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Run for the Ranch Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Run for the Ranch Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 57 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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D. L. from St.Louis, MO
(1/5/2013)
"different" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 For the record I ran the half. I had never run a looped course before, nor started a race at 230 pm, so I was curious how it would work for me. I had a normal breakfast and had no problems with running and running the loop course wasn't any problem either. The grade is neglible and the wind would be more of a factor. I think this course would be a good course to shoot for a PR. If you need big crowds to spur you on, this is not the race for you. One complaint I would have is the food at the end is quite a walk away from the finish line, but overall it is a good run. | |
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C. A. from Missouri
(1/3/2013)
"Great organization and a unique course" (about: 2012)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Loops are a bit mentally tougher, but not as bad as I feared. The course has only very gradual elevation change [~400ft total] and has 8 loops, each just over 5 Km [3.215 miles]. The weather is a bit too cold for optimal performance but better than too hot. The trickiest part is the much-more-than-usual number of turns [~140 total, many of which are 90 degrees]. This really does slow down one's time as it breaks momentum. One inevitable hallmark of looped courses - There are runners going at all speeds, making it difficult for faster runners to maneuver around slower runners/walkers who form human barricades. This does not happen as much in non-loop courses because the field naturally spreads so that the faster runners are in front and the slower runners are in back. Now that I listed the negatives, let me say everything else about the course is a huge positive! There was ample sports drinks at 16 points on the course, much more than the average course. The volunteers were top notch! The medal was superb, and the shirt was just the best! Another positive is that this race is a great way to end the year! I recommend this event to anyone living nearby! | |
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Houston Wolf from Memphis, TN
(1/3/2013)
"8 Loops, Flat and Great for Heads-Down Racing" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First time to run RFTR, second time to run a multi-loop course. I loved it for my successful PR attempt. After the first loop, you've seen all there is to see, now it's time to race. They have changed the course from past years (residential vs. college campus) and the organization was just top-notch. Park at the start / finish line. One aid station on an out-and back on the loop was sufficient. Reasonably good spectator support for such a small marathon on a cold, miserable day. I'll definitely be back for another PR attempt. | |
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N. B. from St. Louis
(12/31/2012)
"best little race ever" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Run for the Ranch Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Chris Builder is a worthy successor to Richard Johnson. The race was wonderfully organized, and everyone very accommodating. It's a simple race - show up the day of the race, get your shirt (long sleeves this year) from a friendly volunteer, and run the eight loops. The water/powerade volunteers were incredible, especially the family that stuck it out for *hours* in the cold. The new course takes you through the neighborhood to the south of campus, a very quiet place. Not too many spectators. No 'swag' to speak of, but a full catered meal after the race, an attractive medal, and enough trophies for nearly half the field. So whether you are in it for the 26.2, the softwear, or the hardware, this race is a great way to end the year. Congratulations to the OMRR & Happy New Year to all. | |
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J. W. from Little Rock, AR
(12/24/2011)
"I love this race!" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Run for the Ranch Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love everything about this unique race. Sure, the course is tricky in spots, but runners know this coming in and just have to pay attention. I navigated the course guiding a blind runner so I have my own perspective on that. Other runners were very accommodating of us. In spite of the numerous turns and passing issues on the sidewalks, this can be a PR course because of how you can get in a zone on each loop. Dividing by 8 is easier than 26 when you are delirious. Also, the weather is always perfect. Several volunteers, and one in particular named Julia, went out of their way to assist us at various points, from registration, to the water stops, to getting my blind friend's Boston Qualifier plaque. The BQ plaque is another thing unique to this marathon. The course photographer was the best I have ever encountered, as he got great shots every loop of the course and posted hundreds on his site within a couple days of the race. The pizza and unlimited refills on soda were great too. This marathon is put on by marathon runners who know what they are doing. It is a must-do for you and a won't-miss for me. | |
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V. D. from Omaha, NE
(12/22/2011)
"Great end of year small marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Overall, this was a really nice event, run as 8 laps (or 4 for the half) on the Missouri State University Campus. Two aid stations on the 3+ mile loop, and indoor bathrooms at the student center and in the stadium. Lots of turns though, but run on streets and sidewalks, and very very gradual ups and downs. Really no complaints about the race, very nice tech shirt, awesome medal, and good support. Not a lot of spectators since its such a small race. Only complaint would be the medal and food pickup. You had to wait in line for both. Took about 10 minutes to get the personal pan pizza and drink from Papa Johns, and another 15 minutes to wait for the medal. Both were indoors, but given it was such a small race, it just didn't make sense to have to do that. | |
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J. Y. from Missouri
(12/21/2011)
"Nice for a local race" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon. I registered early to guarantee my shirt and they didn't have my size so they have to order it. Running loops isn't bad. The course was crowded in areas since so much of it was on sidewalks. The biggest issue was runners who opted to walk at times and didn't want to get out of the way of those who were running. We had to wait in long line for a medal which is a little crazy. Why not just hand it out at the finish line? I will probably do this event again because it's local but I wouldn't travel for it. | |
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T. C. from SW Missouri
(12/20/2011)
"Great spectator support" (about: 2011)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The race is either 4 or 8 laps depending on whether you ae doing a half or full marathon. The bonus is great support from the fans. The downside is much of this race is ran on the sidewalk with many people having to run on the grass to pass people. Several turns and traffic can be a problem. At the end of the race...you had to stand in line to receive your medal. Kind of a pain (literally) if you put forth your best effort for the run. Hard to stand in line after running as hard as you can. For the price...nice tech shirt with some great after race food, but not sure we will do this one again. Too dangerous with the traffic! For the record we did the half not the full. One person lost count of their laps on the full and omly ran seven,not eight laps! | |
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N. M. from St. Louis, MO
(12/20/2011)
"Nice, small marathon for late in the year" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 As an alum of SMSU (yes, it was Southwest MO State when I attended) I have been wanting to do this race for the past 2 years. At first I thought it would be tedious to run laps as I have never done that in my previous marathons but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The spectators were awesome, though minimal in number, stuck around for the whole thing even with darkness approaching. I don't think I would want to watch people running laps in fact, I even said to one lady, 'you're crazy for staying this long' and her reply was to say 'you're crazy for running this long'. Aid stations were only 1.5 miles apart and had carboom gel, water, and powerade. The restrooms were inside the football stadium, right on the course, if you needed them which were nice. I had some concerns over the course along S. National. The halfers joined us after we had been running for 1.5 hours. Along this road is fairly heavy traffic with a small grass strip (maybe 2 feet) between the sidewalk and roadway. As the halfers were passing, I moved to the right as is the normal etiquette. However, I was in the grass and only about a foot from heavy traffic. It just so happens that a few months previous, a local high school XC runner in St. Louis was running on a sidewalk and tripped. He landed in traffic, was hit and killed by a car. Needless to say, that was in my mind as I was moving very close to traffic. The medal pick-up was weird because in 18 marathons, I have never had to wait in line for a medal. The medal was very nice, however, and the wait was shorter than the pizza line. Yes! There was a free personal pan pizza and soda at the end! You can't beat that! | |
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j. w. from SW Missouri
(12/19/2011)
"Enjoyable low key event!" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half last year as a training run. This year I ran the full. The aid stations are spaced perfectly with helpful people. Restrooms on course are nice. One might think running loops would get boring. Not the case! It mentally lets you break the race into manageable segments. Eight laps for the full allow you to see other runners all the time despite the small amount of entries. Approx 600 between the full and half. Awards and post race meal in the heated student union. This is a great race to finish off your year with. |
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