This was my 18th marathon (Big Sur, Disney, Honolulu, Flying Pig, Marine Corps, etc). It is a small (~300 marathoners) marathon than runs south through downtown Omaha (including the zoo), turns north through Levi Carter Park (my favorite section) before looping back south to finish near the city center. The course is relatively flat overall, with some rolling hills during the first half. The organizers were friendly and helpful, although packet pick-up was hindered by the idiosyncrasies typical of a volunteer organization.

The expo is tiny and post-race food is Spartan (apples, bananas, rolls). The course is not particularly scenic, giving the runner plenty of opportunities to take in the rundown warehouse districts of Omaha. The sections that pass through the zoo, the Con-Agra complex and the park are more enjoyable. Porta-potties were scarce, but with a small number of runners and a little planning this was not a major issue. There are only a handful of spectators and the lack of crowd support precludes me from recommending this as a ?first-time? marathon.

These distractions aside, I give the organizers high marks for keeping the water stations stocked 'til late in the course and passing out tons of GU/Cliff Shots (I was offered these on five occasions after 13 miles). Bicycle rovers actively policed the course to monitor the status of slower runners. Although the course is not blocked to traffic, the Omaha Police were visible present at intersections, enforcing the right of way for runners and aggressively disciplining drivers who attempted to encroach on the course. It is unfair to compare this marathon to the 'MAJORS' because it is much smaller in scope. Still the medal is much nicer than I hoped, and the long-sleeve cotton t-shirt is a keeper.

Overall it is a relative bargain, especially considering that tickets to the pasta dinner are included. It is best as a long training run to warm-up to the fall marathon season.

This my second marathon ever. The first half is scenic, however the hills are a killer. Thank goodness it was only a training run for me. The second half was boring. I did not meet another runner for the entire last 13 miles of the race. The volunteers were great. It kept me going knowing there would be volunteers cheering me on at each water stop. Overall, it was not a bad race. They MUST improve advertising if they plan on getting anymore than 300 people running the marathon.

Good: water stations and volunteers, Cliff Shot at 3 spots, traffic control, finisher's medal. Bad: toilet at start?, pacers?, refreshments at end?, generic bib number, pricey entry fee. If you're looking for something special, this one isn't it. The run itself is challenging and well supported. Great water stops and volunteers. The run isn't scenic. Conagra? Nice, but only about half a mile (you get it twice though). Zoo? Nice, but only for about three-quarters of a mile, once. You get no downtown, no outstanding or unique neighborhoods. The run in the park by the lake is nice, but only about 3 miles. The rest? Boring industrial, dull residential. I passed the 3-hour pacer and the 3:30 pacer - should have been near me at the end. We hadn't seen her finish by the 4:00 mark. It's a marathon for people whose reward is the run. Race advice: go very easy on the hills early. I did and went from 45th to 25th in the last 6 miles with about a 1-minute negative split.

I ran this marathon when it was in August. The summer heat made it very difficult to run a good time. The move to the end of September was needed. The weather this year was perfect: cool with a light breeze. The course is rolling hills for the first half and flat for the second. It is not a PR type course but not overly difficult either. The downtown area and new convention center were under construction, so it made it hard for out of town people to find their way around. That should improve next year. The water stops were well manned with sports drink and water. Fan support was minimal, but those that were out on the course were very enthusiastic. The finish was perfect: indoors, great medallion, easy to find friends and family. I will be back.

This is a very small race. The first part isn't too bad because you have the half-marathon runners too. There were pacers as well, and they were helpful. Unfortunately, when I started to slow down around the 16-mile mark, there were very few runners around me, and even less spectators. There were stretches of about 2 miles where I didn't see another person. This was very discouraging, as my second marathon ever (a follow up to the Marine Corps Marathon). There were very few clocks to give you your splits, and the course was changed on race day for reasons unknown. In general, the organizers did an okay job, but don't expect any other support.

I ran the 1/2 marathon this year. With the exception of the ConAgra Campus and going through the Henry Dorley Zoo, the course is fairly boring. It's not routed through great or interesting neighborhoods. Also it was disappointing this year that a number of runners had their cars broken into and had personal items stolen during the race (myself included). According to a police officer who came by (but wouldn't take a report as this is only done by phone in Omaha), this has happened in past years. It would have been nice to have been warned! Overall, considering the hot, humid weather, having to wake up at 3:00 am to get there, the dull course, and getting robbed to boot, I would not recommend this race and won't be going back.

I thought for a small race, the organization was excellent. The course was challenging, however, and was worth the hills. Yes, there are hills in Nebraska! Running through the zoo was terrific. I thought running over the Missouri River was great and enjoyed running around the lake. Although I set my personal worst, I was impressed with the support on the course in the later hours. The volunteers were outstanding. At mile 19 I got an ICE COLD bottle of water. Training in the Southeast should have prepared me for the heat. It didn't, but signing up for a marathon in August, you run that risk. Overall, a nice race. If someone is looking for a summer marathon, I would recommend it.

This was my third tiem running in the Omaha Marathon. I cannot compare it to some of the country's major races i.e. Chicago, Marine Corps, Boston, etc. because I haven't had the opportunity to run in these. But I will say that for a smaller marathon, the organizers in Omaha do a good job and continue to make improvements each year. The course is challenging and most won't get a PR here. However, it is well marked and the Omaha and Council Bluffs Police did a great job controlling traffic. The course also provides a variety of scenery...the zoo and con agra headquarters are highlights. I must admit that the sports drink they used this year needs to changed for next year...it was pretty gross..But on a high note, the water stations were very frequent which was important for this course. the weather is challenging as well...if you come to this race, and are not prepared for the hills and the humidity and heat, do not complain about the course, you have been warned about these elements. the fans were not huge in number but were enthusiastic. The post race was somewhat disappointing this year, the 10K and half marathon personnel ransacked the food and drink tables, there was some for the marathoners, but not as much as last year. the Expo was a distance from the start line, but I live in Omaha so it was convenient for me, but I understand their gripe if they aren't from here...I will continue to run in this event and hope that many others will give it a try!

Being from Florida I never thought I would find a marathon that would do me in because of the heat. I now know what it means to say 'help, I've fallen and I can't get up' because that is exactly what happened to me at around mile 24+. Make sure you have some salt tablets handy or some other way to keep your sodium level up if you do this one. Leg cramps are something I hope to never have again. So much pain and so close to the finish! I will be back next year to claim my finisher's medal!
There were not a lot of spectators (who needs 'em), but the course was great...even the hills. And, I can't say enough good things about the volunteers. Lots of traffic control, well marked course and they all stayed out there even for the slow runners. Not a huge number of runners, so us slow folks got spread out, but we were never forgotten. Very well organized, too, although the packet pickup and pasta dinner were not as convenient as it could have been if located downtown (The hotel I stayed in offered a shuttle so it was not that much of a problem). The only negative comment I have is the sports drink-I don't know what it was, but it was awful. By not drinking as much of it as I should have; sticking only to water; (a chocolate gel that I was handed at mile 9 made me sick)I let myself get into the trouble I suffered later. Be prepared for the heat, but otherwise a thumbs up!

Overall, this is a nice, smaller marathon (only about 250 runners). Organization was good. Expo very small, and held outdoors, along w/the pasta dinner. Doubletree provided cookies, which were excellent!

The course is moderately difficult. There are hills from miles 20-24, two steep, but relatively short in duration. The middle part of the run takes you into Iowa, very flat, but not much to look at.

Could have used a few more aid stations, and portajohns at the start. Also, sports drink was Ultima, and it was terrible!!!!

Overall, though, Omaha is a decent marathon, worth giving a shot.