Sandhills Marathon - Race Reviews

I have run 10 marathons but this was my first in a decade. The Sandhills Marathon is the antithesis of a big-city marathon and you'll love it as long as you don't go into it with big-city expectations. It's not a Boston qualifier. Cows are the only spectators. There is no race expo. The finisher's medal is a spur. The scenery and the people you meet are second to none. I wrote about my experience at https://www.preprunningnerd.com/post/sandhillsmarathon.

This race was unique in that it runs through the beautiful open range lands in the verdant Sandhills of northern Nebraska. This is an out and back course. Your spectators are yearling calves, red winged blackbirds, deer, turtles, turkeys, and the occasional lizard. You are running on a one lane blacktop road that has very little traffic and is in great condition. You will cross a few cattle guards. This is a perfect race for those who want a totally unique run that has been put together by dedicated organizers. The finishing medal, an engraved spur, is the best medal I have received. And after this race planning a float trip down the Niobrara will cap your visit to the area. Great race for those who like adventure!

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to run this race in 2021!! This was my first time in Nebraska and I have to say that the sandhills are absolutely STUNNING! The course takes you down a rancher's road in the middle of the sandhills, where you have the unique opportunity to see a beautiful Nebraskan sunrise, plenty of Red-winged blackbirds all around, cattle calling out (never heard cattle call like that before lol!), and beautiful green scenery for miles!! Like others said, this is a challenging course with the heat (especially after 9:30am) and this race was difficult for me because I didn't prepare with my jet lag. However, there are SO many gems with this race and all the organizers and runners were super friendly and welcoming! This is a small race with a great community behind it. You can tell that a lot of folks come back again every year and that everyone is out there supporting one another on the course (every runner was super encouraging to me as they were heading back). Also, the finisher prize is by far the coolest one I have gotten so far! Overall, I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for an amazing marathon experience! It will make you fall in love with the natural beauty of Nebraska! <3 P.S. ~ I recommend staying at the Niobrara Lodge (this is where the check-in is), as well as visiting Smith Falls (absolutely gorgeous)!

There is a lot of positive hype about this race, but I didn't see the appeal at all. First, at $111 for the half-marathon, it was WAY overpriced. Second, the half- marathon entry fee was the same as the full marathon fee, and that is ridiculous. If the money went to a good cause, that certainly was not publicized. I believe the profits went into the pocket of the race director who was pretty rude - publicly shaming people who asked for a refund after the course had to be changed due to flooding. The pasta dinner the night before at Bolo Beer Co. was poorly planned. The venue was way too small and crowded for the event, and runners had to mingle with smokers. Every volunteer I encountered was pretty clueless, and some were even kind of rude. There was no Gatorade at the finish, and the cooler of water was empty before any marathoners even got done. It was announced that awards would take place at 10 am, but there never were any awards. In fact, this race did not even do age group awards. The finisher's 'medal' for the half was a horseshoe with engraving so TINY you can't even read it. The last minute alternate course was an out and back on the Cowboy Trail rail trail. The race director described it as flat, but with over 600 feet elevation gain, that was very inaccurate. Overall, this race offered disappointment around every corner, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

The Sandhills Marathon is a fantastic race! The course runs through the beautiful, gently rolling hills of the Nebraska Sandhills where there will be more cows than spectators - a very welcomed change from 'big city' runs. The volunteers were very attentive and helpful and its apparent that everyone associated with the race is eager to share the 'Nebraska Nice' hospitality. I'd love to run this one again.

This marathon in Nebraska was state number 45 for me and this course ranks as one of the best that I have run in the country. It is point-to-point on a quiet one lane county road that feels more like a wide bike path than a road. Except for a couple of hills, it is completely flat and runs through the beautiful Sandhills area of Nebraska. The race is well organized and very small, which I like. You can drive right to the start (or take a shuttle) and park right at the finish with no problem. It is an early start, but then you have most of the day ahead of you when you finish. I would highly recommend it for your Nebraska marathon, if just to experience this unique area.

This race is now one of my favorites. Beautiful,serene course is a net downhill (small hill at 1.5 and a real one at 9), with very little traffic but enthusiastic volunteers. Not one to go if you need spectators. The tech shirt is nice and the Stainless Spur is priceless. Fits the race to a tee. if you can swing it 50 staters, worth the drive. The logistics keeps the marathon to just the right size. Free pasta diner for runners in school cafeteria the night prior to the race was a nice freebie. Would love to do again.

This was my 40th marathon or ultra and my 35th state and it was one of the most memorable. Let me get this out of the way first: there are a few reasons why Sandhills may not be the best choice for a first-time marathoner: _ Travel. The nearest commercial air service is to North Platte, which is 2 hours from Valentine and served by only one carrier with relatively expensive flights. Sioux Falls, SD, (where we flew into) is the second choice and is a 4-hour (!) drive from Valentine. _ The race itself finishes about 45 miles south of Valentine, so our alarm was set for 3:30 a.m. local time to allow us to get to the finish line by 5 a.m. for the shuttle to the 6 a.m. start. _ No crowds, no spectators (except for the mooing cows), no bands; water stations are spaced every 3 miles. That being said, if you're beyond your first-race jitters and are looking for something more than just another mid-sized city marathon, Sandhills is an awesome adventure. The course, through rolling green ranchland, is drop dead gorgeous, particularly as the sun rises at the start of the race. There are enough hills to keep you honest, a small detour at 20 miles through the settlement of Brownlee (population 20!) and a supportive and enthusiastic group of volunteers who man a series of aid stations that leapfrog the runners (including truly portable portajons that are towed from aid station to aid station so they can be re-used). RD Andy Pollock is a native of this area of Nebraska and his love of his home comes through in his efforts to keep the race field small and minimize its impact on the landscape. And the swag is some of the best I've ever received  a great T-shirt and a unique spur trophy that took the place of yet another finisher's medal. I will echo some of the other commenters in saying that Valentine's hoteliers don't seem to really get the whole marathon thing  the owner of the Raine Motel refused to even discuss a late checkout, so my traveling companion and I ended up driving back to Sioux Falls before we were able to get a post-race shower. We were also lucky in that we had near ideal conditions in 2015  mid-50s at the start, rising to high 60s/low 70s at the finish. On a hot day, this would have been a very challenging course given the lack of shade.

I selected this race because it had excellent reviews and I wanted to do something different than your typical RnR event with 10,000 people and 10,000 distractions. I also had been through the Nebraska Sandhills a few times and the scenery is beautiful. I can't say enough good things about the course. We started right as the sun was coming up headed SE towards the sunrise. The road is a single lane blacktop barely wider than a bicycle path. There is beautiful prairie scenery throughout the course. It is a net downhill with the only major hill around mile 10. There is a slight incline around 21 that I only noticed because of the point at which it occurs. Overall a very favorable course. The organization was outstanding. Packet pickup was quick and easy at a western clothing store in Valentine. Buses were prompt at the finish line to take us to the start line. The volunteers were very encouraging and the moving porta-johns on trailers were awesome. A very well done race. There aren't many spectators but those that you do run into that are most likely doubling as volunteers are very supportive. The only CON I had was related to the Valentine Niobrara Lodge. They were the host hotel and didn't allow for a late checkout and were not really accommodating at all. I rode to the course with 2 ladies that were staying at another, smaller hotel and they were very happy with their choice. Lodging is limited in Valentine but if you can stay somewhere other than the Niobrara Lodge I would. Overall this a fantastic race if you are looking for something different from what most other marathons are becoming. I highly recommend it.

I LOVE the spur! I will be back to get another. My only minimal complaint is the start is tough to find if you do not travel with the group. I highly recommend taking the bus to the start. Otherwise it was perfect from start to finish. It began to rain rather heavily at the end so I did not spend much time at the finish but the course was beautiful with some rolling hills and NO traffic. Most of the course was run on a dirt road with pastures on the side. The weather was cool. The race crew terrific and very encouraging. I loved the rolling portapotties along the course. The marathoners ran through the half marathon start and it began after I ran through to avoid the bottleneck we so often see. This is a wonderful race I highly recommend.

This is a perfect little race, pure and simple. Check out all the reviews below and then make sure you're online on January 1st to sign up because it will close fast. Stay an extra day to float on the Niobrara River and enjoy the wildlife refuges, and meet a lot of really fun, friendly people. Five stars for spectators because the cows ran along with us and the rattlesnake stayed put.

Fun small rural race on a rural paved country road. A shotgun blast starts the race. Friendly support staff. Porta potties on a trailer migrate down the course, a great stainless steel spur instead of a medal. A few hills but not brutal. The race starts and ends about 30 miles from valentine

Don't run this race if you need crowds and large amounts of spectator support, because there won't be either. Instead, you get an incredibly well organized point-to-point race on a beautiful single lane road in the middle of nowhere Nebraska with only 100 other people. The few spectators that are there are will be very encouraging, there just won't be many of them! Porta potties are brought to you on a trailer when you want them, and roaming cyclists will give you water or gatorade any time that you want! Pre and post race activities are great, and everyone gets to know one another. For a very unique marathon experience I highly suggest that you run this one!

This is a marathon for marathoners. It is a beautiful location and course. Andy and Scott do a great job. Most of the spectators had four legs. I highly recommend this marathon.

This was my first Sandhills Marathon. It is in the middle of nowhere and it couldn't be any better. Small race with about 60 marathoners and 40 running the half. Great organization. Very good pasta meal the night before (free). Excellent on course support with roaming port-a-potties being pulled on a trailer behind a truck. Just raise your arm and the toilet stops for you (awesome). Course was mildly challenging but very enjoyable. Spectators are minimal except for 2 or 3 people at each aid station. Will do again and would encourage everyone to consider running this. It is worth the trip.

If you want spectators, don't come to this race. But if you want a local, fun, friendly, small race with lots for you and your family to do, this is the race. This is a point to point race from the middle of nowhere to the middle of nowhere through a tiny town of 20 or so residents. The port-a-johns come to you instead of you going to them (what a hoot). Water stops were where they were supposed to be, lots of thank-yous from the volunteers for coming to Valentine and two race directors and their families who were just wonderful. This might be a repeat once I finish the 50 states, but this time with more time in town and with my husband. Also, need to note that the pre-race meal (free), the free beer, and the post-race dinner (a reasonable price) gave the small group of runners a lot of time to make new friends.

This is a great course if you want to see the unique sandhills of Nebraska. There were less than 70 full marathon runners and 60 half runners. Special thanks to Andy and Scott, the marathon directors, who organize and put on the marathon so other runners can appreciate this part of Nebraska.

I highly encourage any 50-stater to run this race. It will be unlike any other. It is for pure runners. Great amenities with even better people.

This is a fabulous race, and a nice break from the mega marathons with long lines and crowded courses. Run in the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska, this marathon is really special. Some of what makes it so special: small size (fewer than 100 runners), authentic shotgun start, incredible scenery, downhill elevation, engraved "cowboy spur" finisher awards, post-race tailgating, and a steak-and-potato post-race dinner. Because of the remote location, the spectators are scarce, but the ones that are out there are extremely supportive. (You WILL have quite a few supportive cows, bulls and horses cheering you on.) The race directors and volunteers provide amazing organization and support! They go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need while out on the course. Besides the stationary water stops, there are bikers riding back and forth with water, Gatorade, GU, sunscreen, bandaids, Body Glide, a granola bar... you name it. There are porta-johns along the course, and since they are on trailers, they will even come to you if need be. :) I ran it for the first time this year with some friends and we had a great experience. Whether you are a 50-stater looking to check Nebraska off of your list, a speed racer looking to set a PR, or a fun runner who just wants to enjoy a long run in a beautiful part of the country and make some new friends at the same time... this race is for you!