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May 19, 2024

Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) Runner Comments

Back to Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.6

Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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

A. A. from Minnesota (10/27/2004) "Hilly/Cold" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The pasta party was good. The only thing I wish they would change is the $12 fee for those running the marathon relay. The start was well organized. No confusion. The race started at 7:30 am and it was very cold (18 degrees with wind chill). But expect that for Iowa in October. The course was scenic. But be prepared for 3 major hills plus rolling hills through out. I trained in hills on EVERY single training run but these hills will still get to you. Hill one was not too bad, early on in the race. The second hill was just past the half way point and it was very steep. It took me a mile or so to recover back to my pace. The third hill was also steep and it was just past mile 23. Yes there is a gradual downhill to the finish line but your legs will be shot for the finish. I don't mean to scare anyone off, but just be prepared for the hills. NO spectators at all. Maybe because it was a chilly morning. The only people along the course were volunteers at the aid stations and runners at the relay exchange. The aid stations were plentiful, I believe 17 in all. They had both power aid and water. The post race party was ok. They messed up at the awards ceremony and duplicated awards, which they said they would not at the website. So some runners received multiple plaques and some runners none. I do not regret trying this marathon but I will not run it again. I wish the race committee and Sioux City luck. I believe it could be a better and larger race if they change the course a little bit. Thank you
S. J. from Wisconsin (10/22/2004) "Quality Event!" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course elevation chart didn't reflect the challenging hills found in the course. However, the race was well organized, great host hotel at a reasonable price, nice awards, and great volunteers and pasta dinner. Overall, I don't think a runner would be disappointed for choosing this marathon. Nice job!
v. s. from South Dakota (10/21/2004) "Challenging" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Growing up in Sioux City I knew going into this race that it would be challenging for me with the hills and smaller size. The first hill was doable, the last two hills were very challenging. The descent at the end was wonderful. The course is very pretty and I liked all the cones used to keep traffic away. I must say the cold and wind were also challenging this year (of course weather is unpredictable) for me. Lots of aid stations. (North High cross-country, you rock!!!) A few more porta-pots would be nice and bigger marks on the pavements for some of the side streets (I hard a hard time seeing some of the blue marks on the roads). More spectators would also help. Thanks for the challenge!!
K. A. from Iowa (10/21/2004) "Hilly/Cold" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The pasta party was fancy and good, but pricey ($12) for marathon relay runners. Good organization throughout except the award ceremonies. The top 10 runners were supposed to be excluded from the age division awards but they forgot and some runners were given 2 plaques while others none. Be prepared for the HILLS. There are 3 major hills plus rolling hills through out. The first one is manageable, the second was very steep and the third was also steep and at mile 23, which does you in before the finish line. Don't mean to scare anyone off but just make sure you train in hills. EVERY training run I did involved hills but these hills still got to me. The aid stations were plentiful. Spectators? What spectators! The only people along the course were aid station personnel, marathon relay runners at the exchange, and a few specators (which were family of other runners waiting to cheer them on). I may sound too negative but overall not a bad small marathon. I wish the race luck in the future but I doubt I will return.
D. D. from Sioux City, IA (10/21/2004) "Becoming a Classic Midwest Marathon" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was extremely happy with the 2004 version of the event. Yes, the course has a couple tough hills, but if you do the work, it absolutely is a PR course. Last year, I heard of several and this year was the same. I think it's a PR course because people use different muscles throughout the route. But, the reward of the scenery and the gradual downhill sections after help control getting your turnover and pace back on track. The starting temp was about 30 degrees with light winds at the beginning. That was why the spectators weren't lining the course. But, the ones that were out there were cheering loudly. Great long-sleeve t-shirt along with the custom finisher's medal and tons of food at the finish line. I came back after showering to cheer on more finishers and they still had tons of food on the table right next to the chute. Food for everyone who finished in under 7 hrs. Steve Uhl, R.D., and committee are doing an awesome job in making the event one of the classic Midwestern marathons. Also, I loved the relay teams (over 50 of them)! You knew you would have a crowd to cheer you on at least at 4 different spots along the course. Plus, each of the relay exchange zones had port-a-potties for the marathoners to use, if needed. Come to Sioux City and run next year! You'll have a great experience!
S. B. from Iowa City, Iowa (10/20/2004) "Fun, friendly, and full of fall colors!" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I couldn't have asked for a better small marathon experience! Strengths: The townspeople, spectators, and fellow runners were ethusiastic and friendly. The start/finish hotels were great, reasonably priced, and warm while waiting for the start. There was a prayer and the National Anthem before the start. Aid stations were frequent with fantastic volunteers. Lemon-lime Gatorade and water along the way and PowerGel at the half. The course was a beautiful, mostly rural with a show of fall colors. Great downtown finish. The entire event was well-orgainzed. Cool t-shirts, finishing medals, and prize money/plaques for dozens of racers. Awesome food and massages at the finish. I would definitely recommend this marathon! Considerations: It was 28 degrees at the start, so be prepared for cold, Iowa mornings. *There were some challanging hills, mostly in the second half of the course. This course is tough, but not impossible. It was my first marathon, and I qualified for Boston! In training, I suggest doing hill workouts (both steep and gradual) and some speedwork.
Dave Graves from Volga, S.D. (10/18/2004) "Couldn't believe it was Sioux City" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My only experience with Sioux City has been from the interstate. I didn't realize Sioux City had so many beautiful areas. The organizers did a great job of showing off the city. I split the marathon with another runner, so I caught those hills in miles 14 and 15 with fresh legs. I look forward to challenging the full course another year. I thought the fan support was great. It's not often that in a small marathon there are people out in their yards encouraging the runners. I thought that was great. The best part of the course was getting to go downhill for the last two miles. The aid stations were plentiful and the Powerade was cut just right ? not sweet and sticky, but cold and thin; small things that show that this marathon was put together by people that know running. Traffic control was excellent. Even though much of the route was run on streets, I never felt uncomfortable because of the wide area that was coned off and the ever-present work of the Sioux City Police Department. The cool temperature made it great for running. The only recommendation I might make is to move the starting time back to 8 a.m. That late in the fall there isn't much concern about it getting hot early and it would be nice to avoid nocturnal warm-ups.
A. Y. from South Dakota (10/17/2004) "PR course for me..." (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 ....was able to come in under 3:30, a personal goal. There are hills, but well spaced and doable, if you train on hills. I found the variety in the course kept my legs sharper, and the last 2 miles are a gentle downhill, which was enjoyable. Scenery was wonderful and the race organizers great. The course was well-staffed with volunteers and lots of police at intersections. Beautiful host hotel and good pasta dinner. No boring prize drawings at the awards ceremony, which was fairly brief, yay! Don't let the nay sayers deter you if you are considering this race. It's worth running.
T. L. from Iowa (10/17/2004) "Hills, hills and more hills!" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I heard about the hills, supposed to be just 2 or 3. Let me tell you, I think the whole course goes uphill! Despite the hilly course, I did get a PR. The pasta dinner the night before was excellent. Hotel perfect with no problem getting a late checkout. There were aid stations everywhere. The only problems I could see were that there weren't many port-a-potties along the way and not enough spectators. The finish seemed a bit confusing too. Maybe I was in a daze, but I didn't see any after race refreshments. I was just handed my medal and sent on my way.
D. Y. from Cheyenne, WY (12/17/2003) "Tough course - long hills and lots of concrete" (about: 2003) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 At first thought, you wouldn't expect a marathon in Iowa to be very hilly, but this one had several killer hills - mainly in the second half. The printed course profile didn't seem to be very accurate as there were two uphill sections over a mile long after mile 13!! The other downfall was the amount of concrete the course was run on. Most of the first half was on a concrete bike path and many of the Sioux City streets are concrete especially through the residential sections and downtown. By the time I hit the homestretch around mile 24 I was sick and tired of feeling concrete underfoot. Other than the course, the marathon was great for an inaugural race. The race hotel was very convenient, the spaghetti dinner was great, the expo a bit small, tons of water stops, great crowd support, and the finish area was wonderful - downtown with lots eating and drinking establishments to choose from. A great place to recover, replenish, and re-hydrate well into the evening!

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