Wabash Trace Marathon - Race Reviews

Race had great community support. The shaded course was on a rails to trail for most of the way. At each of the aid stations, there was theme. My favorite was the volunteers dressed as bees. Afterwards, you got a free bee and refreshments. A volunteer in a golf cart took folks to the armory to use its shower. The volunteers made me feel very welcomed.

2018 was my first time running this race. I prefer crushed limestone surfaces for racing and this is excellent. The Wabash Trace is a converted rails to trails course that was point to point. Starting in Malvern, Iowa and ending in Shenandoah, Iowa. The hills are fairly gradual but they do exist and the two hills from mile 24 to 25 are no joke, especially when you are pretty whipped. BUT it makes it a true test. I like the idea that you have to earn it and nothing is given to you. Sure they could change up the roads at the end make it a flatter finish but what's the fun in that. The organization is top notch, easy packet pickup, unique pasta dinner, great medals and the award ceremony was better than far bigger races. An incredibly supportive group of volunteers, aid stations at nearly every two miles (that's awesome and insane). It's a small town marathon that makes you feel big time. I thought it was a great Boston Qualifier (we had perfect weather and it can be hot and humid so remember that) it was also a great value. I am tight (my wife says I squeak) it was worth every penny. I will be coming back for more.

What a great, well run race in IA! The organizers and volunteers are fantastic - lots of water stops, packet picket well done, buses to start right on time, etc. This isn't the race if you want runners with you the whole time and a crowded field, but if you want a beautiful, mostly flat course which is mostly shaded then this is for you.

Enjoyed the course. Would recommend the marathon start at 7:00 am. Temps were 80+ at the end.

My 31st marathon so feel like I'm experienced enough to offer some suggestions and accolades. Course:1st 1- 2 miles of course on Malvern town streets then dropping onto the beautiful canopied shaded Wabash trail.Crushed limestone with some long inclines around miles 6-8 but overall felt flat and some downhill plus the SHADE helped many runners finish as temps were 60 degrees at start and mid 80's at finish. Last 3+ miles were on unshaded flat paved bike trail UNTIL you got to the 4 hills in town- UGGH- why would you put all these hills at the end of a marathon? Sparse spectators but friendly ones! Loved the wooden medal this year and the Bacon & pickle juice at a few waterstops. Was also nice to be able to wait in high school before the start w/ restrooms and places to stretch. SUGGESTIONS: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE start both races 1 hour earlier! the full was at 8:00 & 1/2 at 9:00. It would have been a difference maker as temps were climbing steadily. Also make sure water/Gatorade is Cold and plentiful. Couldn't find any bottled water right at the finish and I came in mid-pack. Volunteers should be handing it out there especially on a HOT running day. Will definitely run and recommend this one again IF start of races are moved up an hour (hopefully Temps are cooler). Thank you to Shenandoah & Malvern and all the volunteers!

This is my second consecutive year running the Wabash half marathon. This is a very nice small town marathon. We had several runners from Grace Running Club, and all enjoyed it. The one complaint is that the law enforcement traffic director at the Highway 59 crossing stopped the lead runners to let the traffic go first. I'm sure this was a judgment call for safety, but I've never seen lead runners stopped like that in a Boston Qualifying event. Two of our runners experienced this. Otherwise, a very well organized and friendly event. Beautiful trail.

This is a very nice small town marathon on a lovely trail. Mostly flat with some rolling hills and decent hill at mile 24 or so. Organization was great and the community is very nice.I can only give the fan support a 3 because it is a nature trail marathon with not that may areas for fans to be, however, anytime you crossed a country road there were enthusiastic fans and the support at the water stops was great. The race shirt was very nice and I thought the medal was nice as well. Having run 48 marathons, the medal was unique and a nice addition. If you are looking to run an Iowa marathon, you cannot go wrong with this race. well done.

Great half marathon in a beautiful setting. Friendly people and good organization. The medals were average. Age group awards were only for 2 places deep in each group. The start time for the half was too late-at 9am.

Overall this is a well run, small town race along a beautiful trail. One of the most serene and peaceful races I have ever done. There is no crowd support to speak of, but that is part of what I like about trail runs. The water stations, for the most part, were well manned and very encouraging. The bacon around mile 21 was awesome!! I enjoyed the finish and the announcers were doing a great job of welcoming in the runners. However, when I was handed the 'medal' I think I must have done a double take! One of the things I have enjoyed about running the 50 states is collecting unique and varied medals. This looked like something out of a gum ball machine and does not represent the race very well. And all racers received the same design. The previous year, a beautiful wood medal was presented. The finish line food was also mediocre at best. That said, I enjoyed the race and am glad I chose it for my Iowa run.

Small town race with the best race support. Wish the big city races had as good of support as this race did. There were 15 water stops along the way mostly every 2 miles until mile 19 then it was every mile. Water and gatoraide at most stops plus gels, gummies, and mile 21 even had bacon at the aid station. Great down hill finish and awesome finish line. I highly recommend this race to any and all. 22 miles was on crush lime stone trail that was mostly shaded. Perfect race day temperatures this year, started at 46 degrees and finished at 68 degrees.

The bike pacers at the end was a great idea and very helpful for me to meet my goal. One aid station put some treats in a plastic bag for runners on the go. It was very helpful. Most everyone at the aid stations were very helpful and cheerful. I felt my presents was appreciated. One thing you may want to add are some gels. If you had some this time you must of run out. I plan to return next year.

I was very satisfied and impressed by the course. It starts in Malvern, gets on the rails to trails Wabash Trail and goes into Shenandoah. 3 miles of asphalt and 23 miles of hard packed dirt trail with plenty of tree canopy to keep the sunburn out. The trail was in good shape in spite of recent rain, with only a few slippery wooden bridges and cattle guards that caused me to slow down. The course had pretty gentile rolling hills, and my legs felt fresh when I got on the asphalt around mile 23.5. I just missed a negative split by a few seconds, and my last 10K was faster than my first. The race management was very good, and there was an open school in Malvern where we could stay warm before the start. Everyone was offered packs of GU block equivalents at the school. And, the race medal is unique and made out of wood. If you're looking for an Iowa marathon, and you can't schedule Des Moines because of the busy weekend, and you can't schedule the Equalizer 6/12/24hour because of MCM, and you don't want to run in Iowa in deep summer, you should consider this race!! Shenandoah is much closer to a major airport (KC) than either Okoboji or Marathon. They got into the marathonguide.com schedule for the 3rd edition in 2014, and the size of the race is the same as Okoboji.