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☰
Heart of America Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Heart of America Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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l. b. from bolivar, mo
(9/8/2009)
 "fantastic" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm a novice, and the race was hard! That is why we run it. The organizers did an awesome job, and the town turned out for the event. The course was beautiful, with small farms covered in fog. Breathtaking. | |
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Robert Merritt from United States
(9/7/2009)
"Thank you, volunteers - you are the best" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Heart of America Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would like to thank the volunteers for doing a great job; we could not come out here and do this without you doing what you do. You men and women are the best. This is a very tough course, but you people make it bearable. Thanks again! | |
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B. F. from So. IL
(9/7/2009)
 "Staff and volunteers a model for other races" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Heart of America Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run many long races. By comparison, Joe and crew directed one of the best races I have ever experienced. Volunteers were very trained, supportive, and enthusiastic. Aid stations were as promised and plentiful. Even many countryside neighbors were bringing the whole family out and applauding us as we passed. It was a tough course, but the weather was cooler and overcast. The whiners should stay home if they don't like courses with personality. The $25 fee is unreal. I am going to send a follow-up donation. Come on, runners; reward them for excellence. I would recommend HOA to anyone who values support, director integrity, and an inspiring experience, not soon to be forgotten. Thanks to all of the volunteers who showed unparalleled dedication. Also, thanks to the several young girls who passed out iced sponges at mile 22. God bless all. | |
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L. J. from Maine
(9/12/2008)
"Who knew MO was THIS hilly?" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As a Mainer heading south in late summer, I suspected going in that this was not going to be a PR course for me but did underestimate the hills. For the entry fee of $25, we got personal service and Q&A at the start, a light to wear pre-dawn, adequate water stops (some with much appreciated ICE water), a t-shirt and a nice finisher's medal. Perhaps the best value to be had. To top off the kudos to the organization - I inadvertently ripped off 2 checks when sending in my entry and got the extra, blank check back via mail before I knew it was missing. My only "gripe" was the few-mile stretch towards the end where we ran with, rather than facing, traffic along the highway, which was a little disconcerting. It was hot and it was especially humid thanks to Gustav, but I knew it would be going into the race.... Very well done! | |
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N. C. from Centralia, MO
(9/8/2008)
 "Keep looking if you want to be pampered." (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I am a local and have always knew of the HOA. I always said that you are not a Boone County Runner unless you have done this race. I volunteered in 2007 and got inspired to run it. Well, I did it. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't graceful, but I did it. If you are looking to be pampered at a race, please keep looking here. There were plenty of water stops. The few people you do see are very enthusiastic. The stock tub filled with ice water to soak your legs at the end was a bonus. Plus the massage tent is a must-visit. Expect to hurt. Expect to wonder, what am I doing here? Be ready to roll the dice on weather (2007 was great; 2008, hot and humid). Wait a few hours after the finish, and you will be ready to start training for next year. | |
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Bro on the OH from Mt. Vernon, IN
(5/27/2008)
 "Knew what I was getting into" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 HOA was only my second marathon. My older brother is a local and has run HOA several times. He gave me plenty of warning about the hills and the heat, so I trained in the heat and did lots of hill work. The weather was perfect and we both had PRs. I was well pleased with the organization for a small marathon. I'm running it again in '08. My only negative comment is that I wish the start and finish lines were closer together. | |
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D. k. from St. Louis, MO
(9/4/2007)
"This is a challenge" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 15th marathon and probably the hardest. If the hills don't get you, the heat may. It is not a PR course for sure. The countryside in rural Missouri is quite nice and as we approached the Missouri River, which we ran next to for a couple of miles. You could hear the dove hunters blasting away. The organization was good and the water breaks were good as well. I think it was probably the most laid back race from the standpoint that it was no frills, no expo, no lines, and a great price of $28.00!! If you want a challenge, this is it!! | |
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R. M. from Michigan
(10/4/2006)
"It sure is a small marathon.... But a lot of heart" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Perfect weather, super friendly people, well organized small marathon! First and foremost, to the barefoot runner: Thank you for giving me a ride back to my hotel after the race... always tough to do the walk back!!! Course - WOW... lots of hills. Easley was not as tough as I thought it was going to be, but I owe that to all the hill training I did leading up to the race. I do have to say, I almost peed my running shorts when I saw the Missouri double-wide trailer on stilts along the banks of the Missouri River (flood zone). Went out hard and strong and was able to maintain pace even though all those dang hills were in my way! I Actually set a new PR here in the marathon by three minutes!!! INCREDIBLE!!! Improvements - Better post-race munchies and make them more accessible!!! Excellent idea - The giant ice bath to soak your legs and feet in!!!! KUDOS!!! T-Shirt - Love the fact you put the course and elevation profile on the back of the shirt... for memories! OUCHIE!!! Hotel - Campus Inn - HORRIBLE and SMELLY; if you're a smoker, you would love it! Even the non-smoking rooms smelled like smoke! Overall - great experience! Excellent small-town marathon. I even got in town in time to go to the Missouri Tigers football game! What a weekend!!!! | |
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Mike Rosner from Huntsville, Utah
(9/18/2005)
"Friendly people and shady course" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The friendly organizers, volunteers and spectators helped make this a fun run. Even though the temp. got plenty warm as the day went on, there was lots of shade along the course to help keep runners cool. There was one steep hill just after the half way point and a few others that weren't bad. The toughest part of the course was a few miles along a four lane highway, but volunteers had the traffic under control and most drivers were very courteous anyway. There was a small above ground pool at the finish for soaking sore legs and plenty of refreshments for tired bodies. Thanks for a memorable experience. | |
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C. T. from Lawrence, KS
(9/13/2005)
"A challenging marathon for anyone!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Heart of America Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Joe Duncan, the RD, did a great job as advertised by past finishers. Low cost, well supported and mostly very nice scenery. It did warm up after the first two hours but that is to be expected on Labor Day. The hills were pretty tough but not quite as bad as I thought they might be. My only suggestion would be to add one or two additional water/gatorade stations in the last 6 miles. Loved the finish in downtown Columbia. Excellent post race support. |
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