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☰
Gobbler Grind Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Gobbler Grind Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 3.2 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 100 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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M.V. Hake from Mission, KS
(9/7/2013)
 "Quality fall marathon on a great creek trail" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is an all-around solid fall race to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. The secluded and picturesque corporate complex is a nice comfortable start/finish area, the first 5K is a mostly flat loop on plush roads around the businesses in the park. The majority of the rest of the marathon is on a bike trail that follows the scenic Indian Creek. A long-term trail closure forced the past two years' races to run on a revised course that had a lot more 'out-and-backing' and also forced the marathoners to fight thru half-marathon traffic in some spots. Fortunately the trail is open once again and the course has reverted back to the original route that has much longer sections of outstanding bike trail along the creek with only two out-and-backs (and much fewer miles with HM-ers), so that should hopefully quiet some of the negative reviews and comments. Despite some criticism of the course markings, make no mistake, this is absolutely NOT a difficult course to follow. I've run both the full and half, old course and new, and never once had to question or second-guess where to go. Organization is as good as you would expect from any legitimate marathon; quick and easy packet pickup, the start goes off smoothly with the first 3-4 miles on wide roads for packs to thin out before getting on the trail, results are posted quickly after front runners start coming in, the finish line festival has ample food to replenish with and Roasterie coffee for those like me who can't get enough. The finisher's medals are quality year in and year out; not the biggest or most creative but a good satisfying award to compliment your effort nonetheless. The race tee is also consistently one worth wearing, always tech material and a unique design and color. In summary this could be described as a marathon purists' race, it doesn't offer some of the extras that the big-city marathons charge in excess of $100 for; the Gobbler Grind at the very most is $90 all the way up to raceday. Nature-nerd runners should especially enjoy this race as the creek trail winds through beautiful woods, parks and neighborhoods, and such wildlife as deer and (fittingly) turkeys can be spotted on occasion. There really is so much more positive to be said about this race than negative, if your expectations and travel/race budget are realistic than you will not be disappointed. I'm a native of the area; I could run long-distance on this trail system any weekend of the year free of charge but the friendly race community and warm, holiday atmosphere make this race worth your time and money! | |
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S. W. from Fort Leavenworth Kansas
(11/18/2012)
 "Good Local Race" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really liked this race. The spectators were great as was the support. Some people didn't like the loop-backs, but I really liked knowing exactly what the route was especially for the last 5 miles. That's just me though. I also liked parking within 200m of the start/finish line. My GPS, however, did say 26.33 at the finish. | |
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M. T. from Omaha, NE
(1/21/2012)
 "Meh" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Course stunk. Restrooms were centrally located (think center of a cloverleaf)...somewhat of an issue, as there were not places to 'use the woods'. Shirt went straight to the trash can...worst shirt ever. Next time, don't give a shirt, get more restrooms if you are trying to determine where to spend money. 20th marathon and the FIRST time I ever got confused/lost on the course (after coming out of the restroom)...wasn't sure which way to go (volunteers didn't know either) and actually ran in the wrong direction for a period. That was awesome. New Balance shoes were the only reason I'm not being nastier about this race. Out of 20 marathons, I'd rate in number 19, because of the free shoes; otherwise, number 20. Glad I live within 3 hours, otherwise, if I had flown here, I would have been teetered. | |
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T. M. from Kansas City, MO
(12/16/2011)
 "Too crowded, too expensive" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I am a Kansas City local and have run the half here a couple of times, so I knew what I was getting into. The only reason I did this race was to run with a friend. This course is nearly all on an urban bike path with a lot of steep switchbacks and narrow lanes where you cannot pass a slower runner in front of you. The two-loop, out and back, out and back is mentally tough as you run by the finish area twice before it's your turn. However, knowing all of this, it really wasn't as bad as I had expected. My biggest gripe was that the entry fee was very expensive considering the course and amenities on the course. Sure, you got a pair of New Balance running shoes, but I didn't find out that they were a stabilty shoe until I went to get them. I am a neutral runner, so I can't wear them. Why weren't we given the ability to choose which shoes we wanted? There were so many ways that could have worked: a neutral and stability choice, choose what you want to a certain $$ limit, etc. It's not the worst course I've run, and if you need a KS marathon for your 50-states and it fits in your schedule, it's ok. But, don't expect much and bring your iPod for that back half, if you are running by yourself. | |
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C. P. from Tulsa, OK
(12/11/2011)
 "Decent Marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 My 9th marathon. It's a small one, and runners are sparse once the halfers peel off. Nice start, but the finish was strange. A little anticlimatic. You pass some spectators, and then, you veer through some trees completely away from the spectators. I was wondering if I had missed something. Finish line was very anticlimactic. I knew I was done (3:51), simply because I had run over some timing mats (and I was watching my Garmin). I was handed a packaged, folded little medal at the end. I did like the running trails. Some backtracking: would like to have seen more of Overland Park. Not to complain: overall, it was good for a smaller race. | |
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J. S. from Springfield, MO
(11/27/2011)
 "Old course was better and race is overpriced" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Gobbler Grind Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is my 2nd time running this marathon and my 16th overall. I think the course could be improved. I like the old course better. The new course is 80%-90% on paved trails. There is a lot of back tracking and it was very crowded with all the 1/2 marathoners on the course. The post race food was not that great considering you paid $99 and ran on paved trails. I would not recommend this race unless they change the course especially if you are travelling a long distance. | |
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P. W. from Jasper, Indiana
(11/22/2011)
"To much back tracking" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race is a very nice small town race for local runners that aren't looking for a great time in the marathon race. The 5K,Half-marathon, and marathon race all started and ran the same route which pushed the pace from the begining. The Marathon runners had to fight through the half-marathoner 3 different times and some of the runners wouldn't get out of your way. I loved the idea of the course not being ran on the city road but not running into the half marathoners. There was no hot food at the end of the race at all. I think this race could be awesome if they correct several issues that the marathon runners had to deal with. | |
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f. h. from Virginia
(2/17/2011)
"very disorganized race (2010)" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Race course was not marked properly. Very few course marshals. Very boring course. I would not recommend this event to anyone traveling long distances. | |
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B. S. from Mebane, N.C.
(1/16/2011)
"Just an "okay" race" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gobbler Grind Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I did the half marathon, and overall, it was just an average event; nothing to write home about. Clearly, it is geared more toward people who live nearby and not those of us traveling from far away states; for example, there was no gear check area, denoting that they assume most people would leave their coats in their cars EXCEPT for those of us who flew into Kansas and used public transportation! Also, the course is pretty hilly but nothing outrageous. The host hotel is the Doubletree that is within walking distance of the start and finish, but overall, it is no great shakes. Another area of disappointment was the lack of post-race food - and water!! Food can be forgiven but you have to have water for the finishers! The medal is very plain and the pre-race communication is awful. I sent an email to the race director in July and received a response the week prior to the race. Overall, I would not recommend this event to anyone traveling long distances. If you need a race to cover your Kansas requirement, I'd look elsewhere. This race is okay, but I'm sure there are better ones in the state. One good note: the race photos were some of the best I've seen. I hope the race director continues to use that company. | |
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M. S. from Des Moines, Iowa
(11/27/2010)
"An okay experience" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Gobbler Grind Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Overall, I thought the event was just okay. I think it would have been more fun to run the 1/2 marathon. I was a little disappointed with some aspects of this race. It's kind of expensive (I paid $90) for what you get. No expo, just okay shirts, limited food post marathon and just okay medals. There were only 250 marathoners so it gets pretty lonely after the 1/2 marathoners turn off. I would prefer a quality shirt (even a nice cotton shirt) and a nice medal. The food and expo aren't really that important to me. The fans and volunteers were great. I was a little disappointed that no one was manning the mile 25 water stop. I finished under 4 hours so I was suprised that no one was there. The course seemed pretty well marked. I like the mix of trails and roads. The trail was pretty - just a little lonely. I do appreciate everthing the race committee and volunteers did for us to run this marathon. Thanks! |
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