers. Mile-markers were easily spotted and there were ample aid stations. Being a small marathon it was easy to get through the stations. It was nice running through the zoo and ConAgra's campus, and I had prepared properly for the heat and hills. Omaha is also a nice city to visit -- for a day.

I ran this race in 2000 and 2001. Without a doubt 2001 was much better organized and an overall better experience. The humidity is tough, the last 6 miles are tough due to some steep hills, but the sense of accomplishment overrides those factors. I thought the volunteer support was excellent, and although the fan support wasn't huge, it was fine for me, as I am not one that requires the need for people to cheer me on constantly. The post race set up was very nice, and the finish line being located inside of the Omaha Civic Auditorium was a nice change. The last minute change to the course created a slight controversy in the distance. Rumor has it the course was about 1/4 mile short. However, if a lion would have actually been loose in the zoo and someone would have been eaten by it, I don't think many would complain about the 1/4 difference in the change. I contacted the Omaha Marathon coordinator prior to this race and they assured me it would be much better than it was in 2000, they were correct. I can only see this getting better each year. If you are trying to get a PR, most likely this race isn't for you, but if you want a challenging course coupled with challenging weather, this race would be a good one for you.

I am from Omaha, but I would not recommend this race to anyone. It is hot, humid, hilly, and poorly organized. There is nothing good about this race. If you are going to run a marathon in Nebraska, run Lincoln in May.

I think the organizers and staff did a great job. I especially appreciated that the water and energy drink lasted throughout the race (I finished in 4:30 plus). The volunteers were enthusiastic and THERE. They also handed out ice cold sponges - what a gift. There were plenty of port a potties and the course was well marked. The medals are cool - in the shape of Nebraska, and the bright orange long sleeved T-shirts are good quality - it matters. The race director's family even baked 3,000 cookies!!?? How's that for the personal touch?

I agree, hot hilly and humid, as advertised - no surprises. The course was mostly scenic (for an out of towner like me)and yes, I was disappointed that we did not go thru the zoo, but it will be one of the great anecdotes in the history of the marathon.

Special thanks to the two 4:30 pacers - Steve and Don. They (almost) got me across the line in time. They kept the pace. I would suggest that they hold signs up at the starting line so runners can find them before the gun goes off. I spent anxious moments looking for them.

There were almost no spectators, but they couldn't be blamed for staying out of the heat. Maybe some pre-race media blitz would have helped?

Yes, the course was tough, and too bad it's in August, but the elements are part of the challenge.

This was my 3rd marathon; Marine Corps and Cincinnati were the other two. This was by far the toughest course of the three. However, I also managed a 20:00 PR on it.

The race was organized well, and the race director did a great job of managing a last-minute snafu that required a re-route of the course. Fan support was light but enthusiastic (especially in comparison to my first two 'thons).

The course is challenging, but not impossible. Almost 1/2 of the course is pancake flat, so it's not as if you're trying to scale Mt. Everest or something. There are some very tough hills starting at Mile 21 and continuing through Mile 24. However, if you prepare mentally for the challenge it doesn't have to be a back-breaker.

If you're looking for a big-city marathon with tons of hoopla and fan support, you might want to check out Chicago or Twin Cities. However, if you're looking for a challenging (and rewarding) experience with a small field, Omaha is a great race!

This year's course was kind of a jumbled mess, due to a re-routing at the last minute which has left many of us questioning whether the distance was even accurate. But, the course itself is a hilly, challenging one.

Though this marathon may not be one to run if you're pursuing a personal best, it offers many other advantages in contrast to the large mega-events. I thought the race organizing committee did a great job in putting on a wonderful event, from the many aid stations offering both water and powerade with caps and straws, warm enthusiastic volunteers, pre-race pasta party to the nice finisher medals, key chains and post race massages. The expo was virtually non-existent, but what would you expect from a marathon with 300 runners. Not much press in the local paper about this event; I guess Cornhusker football is the big thing.

Though high temperature and humidity can pose a threat late August in Omaha, we were very fortunate with the race day conditions as it was cool (60's) for the first two hours. Most of the run into Iowa was into dense fog. The worse part of the course was in the last 6 miles, where it is very hilly and the sun began to shine between the clouds.

If you're looking for a marathon to run in August, I would consider this one. There are many activities in Omaha that weekend. I went to the Offut Air show, SAC museum, Boys Town and many of the state parks Omaha has to offer. Also the Nebraska State Fair and the Arts on the Green festival associated with the marathon were happening. Go to Omaha for a relaxing vacation.

Don't do this one for a PR. It starts at 6am and it was already hot. Typical midwest summer weather. The last 6 miles are the toughest miles you will ever run in a marathon.