calendar icon Nov 17, 2024

Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 5.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
More Comments: [ < 1 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

 

Nancy Marino from Venice Florida (1/15/2012)
"Well organized race. Great time." (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I was a little apprehensive about going around in circles on an indoor track but to my surprise I liked it as much or more than outside running. The scorers/spectators were energetic and fun and kept you going with their enthusiasm and cheering. Kudos to the St Olaf Track Team. The pre race dinner was fun and delicious. I would definitely do it again.
N Marino Venice Fl

 

E. S. from Northfield, MN (1/14/2012)
"Simply a fantastic race!" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


When I first heard of the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon, I thought, 'The folks who came up with this race must be nuts!' Turns out I was right, but that's a good thing! I could not stop smiling all race weekend, from Dan's hilarious weather forecast during the pre-race meal (incredible food, by the way) to sharing stories with fellow runners at the post-race pub gathering downtowh. Never have I experienced such camaraderie! Each runner has his or her own personal timer/lap counter, which collectively make up a very enthusiastic cheer zone and keeps you motivated throughout the race. And when you finish, you get a great shirt, medal, and race certificate. The race directors, Dick and Dennis, thought of everything and have truly created a race worth repeating. Most of all, it was a joy to run with and cheer on such a fun and friendly group of runners! I will definitely be back!

 

D. S. from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania (1/14/2012)
"A wonderful, unique marathon!" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I know it sounds crazy - 150 laps on an indoor track? But it really is a lot of fun: with great organization, a water stop always less than a minute away and someone cheering you on every lap, what's not to like? Hopefully, my schedule will permit me to run this race again sometime.

A big congrats to the RD and the Olaf women's x-country team for their efforts to make this a fun and memorable race!

Note: I didn't know how to grade the course, so I gave it 3stars. The track is nice, absolutely no problems, but it is a track and not a run through Northfield's beautiful countryside.

FWIW, I found running on a track worked my calves more and my hamstrings less than a typical long run. YMMV, but maybe something to consider while training.

 

M. L. from Sarasota, FL (1/14/2012)
"Incredible experience!" (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


If you think running 150 laps on an indoor track for 26.2 miles would be boringTHINK AGAIN! This race is the most fun, exciting event ever. It is truly a run from the heart. Race Directors Dick & Dennis have pulled out the stops when it comes to caring for the runners from pre-race dinner to post-race party! Conditions and course support are the best and leave the headphones home because music is played the entire time. Do ZYY and Feel the Love! (But save room for me to go back :-)

 

T. M. from Pittsburgh, PA (1/13/2012)
"You gotta try it at least once!" (about: 2012)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


First the good:
- Very well organized race
- Top notch pre-race dinner
- Pre-race dinner included in race registration!
- Post-race showers available on site with towels provided for out of town runners
- Strong spectator support with people cheering runners by name
- Excellent pre-race communication from race director
- Long-sleeve mock turtleneck race shirt (glad it wasn't another tech shirt)
- FREE race photos
- Low registration fee
- Good cancellation policy (partial discount)
- Restrooms on site (versus porta-potties)
- Camaraderie of runners
- Changing directions every 30 minutes
- Tables provided for water, gels, etc.
- Flattest possible course, slightly banked turns

The not-so-good (NOT offered as complaints):
- The air in the facility is incredibly dry. It causes lips to be chapped. It causes sweat to evaporate VERY quickly. (It made me feel cold throughout the race. When I finished the race, my clothes were dry. Every other race my clothes have been drenched.)
- Because of the nature of the indoor track, there are no mile markers. Since the laps don't equate to even miles (5.7 laps per mile), the math can be intimidating while you're running.
- Music was sporadic throughout the race. There were a number of times when no music was playing at all. Kind of a big deal since headphones were not permitted.
- Limited field of 44 runners (a plus!) means a considerable waiting list which could mean little advance notice to make travel arrangements
- Not a Boston qualifying race
- No online race tracking possible

 

B. A. from Northfield, MN (2/9/2011)
"Well organized & easy to do in January" (about: 2011)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


If you're looking for something to do in January, this event is for you. No wind, temperature-controlled, and limited entries to decrease crowding. Lots of local support from St. Olaf runners. Meet new friends.

 

M. M. from Minneapolis, MN (1/30/2011)
"Great race - a MUST-run" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Everything about this race was perfect - organization, pre-race dinner, camaraderie, weather, aid stations, spectators/supporters, etc.... I couldn't have asked for more.

 

F. L. from N.J. (1/20/2011)
"I'd do it again and again and again!" (about: 2011)

50+ previous marathons | 2 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is just about the most wonderful experience you could have at a marathon. Dick Daymont, Dennis Easley, their club )The Band of 10,000 Aches - you've gotta love that name), the students from St. Olaf's College, and all of the participants make this an absolutely incredible experience. Pre-race dinner is amazing; race support second to none; continuous music (all very easy to listen to); your favorite nutrition and drinks; people who understand running and marathons - you just can't want for more!

Okay, there are a lot of turns, but no hills; and the weather is perfect - between 56 and 62, and never a drop of snow or rain. There are no potholes. Parking is never a problem. Inside bathrooms are just a short jog away from the track. With a cap of 40 or so, everyone knows your name within the first 10 minutes and on your last lap the entire gym erupts with chants of your name as you round the track for the last time!

I'll definitely be entering the lottery again for 2012.

So the risk of posting these positive comments is that the competition for a spot will continue to get more difficult!

 

T. B. from New Jersey (1/18/2011)
"Great Experience" (about: 2011)

50+ previous marathons | 2 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second time around (or 300th if I count laps). I did the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Marathon in 2009 and enjoyed the overall experience so much that I had to do it again. The organization is excellent. Dick, Dennis and the people who help them make everything flow smoothly and do everything possible to accommodate the runners and their families.

Among the many amenities are the best pre-race marathon dinner I've had (included in the registration fee), a nice finisher medal, and a unique finisher shirt with every runner's name and time listed on the back.

The members the St. Olaf College Womens Track Team, who counted and recorded each runners laps, provided continuously great crowd support for the runners. Also, we runners quickly developed a feeling of camaraderie and support for each other. Add to that the support from family members and race volunteers, and there is more crowd support than at the vast majority of traditional outdoor marathons. The bottom line is that the 150 laps did not get boring and it felt like each lap and the whole marathon went quickly.

My plan is to enter the lottery for next year's marathon with the hope that I can do it a 3rd time (cumulative 450 laps).

 

Mike Beagley from Colorado, USA (1/10/2011)
"My 13th marathon: BEST SO FAR" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Don't let the term "indoor" steer you away from this! All around great experience. Managed flawlessly. There's an aid station at every lap, perfect "weather," and a great cheer section that will not let you get bored. SUPER FUN!

 

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