If you like being on your own through most intersections, if you like 1-mile-long hills, if you like no fans, and if you like criss-crossing other runners, then you will like this marathon; otherwise you will not.

I finished in the upper 50% and found most intersections un-manned. If you need Nebraska for a state, then lower your expectations and do Omaha; otherwise, I cannot recommend this marathon, or Omaha for that matter. The pasta dinner was free (yeh), but directions to find it were missing from the race packet, making it very hard to find. Sorry guys - just being honest. I will say that the people working at the pasta dinner were very nice. Please keep trying Omaha.

Pros:
1. Well organized-good packet pick-up
2. Good bus tour - orange cones along whole route for direction
3. Pasta dinner was nourishing
4. Nice purple long-sleeve shirt
5. Excellent informational packet; maps were beyond great
6. Lewis & Clark start and finish are SUPER
7. Polka band music was very uplifting
8. Band at the zoo - great music
9. Run through the zoo - loved having the animals cheering us on
10. Take a day and visit the zoo; the gorilla Eexhibit is worth the trip

Cons:
1. Pasta dinner was very nice in a tent... but the music from the D.J. was so loud that runners could not talk
2. Concrete course; can't believe a man came in 4th running barefoot
3. First 13 miles are hilly
4. Stay in the hotel out by the airport; bums around downtown make it feel very unsafe - especially in Levy Mall Park
5. Six-hour limit - at 6:15, mats were taken up
6. Award ceremony was very early; if one wins a trophy, it costs $5.00 to have it mailed
7. Some scenic areas, but other areas were very industrial

Ran the marathon. Hilly and hot, as mentioned.

Overall, it was a good event that leans a little toward average in regards to course and fan support. Running through the zoo is the highlight; long, lonely industrial back stretches with only the crickets are the low points. You received a pasta dinner, long-sleeved, purple, cotton shirt and a nice finisher medal in regards to frills.

Organization had to be well done considering the course, multi-run events, and all the meanderings and direction changes (traffic control was a little "looser" on the back half). Only saw one gel station (apple pie was an odd handout choice).

This was my first marathon where your actual time was displayed at the finish line (excellent feature!). The finish area was a nice venue along the river with a live band, but I thought they could have done a little better on the runner food (maybe they ran out of the good stuff?).

Now my "concerns".... Considering the out-of-towners (and I met a lot of 50-staters) and that there had been course changes from last year, an elevation guide would have been very helpful. Despite the course tours on Saturday, there seemed to be a general feeling that we were all running this course blind. A description of "2 miles of hills" and so many miles of rolling terrain didn't work for me. This was much hillier than anticipated.

The starting line was a cluster of organization of all the running events. I saw two pace signs - 3:45 and 4:15 - and I placed myself in the middle. However, I found myself dodging WALKERS in the first 100 yards or so!!!

I was disappointed with the Doubletree as a host hotel. You got a reduced rate and that was about it (OK maybe a basket of fruit for the runners in the lobby for early breakfast on Sunday). The staff did not even know about the marathon. It was a six-block walk to packet pickup and a much longer walk to the pasta dinner, start or finish with no shuttle support. So if you are flying in to Omaha, there are closer hotels to the start/finish.

Although I have never run in a race prior to the OM, I heard positive things about the encouragement found at the Omaha Marathon. I signed up for the full marathon from the get-go and loved the affirmation and positive attitudes had by all. I never had to worry about dehydration due to the many Gatorade and water tables, and never lost momentum as I returned high fives, sang to the bands songs along the way, or simply smiled as my number was cheered. Despite the dreaded hills, the support staff along with other racers were a phenomenal group of people.

This was my first marathon, and I have to say, although the hills were supposed to be "extremely difficult," they weren't difficult enough to write home about!

Although the end of the race tended to be a little warm, the other parts of the race were all fabulous. Everything about it was more than I expected, especially given the past comments on this site. The weather started out great, the spectators were great considering it is a small race, and the finish line was FANTASTIC!

I guess all of these things were what helped me win my FIRST marathon, as well as winning "overall female" in 3:22:40!

Great job, Omaha!

Brutal hills in the first 15 miles. Exceptionally hot with 95% humidity. Not a formula for a PR. Well organized along the course. Great volunteers. Mostly scenic (except for about 4 miles towards the end that were ugly). Great entertainment along the way. Frequent water stations. One major flaw: the medical support at the finish was completely unresponsive to this runners' support needs. I collapsed at the finish line and was effectively ignored for over 15 minutes while I hyperventilated and tried not to pass out. After a challenging course filled with great volunteers, this was a deal-breaker for me. I cannot recommend Omaha for this reason.

I have previously run the half marathon twice, so this was my first time running the full marathon in Omaha. My previous thoughts regarding the Omaha course weren't positive, and after running the half in 2005, I vowed to never run Omaha again. However, this year's race fit nicely into my marathoning schedule so I decided to give Omaha another shot.

Wow! I was extremely impressed with the changes that were made this year! Though miles 8-12 were quite hilly, this was really the only difficult portion of the race. There were Clif Shots at mile 18 and plenty of aid stations throughout the course. I also really liked the finish area this year and the medal was great. I really hope that word gets out about the Omaha Marathon and I hope I'll be back next year.

This was only my second marathon and maybe I was spoiled by Grandma's in Duluth, MN. A run down a scenic waterway is much nicer than an industrial run. Omaha has put together some beautiful trails on Carter Lake and the Missouri River. With the number of marathon runners they could easily utilize them. The run through the zoo was very nice. Water stops were adequate. Spectators seemed few and far between. The declines were not a big enough payoff for what seemed like a ton of uphill action. I'll have to try Lincoln next year. Have fun running.

This is a smaller marathon, with approximately 500 runners devoted to the marathon itself, and another 2000 or so in the 5K, 10K and half. A challenging course, which I liked, with 4 major hills in the first 10 miles. Otherwise the course is flat with great organization and fan support. Also, the city of Omaha has great public parks, major theater, and good local restaurants. I am from Southern California, so I am not sure I will be back, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. My compliments, and thanks to the organizers and the people of Nebraska.

This was my 28 marathon and my first Omaha Marathon. Although it was not PR for me, I thought it was great. The route through the zoo - as well as many beautiful parts of the city - was wonderful. The finish down on the river was great!! The organization, course support, fans, and the presenting of awards early was perfect for in- and out-of-towners. Bravo to the director! I will be back!