Spirit Of Survival Marathon

Most wonderful race. The course is very hilly. In fact there is only one flat spot in the whole course that I can remember. BUT you hardly notice because they are gradual and the scenery is SO wonderful. There was a water station and a port-a-potty for every runner. The support stations were so enthusiastic and they were there for the ENTIRE time. I just cannot say enough about this race. I felt like it was a labor of love for everyone who volunteered.

Everything about this race was terrific. People often complain about paying too much for marathons these days, but I felt as if I got back way more than what this one cost. Unforgettable scenery - maybe because I'm from New England where I just don't see landscapes like this, but I will never forget it. It was like all of those running posters you see. A two-lane road out into the wide open prairie. I didn't see any buffalo but I heard from other runners that they did. That would have been another thing on the list that made my day. The pasta party the night before was small and I wish it were better attended; the musicians were terrific though, including a local flute player, and then Bart Yasso related some funny stories from races he ran and covered for Runner's World. After that, I visited Geronimo's grave site, which I used for inspiration the next day. The course was scenic to say the least, and a good challenge with long hills but ideal weather for running. I appreciated the mixed start with half marathoners. The race really thinned out after the split on the out-and-back course. The volunteers were enthusiastic and the aid stations were ideally spaced. (More of them than I needed, and GU was available from them.) The road was open to traffic but the traffic was either runner's families or OK State Troopers, as far as I could tell. Both were welcome sights. The highlight for me was running the last seven miles with last year's female winner, which got me - well her, really - a police escort for the last two miles. That has never happened to me before. Post-race party at the finish line was just what I wanted. Food and refreshments of all kinds were available. The results were quickly posted. The medal was excellent. I don't have a single negative thing to say about this race or organization, which can't have been easy since it involved at a minimum the department of defense and department of interior. It starts on an army base and runs through a National Wildlife Refuge. It's one of those races I wish more people knew about. And it's a run for a cause as well, which benefits the Cancer Centers in the area. There were 110 finishers and there is room for a lot more. It's marathons like this that make you glad you run.

The course is out and back on rolling hills. Usually, that's not my cup of tea, but this was a beautiful run. I'm glad that I signed up, glad that I got out of bed on the rainy morning, and glad that I made it up the last mile hill.