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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 330 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
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D. D. from Tempe, AZ
(4/29/2008)
"Excellent event; start and finish could be better" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 There is much to like about the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. The overall organization is good, the course is reasonably challenging, but not overly difficult, the people of OKC and the volunteers are friendly and enthusiastic, and the cause is worthwhile. The only drawbacks are the start and finish. I hope the organizers will consider having seeded starting corrals for the timed events, or separate starts for the marathon and half marathon. The start is very congested, and there seemed to be a lot of walkers mixed with runners for the first couple miles. The marathon and half marathon courses reunite just past the 21-mile mark of the marathon. Although not as congested as the first few miles, faster marathoners must work their way through walkers during the most difficult part of the race. This wasn't a major problem, because everybody seemed cooperative, but it could be improved. The extraordinarily positive atmosphere of this event far outweighs the negatives. If it is possible to make adjustments to the start, and to a lesser degree, the finish, the event would be even better. | |
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Jeff Unger from Brewster, NY
(4/29/2008)
"Experience of a lifetime" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are possibly considering running this marathon, do it! Granted, I might be a little jaded because I have been trying to qualify for Boston for 2 years now and finally did it at OKC, so I'm probably more inclined to rave about this course than if I didn't qualify. After reading the comments here, I came to OKC with high expectations. This marathon exceeded everything I expected and will always hold a special place for me. I honestly thought the course was fairly easy. Don't be scared by some of the comments here saying it was too hilly. The 2 mile hill or gradual incline at around the 23 mile mark is so gradual that it is barely noticeable. No doubt the headwind for the first 14 miles was a little tough, but for the remainder of the race, the wind was at our backs, or it was a sidewind. Those couple of miles running toward the lake were tough because the wind was whipping, but after that we were home free. If you are looking to run a marathon that has some meaning behind it, do Oklahoma City. The entire weekend is a great way to remember the people who died in the bombing. I left Oklahoma City awestruck at how well set up this marathon was. The dry-fit finishers shirt was freaking sweet. The Expo was entertaining with a lot going on. Honestly, you should come just to listen to stories from Dick Beardsley and Bill Rodgers. Listening to them certainly inspired me to do well in the race and continue running for life. The pasta party was great - more stories from Beardsley and Rodgers and some quality guitar playing by some Hispanic dude I had never heard of. :) The volunteers were very friendly and hospitable. Thank you Oklahoma City for a weekend that will stick in my mind forever. Oh, and be sure to go the OKC memorial and check out the arts district downtown. | |
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R. M. from Fountainville PA
(4/29/2008)
"Worth your effort to come and run" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It took 10 minutes to get to the starting line; it was cool/cold and windy; and the half and full went off at the same time. If those are negatives, they are my only negatives. WOW, did I have fun. Ran the first 7 miles with my wife (she ran the half; maybe that wasn't a negative after all). When we split, all I ran into were wonderful spectators and runners (slow like me), and the support I can say was second to none. I may never run OKC again, but it's not because you did a bad job.... I just have other states to conquer. Once those states are done, I may just come back. I came for the race and the memorial... and I left with so much more. Congrats. | |
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Rob Lundien from Joplin, MO
(4/29/2008)
"Great job" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second half marathon to participate in. Loved it! Great job to all who sponsored, hosted, and volunteered to make it a success! | |
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D. N. from North Liberty, Iowa
(4/28/2008)
"Great race; great city!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well organized race with a cause that we should all remember. The people of Oklahoma City should be commended for their hospitality and friendliness. I have no complaints about this race, and the burgers were awesome. All of the volunteers need to be thanked for their organization and participation. I would definitely recommend this race. | |
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R. L. from Louisiana
(4/28/2008)
"Great Race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 14th marathon and one of my favorites. The organization was great. The course was fantastic, with rolling hills. The volunteers were helpful and very friendly. If I could make two suggestions, they would be: (1) Organize the starting corral a little better. Although I am a 3:12-3:25 marathoner, I had to start back at the 4:30 sign because the runners/walkers up front would not let people pass. I spent considerable time and effort passing these runners and walkers for several miles. (2) For the last 4-5 miles, I once again had to spend considerable effort running around the walkers who started the marathon a couple of hours early (they always seem to walk 4-5 five persons ACROSS). My Garmin had my total mileage as 26.95 - I believe the extra distance was due to running around all the walkers the first five miles of the race and the last five miles of the race. Again, those are the only two things I would change (except the 25 mph headwind). This was a wonderful experience and I would certainly run it again. | |
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Jon Walk from Spring, TX
(4/28/2008)
"Must-do event (and that's coming from a Texan)!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half in 2007, but came back this year to run the marathon to pick up state No. 11. More importantly, I had the chance to run a leg of an overnight, long distance relay earlier in the year with the race's co-founder and learned a lot of the behind- the-scene things that make this race one you want to do at least once, and that was the reason I came back. OKC Marathon is the second marathon that I've run this year (including Houston) that may have fallen into the "close to perfect race" category. There wasn't really anything to disappoint about the performance of this event. For the second year in a row, I was able to show up the day before the event, register very easily, pay, get my chip checked and pick up my race T-shirt - in the midst of a good-sized and busy Expo - within 10 minutes. (I travel regularly for my job, so the option to register late is wonderful in the changing landscape of the sport). Oklahoma City is an excellent mid-sized marathon that I hope never loses its small-size feel. The volunteers and the police control/course marshals (which were some of the friendliest that I've ever encountered)were what made this race go. At every single water station, there was never any doubt that there was some type of food (pretzels, bananas, Gu - it was like a trail race), followed by PowerAde and then water. Every station was well-manned and prepared. The course isn't necessarily hard, but it has some gentle roll to it and at times (like when you are out at Lake Hefner), you can be exposed to the elements. Nothing too major though. Miles 20-24 looks harder on the course elevation map, but it really was pretty gentle, especially compared to a number of spots in the first half of the course. The Classen Blvd. stretch that makes up mile 20-24 on the marathon course was much better managed this year than last as far as allowing cars to cross the street goes. (In 2007, there was a near collison of a wheelchair racer and a car crossing at an unmanned intersection). This event was walker-friendly and it was wonderful to see so many people involved; however, the start, which improved from 2007, could continue to be tweaked. (The Go! St. Louis Marathon and Half seemed to have dealt with the pacing of runners and walkers very, very well this year). | |
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S. D. from Dallas, TX
(4/28/2008)
"OKC Marathon worth the effort" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Organization and spirit were superb. They delayed the 5K by 10 minutes. Course difficulty is directly proportional to conditions. Start was light rain, 47 degrees, and the toughest... 30 mph north winds. The first half I spent bucking the wind, and couldn't make up time lost on the last half with the wind. The elevation increase from 21-24 miles I found was much overrated - a small grade at most with nothing steep. Good course overall and very manageable. Only gripes on organization... half marathon walkers flood the course at the 22 mile-point (same as Dallas WR), and make running tangents impossible due to clueless, large groups, 10 abreast, who think the own the road (aid stations). I also believe I remember reading that iPods were illegal: Don't make a rule you can't (or are unwilling to) enforce. Cheeseburgers offered at the finish chute. Gurrrrp!! | |
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Michael James from Grapevine, Texas
(4/28/2008)
"I will be back" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race for a great cause - I will be back! | |
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M. G. from Arizona
(4/27/2008)
"A nice-sized, hometown (sorta) race..." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Right smack dab in middle America, this marathon is prospering. It is nothing fancy in execution. It's a race that is staged by an army of friendly volunteers. The course winds through beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods, and through quiet city streets. Almost no one cheering, except at the water stops and relay exchanges - and they are loud and friendly. The first 14 miles have a mix of downhills and easy uphills; the last part of the course is mostly downhill with a little rise at 23-24. Water and medical stops are numerous, well-stocked, and mile markers and times are visible throughout. There are two gels stops, ripe bananas, and pretzels along the way, too. The finish line buffet has everything; cookies, bananas, yogurt, bagels, three flavors of PowerAde, and fresh-off-the-grill Carl's Jr. cheeseburgers. They also hand out finisher's tech shirts. Downtown hotels are close by and friendly - you can walk to the start/finish area. Packet pick-up is easy but the expo was bare-bones - a few sports garb vendors but no sampling of any sport bars, etc. The only thing they still need to figure out is the start line; you are among walkers, halfers, etc. If you're not there exceptionally early, you are required to navigate through them for the first couple of miles. This year, we were treated to stiff headwinds for the first half, but once reaching the lake, we had a tailwind pretty much back into town. Well-priced, easy access, airport close by, price-friendly hotels, incredibly friendly volunteers - everything a marathon should be. |
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