Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 2, 2024

Hogeye Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hogeye Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 37 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Bekkie Wright from East Hartford, CT (4/8/2008) "Nice hometown race. Go Hogs!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Lots of volunteers and traffic control for a small race. You could tell the organizers spent a lot of pre-race time and effort. Yes, there are a few hills, but that keeps things interesting. The age group and raffle prizes were excellent, going 3-deep in 5-year age groups. Well done. One to recommend to my fellow 50-Staters.
Devin Washausen from Prairie Grove, Arkansas (4/8/2008) "Good stuff" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was a great marathon. It was my first and I ran a 3:53. It was so hilly and I loved it. Many aid stations with good support. The feeling of running up Block Ave. and seeing people filling the street to cheer you on the last 800 meters was amazing. I will be back again! The best part was that I saw a guy with a Nebraska hat and I said, "Go Huskers." That guy was watching participants on the course and he would always scream, "Go Huskers!" at me. Loved the run. I will carry that memory my whole life.
M. B. from Missouri (4/7/2008) "Challenge yourself: Run Hogeye!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Hogeye was my 10th marathon, and by far the most difficult. You will encounter hills, lots of them with what seems the most difficult ones in the last 3 miles. The course does even out during the middle miles, where much of it was over bike paths, which was very nice. This particular year there was a significant amount of road construction (no fault of the organizers) so we had that to contend with. Road markings were top-notch, and through the road construction there was a continuous blue line painted on the road to steer us in the right direction. Aid stations were plentiful, and I found them to be very well stocked and manned by very friendly volunteers. As a nice touch on top of the standard t-shirt we get at all races, Hogeye offers a wind shirt. I like that idea. I wish I would have known the sizes ran so large so I could have ordered accordingly, but that happens. Packet picket was very simple and the option for same day pick up is a great feature. There aren't really many spectators to speak of, but that isn't what determines a good race in my book, so I was okay with that. Police patrol was excellent and present in all of the spots it needed to be. This was the first awards ceremony I ever attended, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought it was very nice. They gave away several door prizes, from running shirts and jackets to a kayak. How nice is that? Overall, I really enjoyed this race and appreciate the wonderful job the organizers and volunteers did. I plan to come back next year for the relays!
A. T. from Pensacola, Florida (4/7/2008) "Hard Course, Great Supporters!!" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a very hilly course with very few participants for the marathon. All of the volunteers at the water stations were very enthusiastic and encouraging! My only suggestion for next year, is that they make the mile markers on the course more visible for the runners.
A. S. from Russellville, AR (4/6/2008) "Tought course, great support and organization" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Let me start by saying that I am from Arkansas and I know that we have hills. This course made use of our "natural landscape" quite well. As I understand, this was a new course designed to use more of the trail system in Fayetteville. It was very well designed, with several shorter out-and-backs that allowed runners to encourage one another. The hill at mile 24, well... it was a killer, but we had to get to the finish somehow. The packet pick-up was well done (chair massages and a small expo) and the post-race massages were free and fabulous. The volunteers on the course were plentiful, professional and very helpful and encouraging. This is a small marathon, but quite friendly and well organized.
L. W. from Arkansas (3/5/2008) "What a disaster." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 To date (3/5/08) I have run 11 marathons. I will not be returning to this one. Some aid stations didn't have any aid. Some had water and no Gatorade. Some had Gatorade and no water. Some had an empty table with volunteers who had a deer-in-the-headlights look on their face because their aid was... where???? I have never been to such a poorly organized race. I had to drop out around mile 10 due to my IT band, which just added to my disappointment.
david smith from rogers, ar (7/2/2007) "The hills are alive" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Hogeye is a challenging course. I loved the hills especially at mile 24. I also liked the rural scenery. The water stops were well placed and most of the volunteer were friendly. The worst part of the course was finishing. Runners had to deal with traffic along Dixon St. as well as other parts of the course. Police didn't stop traffic and runners had to wait or dodge cars. There were no finisher's medals for the marathon relay. I definitely won't run the marathon relay. I'll just run the 1/2 instead and get the medal. The few supporters on the route were enthusiastic.
J. E. from Ellicott City, MD (4/19/2007) "Friendly runners & volunteers + hilly hills!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I did this as a back-to-back after doing Olathe, KS the previous day. Grateful for the early start and those runners who knew the course. Course had really tough hills and some flat areas. Someone told me I chose the toughest Arkansas Marathon. Just going for efficiency in doing my 50 states. Recycled cups at water stop was a new experience for me. Saw person at next table with stack of cups in plastic sleeve. Maybe new volunteers who didn't think to share. Arkansas runners were very friendly and encouraging to Mama Jean as they passed me coming and going. Got many "welcome to Arkansas" comments as they saw I am a 50-stater. Finding food at the end was a new and much-appreciated experience. Lady who helped us walk last blocks gave the encouraging information. The chicken was delicious and much appreciated. Also a young man, a college student, walked the last blocks with me and the last man, chatting and ensuring we were all right. The volunteers at the top of the hill at the end of Sang or whatever street that was were extremenly helpful and upbeat, as were those at the finish line. Someone reminded me and I stayed for the awards ceremony also. I share the comments of another runner about the awards. I was a bit surprised and disappointed at the bag and towel that it seemed every age award winner got. Still, don't know what that bag is supposed to be/do. I would expect that to come from first-time groups, not one that's been doing marathons over 30 years. Please don't do that to anyone again. Surely there are trophy shops around and they don't have to be expensive. That is what brought my organization rating down. So there was a party afterwards??? Oh well, I was exhausted from 2 marathons and a long drive anyway. I would recommend this race because of the friendliness and helpfulness of the volunteers and the Arkansas runners. I also expect next year's awards will be meaningful. Thanks.
B. S. from Missouri (4/4/2007) "disappointed" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I used to live along the original Hogeye marathon route which actually went to Hogeye. I was fascinated that humans could run so far over such hilly terrain! So, I was excited to be running the Hogeye (half). I have done 3 full marathons else where and this was my 8th half so I did have a few races to compare this one to. On the positive side I loved the windshirt instead of a t-shirt! Packet pickup was a breeze.The very few spectators were supportive. The post race food was plentiful and the grilled chicken was delicious!! Also, the free post race massage was to die for! The course, though difficult was do-able. And the finisher's medal was great! On the negative side the health expo was not worth the time or effort in my book. No shoes or clothes or running vendors (maybe that's why they called it a health expo...duh?) They ran out of cups at one water stop and were having to give out used cups. And one stop (mile 9, I believe) was completely out of water and that was right before a tremendous hill! Many places had little or no traffic control and you had to just run out into the traffic. But the biggest disappointment to me was the age place finishers awards. When I found out I had taken second in my age group I was so proud and excited! I used to weigh 211 lbs 4 years ago so this was a huge accomplishment for me! As I waited around for the awards ceremony cheering in every last finisher, I dreamed of the plaque or medal I would receive for my effort (that's what all the other races I've been in gave). Something I could pass on to my kids, grandkids,or great grandkids (I have all). Something I could look at and remind me what hard work and determination could accomplish. So maybe you can understand I was very disappointed to find that all the age group placers, both full and half marathoners, received the same ugly yellow tote bag! It looked like something from the dollar store. The organizers of this race were very kind and I know they try hard to make this a good race. So I hope in the future they might think about those of us who don't have shelves full of trophy's when they prepare the awards. I'm glad I ran this race for the most part it was a good experience.
k. g. from minneapolis (4/30/2006) "nice race" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Hogeye Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The hills seemed a lot bigger going up them then they did going down. Good course, great personnel. It may take a couple of runnings to get it right, but I enjoyed the challenge.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use