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May 9, 2024

Wichita Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.7

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 57 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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

J. F. from Raleigh, NC (10/29/2006) "Great race!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The organization for this race is outstanding! Everything from packet pick-up to meeting family/friends at the finish was a breeze. This was my 11th marathon and the post-race "amenities" are the best I've encountered yet. Massages were very worthwile (not the short rubs usually encountered at races). Post-race food was plentiful - fruit, bagels, pizza, beer, soda, and candy. Just a note of caution for future runners: the course is challenging in many places due to changes in the terrain (going sidewalk to road to sidewalk again, cobblestone at the finish). Watch your step in these spots. This is a fantastic race and I ran my way to a PR, feeling fabulous the entire way!
S. E. from Kansas City, Missouri (10/25/2006) "Great first experience!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I went into it knowing it was a smaller marathon. Based on that, I was pleasantly surprised by both the amount of spectators and the frequency of water stops and their supply. The course was fast and we had a good variety of scenery. The only downside was the large amount of time spent on the air force base, with a few bad roads and not many spectators. I wouldn't consider that a major problem, though. Overall, I thought it was organized, well-run and everyone was very helpful!
c. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (10/25/2006) "Well organized race, not impressed with city" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Hotel at Old Town was impressive-had to sweet talk the desk clerks to get a 2pm checkout, but it worked. The race started on time, and all water stops and mileage markers were where they were supposed to be. It was a cold day, but the volunteers all hung in there. The finish line was great and organized. The awards were run efficiently. I never did find a useful city map. They were all either just of Old Town, or of the entire area, and didn't mark where Old Town was. Not a race organizer problem.
J. L. from Wichita, KS (10/24/2006) "Portions of course rough/bumpy/confusing" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am currently living and training in the Wichita area. This course begins in a little town south of McConnell AFB called Derby. It is in the 'hilliest' part of this isolated portion of Wichita. The hills are totally negligible if you have trained anywhere but Kansas. If your training is totally flat you'll still probably be fine. As for the 'surface,' the first 10.5 miles is great - mostly open roads and really nice. At about 10.5 you enter the Air Force base on an unmaintained road. For about 1.5 miles (10.5 to 12.0) it is really rough. Rocks the size of golf balls, old unmaintained pavement, dirt potholes, etc. I found myself wasting a lot of energy trying to find a smooth section. miles 13 - 18 on base are great (of course I train on base a lot and was familiar with the route). At about 19 there is a ridiculous little 1/3 mile loop out by an old building that used to be an airport. You jump a curb and run accross approx 50ft of grass to get onto an uneven concrete surface with many tripping hazards. One guy here took off in the wrong direction b/c it was poorly marked. I had to yell at him to get back on course. They really ought to figure out a different place to add .3 miles. 19-22 are nice (gently rolling), with the biggest hill at 22. It's not much, but it's at a tought spot. I personally thought 22 -25 were awful. They are on a bike path, no spectators, little dips and hills, cambered surface, rough w/ potholes, and not very well marked. At one point I became concerned that I had veered off course and was running around some neighborhood wasting my time. Finally, the last .3 are on an old brick/cobblestone road and it too is uneven. If you stay to the right/left on this section there is a thin 12in. wide section of concrete you can run on. Although I got a PR on this course, I think I could have shattered it if I would have had a little better surface 'Could of' 'should of' right? - that's why I'm looking for the next race.
K. K. from Herington, KS (10/21/2006) "organization/misinformation" (about: 2006) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I have just arrived to pick up my registration packet at the Old Town Hotel and was told that I would have to wait an hour before registration was set up. This is very inconvenient and irritating since I received information from the website that said I could pick up my packet from 5:00-8:00. I am disappointed that before I even run my first marathon, my experience has not been a positive one. My second complaint is that the Cambridge Suites Hotel (one of the sponsoring hotels) does not allow for extended check-out time. This is yet another disappointment and clearly a marathon/hotel that does not put the runner's best interests first.
K. L. from Van Buren, AR (5/16/2006) "Awesome!!!" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon experience and have since done Saint Jude's and Little Rock - both of which were nice, but they could not compare to Wichita. The fan support wasn't a 5 - it was a 10. I do wish the last 3-5 miles had had the same support. I will be back.
B. G. from OKC (11/27/2005) "Well organized race!" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall this is a good marathon. The host hotel is very nice. It was the best value for the money I have experienced at a marathon. Old Town is very nice with lots of local restaurants. I thought the school bus used to transport us to the start was a unique touch. The expo is a local running store in Old Town. Derby opened their community center for everyone to use. The restrooms were plentiful and clean!! Also, runners were able to pick-up their race packet the morning of the race. (Nice touch!!) I would not consider this a "gently rolling with the second half flat to downhill" course. Running through McConnell AFB, near the Boeing plant and around the planes is a unique/neat addition. However, the course through McConnell AFB is very rough and contains lots of concrete. At one point you "jump a curb," run across a patch of grass next to a plane and then jump another curb. I thought it was a mini-obstacle course! However, the American flags at each of the memorial trees that line part of the AFB course were nice. Overall, the course was tougher than I expected. The course was well marked, and up until mile 20 the water stations were frequent and well staffed. After mile 20, there were only 2 water stops & there really needs to be more water stations towards the end of the course. This is especially true when the weather is as warm as it was that day. Would recommend they move the race to the last weekend in October - just a thought. The finish area was very well organized, with lots of ICE cold drinks, fruit, bagels, massage tables, etc. The awards ceremony was very nice! There was free pizza, soft drinks, and beer!! :) Nice t-shirt, medal, and awards. A big thank you to all the volunteers; without you this race would not be possible!!
H. S. from Lenexa, Kansas (11/20/2005) "Wonderful surprise" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I signed up for this marathon at the last minute. I had attempted to run Chicago the weekend before with the stomach flu and had to drop out at the 10K point, so I chose this one just because it was close to home and the next weekend. It was a great surprise! It was very well organized with lots of great volunteers. Parking was simple, buses were on time, and I loved having a warm building with indoor facilities prior to the race. The names on the bibs were wonderful as spectators and volunteers cheered us on by name the whole way. Water and Gatorade stops were frequent and well run except for the fact that there were not as many right at the end. The finish was great - again, wonderful organization with people to immediately greet you, take your chip, hand you water or Gatorade, and direct you to the food and massages. The awards ceremony was nice with free pizza and beverages and I spent a lot of time talking with several of the top runners and organizers who were all very friendly. Overall, flat, fast course with excellent organization - I was very surprised and would highly recommend it!
S. B. from Wichita (10/29/2005) "A good experience" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I too thought this was a good run. Course was nice and well marked. Spectators were enthusiastic, but sparse between 22 and 25, where support would have been great. No water between there either.... Got to the mile-23 sign and there was just a sign!! I ditto the need for port-a-potties. Never been to a race without many available stops along the way. Please don't take down the finish line before the designated time.... Really felt bad for those last runners.
J. P. from the midwest (10/19/2005) "Very nice marathon" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wichita Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent small marathon experience. The race starts at a real nice community center in Derby that was open to us. They had an early start which I took advantage of. We were glad too as, it was hot and sunny late in the race. Loved running at McConnell AFB. The course overall is not real flat and I wouldn't consider it one of the faster courses I've run but it also isn't a hill-busting, mountain-climbing experience either. There is a lot of concrete on this course, so if you're not a fan of concrete-running, be prepared. The spectators were very supportive, friendly and made us feel at home. Great water stops, traffic control and people working the marathon. Thanks a ton, especially to one of the local runners who worked the late miles in the race running with us to keep us going. You were awesome. The Old hotel at Old Town was fantastic and one of the nicest I've stayed at in 19 marathons. Plenty of eateries and shops in Old Town pre- and post-race to enjoy. Only suggestion for future marathons is that they have more port-a-potties on the course. I only saw one on the whole course that was too busy and eventually had to stop at a convenience store before going on the AFB. Get your friends and go to Wichita. This is a really fun race - and spend the weekend. You won't be disappointed.

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