Pilgrim Pacer Marathon

You either like small races or you don't like small races. If you like small races, this is a good one... In a small race, you don't expect spectators (there we very few here) or you don't expect to be running with large crowds (none here) This race is put on by a group who does trail runs and as they said at race number pick up, this is the only one they do on pavement. So it has a little bit of a trail run vibe The race is entirely on a paved trail. So no cars or other traffic to worry about. Running thru the woods was beautiful. The only thing about the course, which was clear from the course map, was the hill at the start that you went up and down twice. And some other hills near the turn around point. Train for the hill. The course is an out and back of 6.55 that the half marathoners do once and marathoners do twice. There are more half runners so there are people on the course in the first lap but the second lap you could possibly be running alone. But in a peaceful, safe , beautiful environment. The water stops were great. Some of the most enthusiastic people who I have every met. And there were 4 on the 6.55 route, so lots of stops. And they had everything at the stops. If you did not get food or drink, it was your fault. Medal was huge (too big....they hand it to you instead of putting it on.) Shirt was a shirt... Pumpkin pie at the end. And photos....they had photos all over the course and free!!!

The RD did a poor job, ex. moving packet pick up location no notification and when I picked up my packet a shirt and number no bag. I was pushed through the line in a small cramped area and was given written directions to the start line. The course was in a beautiful location and aids stations were good. The pumpkin pie at the end wasn't served or offered just in boxes off to the side, the cut banana and water was something. This race needs to be for locals only or improve organization.

I ran this race is 2015. It's a great small marathon. Challenging double out and back course on a wide asphalt bike path. The race venue is a beautiful nature preserve with lot of hills, turns, woods, tunnels, a lake, a creek, and bridges. The medal is really nice and is the size of a hub cap. The pumpkin pie at the finish is a great touch. The hill at the start/finish is flat out brutal but it's a marathon, it's supposed to be hard. There is not a lot of spectators because it's a small race. The lack of crowds was one of the nice things about the race. The people that were there were awesome esp the volunteers. I didn't know how cool the double out and back would be but since it was in such a scenic venue and the volunteers could support it well, it was great. I'm trying for 50 states and this was a great choice for Kansas.