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Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 147 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
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J. M. from Northville, Michigan
(3/30/2008)
"Uninspiring course" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon. The course was one of the most uninspiring I have run (of the 59 marathons and over 60 half marathons I have completed). It was generally on flat rural roads with some long stretches and minimal crowd support. The weather conditions did not help as it was cold and very windy - and much of it a headwind. While the overall organization was pretty good, some improvements could be made. At the half marathon start, there were only two porta-johns for over 640 runners. While busing worked well, runners had to wait an hour or more outside in the cold and wind. An indoor gathering area would have been helpful. With the increased number of runners, a chip start should be considered - not just a chip finish. The finish line announcements were good but the food was below norm for most events. I was disappointed in the time it took for my results to be displayed (1-1/2 hours after I finished) and the lack of knowledge about where to pick up age group awards. I finally gave up. As a past member of several race staffs and a frequent racer and volunteer, I appreciate all the effort the organizers and volunteers put in on this program. | |
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P. K. from Jonesboro, Arkansas
(3/30/2008)
"Is it always windy in Kansas...?" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Not a bad race overall, and although I expected wind, I was not disappointed to find it here in Olathe. It seemed to me it was in our face most of the time. So, the wind was a bummer but I can hardly blame the organizers for that! The race seemed to be very well organized and I don't think there were any orange cones anywhere else in the country. I felt very safe on this course, and although the wind was a major factor the course was well marshaled and had plenty of aid stations and toilets. Medal was great, t-shirt left a little to be desired and finish area food ok. A pasta party might have been nice before the race. However I enjoyed the race and I hope it does well in the future. | |
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Seth Denenberg from Westchester, New York
(3/30/2008)
"Nice, small-time race" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As I continue to travel around this country one marathon at a time, the day had to come when I had to run in Kansas. I have been to Kansas twice before in my life - once traveling through to get somewhere worthwhile and the second time to see Kansas City. Kansas is not an exciting place, and if you want sites and excitement this is not the place to go. It is just simple, basic middle America, a little boring but generally nice. The city of Olathe is just that. Nice, clean, friendly but lacking in excitement and things to do. As for the race itself, it was very well organized and had sufficient support except at the start. Couldn't anyone get the school to open the gym so we could have been inside instead of standing around and freezing for an hour? Not a good idea, and since you seem reasonable and willing to listen, get the school to open its facilities so the runners can stay warm waiting for the race start. The course is - to say the least - boring, without many sites to distract you from the task at hand. Why run through industrial parks? There has got to be something more interesting to let runners see in Olathe. Do not come to Kansas expecting it to be flat. Yes, Kansas lacks hills and mountains and has a boring topography, but it is not flat - it has rolling mounds, which, if you add the wind, makes for a harder run then you would expect. The race organization cannot be blamed for the winds or the weather, but if you add the famous Midwest winds blowing from the east at 20-plus miles per hour to a race run mostly going east, you have a very hard run. The support was not great but sufficed for this race. The finish was well manned and the volunteers were top rate. In all, this was a decent small-town race - well run and well organized. Olathe is not a hot spot or a tourist place, and if you are going to run it, do not drag along family and friends because you really do not want to vacation in Olathe. But next to Kansas City, it is the best race in Kansas if you are trying to get your 50 states done. | |
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G. H. from central Kansas
(3/30/2008)
"Well done" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized race. Packet pickup, bag drop and pick up, traffic support, aid stations, food at finish. Course was OK. Wind was brutal! I would call the course flat. Spectators few and far between. The police and volunteers at the intersections were terrific. Thanks to the family that in 24th mile had a card table out with gummy bears on it. You were not there to say thanks to, but it was greatly appreciated! | |
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M. B. from Little Rock, Arkansas
(3/30/2008)
"Well Done Race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Two comments: 1) Incredibly well run race in every way that I can think of that you would measure organization. There were almost no spectators, but if you count the volunteers, they get a 5. It was the coldest, most miserable marathon I have done (out of 43) and they were amazing throughout. 2) If you don't like wind, this is the course from hell. I love a challenge though. If they were easy, everybody would do them. We just hunkered down and plowed through it. The course is flat, with lots of straight stretches. | |
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m. s. from D/FW Texas
(3/29/2008)
"Good, small-town, ~500-runner race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Good race to run for a "small town" feel - even though it's near a big city and major airport hub (KCI). This is Kansas, though; expect wind - and '08 was no exception. Major criticism: the lack of port-o-jons at the start. I was told that this was a worse issue for the half-marathon start. Overall, a good, mostly flat race and A LOT of aid stations, which were appreciated. | |
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J. P. from Chicago, IL
(3/29/2008)
"not my best race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Windy and cold, which cannot be controlled by race organizers, but the wind was such that I think it severely slowed me down. Course was largely on a highway, which isn't very exciting. It was a fine run, but I probably wont do it again, solely based on the negative weather and "eh" course. | |
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J. E. from Ellicott City, MD
(4/20/2007)
"Motorcycle officers were my fans." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have never had so many encouraging words from police officers before. Even though I got in early and volunteered at package pickup, the next morning I got lost and had to find the start of the race. Was grateful to the officer who allowed me to drive down to the school. Started 20 minutes late and a motorcycle officer informed me of turns on the course at the beginning and then encouraged me all along the way and informed me when he was going ahead to stop oncoming traffic at intersections. Personal service! Additionally, I kept hearing "you can do it," "you're doing fine," etc. from whomever was on the motorcycle following me. What a delightful new experience! Haven't felt that safe at some big races. Thanks much! Course was mainly flat and on concrete and asphalt. I did Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA this year. Those were hills! The wind was very strong and difficult to move against. Was thankful when it was at my back. My other fans were a couple of women who were driving the course and encouraging me and the lady who was eventually behind me. They even met me at the end to give me a ride back to my car at the start. Have read the medal was very nice. OK. When I got to the end, I was informed they had run out and mine would be mailed. Also they didn't have age awards, which is what I was most interested in. Both are to be mailed to me. Course was well marked with cones in place. Agree with comments about port-a-potties, etc. Volunteers were generally helpful and I don't expect many spectators on a course like this. Those motorcycle officers and the ladies in the car were the best! I would suggest this to others because of the helpfulness of volunteers and those magnificent motorcycle cops!!! They and the ladies in the car earned all the stars!! | |
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D. M. from STL MO
(4/15/2007)
"Give yourselves a pat on the back." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having read previous race comments on this site, I decided to go give it a go. What I liked most about it is that the runners, volunteers and spectators all seemed to enjoy themselves. There was great banter amongst the runners. Weather was good; wind to be expected. Organizers, volunteers and spectators; you should give yourselves a well-earned pat on the back. | |
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N. B. from Smithville (Kansas City) Missouri
(4/12/2007)
"PR" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Garmin Marathon (prev. Oz Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I realize that I'm probably biased because nothing could go wrong for me on this day. Gatorade/sports drink: I liked it. I preferred it watered down. At one aid station, it tasted watered down, and at another, it tasted full strength. No real expectations either way. Port-a-potties: I haven't had the need for these in any race I've run, so I'm lucky enough to use these as places to pass folks. Weather: Anyone going to Kansas and not expecting a little wind isn't familiar with the area. I'm from the area and felt that it really worked to my benefit and kept me cool. Organization: I was impressed with the director's contingency planning for weather hazards and the numerous restrooms at the start. Spectators: Some folks out cheering their dear ones. When I got to Great Plains Mall, I thought I'd see people - and I did; but, it looked like the classroom scene from the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." It made me laugh. It seemed as if the runners at 20 miles had more energy then most of the spectators. They had a great start with a cannon being fired - could have used it to startle the crowd at the mall. Again, it was beyond funny to me. The course: The second half seemed to take a little more effort then the first; but, I really didn't notice any significant hills. I think the website response to the question of hills is well thought out and accurate. The only rise I did not like was at the finish - after 26 miles, my preference would be to coast, instead of kicking uphill to make my time window. I really liked that even though this was a small race, I was always within sight of someone. |
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