Back to Bass Pro Shops Marathon Information & Reviews
W. S. from Columbia, Missouri
(11/10/2007)
"Fabulous Race" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a fabulous first marathon for me. The weather and scenery were perfect. I was amazed and encouraged by the many, many volunteers and cheering people. The supporters were the best - and, must have been in place for hours and hours. The aid stations were fantastic. I appreciated the huge mile markers. Very nice course. Great massage at the end. The extra "first time marathon" shirt was a thoughtful touch. | |
S. E. from Springfield Missouri
(11/10/2007)
"Great Fun" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Good run; perfect day. Looking forward to next year. | |
T. W. from Springfield, MO
(11/8/2007)
"Good event for its first time out" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 -I loved the course, especially along the Galloway and James river trail, but the last couple of miles through the neighborhoods were a bit draining. It was a little drab and made finishing a bit harder. -The course attendants and spectators were fantastic and their cheering and support really helped keep the motivation up. -I was a bit unsure of the accuracy of the chip timing because i made a point to start my run several minutes after the race began yet the difference in the net time and the clock time was only a few seconds. -I didn't like finishing inside the store. I don't need to be bombarded with bass pro advertising immediately following my race. The weather was beautiful outside and should have been taken advantage of instead of cramming people into the store. -The pasta dinner was fantastic and a wonderful idea. It was a great meal and a great idea to get all the runners together for food and socializing. | |
E. C. from O, NE
(11/8/2007)
"There's good and bad" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Good: The weather was AWESOME! The marathon course was great with HUGE mile markers for everyone. The course workers were great at making sure you knew where to turn and go. The aid stations were great. Obviously, being a smaller marathon you're not going to get a ton of crowd support but those that were out were great. The Bad: The website advertised music on the course and there was little to no music anywhere. That is a help while running. Another thing they could do to improve the marathon is organize the start so you don't have walkers in the middle slowing runners down. I was slowed by two packs of walkers. They should put pace signs up so people can get around people of similar speed or other walkers. Finally, where are the race results? They are not posted on the race website. The race website could be a little more detailed than it is. It seems like they are more concerned with promoting their store than the race. | |
C. T. from Missouri
(11/8/2007)
"Could have been better" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The volunteers and aid stations were great, although I was looking for a portapotty for what seemed like forever. If you pre-register (before a given deadline), and request a specific shirt size, you should receive that shirt. Packets should be put together beforehand, with specified shirt size included. As a race director, I have to say I was most disappointed by the small, cheap-looking medals. If I am able to provide custom-designed, multi-colored, quality medals for my race of 120 people paying $13-$16 each, without a big-name corporate sponsor, Bass Pro should be able to come up with something a little more creative. A marathon finisher's medal should be something that you are proud of and can show off to people and maybe display in your home. This medal is actually smaller and less impressive than the one that my five-year-old received for playing t-ball this summer (same ribbon even). | |
S. R. from Missouri
(11/7/2007)
"Fine time in the Queen City" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first half-marathon in five years and I loved it. I'm sure it wasn't the most tightly organized race but the great pasta dinner and shirt alone was worth the price of admission. Loved the big mile markers. Loved the fact that you actually finished inside the Bass Pro building. I used to live in Springfield and would suggest showing off more of the town in future events, at least looping up through the university and downtown areas. I'd definitely do it again. | |
L. C. from Missouri
(11/7/2007)
"More emphasis on Marathon, less on Bass Pro" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Not a bad effort for the first attempt at sponsoring a marathon. It was clear that Bass Pro did not expect the turnout as far as numbers of runners. Course pretty good, but certainly not 'flat' as advertised. Good scenery for the most part, esp this time of year. Volunteers, esp at aid stations, were superb, very helpful and friendly. Suggestions: 1) Do not finish race inside the store. I'm not buying anything right then, but I might puke on your floor (and would like the room to do so) 2) Clocks on the course to check time 3) Let go of a little $ and provide a finisher's medal, not a cheap advertisement for Bass Pro (I finished a marathon, not just an outdoor fitness festival.). The entry fee was not much less than larger races that give very nice finisher's medal. 4)More music on the course at strategic points to keep runners motivated and crowd entertained. | |
K. P. from Cape Girardeau, MO
(11/7/2007)
"Beautiful Course w/lots of Support" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the marathon and was very impressed. The dinner was great - loved the speakers. The course was beautiful and volunteers awesome. Personally loved the fact that the marathon split off early and never 'passed' the finish area (many races you run the first half with the half-marathoners and are pretty depressed to see them finish). Aid stations were great - plenty to drink and lots of gel given out. Good help at all intersections (although at some would be nice to know in advance which way you'd be turning). To sum up: Loved dinner, shirts, course, volunteers, aid stations, weather. . . Didn't love so much: 'chip timing' (not sure it took into account when you crossed the start line), small medal (but not complaining because it was nice and detailed), finding results, hills (although I ran my best time EVER). Thanks for putting on a great event. One I would recommend and I've been to races around the country. | |
a. m. from Lake of the Ozarks
(11/7/2007)
"Great Volunteers" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The great things were: the shirts, aid stations well stocked, great weather. I've ran several half marathons in St.Louis,but this was my first full to do. Next year the medals need to be larger and the miles must be marked on the course map at packet pick-up. I had several family members with me and they didn't know where the miles where to see me through out the race. I was very disappointed with this. Pick-up needs to be more organized. Your volunteers where some of the most awesome. You shouldn't change that at all. All and all it was awesome to complete 26.2 miles. One more thing I can't find out where we see our photos. Thank you | |
M. O. from St. Louis, MO
(11/6/2007)
"Excellent Marathon- especially for the inaugural!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bass Pro Shops Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I thought this marathon was great. Very well organized and friendly volunteers. Plenty of drinks at the aid stations and lots of good snacks at the finish line. I got the size shirt i wanted and i registered the morning of. I drove 3 hours from St. Louis that morning and then turned around and drove home afterwards and it was well worth it. I hope they have it again next year! |
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