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Marathon Details - Eisenhower Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > KS > Abilene > Eisenhower Marathon

Eisenhower Marathon

Eisenhower Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Abilene, KS USA

April 19, 2025

http://www.eisenhowermarathon.net

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Race Details

all paved, USATF certified both marathon and half, USATF described as flat and fast, Boston Marathon qualifier

Contact Information

Name:	Steve Cathey
Address:
Phone Number:	785-280-0705
Fax Number:	NA
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Course description and handouts (5/7/13)

June DeWeese

If you want to set a new PR, come to Abilene and run the Eisenhower! Our course, certified by USA
Track & Field, will have marathoners running the half course twice beginning in 2013...few hills,
through Brown's Park 4 times, fewer battles with wind. Both marathon & half are USAT&F certified. Both marathon & half runners get tech shirts. Great hometown support!
NO STROLLERS allowed, WHEELCHAIRS limited to 10mph.
Youth under age 10 are not eligible for marathon, half, 10K or 5K. Age 10-14 are eligible for 10K and 5K only.

Runner Reviews (119)

Course 4.1

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.5

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Number of comments: 119 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]

E. P. from CO (4/12/2018) "Great small town race" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! What a fantastic race! If you like small town races you will not be disappointed with this one. It was a cold morning but that did not stop the race director and volunteers from putting on an excellent, well organized race. The people of Abilene are wonderful, the Eisenhower museum is fascinating and the medal is my new favorite. The course can be a bit confusing in the park but there were plenty of volunteers to keep you on track. I put a five for spectators because of the frequent, well stocked aid stations manned with enthusiastic and encouraging volunteers who made it a top event.
A. N. from Rockville, MD USA (4/9/2018) "Big Al's Comments" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Not to sound mean, but this was probably one of the most boring marathons I have ever run. The 2-loop (with 2 loops inside each loop) course was super boring. The spectators were absolutely non-existent. The water stops were however adequately supplied and the volunteers super friendly. The weather was horrible (not their fault of course). It started at 16 degrees and finished in the high 20s. The finisher's medal was just ok, but the T-shirt was cotton (who does cotton these days?!) was gray and super ugly!! Last, only about 100 people competed in the full marathon, which meant you have to run by yourself for miles at a time!! The pre and post-race food were great though, even though I didn't have any. Bottom line, if you need Kansas, look for another race, since I could not wait to get out. Silver lining: 4 more and I'll have my 50 states :-)
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (4/12/2017) "Friendly Race" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A perfectly nice small race with some of the friendliest people that you will ever meet. I couldn't count how many times I was thanked for coming. The course was a double loop which went through a nice park four times. Lots of water stations which was good because it got a little warm and most had food including fruit. Not many spectators but the volunteers were very kind. A nice shirt and excellent medal which incorporates the Eisenhower theme. We parked for free literally steps from the start/finish at the Eisenhower Museum. Runners were treated to a free pancake breakfast and a big discount to the museum. Overall a very relaxed small race. After the race take a ride to Manhattan for Little Apple Brewing or head to Topeka for Happy Basset or Blind Tiger Breweries
R. B. from Pittsburgh, PA (4/10/2017) "Wondeful Small Town Feel" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The town of Abilene, KS is filled with some of the kindest people I've ever had the privilege to meet. Everyone from packet pick up, water station attendants, horse riders spectating in the park, race organizers and those serving the post-race pancakes were as nice as could be. It appeared the entire town was involved in the race in some way. I felt welcome and really enjoyed my visit to Abilene, KS. Check out the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum for a post-race cool down. They'll give you a discount on the admission fee if you go shortly after the race. Course was as advertised. Double out and back was fine. The park in the middle of the route was enough to break up the course from running on KS State Route 15. No complaints about the course. Enough little hills to make it not complete pancake flat, but it is one of the flatter courses I've run. Participant shirt and finishers medal were both excellent.
k. k. from St Louis, MO (4/13/2016) "Excellet small town race" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Race was very well organized, with plenty of water stops. Volunteers were excellent and spectators, while few, were great. The course mostly consisted of rural country roads with multiple loops through a park. Park was beautiful and there were enough twists and turns on the roads to make the course interesting. It was a windy day, but, with all the twists and turns, we didn't have to deal with it for any prolonged period. Pancakes and sausage were very good and really hit the spot! Overall, it was well worth the trip (800 miles of driving) and I'd highly recommend it.
D. D. from North Carolina (4/11/2016) "Great small marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Pretty, flat course - double loop with several passes through a park. Great volunteers. Plenty of water stops and portajohns. Nice shirts and medals. Breakfast after race. Well organized. Very supported by town.
Don Kern from Grand Rapids, Michigan (4/12/2015) "Very well supported" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There were aid stations all over the place, less than a mile apart. Friendly people everywhere in the town of Abilene. The pasta dinner was nice, and the post race food area was actually inside the building right by the finish line, where people could hang out as long as they want and enjoy pancakes and sausage as well as a variety of other food for the runners. (Makes me wonder what the guy from last year was complaining about.) We had a great weather day, but clearly they were prepared for most anything, with lots of food and water at all of the aid stations. I'm looking forward to going back again.
Jeff NewcornCh from Chicago (4/11/2015) "Delightful, smaller marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a veteran of now 50 marathons, this flat course was just what the doctor ordered. Great breakfast at the church next to the start line. Water stops every mile. Few spectators but the ones there were energetic. Interesting/odd out and back, double loop. But we knew what to expect, so seeing how far behind the leaders I was, wasn't so bad. I needed vaseline in the worst way at about mile 14. Finally got some at 18. Would suggest they stock it at more stations in second half of the race. This race especially good for 50-staters. Eisenhower museum is a must-see.
K. V. from Abilene, Ks (4/15/2014) "Did it once, and I'm ready for a diferent option" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half in 2013, and the full thing in 2014. I live in the area, and ran the course prior to race day. I thought it was poorly laid it, and poorly done. I'm very surprised they are content to do the very minimum for this race. I have ran several 10K's around with so much more to offer the attendee's. The pasta dinner the night before was well done, and offered a great time to talk with other runners. The do offer a breakfast on race morning, but I didn not check it out. The only race of any kind I have seen that people go from the finish line straight to their car, and leave. No walking around and talking. No vendors area. Radio station was present but shut down when the 10K finished, and packing up of materials started. My dad left thinking all theraces were over, even though all of the marathon runner had to finish their second lap. just sad.
G. H. from Newton, KS (4/14/2014) "Nice marathon in a nice place" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Eisenhower Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run this marathon before and the new course was interesting. The combined half and full marathons made for a decent sized field for the first portion of the race, after the half split off there were many fewer runners. Positives: lots of volunteers, good parking, wonderful food and facilities for runners, relatively flat course. If you want lots of spectators, big city attractions, etc. this is not your marathon. If want small town warmth, hospitality, people who recognize you from previous years (a running community), some nice local attractions (Eisenhower Museum, Greyhound Museum,...) this is a good marathon for you. Thanks for the effort to put this on. One warning, Kansas weather is unpredictable!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]



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E. P. from CO (4/12/2018) "Great small town race" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! What a fantastic race! If you like small town races you will not be disappointed with this one. It was a cold morning but that did not stop the race director and volunteers from putting on an excellent, well organized race. The people of Abilene are wonderful, the Eisenhower museum is fascinating and the medal is my new favorite. The course can be a bit confusing in the park but there were plenty of volunteers to keep you on track. I put a five for spectators because of the frequent, well stocked aid stations manned with enthusiastic and encouraging volunteers who made it a top event.
A. N. from Rockville, MD USA (4/9/2018) "Big Al's Comments" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Not to sound mean, but this was probably one of the most boring marathons I have ever run. The 2-loop (with 2 loops inside each loop) course was super boring. The spectators were absolutely non-existent. The water stops were however adequately supplied and the volunteers super friendly. The weather was horrible (not their fault of course). It started at 16 degrees and finished in the high 20s. The finisher's medal was just ok, but the T-shirt was cotton (who does cotton these days?!) was gray and super ugly!! Last, only about 100 people competed in the full marathon, which meant you have to run by yourself for miles at a time!! The pre and post-race food were great though, even though I didn't have any. Bottom line, if you need Kansas, look for another race, since I could not wait to get out. Silver lining: 4 more and I'll have my 50 states :-)
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (4/12/2017) "Friendly Race" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A perfectly nice small race with some of the friendliest people that you will ever meet. I couldn't count how many times I was thanked for coming. The course was a double loop which went through a nice park four times. Lots of water stations which was good because it got a little warm and most had food including fruit. Not many spectators but the volunteers were very kind. A nice shirt and excellent medal which incorporates the Eisenhower theme. We parked for free literally steps from the start/finish at the Eisenhower Museum. Runners were treated to a free pancake breakfast and a big discount to the museum. Overall a very relaxed small race. After the race take a ride to Manhattan for Little Apple Brewing or head to Topeka for Happy Basset or Blind Tiger Breweries
R. B. from Pittsburgh, PA (4/10/2017) "Wondeful Small Town Feel" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The town of Abilene, KS is filled with some of the kindest people I've ever had the privilege to meet. Everyone from packet pick up, water station attendants, horse riders spectating in the park, race organizers and those serving the post-race pancakes were as nice as could be. It appeared the entire town was involved in the race in some way. I felt welcome and really enjoyed my visit to Abilene, KS. Check out the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum for a post-race cool down. They'll give you a discount on the admission fee if you go shortly after the race. Course was as advertised. Double out and back was fine. The park in the middle of the route was enough to break up the course from running on KS State Route 15. No complaints about the course. Enough little hills to make it not complete pancake flat, but it is one of the flatter courses I've run. Participant shirt and finishers medal were both excellent.
k. k. from St Louis, MO (4/13/2016) "Excellet small town race" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Race was very well organized, with plenty of water stops. Volunteers were excellent and spectators, while few, were great. The course mostly consisted of rural country roads with multiple loops through a park. Park was beautiful and there were enough twists and turns on the roads to make the course interesting. It was a windy day, but, with all the twists and turns, we didn't have to deal with it for any prolonged period. Pancakes and sausage were very good and really hit the spot! Overall, it was well worth the trip (800 miles of driving) and I'd highly recommend it.
D. D. from North Carolina (4/11/2016) "Great small marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Pretty, flat course - double loop with several passes through a park. Great volunteers. Plenty of water stops and portajohns. Nice shirts and medals. Breakfast after race. Well organized. Very supported by town.
Don Kern from Grand Rapids, Michigan (4/12/2015) "Very well supported" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There were aid stations all over the place, less than a mile apart. Friendly people everywhere in the town of Abilene. The pasta dinner was nice, and the post race food area was actually inside the building right by the finish line, where people could hang out as long as they want and enjoy pancakes and sausage as well as a variety of other food for the runners. (Makes me wonder what the guy from last year was complaining about.) We had a great weather day, but clearly they were prepared for most anything, with lots of food and water at all of the aid stations. I'm looking forward to going back again.
Jeff NewcornCh from Chicago (4/11/2015) "Delightful, smaller marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a veteran of now 50 marathons, this flat course was just what the doctor ordered. Great breakfast at the church next to the start line. Water stops every mile. Few spectators but the ones there were energetic. Interesting/odd out and back, double loop. But we knew what to expect, so seeing how far behind the leaders I was, wasn't so bad. I needed vaseline in the worst way at about mile 14. Finally got some at 18. Would suggest they stock it at more stations in second half of the race. This race especially good for 50-staters. Eisenhower museum is a must-see.
K. V. from Abilene, Ks (4/15/2014) "Did it once, and I'm ready for a diferent option" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Eisenhower Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half in 2013, and the full thing in 2014. I live in the area, and ran the course prior to race day. I thought it was poorly laid it, and poorly done. I'm very surprised they are content to do the very minimum for this race. I have ran several 10K's around with so much more to offer the attendee's. The pasta dinner the night before was well done, and offered a great time to talk with other runners. The do offer a breakfast on race morning, but I didn not check it out. The only race of any kind I have seen that people go from the finish line straight to their car, and leave. No walking around and talking. No vendors area. Radio station was present but shut down when the 10K finished, and packing up of materials started. My dad left thinking all theraces were over, even though all of the marathon runner had to finish their second lap. just sad.
G. H. from Newton, KS (4/14/2014) "Nice marathon in a nice place" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Eisenhower Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run this marathon before and the new course was interesting. The combined half and full marathons made for a decent sized field for the first portion of the race, after the half split off there were many fewer runners. Positives: lots of volunteers, good parking, wonderful food and facilities for runners, relatively flat course. If you want lots of spectators, big city attractions, etc. this is not your marathon. If want small town warmth, hospitality, people who recognize you from previous years (a running community), some nice local attractions (Eisenhower Museum, Greyhound Museum,...) this is a good marathon for you. Thanks for the effort to put this on. One warning, Kansas weather is unpredictable!

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Marathon Details - Eisenhower Marathon