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Omaha Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Omaha Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 12 13 14 15 16 .. 19 > ]

 

Pascal Renault from Omaha, NE (11/2/2006)
"Fourth Omaha Marathon, and never liked it" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 Omaha Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


It's kind of my home race; I live in Omaha but I'm from Paris. Never liked it - the first half is hilly and stressful for the legs, and the second half is lonely because most of the runners run the half-marathon. The crowd is not big, but very cheerful.... Must be a Midwest thing, because Lincoln and KC have the same deal. Come on, guys, come cheer for us.

 

D. H. from Louisville, Kentucky (10/25/2006)
"nice course,friendly town,well-organized" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The first half of the course was much hillier than I expected, but the scenery was great and crowd support very helpful. The second half of the marathon was thankfully flat, and though there weren't lots of fans on this part, the quiet was kind of a nice way to enjoy the lake and park setting. We lucked out with nice weather(temps in the 50-60 range) and low humidity. For a small marathon(the half marathon was much larger), its a wonderful race,and the city itself was enjoyable as well.

 

P. G. from Omaha NE (10/4/2006)
"Runner-friendly course for a first-time marathon" (about: 2005)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I entered this marathon late; was training for the Marine Corp Marathon. Good race! Great organization! Enough hills to keep it interesting, and lots of fun volunteers along the course.

 

T. S. from Superior, WI (9/28/2006)
"Interesting race with many hills." (about: 2006)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


This was an enjoyable experience, even with the many hills and the few spectators. Overall good traffic control, but some areas were not protected. The water stops were great, the music groups along the course were good, especially the polka band on the steep incline, and the cheerleaders in uniform were entertaining and enthusiastic! The finish line inside the building was very unusual; I didn't like that! But I would recommend this race for 50-Staters.

 

E. M. from Iowa (9/26/2006)
"Run Des Moines Instead" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


The short version:
This was a hilly, boring course in a city that seemed more interested in keeping us out of the way than supporting the event.

Some details:
- Planned on running with the 3:30 pace team, but the pacer was nowhere to be found at the beginning of the race.
- The race packet promised lube on the course, but I never saw any.
- The aid stations were devoid of food. Furthermore, the only time gels were handed out were at mile 18. By that time, it was too late to ward off the "wall."
- The long-sleeve shirts were nice, though I still don't know why race directors choose cotton over technical fabric.
- The volunteers were nice and supportive, but there was little support from the locals.
- I can't get over the poor quality of the course. If these are the best areas Omaha has to show visitors, than I feel bad for the folks who have to live there year-round.
- Ironically, the traffic signs were all marked with the words "River City," but I don't think we ever had a view of the river throughout the 26.2 miles.
- I did the Des Moines Marathon in 2005, and - though it wasn't perfect - it is far, far better than Omaha. If you're looking for somewhere to run in the area, go to Des Moines. If you're trying to check Nebraska off your list, then the Omaha Marathon is adequate.

 

Rick Karampatsos from Temple Terrace, FL (9/26/2006)
"OMAHA - Want to run you again!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Ok - I may be crazy but I did enjoy the course. I had some health problems during the last few miles that killed my time BUT even that did not take away the enjoyable day. The medical team was there for me with smiles and help - we do not always see that extra care for our pain. And everything else about the finish line was enjoyable - would be hard to get it much better.... The only things that I would like to see changed would be a wider area to come into and more room after the finish line to slow down. And please - give us more time and walking space before we give back the timing clip! I would like to run this again after I finish my 50 states (this was my 36th). Would also like to see more runners in the marathon - get the word out!!!

 

T. H. from Lee's Summit, MO (9/25/2006)
"Hilly yes, but I PR'd anyway!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


It was a beautiful day, the course was interesting (I especially enjoyed the trip through the zoo and around downtown Omaha) and the organization was excellent. The hills can chew you up, but I trained on hills and ended up beating my PR by 2 minutes. Fans were enthusiastic, just not out in force. Overall, a really nice race.

 

T. M. from Iowa (9/25/2006)
"Solid Small Marathon" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


COURSE: I echo the other comments. The course was quite hilly during the first half! I would have preferred to have the mile markers more prominently displayed (some were at eye level or ground level), so they can be seen at a distance. A clock on the course at the half, at mile 20, etc. would be nice. The water cups with lids and straws at the water stations? NICE!

ORGANIZATION: Friendly, helpful volunteers and staff. Great medal and shirt. Tastier-than-usual pasta dinner.

SPECTATORS: The spectators who were out deserve five stars, but the sparse attendance results in a one-star deduction.

From reading these comments, this marathon's administrative team will make corrections based on runner comments (e.g., porta-potties are now plentiful on the course). I am confident that this race will continue to improve.

 

J. K. from Omaha, NE (9/25/2006)
"Hometown course, odd race route" (about: 2006)

3 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Being from Omaha, I had run the 1/2 marathon before. The first half is, as others have mentioned, very hilly. The second half is very flat, but unfortunately goes through some pretty boring scenery. I'm surprised they don't run the marathon through Dundee or some other scenic areas. Still, what fans were out were very animated and the race is well organized.

 

B. R. from Chillicothe, MO (9/25/2006)
"Great and unique course, great organization" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Omaha Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


"Hills are our friends, and this is a friendly course," said the course tour guide before the race. I liked the course - ran through the Omaha Zoo, around Rosenblatt Stadium, by the Civic and Qwest Arenas, parks and sleepy neighborhoods. Probably the best marked course I've ever run with orange cones that lined the entire 26.2. Police at every intersection. Cheerleaders at various spots to support the runners. Musical groups sprinkled throughout the course. The finish line is inside Civic Arena, which is a unique twist. Basically, big-race amenities for a mid-size local race.

 

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