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Marathon Details - Great Southwest Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > TX > Abilene > Great Southwest Marathon

Great Southwest Marathon

YMCA Great Southwest Marathon & 2 & 4-Person Relay

Abilene, TX USA

~~March 18, 2006~~ - CANCELLED

http://www.abileneymca.org/marathon.htm

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Marathon Results

By Year:

2005 2004 2003 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Certified by USA Track and Field. Flat and Fast.

Contact Information

Name:	Steve Hudman
Address:	Marathon of the Great Southwest 3125 S. 32nd St Abilene, TX 79605
Phone Number:	(325) 695-3400
Fax Number:	(325) 695-2016
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (13)

Course 3.2

Organization 3.5

Spectators 1.8

Write a review

Number of comments: 13 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

P. M. from Ausin TX (5/11/2005) "The worst race to run." (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have have run over 70 marathons and many small ones that have been better organized than this one. The worst race to run; course is not marked well, lots of turns with no one telling you which direction to go! (This is especially an issue if it is raining and you can't see the markings on the street.) I missed one turn which at least added an extra mile. Finished first in my age group but still don't know about placing in the overall female category. The results for the marathon after 6 weeks have not been posted on the website. Watch out for trucks racing to run over you at intersections!
K. W. from Texas (5/1/2005) "flat and fast course" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Driving the course the day before the race one thing came to mind: flat and fast. I knew it was an extremely small race and that the course was marked by arrows. The arrows presented a problem this year due to the heavy rain and street flooding. Had the intersections not been underwater, it probably would have been easy to see the arrows. The people who put on the race were extremely friendly and made all feel welcome and appreciated. A runner can't ask for better treatment. This is a very good marathon. If a fast course is most important to you, it's worth considering. The weather in late March can be questionable. Abilene can be extremely warm and windy. This year it was thunderstorming and cold. However the weather is a crapshoot for any marathon, really. If you get lucky and run this race on a great marathon weather day, whatever that is for you, it's certainly a PR course.
Bill Watts from Colorado (4/25/2005) "Dangerous" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was a very dangerous course! Traffic was monitored only at the busiest intersections.... You were left on your own at the others. Arrows were barely visible because of the water in the streets, and as one other mentioned, some of the arrows were in the MIDDLE of the street. Other times they were to one SIDE or the OTHER. There was one 'loop' around mile fourteen that many people chose to ignore. Apparently, no one was there to monitor it, so many people skipped that 1/2 to 3/4 mile of the course. Not fair for the rest of us that DID actually run the full course. And many of us ran a couple of extra miles because the markers were absent (underneath the water on the streets). Finally, the organization has STILL not posted the results -- after 4 weeks -- that says a lot about the effort of the organizers of this race. I won't be back, that's for sure.
Robert Lopez from Seattle (4/4/2005) "Say to yourself, 'This is a small race.'" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well, I ran the same race as GG from Dallas (comments below), but I had a very different reaction. The weather was nasty, horrible, awful, and I still had a great time. First off, the aid stations weren't 5 miles apart. The first aid station was at mile 3 or 4... and then the stations were 1.5 or 2 miles apart. As advertised. Not bad at all - and staffed by enormously helpful people, especially considering the weather. The potty situation was explained to us at the pasta feed and also before the race - and the potties were EXACTLY where the race director said they'd be. It was nice having an actual indoor bathroom around mile 15. Perhaps the aid stations should have had a BATHROOM sign... that might have worked better - assuming the signs didn't float off. Yes, the course and its arrows were pretty quirky - but they were exactly as advertised. And no, traffic wasn't stopped for the race... but there wasn't that much traffic (I've dodged much worse in bigger races) AND police were working most of the major intersections. I was very impressed with the police help considering the size of the race (100 folks, tops). Abilene was a pretty place. Considering that the pasta feed was included in the race price, the pre-race food (and heated gym), the post-race food (including beer and pizza), and access to the Y's showers and sauna... and this was a really nice event. Thanks, Y. Thanks, Abilene. Just say to yourself, 'This is a small race.'
Jennifer Myles from Houston (4/1/2005) "Great - looking forward to 2006" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Great staff, keep up the great job. I would like to help with the marketing for next year.
A. Y. from South Dakota (3/28/2005) "Should have more stars!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The scoring system here is frustrating. This is a small race, so no, you don't have thronging crowds of folks cheering you on at every mile. So what? Did you have that in your long runs? I care less for the catagory of spectators--and value the things this race offers. You get to wait for the race to start in a heated building, with bathrooms and refreshments. At around mid-point in the race, you can use another indoor bathroom at the YMCA building. After you finish, you can take a warm shower, use the whirlpool and sauna at the YMCA building, meaning no negotiating with hotel staff about late check-outs. The folks who put this race on are genuine, commited and responsive. It is a small race that loops back to the start, so no long yucky bus ride out to the start in the dark. Because it is small, it is manageable, friendly, and home-town wonderful. I owe my finish to the volunteers, thanks for the vaseline! The weather was memorable, and the staff made us grin through the rain and wind. Lovely shirt, medal and awards, with pizza and beer afterwards! Scott is great, and I recommend this race--flat, goes through neighborhoods, well-marked, police at busy intersections and it's for the Y. If you're leaning toward this race, then commit to it. It is a lot of fun.
G. G. from Dallas,Texas (3/27/2005) "Never again." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I just finished running this marathon and will probably not run in this again. The course, I thought, was quite dangerous. They put orange and green arrows in the middle of the street so runners will know where to go BUT they were IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET... traffic was NOT stopped (the town didn't seem to know a marathon was going on) and no barriers. There were very few sidewalks along the course, not that you could use them...you'd miss your markers. Also, there were only 4 bathroom stops... apparently. I never saw them. One was in a park we passed (the park bathrooms)... another in a YMCA off the way a bit. I was expecting a port-o-pot. It was cold and rainy, so no spectators. Aid stations about every 5th mile. The worst part was at the end. You pass and actually go under the finish BUT must go 'round another loop before actually finishing. Cruel. It was the worst marathon I've ever run. I'll never do this one again. The people couldn't have been nicer though... really, they were nice but it was still awful.
Daryl Beatty from Lake Jackson, Texas (3/26/2004) "Great, low key, enjoyable small event" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Great Southwest Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Keep in mind, this is not the Houston Marathon, you don't have 5000 volunteers, etc., but it is a lot of fun, and people have a good time. The course goes all over Abilene, they basically keep it on neighborhood backroads to avoid traffic. They have police at the major crossings, otherwise look both ways. It is one of the most fun I have been to - well run. The city doesn't seem to know it is happening. The only spectators you have will be the ones you bring with you. We had people there this year from as far away as Canada and England.
D. R. from San Antonio, Texas (3/15/2003) "A nice small marathon well-organized" (about: 2003) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I just finished running the race today... It was very warm and breezy. The race course isn't anything to brag about, but considering the area (West Texas), I don't see how it could be improved. It is flat, unshaded, and, for the most part meanders through the neighborhoods of Abilene. At 200+ runners, it is a small race, but the race is well-organized and runners have the usual marathon amenities. I liked it because it was small and I didn't have to deal with the crowds of a large marathon.
W. S. from San Antonio (3/15/2003) "I'm happy they have upgraded this marathon" (General Comments) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I ran this Marathon in 1987 and swore never to go back. Only about 1/4 of the course was in town. That part had police help. Most of the course was out on major highway with no police protection. Fortunately, the course was well marked, for there was very little personal help out on the highway part ot the course Runners had to be very careful at entrance and exit intersections. There were too few water stops. At about mile 23 or 24 there was a very steep hill. Obviously, the course is changed and the administration vastly improved. I'm glad I read the recent comments. Had I not been paralyzed, I'd try this one again.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]



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P. M. from Ausin TX (5/11/2005) "The worst race to run." (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have have run over 70 marathons and many small ones that have been better organized than this one. The worst race to run; course is not marked well, lots of turns with no one telling you which direction to go! (This is especially an issue if it is raining and you can't see the markings on the street.) I missed one turn which at least added an extra mile. Finished first in my age group but still don't know about placing in the overall female category. The results for the marathon after 6 weeks have not been posted on the website. Watch out for trucks racing to run over you at intersections!
K. W. from Texas (5/1/2005) "flat and fast course" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Driving the course the day before the race one thing came to mind: flat and fast. I knew it was an extremely small race and that the course was marked by arrows. The arrows presented a problem this year due to the heavy rain and street flooding. Had the intersections not been underwater, it probably would have been easy to see the arrows. The people who put on the race were extremely friendly and made all feel welcome and appreciated. A runner can't ask for better treatment. This is a very good marathon. If a fast course is most important to you, it's worth considering. The weather in late March can be questionable. Abilene can be extremely warm and windy. This year it was thunderstorming and cold. However the weather is a crapshoot for any marathon, really. If you get lucky and run this race on a great marathon weather day, whatever that is for you, it's certainly a PR course.
Bill Watts from Colorado (4/25/2005) "Dangerous" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was a very dangerous course! Traffic was monitored only at the busiest intersections.... You were left on your own at the others. Arrows were barely visible because of the water in the streets, and as one other mentioned, some of the arrows were in the MIDDLE of the street. Other times they were to one SIDE or the OTHER. There was one 'loop' around mile fourteen that many people chose to ignore. Apparently, no one was there to monitor it, so many people skipped that 1/2 to 3/4 mile of the course. Not fair for the rest of us that DID actually run the full course. And many of us ran a couple of extra miles because the markers were absent (underneath the water on the streets). Finally, the organization has STILL not posted the results -- after 4 weeks -- that says a lot about the effort of the organizers of this race. I won't be back, that's for sure.
Robert Lopez from Seattle (4/4/2005) "Say to yourself, 'This is a small race.'" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well, I ran the same race as GG from Dallas (comments below), but I had a very different reaction. The weather was nasty, horrible, awful, and I still had a great time. First off, the aid stations weren't 5 miles apart. The first aid station was at mile 3 or 4... and then the stations were 1.5 or 2 miles apart. As advertised. Not bad at all - and staffed by enormously helpful people, especially considering the weather. The potty situation was explained to us at the pasta feed and also before the race - and the potties were EXACTLY where the race director said they'd be. It was nice having an actual indoor bathroom around mile 15. Perhaps the aid stations should have had a BATHROOM sign... that might have worked better - assuming the signs didn't float off. Yes, the course and its arrows were pretty quirky - but they were exactly as advertised. And no, traffic wasn't stopped for the race... but there wasn't that much traffic (I've dodged much worse in bigger races) AND police were working most of the major intersections. I was very impressed with the police help considering the size of the race (100 folks, tops). Abilene was a pretty place. Considering that the pasta feed was included in the race price, the pre-race food (and heated gym), the post-race food (including beer and pizza), and access to the Y's showers and sauna... and this was a really nice event. Thanks, Y. Thanks, Abilene. Just say to yourself, 'This is a small race.'
Jennifer Myles from Houston (4/1/2005) "Great - looking forward to 2006" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Great staff, keep up the great job. I would like to help with the marketing for next year.
A. Y. from South Dakota (3/28/2005) "Should have more stars!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Great Southwest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The scoring system here is frustrating. This is a small race, so no, you don't have thronging crowds of folks cheering you on at every mile. So what? Did you have that in your long runs? I care less for the catagory of spectators--and value the things this race offers. You get to wait for the race to start in a heated building, with bathrooms and refreshments. At around mid-point in the race, you can use another indoor bathroom at the YMCA building. After you finish, you can take a warm shower, use the whirlpool and sauna at the YMCA building, meaning no negotiating with hotel staff about late check-outs. The folks who put this race on are genuine, commited and responsive. It is a small race that loops back to the start, so no long yucky bus ride out to the start in the dark. Because it is small, it is manageable, friendly, and home-town wonderful. I owe my finish to the volunteers, thanks for the vaseline! The weather was memorable, and the staff made us grin through the rain and wind. Lovely shirt, medal and awards, with pizza and beer afterwards! Scott is great, and I recommend this race--flat, goes through neighborhoods, well-marked, police at busy intersections and it's for the Y. If you're leaning toward this race, then commit to it. It is a lot of fun.
G. G. from Dallas,Texas (3/27/2005) "Never again." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I just finished running this marathon and will probably not run in this again. The course, I thought, was quite dangerous. They put orange and green arrows in the middle of the street so runners will know where to go BUT they were IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET... traffic was NOT stopped (the town didn't seem to know a marathon was going on) and no barriers. There were very few sidewalks along the course, not that you could use them...you'd miss your markers. Also, there were only 4 bathroom stops... apparently. I never saw them. One was in a park we passed (the park bathrooms)... another in a YMCA off the way a bit. I was expecting a port-o-pot. It was cold and rainy, so no spectators. Aid stations about every 5th mile. The worst part was at the end. You pass and actually go under the finish BUT must go 'round another loop before actually finishing. Cruel. It was the worst marathon I've ever run. I'll never do this one again. The people couldn't have been nicer though... really, they were nice but it was still awful.
Daryl Beatty from Lake Jackson, Texas (3/26/2004) "Great, low key, enjoyable small event" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Great Southwest Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Keep in mind, this is not the Houston Marathon, you don't have 5000 volunteers, etc., but it is a lot of fun, and people have a good time. The course goes all over Abilene, they basically keep it on neighborhood backroads to avoid traffic. They have police at the major crossings, otherwise look both ways. It is one of the most fun I have been to - well run. The city doesn't seem to know it is happening. The only spectators you have will be the ones you bring with you. We had people there this year from as far away as Canada and England.
D. R. from San Antonio, Texas (3/15/2003) "A nice small marathon well-organized" (about: 2003) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I just finished running the race today... It was very warm and breezy. The race course isn't anything to brag about, but considering the area (West Texas), I don't see how it could be improved. It is flat, unshaded, and, for the most part meanders through the neighborhoods of Abilene. At 200+ runners, it is a small race, but the race is well-organized and runners have the usual marathon amenities. I liked it because it was small and I didn't have to deal with the crowds of a large marathon.
W. S. from San Antonio (3/15/2003) "I'm happy they have upgraded this marathon" (General Comments) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I ran this Marathon in 1987 and swore never to go back. Only about 1/4 of the course was in town. That part had police help. Most of the course was out on major highway with no police protection. Fortunately, the course was well marked, for there was very little personal help out on the highway part ot the course Runners had to be very careful at entrance and exit intersections. There were too few water stops. At about mile 23 or 24 there was a very steep hill. Obviously, the course is changed and the administration vastly improved. I'm glad I read the recent comments. Had I not been paralyzed, I'd try this one again.

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Marathon Details - Great Southwest Marathon