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Apr 29, 2024

Heart of America Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.4

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

N. W. from Woodstock, IL (9/8/2011) "Beautiful Serene Course" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with some other comments that reading the pre-race instructions the night before about the fast moving traffic and stay on the shoulder of the road made me very nervous. But when I got out there the next morning, the traffic didn't worry me at all. On the narrow winding roads cars slowed down and moved over. I always felt perfectly safe. The course was absolutely picturesque. Starting out in the dark, and watching the sunrise over the rolling hills and the river was a wonderful memory I will cherish. Yes the hills were tough but not impossible, there were plenty of downhills to make up for the uphills. Spectators were few but that's ok, they were awesome. Volunteers were awesome and truly excited to be there. The spectators cheering at the finish were amazing. I wish I could thank them all for being so motivating. A great running event without all the overextravegance of big city races, which also keeps the cost down - a good thing. Although I would have paid a little extra for a more substantial medal after all that hard work. But the shirts were great!! Loved the shirt. This was my 26th marathon, first Heart of America marathon, and I will be back next year!
l. b. from springfield mo (9/7/2011) "simply the best" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Heart of America Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my seventh marathon and my third HOA. Every year I am impressed with this race. The volunteers make me feel like a superstar. The chit chat over pizza is friendly, and accepting of all. This race is always my slowest time but by far the best race.
D. Q. from Missouri (9/7/2011) "Away from the pack" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race is truly beautiful. The course is lined with trees and even a spell by the Missouri river. The weather was perfect, a great day for a race. The volunteers were very nice, even if they were not every 2 miles. I was not with the pack and the road that we ran on made me nervous. I did not feel safe at any point at the race. I was out there by myself with cars blazing past me. There was absolutely no shoulder and no protection from the cars that are flying by at 50 miles an hour. I know most people who run this race adore it, and I guess it is safer when you are with the main group of runners. For those of us not in the group I was frightened.
l. m. from branson, missouri (9/7/2011) "Tough but fabulous!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was marathon #6 for me. I absolutely loved the course, can't wait to tackle it again. The aid stations were a little far apart for me but, I loved the cold water sponges at the last few stations. It was difficult to run on the shoulder since both lanes were open to traffic. All in all it was a great experience and the weather was perfect. I will be running HOA again.
Michael Martin from New Freedom, PA (9/7/2011) "Well done HOA!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a very nicely organized smaller marathon, and one of the best 'little' ones that I have done. From the low entry fee, nice tech shirt, friendly race people, and good food, this is a race that everyone who runs for the love of running and not for the acclaim or to boost their ego should run. This course is hilly, so it probably helps to be trained for hills, although I was not and I still had a good time. The only really bad one came at about the halfway point, but at least it didn't come at the end! The weather may also be a factor, since it does get hot and humid at this time of year in MO. This year, however, it was almost perfect! Temps in the 50's throughout most of the race were definitely welcomed, and if not for the slight headwinds, it would have been ideal. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this race for anyone who loves the friendly vibe and atmosphere of small races. I am also a 50 stater, and I am glad I choose this race for MO. It was really an excellent race in all ways.
Dan Flugrad from St, Joseph,MO (9/6/2011) "Very hard course, but great volunteers" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Heart of America Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was so encouraging to have all the great volunteers cheering for us and giving us water. That's what I like so much about this race, and the great orange slices at the water station!!! Thanks to all the people who cheered us on. I love this marathon.
J. O. from Wichita, Kansas (9/6/2011) "beautiful, small marathon" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 After picking up my packet the night before the race, I came across some information I would have preferred to know prior to committing to the race.....'no ipods allowed', 'run in single file....no shoulder on road at times.... traffic fast and furious'. Being the marathon wimp that I am, this made me nervous. I can not run 26 miles without music as a distraction, so I began the race with a little nervousness and resentment to be honest, feeling like an outlaw with my headphones on. And then this wonderful marathon setting melted my resentment away. It helped a lot that the weather was absolutely perfect-50's to 60's with a little wind, perfectly sunny day. The hills are significant, but actually not as bad as other marathons I have run, like Nike Women's in San Francisco. The course is idyllic for someone who would enjoy a tree-filled country setting. I loved it and neither me nor any other outlaws were splattered on the road. You do have to run in single file during much of the race, so it would be difficult to run in a group. This is a great race for the person who likes to run solo.
V. B. from Pottersville, Missouri, USA (9/12/2010) "Great Value, Great People" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, but I was pleasantly surprised at the level of organization - including the on-line info, the packet pick-up, the frequency of the aid stations, the ice tubs, post-race get-together, and the overall attitude of the organizers. The course is a little tough, but the weather was great this year, and if you run a marathon for the challenge, then this type of course is a "celebration" of the kind of challenge that many of us look for.
l. b. from missouri (9/11/2010) "I think I can!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Heart of America Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. Ran it for the first time last year, and stayed for the pizza this year! Thanks, Shakespeare's! It was awesome. Local, friendly, and in fact, I adopted some fans along the way - a group of people were cheering for someone close to me and it was awesome to see them every few miles.
n. d. from fresno , oh (9/11/2010) "very nice people, very pleasant scenery - mostly!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Heart of America Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 for a hilly course, it was not as bad as the course map made it look... running on BT 50K course in OH made these not seem so daunting! Hills are relative to where you train and live. i enjoyed this race. People were friendly and it was an "all the basics covered" kind of marathon.

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