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Marathon Details - Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)

North America Marathons > USA > IA > Sioux City > Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)

Sioux City Sports Commission Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) & Marathon Relay, 1/2 Marathon

location icon Sioux City, IA USA    calendar icon  October 15, 2011 - CANCELLED    calendar icon http://www.siouxlandmarathon.com




Name: Michele Lewon
Address: P.O. Box 423
Sioux City, Iowa 51102
Phone Number:  712-259-2235
Fax Number: 712-255-3047
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.1 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

 

Rick Krohe from Alliance, Ne. (2/18/2010)
"Great Midwest marathon experience" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


What a super, Midwestern, fall, running venue. One gets a sense of why Lewis and Clark loitered in the area for a week before embarking on their expedition. (Great interpretive center, Riverboat and art museums). One receives an itinerant taste of Sioux City's parks, river walks, hills, walking paths and, yes, intracity streets (it is in the city!). Concomitant to the course, the race personnel/organizers/volunteers and Iowa-friendly denizens were a treat. I signed up the day before the run, so it's still small-town runner amenable. (I had a good time at Buffalo Alice's afterward too.) All in all, a great place for a fall run.
 

J. B. from Omaha, NE (10/31/2009)
"Nice people, horrid course" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


I know I'll get flak here, but I agree with Frogger that the course wasn't safe when off trails. While there were police officers at every intersection, there were not officers in the long highway stretches where cars zoomed by mere feet away from runners. I am not exaggerating that I could have reached out and touched the cars.

I have run small marathons before and have never had to hop over a curb, sidewalk, up a grass embankment, through a parking lot, and back onto the street. Additionally, the block-ish run through slippery grass was concerning.

The volunteers and people were very nice - I always enjoy Midwestern hospitality and appreciate the spectators.

Porta-potties at the end would have been nice.

All in all, I probably won't return unless an entire lane of highway is closed and the grass areas are eliminated.
 

K. B. from Omaha, NE (10/27/2009)
"Good, organized, low-key, small, local race" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)s
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


If you are looking for a big race with spectators everywhere and all of the frills, this is not one of those. If you are looking for a small, well organized race where you can just go for a run on a good, challenging course and not have to fight the crowds before and after the race, then this marathon is for you. Mr. Uhl and his group do a good job; they are organized, and even though the course varies between trails and city streets, it is well monitored and marked. Midwest weather in October can be unpredictable, but the last three years have had excellent marathon-running conditions. Thanks for your efforts. Keep up the good work; your attention to detail is appreciated. I look forward to coming back to run your race again next year.
 

Mike Calvillo from Sioux City, IA (10/20/2009)
"In defense of this race" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)s
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I make this entry largely in response to the mostly unfounded criticisms of the 2009 Siouxland Marathon made by "Kind of like being the frog in Frogger!" To provide a little context, I would like readers to know that I have run over 40 marathons since 1998, including large field events like NYC and Boston, and other well known events like Grandma's Marathon, Twin Cities, Memphis St. Jude, and Las Vegas. I've also run my fare share of small venues, including the Omaha Marathon, the Gobbler Grind (Overland Park, KS), Olathe (KS), and Brookings (South Dakota). They were all excellent marathons, but none of them were perfect. If you want, or expect, perfect, then your career as a marathoner (or half-marathoner, or even a relay runner) will be short-lived.

First, I would like to reassure all bonafide marathoners, half-marathoners, and marathon relay runners that I have run this and all other versions of the course since the event started in 2003 (7 years), and to date, the event has had a perfect safety record. Yes, there are sections on the course that are coned and shared with traffic. However, the course is very well supervised by the Sioux City Police Department - they have done an excellent job over the years - and Froggers' comments about the safety of the course are simply untrue.

Other course comments made by Frogger regarding a few areas of muddy grass, and one steep, short incline that was not easy to get up ring of sheer amateurism. Any experienced runner knows that weather conditions (muddy grass) have nothing to do with the course design and layout. This comment makes about as much sense as criticizing the 2007 Chicago Marathon for being too hot. Experienced runners know and accept that not every inch of a course will be perfect. Experienced runners plan, adapt, and overcome. Although Frogger disputes the claim that the course is 98% flat, this statistic is, in fact, conservative. The event website makes no effort to hide the challenges of running the Stone State Park hills. And while the course features a few other hill sequences, there are significantly far more flat, fast sequences than hills. Frogger should not run Sioux City if Frogger needs crowds. Siouxlanders are some of the best people in the world, but they won't be out in droves watching the marathon. If Frogger wants crowds, Frogger should qualify to run Boston or put his/her name in the hat to run NYC.

Frogger may not like Boston or NYC. I don't think either event offers runners milk at the finish line (NYC provides big apples). While both events have post-race parties, they are much more difficult to find than the SLCM party, which is (as described on the website and in runner packets), located at Buffalo Alice on the same block as the finish area in downtown Sioux City.

Other complaints by Frogger are also petty - narrow chip timing mats? Frogger even complained that the event organizers provided shuttle rides to runners back to the start location. There is ample parking located near the finish area in downtown Sioux City. Runners are encouraged to park near the finish and take pre-race shuttles to their respective start locations prior to the race. These logistics and instructions are well documented; perhaps Frogger would be well served in the future by more carefully considering his/her options, but suffice it to say he/she was presented with more than one alternative in terms of getting to and from the start and finish locations.

Frogger did not seem to appreciate receiving a commemorative training singlet in addition to his/her finisher's medallion. Such a sentiment only leaves a veteran like me scratching my head. I'm always in need of more training gear.
 

Dick White from Cocoa Beach, Florida (10/19/2009)
"Heartland Hospitality" (about: 2009)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Siouxland is number 45 in my ongoing quest for 50 states plus DC. GREAT RACE!

Have you done Iowa yet??? THIS IS YOUR RACE!!! Great course: Scenic bike path on the Missouri River; one high bridge to see the sunrise; one REAL hill at mile 16; and well stocked, well manned and themed aid stations. There's a multitude of directional signs and a multitude of running surfaces, and it is still relatively small so you can RUN right from the start. There are no corrals, but the half has a separate start and the walkers actually line up in the back.

Now, the finish is really special - right in the heart of the downtown historic district, with beautiful buildings and the FREE PIZZA inside Buffalo Alice. It's a BUFFET with over 100 beer selections for a nominal fee. Oh yeah, that's where the award ceremony is, and you don't have to wait long - they get the results FAST.

One negative (sorry, Steve): Although I agree that they should be highly PRAISED, the same people should not be awarded "Overall" AND "Masters" trophies. The idea is to get as many different people as possible on the winners' platform. ALL MARATHON FINISHERS GET A SMOKIN' RACE SINGLET! Again, folks, the runners' club races are the best - a race by runners, for runners. This is one I will do again.
 

Roy White from Omaha, Ne (10/19/2009)
"The half-marathon was nice and scenic" (about: 2009)

50+ previous marathons | 2 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)s
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The race director, Steve Uhl, did an outstanding job. Everyone I talked to was really pleased with their experience. The course was really nice, as long as you don't blow it by going up the big hill at Stone Mountain Park too fast (like I did). And the volunteers were really nice along the route. This was a marathon/half-marathon that I would try to make each year if possible.
 

N. S. from Yankton, SD (10/19/2009)
"Need more porta-potties at start and finish." (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


Seventh year of doing this and there were only four porta-potties for almost 300 participants at the start-line of the half-marathon. At the finish, there weren't any at all. Had my family there and kids looking forward to the Fun Run, but when the kids had to go potty, we had to settle for a back-ally, which would have been a good place for the porta-potties. This is a basic need for everyone, and with the Fun Run event and efforts to cater to families, those putting it together obviously don't have kids.

There was confusion about the time chips. Nobody really knew what to do with them. People say to throw them way or keep them, but the handouts make it clear that there is a $35 charge for those not returned. Velcro straps added a $3 charge. No place to return them.

Staff and volunteers need to wear t-shirts or something at the finish so I know who I am looking for to ask questions. The kids' Fun Run was fun for the kids, but again, confusion as to when to register them and where. Nobody really knew anything except one person who was hard to find or track down. However, the kids really enjoyed the event and took a lot of pride in their finisher medals! We will do this again, mainly for the kids, but something has got to be done about the lack of restrooms at the start and finish.

Not nearly as many spectators as I was anticipating. They probably knew that there weren't many porta-potties downtown, so they passed.

Overall the volunteers and staff were friendly and as helpful as could be. It was awkward with one volunteer when I was with my five-year-old son at the finish, asking him where the porta-potties were as my son danced around needing to go. The volunteer didn't know what to tell me since there were no options other than to take him into a crowded bar.
 

J. M. from Iowa (10/18/2009)
"Better than expected" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I really enjoyed this marathon. Good organization, plenty of aid stations with excited volunteers (thank you!), and a course that was much more challenging than expected. Most of it was flat, but the inclines seemed to come out of nowhere! Good variety. Two complaints: First, the aid station at mile seven ran out of water and PowerAde; and second, the finish was good with your name being announced, but there was no direction for the runners after we received our medal. Still, I enjoyed it and my family enjoyed it too, so we are coming back next year!
 

J. G. from Omaha, NE (10/17/2009)
"Kind of like being the frog in Frogger!" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA)
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I've done a few marathons now and this was the most dangerous, worst course I have run. Over half of the marathon was on city streets/highways and they were open to traffic. There were cones leaving a slanted, muddy, two-foot-wide area for runners. The parts that were on trails and in parks were nice; I wish the entire race had been similar.

So, besides the course:

Good:
Shirts are great
Medals are great
Not that I wanted one, but finishers also get a bib (tech tank), which is nice
Cookies at the finish - Thin Mints!! Yum!
Foil wrap things at the finish
Names announced on loud speaker at the finish
Two waves - slow runners started an hour before the fast runners, so the finish was not so spread out. I thought this was weird, but REALLY liked it! Plus the half started at a different location.
Aid stations - well staffed and prepared; a few had snacks and GU, and there were plenty of stations!


Needs improvement:
Nothing the night before
Narrow timing mat to cross at start
Crowds - there were none
Organization at the finish - I had no clue where the party was after. No one was handing out water, there was no milk, and there were no seats or areas to wait for other runners.
The start and finish were at different locations, so we had to be shuttled back to start to get our car.
The course had a few areas of muddy grass, and there was one steep, short incline that was not easy to get up. Plus the traffic!! I was very uncomfortable most of the race because of the cars right next to me.
Course. Oh, did I say that already?
And, for the record, I like hills, but they advertised that 98% of the course was flat and I would dispute that.

I won't return on the current course.
 

Mark Berry from Omaha, NE (10/25/2008)
"Nice small-town race - where were the crowds???" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Overall, a nice half-marathon. The start of the half was at the halfway point of full. The first two miles were on paved highway. At mile 3, you encounter 300+ feet of elevation gain - whew! Tough mile 16 for the full marathon runners! Next several are downhill and fast, with a relatively flat back half. Water stations were frequent and well-staffed. The finish was well-staged, finishing with a main street-sprint for the last one and a half blocks. The only thing missing was community support - where were the people???
 

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


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