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Bismarck Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Bismarck Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 60 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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B. B. from Texas
(9/21/2014)
"A great little race! Run it!" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I just ran it yesterday and was way more impressed than I expected to be this is my 48th state so I know what makes a good race. I recommend it highly. Here's why: Pros: 1. Site is good, registration easy (and cheap at $59). 2. RD answered my emails quickly. 3. They changed the course and the new one is excellent: start/finish at same place in a nice park, very close to airport and hotels (the Expressway Suites was fine, with a shuttle to/from airport and to to/from race, $99 including breakfast and WI FI) and nice staff; almost totally flat except for two easy bridges over the river at about M5 and 15; attractive - some great bike paths through some lovely parks, especially after the 2nd bridge crossing, never on a major road shunted off to the left lane or shoulder, and only maybe two or so miles through a nice residential area on deserted streets that early, two out and backs so you can see the fast runners in front of you, leaves starting to change, no need to ever think you were about to trip on a pothole, easy to cross streets maybe three times, course goes in various directions so the wind won't always be in your face RD even arranged for a strong tailwind at M 25 and 26 to blow us in, changing scenery so it's not just 'here comes another street filled with houses,' and lots of room to run; 4. Nice start with room to move, plenty of port o pots and water, last minute bib pickup (hardly any race does this thanks!), enthusiastic announcer, nice send off for the wheelchair runner and us, respect for the corrals so you didn't trip over walkers in front of you, 5K and 10K started later; half split off at M7 but not that many to worry about, easy to start running fast off road;, and relay runners had separate numbers (like R1301) so you could tell when you were being passed by a faster runner and some very nicely had that in the back (I hate getting passed, especially towards end of race, don't you?); Plenty, well-staffed, friendly and knowledgeable aid station workers and course volunteers (small glitch that needs to be addressed: there are two places on the 2nd half around 20-22 where it's confusing which way to go and none was there to point the way, but that's an extremely minor point); 5. Peace and quiet - only 158 finishers. Love small races like this and I want then to succeed. 6. Finish line announcer called out names/cities (and thank you for the recognition for me); 7. Plenty of food and great goodies bag, next to gear bag check; 8 Immediate race results (and AG awards - a jacket, that's different) next to that; 8. Easy to get out of airport - got on the 1:00 flight to Denver with plenty of time to spare. 9. A good date in mid September, and on Saturday if that matters. 10. An overall classiness and respect and concern for the runners. Cons: None (other than lack of fans or 'bands' playing who cares? I wish every marathon had even 1/2 of these good qualities. Boston, NYC, Chicago and a lot others could learn from Bismarck. Congrats for pulling off a great race! | |
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A. T. from Chicago
(9/21/2014)
"Scenic, small, friendly great race for ND" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Highly recommend for your ND marathon! New course this year talked with co-RD about poor race markings about miles 20-23? Had to stop three times to ask spectators if they'd seen runners ahead of me and where they went and still had to guess a couple times. He said they'd make sure to do better next year. (maybe more course marshals and fewer volunteers at aid stations?) Up to that point and after,, everything was GREAT! Nice variety of scenery, quiet, plenty of aid stations with GREAT volunteers and LOTS of porta potties along course. Food at end for back of the packers. Chocolate milk even. Plenty of encouragement by race organizers for everyone crossing the finish line. | |
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J. F. from Calgary, Alberta
(9/22/2013)
"excellent race course - loved the challenge" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Excellent organization, enthusiastic volunteers, tons of support (water, biffies, volunteers). My 31st marathon and an excellent experience. The people of Bismarck were so very friendly and helpful. | |
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D. M. from Fort Collins, CO
(9/22/2013)
"Friendliest marathon" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 At every turn I found this marathon experience to be one of the friendliest ever. I signed up for it at the last minute because the Boulder Backroads was postponed due to flooding. Registration was closed but the race director made a special effort to accomodate me . . . along with kind and helpful emails to help sort out lodging, etc. The race hotel I chose was excellent (Expressway Suites) as they let me reserve a room at the last minute at the race rate, provided an airport shuttle + used the shuttle to take runners to the race and on-call return. (Usually I would have had to rent a car.) The aid stations were more frequent than any race I've ever run . . . I think there were ~ 20! It's a bit cliche but the people in ND are very friendly. The course was very nice the entire way . . . lots of nice farm scenery, the run through Mary College, etc. The course is a double 1/2 marathon . . . one big hill to do twice. The race food was a delicious soup provide by the race sponsor - in addition to chocloate milk, snack foods, banannas. While Bismarck is not the easiest place to get to, I found the race logistics were about the easiest I've ever experienced (mostly due to the hotel-provided transportation). The medal is OK (don't expect a top-of-the-line medal for a small marathon). The race shirt is one I'll wear a lot. | |
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j. h. from philadelphia,Pa
(10/10/2012)
"worth the miles of driving" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I drove over 400 miles to run this race I could not sleep the night before the marathon because I was ready for the hill. I loved the hill twice. Please work on direction for second time out (loop) Thank you for the sale on last years swag. | |
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C. R. from Saskatchewan, Canada
(9/24/2012)
"A nice race in a nice town" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Bismarck Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run the half here once and the full twice. The first time I ran the full it was on the old course, which is very scenic for the first and last miles but to me is quite boring for the big chunk in the middle. The new course, which involves a mile or so climb up what is probably the biggest slope in the area (you run it twice) is overall quite pleasant to run and is one that I will come back to run again. High points for the race: the volunteers are terrificfriendly, encouraging, and all round fun to have on course; a decent race course; easy parking and a nice start/finish area; a decent recovery area; good organization (with one caveat); a decent t-shirt; tons of water stations; Bismarck is a fun place to visit. Lows: on the first lap of the two-lap course, you are supposed to cut off the main part of the course to go through the start/finish line to complete a 1.5 mile loop before rejoining the regular course (does that seem confusing? that's because it is): volunteers were trying to direct people appropriately, but as some of the runners in a pack would already have done the loop and others not, figuring out who goes where could be tricky. And it was. Two very tiny signs explained what to do, but were way too small to read while running. I figured it out, but I met one guy who backtracked an extra couple of miles when he realized his GPS didn't match the course markers and I also know of one other runner who missed the lap but was allowed to add it on at the end of the race to complete the distance so there were surely others. A really big sign with really big lettering is needed! I don't want anyone to be dissuaded from running this fine race, however, but it is something worth paying attention to in future. The other low for me is that there is one rather long (3-4 mile) stretch with almost no bend at all. That got a little trying on lap 2. Overall, I highly recommend this race. There are lots of poorly run races out there, but this is one of the good ones. | |
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E. E. from Chicago, IL
(9/19/2012)
"Super friendly race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Admittedly, I have a soft spot in my heart for this race. Partly, it's that I set an unexpected PR in the race, but mostly, it's that they were just so darned friendly. The course is not a particularly exciting course, but in a North Dakota-y way, it's nice enough. It's mostly flat, but it features a fairly nasty hill that is done twice (two loops), affecting about a mile of the course one way. The payoff is a great view from the top, running around the campus of the College of Mary. The course is mostly asphalt bike path and road and was well-maintained and adequate for the number of runners. The fan support was pretty good for a fairly small race, partly because there was also a half marathon, partly because of the marathon relay which put more people out on the course, partly because it's two loops, meaning less spread out, and partly because there seems to be a decent interest level in the race. There were also too many aid stations to count - honestly the best aid support by number of stations I've ever seen. The stations help cheer on and I never felt pressure to get in more than a quick sip of fluids because I knew another aid station would come up quickly. There was one major problem with the course design/execution. As we neared the halfway point, we approached an intersection where we were to head to the finish line area, pass through, loop around again to around mile 14 and approach the same intersection again, this time avoiding the finish line area and going another way. The signage was confusing to a brain-addled runner and the volunteers were not vocal about directing runners. Quite a few runners missed the proper turn, assuming the half marathoners headed to the finish line and the marathoners went the other way. I avoided the confusion by slowing and asking the otherwise silent volunteer. The female winner of the race was DQ'ed because she missed the loop, so this was a major snafu. I am confident they will correct this in the future. It was unfortunate for this year. It's a small race, so not much of an expo, though the packet pickup was next to a great sporting goods store. The start/finish area had a great number of bathrooms available. Post-race food was mostly wrapped store bought snacks (like pretzels and rice krispy bars), but adequate. There was a massage tent, which was nice. For a race of this size, they're quite generous with awards. All in all, it was a great experience for me. If you enjoy races of this size, you'll enjoy this race. | |
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T. B. from SC, USA
(9/17/2012)
"Great ND Running Experience!" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Came here to cross ND off my 50 state list and enjoyed a well-organized, pleasant marathon. I enjoyed the size of this marathon- it's probably not best for those wanting glitz and glamour marathons, but if you want a quality race experience, the race director and volunteers deliver in Bismarck. Easy packet pickup, nice tech shirt, and also nice age group awards also helped make this a great race. Start and finish line area was laid out well and had everything you could possibly need. Only thing I did not care for was the course- you looped around a park 4 times and I talked to one woman who missed her turn and would have run 24 or so miles versus 26.2 because no one told her where to turn. I was lucky and had a volunteer directing me, but this turn area was tricky. The course had more miles on a bike path than I care for, but I know in some cities it's all they've got. I am glad I reviewed the course before I got there so I knew what to expect. You also run the first half of the course with the half marathoners so you cross the finish line twice (13.1, 26.2) and some days crossing once knowing I have to do the same loop again could be deflating. Again- glad I knew what to expect, so mentally I was prepared. The volunteers were all very friendly and helpful and this race has been run for 30+ years which says a lot about a marathon. They've clearly worked out the kinks over the years and produce a top-quality marathon. I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a marathon in ND. | |
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L. B. from New England
(4/1/2012)
"Fantastic Race Staff" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is difficult, the people at the water stops and along the route made the experience so much more enjoyable. Everyone was so friendly and helpful at check-in, recommending dinner suggestions, stuff to do and how to handle the hills. Really had a great weekend. | |
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A. M. from New York
(9/29/2011)
"Almost terrific" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Let me start with a complaint to& Mother Nature. It was supposed to be a very scenic and flat course along the Missouri River. Then there was a Flood of almost biblical proportions! It was too late to cancel the race, and who wanted to cancel the race?!? So, we ended up doing two boring loops on bike path of a highway. With a killer hill. Twice. With the hurricane-strength wind into your face. Or at least it felt this way when I was climbing it the second time after grueling 18 miles. It was my 67th Marathon, I thought I saw it all, but this Marathon was one of the toughest I did. Enough complaints! The volunteers were fantastic, the water stations were not even a plenty but rather too many, every few minutes apart. I felt bad declining kind offers of water and sport drinks from freezing volunteers. God bless them all! Surprisingly, there were lots of spectators, many more than I expected, and they were cheering so energetically. We needed it on this course. Overall, an excellent organization, a small but very friendly Marathon, and going back to an old course, it should be a terrific event. |
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