Mankato Marathon

If you are looking for a BQ, this is not the place. Average temps here are usually ideal. I happen to pick the year with the coldest temp at gun time they ever had (20's). Add on to that 15-20 mph winds, wasn't meant to be. tough hills on the full, none on the half. Pacers waited until the very last minute, gathered at the starting mat, and then did a convoy through the crowd/corral to get back to their appropriate spot. NOT COOL !! Everyone had just lined up wherever, so lots of runners at the front of the pack that should not have been. Post race food/drink was OK. Expected a little more. Bag drop and transportation to start was organized well. Expo was well done with lots to see and do, although pacers were not there. Scenery is great this time of year. Would not do the full here again. Maybe the half.

I'm not talking bad about the Marathon. But some points could be improved: We do not sing the Anthem at the start of a half marathon and marathon. The course is boring (my opinion). A marathon in the cold that makes hot food (soup maybe) would be better. No dry bagel and beer. No thermal blanket at the end of the race. The same medal and size for 10K, half marathon and marathon, just changed the tape. Mankato Marathon I not run anymore.

2017 had perfect running weather, cool at the start, warm and suny at the finish. Great expo and organization, nice finisher medal and great post-race finish area! Not a lot of spectators but those that were there were awesome.