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May 10, 2024

Wichita Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.7

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 57 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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

R. O. from Missouri (10/20/2008) "Stay out of the air force base and bike path area" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Wichita Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The entire race could be run in downtown Wichita and by the river. This was a poorly designed course. This was more of a cross-country training race. If you continue to run in the air force base, you need to change the name of the marathon to Air Force Base Marathon. The bike path area was not a safe place for runners. This needs to be changed. It is not a gentle rolling hills course that changes to a flat course, as their description states on their website. It is a cross-country course with different terrain, many inclines and narrow running ways with limited room for faster runners to pass. The volunteers were helpful and encouraging. The positive comment would have to go out to those who handed out water and encouraged the runners on their journey.
Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX (10/26/2007) "Harder than Advertised!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The 28th edition of Wichita Marathon was friendly and well organized. At 5:45 AM, buses began transporting the runners from the race hotel in Old Town to Derby, south of the city. We had access to Derby Recreation Center. The start line was outside the Center. Temperature remained in the 70s throughout the day. It was sunny and very windy. The first 7 miles were in Derby, followed by a couple of miles in the country. Shortly after mile 9, we entered the McConnell AFB and ran the next 10 miles there. The first couple of miles were on a dirt road. Shortly after the half marathon mark, we ran under a B-47 and a KC-135. Mile 13 to 14 was on Memorial Walkway which honors all McConnell personnel lost in the line of duty. At mile 18, we entered the Kansas Air National Guard station where a B1 Bomber greeted us. We ran through Kansas Aviation Museum at mile 18.5 and by the original Wichita Airport. At mile 19, we exited the AFB. Mile 20 was on George Washington Blvd., which was built to serve the original Wichita Airport. Miles 23 to 25 were on a paved trail in Linwood Park. The finish line was in Old Town Plaza. The point-to-point course was harder than it had been advertised, as it included several hills/inclines. There were water/Gatorade stations at approximately every two miles. The course was well coned and monitored. There was hardly any crowd support. Finisher's medallion was a nice one. All runners received long-sleeved high tech shirts. The race was not chip timed and there was no expo. There were plenty of refreshments at the finish, followed by pizza, beer, etc. at the awards ceremony. In short, it was a solid marathon event which offered a good course and all the basic necessities. I am a 50-stater & this was #31.
Jim VandenBoom from Kansas City, Mo (10/23/2007) "Excellent support and spirit" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Course was a little rough at first mile or so, entering McConnell AFB. The wind was definitely a challenge. This is my 3rd marathon (I have run in Kansas City and San Diego Rock and Roll). I was overwhelmed by the FIRST -CLASS support and great finish atmosphere of the Wichita Marathon. For not having a lot of runners, you went all out to support and encourage all of us who ran. My wife and mom (who came with me) really enjoyed themselves. GREAT JOB, WICHITA... THANKS!
L. Gage from Aurora, Co (10/23/2007) "Very well organised for a small race" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second 'small race' and I am pleased to say how well organized it was from the beginning to the end. I could tell the director put a lot of effort to ensure a good race for us, the volunteers were very supportive and did their best to cheer us. I was surprised to hear the other runner's comment about the 'unclear route', I thought they did an awesome job of marking the route with either cones or bright yellow paint on the road?! The course was okay, but I think the effort that they put into this race made up for the 'rolling hills' and the 'Kansas wind':) The finish line was great and smooth. If you like small races, you won't be disappointed by this one! Thanks again for the great job. Oh, I got to mention that I especially was glad to run with the two 'pumpkin sisters' for part of the race and the cheers from their wonderful supportive parents from Colorado!
S. K. from Indiana (10/23/2007) "Friendly people, okay course" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Wichita has some great places to run. Unfortunately, the course for the marathon doesn't take advantage of much of it. There is a great art and architectural showpiece called the 'Keeper of the Plains'. This is a giant sculpture of an Indian chief, on an island in the Arkansas River. It is accessible by pedestrian bridges made in the shapes of bows and arrows, and connected by paved riverfront running paths. The paths goes past some new museums and riverside parks. This area would be a great area to run by before finishing at Old Town. Instead, we spend 10 miles running in, around, up, down, and through an Air Force Base; and 4 miles running through a residential area of Derby. We could have run through the base, paid our respects to the servicemen and women, had less twists and turns in Derby, and still saw the most beautiful part of Wichita if the course was redesigned. This is a small marathon with incredible volunteer help. There must have been 2 volunteers for every runner. If this marathon gets better runner support, this run could potentially, become a major destination in the marathon community. The only complaint I had with the organization was the map included on the website was unusable for use to preview the route. Otherwise, once the website was finally up and running, the people in charge of the marathon were quick to answer email questions. Please Wichita Marathon, figure a route that allows the runners to see the art, museum, and park district.
T. S. from Wichita, KS (10/22/2007) "Average - not great, not bad" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I live and train in Wichita and after running 6 marathons in other states, decided to give Wichita try. It was a let down from other, larger marathons I have run, but overall was OK. The course gets a little boring in spots with little or no spectators in some areas; but then again this is Wichita, KS we're talking about. Miles 22-25 are really bad as they are on a bike path that is not well marked at all and if you are not running in a pack, leaves you wondering if you have wandered off course or not. The finish is in a nice area of downtown Wichita; it's just too bad that there is not more local support for the race. Out of staters beware - this is Kansas in October so be prepared for ANY kind of weather.
Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado (10/22/2007) "Another Windy City" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an outstanding marathon event! The coordination was great for getting the runners down to Derby (the starting line). The course was about as good as it could have been. A few hills, but nothing very significant. McConnell AFB was the highlight for me. The aircraft made the run worth it - especially seeing the Boeing B-29 near the exit point - it looked like it would fly, with a set of engines attached to the wings. Law enforcement did a great job of getting us across major roads. A couple of water stations - maybe at miles marker 19 and 21 had fruit/candy/pretzels. That was really good. I missed Clif Shots/Guu, but the fruit and my own personal snacks made it work for me. The way was always appropriately marked or coned off - even on the AFB. The bibs had names on them (Denver did the same thing last weekend) and that really makes the fan support more personal. And speaking of fan support: The fans were top-notch in Wichita. These fans acted like our success in the marathon really mattered to them - as if we were a personal friend. Wow! Katie and her staff covered all the bases on this one and left nothing to chance - except the wind. The wind was out of the SW early on, and moved to the NW toward the end - the general direction we were headed. But the winds were not too bad. And the temperature was just right in the upper 60's, with some thin, high cirrus clouds for part of the run. It would have been tough for this marathon to have been any better. Thanks Katie.
s. s. from wichita, ks (8/20/2007) "great experience; would make a great 1st marathon" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a blast. The organizers were most helpful in letting folks jump in and run a bit with registered runners, for support. Course was good; there was some confusion on the air force base though.... Should we go under the plane, around the plane, or just cut across the grass? Runners weren't sure what to do. Other than that, it was an awesome and fairly fast course. The end was tough on the feet though, with your last mile or so is on brick roads. OUCH - especially after 25.6 miles. Crowd support was awesome, with folks everywhere. I'll be back!!! Thanks to Katie S. for all the help.
R. C. from Edmond, OK (11/9/2006) "Not Bad, But Not Great Either" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great organization by the folks that put this one together. Like a lot of other folks, I thought the time spent on the base was a disappointment. Too rough. Fan support was OK in a lot of areas but miles 22-25 you're on your own, and like others I kept wondering if I had drifted off course. Probably won't do this one again.
Stephen Mhere from Topeka, Kansas (11/5/2006) "Water points very good - good organization" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For a first-time marathon runner, I thought this was a blast. But oh my, that portion of the course in the McCornnel Airforce Base is a killer. How rough the road. But the scenery is fantastic. I lost my pace in there admiring the military jets!!

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