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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.4 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.4 
 
 
Number of comments: 330 [displaying comments 221 to 231]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 21 22 23 24 25 .. 33 > ]

 

Cheryl Misel from Kansas City MO (5/2/2006)
"very disappointing" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 3


I would like to start this comment by saying that I ran the half-marathon last year (2005) and had a great time (I used the bus last year). The experience this year was very disappointing. I traveled from Kansas City, MO and stayed a hotel in the area of the Airport Marriott which was a pick-up point for the busses. I confirmed the pick-up at the time when I received my timing chip. My mother (who came from Texas) and both of my children were in the hotel lobby at 5:05. The first pick up was to be at 5:10, followed by subsequent pick-ups every 10 minutes after that. When the first bus did not arrive, the hotel front desk person got on the phone. He (Robert) did a great job trying to get a bus to our location. I finally arrived at the start line an hour after the start of the race. By this time I was so disappointed that I went to the finish line and had my chip cut off. The only thing I can say about this experience is that you should not depend on the transportation of the marathon committee.

 

David Malone from Lubbock, TX (5/1/2006)
"Well organized marathon; an important cause" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Aside from the excellent organization of the marathon, one comes to recognize the significance of what this event commemorates: the Oklahoma City bombing. If you do this marathon, take the short time it takes to tour the museum - it is exceptionally well done. The marathon does a great job of taking advantage of Oklahoma City's more scenic neighborhoods and attractions (e.g., Lake Hefner, the capitol, assorted parks). Plentiful aid stations and terrific volunteers help make this an outstanding event. Very nice medal and an unusually nice finisher's t-shirt.

 

T. H. from Dallas, TX (5/1/2006)
"A Must-Run!" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Awesome course with a lot of great spectator support! I can't say enough great things about the course - you start by the OKC Memorial, downtown, run by the state capitol, circle a lake, and run through some awesome neighborhoods. There are few hills. It's mostly downhill. The weather was sunny and 50 to 60 degrees throughout the entire run. My only complaint is the relay runners who blast by or suddenly stop in front of you while you're trying to run the marathon. Towards the end of the marathon, there is a sea of people walking the 1/2 marathon who you must shuffle through. This is the best marathon course I've done and I definitely plan on running it next year. This is a must-do marathon! Other marathons I've done: Dallas White Rock (twice), San Diego, Okinawa, Japan, and Austin.

 

R. R. from St Louis, MO (5/1/2006)
"Wow -- way to go OKC!" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Wow -- way to go Oklahoma City!

This is a must-do marathon for all, including those traveling from afar on a tight budget. I was able to fly in inexpensively (Southwest), rent a car for three days for a total of $51 (Budget), and get a no-frills-but-acceptable hotel room for $55/night with late checkout (Lexington Suites).

Course (very good):
** The course is basically flat and runs through some very nice sections of the city and along a local lake for several miles.
** A GREAT down-sloping, fan-lined finish, along the lines of Columbus and Hospital Hill Kansas City.
** The only downside is that there was not much shade on the course. I'd encourage those that struggle with heat/sun to take advantage of the early start.

Organization (excellent):
** The early start was great. The national anthem was played and a group of several hundred die-hards took off! As advertised, water stops were not open until 90 minutes into the run. However, the course was well patrolled and monitored for the early starters.
** The water stops were very well run with enthusiastic volunteers.
** The police and volunteers were very positive and friendly.
** Post-race party was very good.
** The medal was a nice change from the large colorful ones that seem to be the new standard.

Spectators (excellent):
** Lots of fan support - well above my expectations for a marathon of this size.

Overall -- excellent! Way to go OKC!!

 

L. R. from Broken Arrow Ok. USA (5/1/2006)
"awesome" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was my 3rd Memorial OKC, and it seems as though the volunteer were more encourageing then ever. It was nice to see that Gu was offered in more than one place as well. Traffic control was fabulous too. I ran City of Trees in November - and boy was it a lonely place, even at the aid stations. OKC, you are awesome, and I look forward to running again. Just wish I could have set a PR this time. Ah well, better luck next time. Keep up the WONDERFUL work, OKCPD, OKCFD, organizers and VOLUNTEERS.

 

J. S. from Rockville, MD (5/1/2006)
"A good run, a great cause" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I honestly went into this race with the intention of adding another state to my total. But after seeing the memorial and meeting relatives of the victims of the bombing, I came away with great respect and admiration for the people of Oklahoma City.

The course is nice, some rolling hills but mostly flat, running through nice neighborhoods and through a local park. The main problem was the sun: it got up to about 80 degrees, and there was little shade until the last few miles. Fortunately, there are fluid stations just about at every mile, staffed by wonderful, cheering volunteers.

There were some organizational snafus, namely the lack of a promised shuttle to the start from our hotel (had to race in a cab). Also, there were several inaccuracies on the website. But these shortcomings were more than outweighed by the officials' and volunteers' generosity and hospitality.

 

J. W. from Dallas (4/30/2006)
"Better each year, truly a run to remember" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This marathon has gotten better each year. The people of OKC keep you focused as to why you are running, to remember those whose lives were lost or changed forever because of violence. The course is pretty quick, hills are manageable, and the volunteers are fantastic.

 

Aziz Taghizadeh from Oklahoma City, OK (4/30/2006)
"Excellent organization and staff coordination" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first time participating in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, and I must say I am impressed with the organization, water stations, and friendly staff who really went an extra mile to ensure everything was ok.

 

An Old Runner from Tulsa Oklahoma (12/15/2005)
"Dedicated People!!" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Everyone from the organizers to the folks along the course did everything in their power to make us feel wanted, appreciated and as comfortable as one can get while running 26.2 miles. I REALLY would recommend this one to a first-time marathoner (and there were several in our group from Tulsa) because this is about as good as it gets. Good job folks!!!!

 

Anthony Thrailkill from Oklahoma city, Oklahoma (11/30/2005)
"Very open and friendly for all levels of running." (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


The run was lots of fun.

 

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