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☰
Missoula Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Missoula Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 167 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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K. C. from Missoula, MT
(7/10/2012)
"Beautiful course and strong crowd support" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon. I also ran the Missoula 1/2 marathon last year. The race is well organized and easy to navigate from the time you sign up until the time that you cross the finish line. Even though this is my home, I found it impossible not to be awed by the beautiful sunrise, mountains and river. The crowd support starts rather quiet since you begin in a rural area but gradually transitions to rows of cheering spectators on both sides of the street. It was a warmer than usual day and the local residents were very generous with hoses, sprinklers, icechests full of ice, water bottles, etc. Plenty of aid stations that had ample number of volunteers, sports drinks, waters, gummy bears, gels, etc. Very short wait for bathrooms. LOVE THE FINISH! The announcer at the finish even called me by name, hometown and number of marathons run! Both the 1/2 and the full have been truly amazing experiences! | |
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P. B. from California
(7/10/2012)
"Loved it" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the best organized races I've ever run. There is practically nothing that they can do to improve this race, with the exception of wider start chutes. The course is beautiful and fast, volunteers are plentiful and enthusiastic, the sprinklers turned on by local residents in the last few miles were hugely appreciated, and the pre-race expo/post race events were very impressive, especially considering the relatively low cost of this marathon. There is a reason this was named the marathon of the year by Runners World a couple years ago. These people know how to put on a marathon! | |
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E. R. from Philadelphia, Pa
(7/10/2012)
"Probably my favorite marathon ever!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really loved this race. It may be my favorite marathon ever. The expo on Saturday (there is also a 5K on Saturday) is in Caras park under a tent where the post race festivities are also held. Its size is about what you'd expect from a race of this kind. You could purchase any last minute supplies if needed. Next door to the expo is an outdoor farmers market/craft show and I got a great fresh squeezed lemonade. The race is point to point and the shuttle buses worked great. They were lined up by the downtown Missoula parking garage where they recommended we park. Couldn't have been simplier and the parking was free! There were plenty of port-a-pottys at the race start and they treated us with fireworks along with a starting cannon! The first 16 or so miles are just beautiful. I don't think the roads were completly closed but it didn't matter as they were super quiet. There is one hill at around 13.5 but otherwise the course is very flat and would be a good PR course if you are looking for that. There were plentiful aid stations. About every 2 miles in the beginning and then every mile the final 10K or so. Everyone had a potty. Also every station was set up exactly the same. Sports drinks first (in cups marked gatorade) and water next (in blank cups) and signage reflecting this. Race directors take note: this is the way to organize aid stops. I carry my own but there were 3 stops that also had gel. Two flavors and one with caffeine and one without. The volunteers were well trained because they were yelling caffeine or not just so runners knew. The final 10 miles the course is not as scenic as we weave our way through residential neighborhoods. Here however the fans support increases. It was unusually hot this year. That wasn't an issue the first few hours but if you were a slower runner (I was 4:40) it was becoming an issue at the end. Here is where the locals really distinuished themselves. I bet 50 homes set up sprinklers or even sat out front with hoses to help cool the runners down. I can't thank them enough for doing this! The homestretch of the race is on a bridge that takes you into downtown Missoula. This was really great! There were lot's of cheering fans and an announcer who called your name to encourage a final kick. There was a free service where you could get a post race photo and then have it printed before you leave. Nice touch. In the swag department: A nice gear check bag, a tech shirt that I really like and a super medal. I guess I am gushing but I really thought this was a great smaller (1100 marathoners) race. | |
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M. G. from Missoula, Montana
(7/10/2012)
"So Much Fun!" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the fireworks & cannon to mark the start of the course, to the awesome finish line on the bridge downtown over the river, the Missoula Marathon is one special event! Of course, I may be biased since this is in my hometown, but it truly was the best race I've ever participated in and my most favorite local event. Come on out & run this! | |
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J. I. from Missoula, MT
(7/10/2012)
"Loved It! Would change one thing...." (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon and I have to say I'm officially addicted! Everything was absolutely awesome and I have only one criticism; I was under the impression there would be drinks and gels along the route per the race materials....I couldn't get one until mile 10. I was so fatigued and felt sick from a tummy full of Gatorade. I really believe if I had access to something I would have had a better finish time. (I would have brought my own had I known there wouldn't be access until mile 10). | |
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J. R. from Longmont, CO
(7/9/2012)
"If picking between this and another, pick this one" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Top to bottom, an outstanding experience. Pros: unprecendented communication and access ahead of time on all events, weather, and general banter about the race. great value at $75. typically great weather, as was the case this year. surprise at the start that was really cool. I won't spoil it. super community / crowd support. great finishing stretch. Super! course elevation profile is perfect - fast, but not boring. great medal. I never care about these things, but this one really is cool. Cons: ummm...hmmm...nit-picking here 19 turns in the final 10k was kind of a lot. Compounded by... ...half-marathon walkers were in abundance the last 3 miles, often walking 3-5 wide, taking up the whole bike path and forcing runners to go through and around them in the corners. Race traffic is part of all races, but these folks aren't actually in my race and just become obstacles. Overall I really really recommend it. | |
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D. W. from Denver, CO
(7/9/2012)
"A fantastic race that I'd do again!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the Missoula Marathon for the first time yesterday, and was very impressed with the entire race from start to finish! Kudos to Run Wild Missoula, the club who puts on this race! These folks have done an excellent job and it shows that they are runners themselves. Things I liked: 1) Bus pickup from the parking garage downtown was efficient and very smooth. There were two different pickup areas (for the half versus the full), and they were well-marked. Volunteers knew exactly where to direct runners and were cheerful in the very early morning. 2) Plenty of port-o-potties at the pre-race waiting area. 3) There was an issue with not all of us getting the stick-on numbers for our gear bags, and the ones who did get them had trouble with them sticking onto the bag. They were ready with supplies before the start so that we could clearly mark our bags. 4) Speaking of gear bags, these were pretty nice, & had a zippered pocket on the outside. I'll keep it and reuse it. (Thanks for not giving us plastic gear bags that just end up going into the trash!) 5) The course, all the way until you get into town, is absolutely beautiful. There's an old You Tube video out there that doesn't begin to do it justice. 6) An early start (6am)! Need I say more? 7) Separate starts for the full and half marathoners. 8) A few fireworks prior to the start. Very different and a nice touch. 9) Liquids at the aid stations were always in a consistent order 'sports drink first, followed by water' and the volunteers were great about being clear about what they held. 10) Although I carry my own, they did have several aid stations on the course handing out gels. 11) The community comes out to support the runners all along the course!! At times, it was sparse (after all, you're running out in the Montana countryside), but there were still people there! And they cheered for you! Really great spectators all along this course (who became more numerous the farther along the course we ran)! 12) A great finish on the bridge! And there were tons of spectators cheering! 13) The finish area- Photographers would take your picture after you finished, solo or in a group or both. The photos were free, and we were able to print them out before we left. Finish area was well organized & flowed well. Great variety of post-race foodnot just your usual fruit and bagels. There was a tent with tables and chairs where the food was so that we could actually sit down in the shade and eat. Gear bag area was very well- organized and when I walked up to get mine, the lady volunteering already had it ready to hand to me. 14) They had an actual awards ceremony, and the announcer called out the winning times. 15) We were able to enter our bib # into a computer and get a printout of our results immediately. 16) Caras Park for the post-race/awards ceremony was great. There was a good celebratory vibe going on. 17) GREAT volunteers who were enthusiastic, helpful, and cheerful! 18) The medal is really unique and interesting! Suggestions for improvement (this will be short!): 1) Be sure to have the sticky numbers for the gear bags in the bags when we pick them up. 2) It would be great to see the lists of results printed out in a central location. 3) It was difficult to hear the announcer if you were sitting in the 'audience area' under the little tents. 4) Perhaps a bit wider area for the starting chute? 5) The only reason I didn't give the course 5 stars is simply because I didn't much care for running the roundabouts, but I wouldn't let it stop me from running this marathon again. 6) Re-do the course video in much higher quality in order to do justice to the beautiful course. Overall, a fantastic race that I highly recommend and would do again! | |
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M. M. from Colorado
(5/14/2012)
"Great Montana Marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Pros: 1.) Technical T was better than most 2.) Smaller race-great town to visit 3.) Easy start/finish areas to get to 4.) Only had to wait 3-5 minutes to use the port-a-potties at the start 5.) Only 1 large hill and it came right at the halfway point 6.) Well prepared Aid stations 7.) Fantastic buy 1 get one free coupon to local pasta place in the packet pick-up bag. Cons 1.) For out-of-staters flights to Missoula can be expensive. 2.) The first half of the race is sort of boring-you just run along a highway | |
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A. M. from Missouri
(8/19/2011)
"Great friendly race" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is great, the crowd is small but fun. This is the first small marathon I have run, I loved the fact that I did not get stepped on or in front of at the start. It is difficult to find a mid summer run. My family and I will be back to visit, if not run the race. I did not have a problem with the expo, outside by the river what's to complain about. Thanks to the local school councilor whom I ran up the hill with chatting, did not even notice when we had got to the top. Cheers | |
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T. E. from Seattle, Washington
(8/3/2011)
"Runners World - You were right!!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Missoula Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was rated #1 marathon in 2010 and I know why. Spectacular in all aspects. Separate start for Marathoners and 1/2 marathoners. Fireworks show for the start. Beautiful scenery. Lots of wildlife. Guy in his front yard playing a Grand Piano. Super organized. Great food at the end even for us 5+ hr runners. Well worth your time / money to make this one of your destinations. Thanks Missoula!!! |
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