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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 31 to 41]
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Dennis Frisby from Chicagoland Area
(9/24/2008)
"A Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a well organized marathon with attention to details. The Ramkota Best Western is a very nice hotel across the street from the packet pickup; the hotel will pick you up and drop you off at the airport if you need a ride. The registration fee is very reasonable, and especially for what you get: a wonderful marathon, a great medal, a long-sleeve technical shirt, and a nice running hat. If you need a ride, the race organizers will pick you up from your hotel to get you to the race and then drop you off afterward. There is even a pizza party after the race. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The course is flat and fast and runs (partially) along the river and through a park. The spectators were few but very supportive and the course entertainment and music were fun. The morning weather was perfect; sunny with temperatures in the 50's-60's for the most part. Don't miss this one. | |
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j. s. from Fargo ND
(9/24/2008)
"A small, quiet course." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I loved it. Very flat course, and a small race - not many runners. Great course for a first-timer; my wife was able to get to about 10 places along the course to cheer me on. I hope they keep it small. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(9/23/2008)
"Joyful Run!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Kroll's Diner North Dakota Roughrider Marathon Bismarck, ND Saturday, September 20, 2008 7:30 a.m. As an out-of-town runner, I found all aspects of the marathon very convenient. I flew into Bismarck, via Minneapolis, on Friday afternoon and stayed in Expressway Inn, which provided the airport shuttle. Packet pick-up was in a shopping mall across the street from the hotel. Each runner received a high-tech long-sleeved shirt and runner's cap. There was no expo. I had dinner in Di Donna's Italian Restaurant, within short walking distance from the hotel, and the food was very good. Start and finish lines were at the Pioneer Park, and transportation to and from the race site was provided by race volunteers. Pre-race refreshments included coffee, bagel, and doughnut. Race-morning temperature ranged from low 50s to mid 60s. It was sunny and a bit windy. The out-and-back course was flat, scenic, and peaceful. We ran on roads and paved trails through semi-rural neighborhoods. Water/sports drink stations were located at every other mile and the volunteers were cheerful. There was some entertainment in various spots. As expected, there was hardly any crowd support. Finisher's medallion was nice. Post-race refreshments included bagel, banana, pizza, and soft drinks in a picnic-type atmosphere. There were cash prizes for overall and various age-group winners. In short, it was a high quality running event, for which I commend the race organizers. I am a 50-stater and this was #40. | |
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J. Y. from Great Falls, Montana
(9/23/2008)
"Well organized, flat and fast - excellent small ra" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very nice setting; all of the aid stations were fun and well run. A very spectator-friendly course for family to follow the race. Nice hats, but the shirts were a little goofy. | |
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Rob Klein from Aurora, CO
(9/22/2008)
"A Shady Marathon in a State with Few Trees" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Another well executed, smaller size marathon race. The race packet pick-up was at a local sporting goods store on the south end of town. Folks there were able to answer questions and direct runners on where to park for catching a bus to the starting line. The start area - Pioneer Park, just north of Interstate 94 near the Missouri River - was lit by portable lights (sunrise was about 2 minutes before race starting time, so it was dark until almost the starting time). The marathon provided some food and drinks - even Starbuck's coffee - before the race started. The race started on time, with temperatures probably in the high 50's, as it began to get light - though it was probably an hour before the sunlight was effective (temperature was probably 75 by mid-day). The race followed close to the river until south of Bismarck, then went out into the rural area south of town. It was an out-an-back course. There was an incredible amount of shade on this course, in a state where we have heard that there are not too many trees. But there was plenty of sunlight too. The course was very flat, and it was well marked. Volunteers staffed the aid stations and cheered on the runners too. Other than aid station workers, there was not too much fan support - though there was a kid doing tap dancing, and later, a young girl playing a cello. So that was novel. Anyway, aid stations were well stocked with Gatorade and water. Cookies were available at the turn-around point, and one station had M & M's too. Back at the finish line, there were more fluids (power drinks and water) and pizza was post-race food, with lots of bananas were available too. This was a well planned and coordinated marathon event. David Nash and his staff/volunteers did an outstanding job with this marathon, and I highly recommend this race. | |
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L. R. from Los Angeles, CA
(9/21/2008)
"Perfect weather, unique rural scenery" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a surprisingly great marathon! I wasn't expecting the lovely scenery and historic sights along the Missouri River, and Lewis & Clark trail course. Organization was super - packet pick-up at the Midwest's largest sporting goods store at a mall on the way from the airport was quick and convenient. Everyone I met was friendly, many with the unusual North Dakota accent, always trying to help. The weather was perfect and the course flat. Water stop staff were enthusiastic, each vying to be best in some kind of volunteer competition. Nice welcome at the finish, announcing names and times. All in all, worth the long trip to ND. There's lots to see and do in the area, so don't hesitate to plan extra time for sightseeing. | |
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J. R. from Canyon, TX
(2/2/2008)
"Get your PR here!" (about: 1999)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Bismarck Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Sick of the big-city stuff, of mis-management, of falling over people for the first 2 miles? Are you a person who cares more about your time than the throngs cheering you? Close to a PR but can't get over the hump? RUN THIS! | |
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J. D. from San Antonio, TX
(11/26/2007)
"Well Done" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized marathon. No suggestions for improvement. If you like a flat course with long straight runs, this is the marathon for you. If you are looking for crowd support, look elsewhere. | |
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DAVID HURLEY from Roanoke, VA
(11/9/2007)
"Great Marathon for 50-State Runners" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon 1s one of my favorites of the 51 that I have run. It is a perfect marathon course if you would like to qualify for Boston. Money was given to the top 3 age group winners. A member of race committee picked us up at the hotel and another member took us back at the end of the race. Great running shirt! Great job. Keep up the good work. | |
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M. J. from Wisconsin
(10/17/2007)
"Organized, flat, fast & scenic" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bismarck Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is in my top five (but second to none) of 85 marathons, for sheer enjoyment. This is how a marathon should be, from the ease of registration to the intimate post-race festivities. This was my first out-and-back course and I loved it! With a smaller marathon, it's nice to have activity all along the course... you're never out there alone! |
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