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Marathon Details - Run for the Ranch Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MO > Springfield > Run for the Ranch Marathon

Run for the Ranch Marathon

OMRR Run for the Ranch Marathon & Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K

Springfield, MO USA

December 28, 2024

http://www.run4theranch.com

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Marathon Results

By Year:

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004 2003 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

VERY flat and fast 3.275 mile loop around and through historic and beautiful Phelps Grove Park (repeat 4 times for half marathon, 8 times for the marathon)

Contact Information

Name:	John Everett
Address:	PO Box 10067 Springfield, MO 65808
Phone Number:	417-844-4018
Email:	Email the organizers

More Information

These details were last updated by the race director on 11/8/23 and may be out of date.
Number of Runners:	700
Number of Spectators:	200
Fees & Deadlines:	1-mile - $40 Half - $75 Marathon - $95 Marathon Relay - $185 6-hour endurance - $105
Start Time:	10:00 AM CST
Course Highlights:	Very flat and fast 3.275 mile loop. You may not think so, but running a half or full marathon on a roughly 5K loop is actually quite enjoyable. You feel you know the course and time goes by more quickly than for a single loop or point-to-point race.
Course Refreshments:	Lots of goodies. Free meal for runners after the race.
Certified? Certification:	Yes, usatf.org
Race Day Registration:	Yes, at race start
Marathon Ratings:	Course Scenery/Beauty/Interest: Good for First Timers: Crowd Support: Course Speed:

Race Organizer

15th Year 2014!!! (10/21/14)

Paul Maness

We're back for 2014 and ready for more, In addition to the 4 lap half and 8 lap marathon, we are adding a marathon relay and 6 hour endurance event.This is pretty flat course (gradual inclines, nothing more than 22 ft at once) through a couple of beautiful neighborhoods. Great support from our club. Please join us! http://www.run4theranch.com/

Runner Reviews (57)

Course 3.5

Organization 3.7

Spectators 3.2

Write a review

Number of comments: 57 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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

R. M. from Missouri, USA (1/15/2020) "Rough but glad I did it" (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was trying to get my last marathon of the year done and found this little gem right at the end of December. The only thing I wasn't looking forward to was that it is 8 loops. And as someone who is switching to trails, this was extra tough. The weather could have been bad considering location and date. But it wasn't that bad. The only thing being a slow runner is that my last 2 hours was almost all rain. Not heavy but enough. Actually, there was one street that was completely flooded (so I guess there was a little rain). Detour across someone's yard. But being a slow runner I was WAY at the back of the pack. No spectators at the end. There was course support until my last loop back so that was acceptable. But coming in to finish, the people working the race were very nice, accommodating, pretty awesome really. Would I do this one again? Probably not just because of the loops. Would I recommend this race? Definitely YES!
A. R. from Winchester, VA, USA (9/22/2018) "A Very Cold, But Very Memorable Marathon" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 One of the last marathons run in the calendar year, I did this race in 2017 to cross Missouri off my list for state marathons. Leading up to the race their was ample communication from the race organizers via Facebook and through email. They were also prompt to answer questions I had. Packet pickup was a breeze the day before. Parking race day morning was plentiful at Missouri State University (being the college is out for the winter break). In fact we parked very close to the start / finish line! The course itself is easy physically (very flat run around the University and local neighborhood), but challenging mentally in that you do 8 full loops for the marathon. While not like this every year, in 2017 it was freezing cold (18º with wind chills in the single digits), and that added to the challenge of the race. While there is little to no crowd support along the race route (again this could be due to how cold it was in 2017), there was great support at the aide stations though as they fought to keep the water / gatorade unfrozen and also provided plenty of other fuel. One of the best parts of the race that I will always remember was crossing the finish line and provided with a nice hot cup of chicken noodle soup in the post-race aide tent. Yum!
G. J. from Chicago, Illinois (12/30/2014) "Flat but challenging because of repeats" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 45th marathon. Exceptionally well organized and well run. I registered race day with ease. The volunteers and race directors all were welcoming and nice. Get this, there were at two volunteers at every single turn! They were so appreciative. I must have been thanked at a dozen times for running the race. There were no mile markers or clocks on the course, other than at the start and finish, which made sense because with the repeat laps it would have been way too confusing. The course is flat and fast. There was no incline over 30 feet, and even those were long and gradual. Great race to PR. It was cold with rain, sleet and, for a brief while, snow. By the end of the race there was strong hail. Yet, the volunteers and race organizers remained on the course. After completing the race, eating, recovering and while sitting in my car near the finish line, I noticed that each time a runner would near the finish line, the race director and volunteers would stop whatever they were doing and actually run to welcome them to the finish with generous applauds. It was 6 hours and 54 minutes after the start when I saw them welcome a runner to the finish-line. The runner, an older man who speed-walked the course, had the beaming smile of a champion, in part because they made him feel that way. It was great to watch. The 8 lap course was a big challenge. Generally at 20 or 21 miles I would feel a sense of near completion. Here, however, I still had two daunting laps to complete. That was hard. All-in-all, I likely will run this race again because I loved the commitment and sense of appreciation demonstrated by the wonderful people who put on the race. Great job!
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, Pa (1/28/2014) "Well organized, unique small race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I really liked this race. Full disclosure I need to say I prefer smaller, more intimate races. I feel like these races are more personal and you definitely get a more local feel. This race has only 100 plus in the full and 200 plus in the half. The course is very unique in that you run a 3.2 mile loop 8 times (4 for the half). I know many folks don't like this but I really do. You learn the course and know exactly where the aid stops are, where the turns are, etc. I think this allows runners to really guide their effort. I believe if a runner is going for a PR or BQ that this race would be a good place to try. The terrain is very flat. There are 2 false flat type of hills on the course but nothing major. My Garmin said there was 364 feet of climbing for the whole race so its pretty flat. The race begins 10:00am. I was not fond of that. I think it was done because its usually so cold for this race. This year we had ideal running temps in the 40's and 50's so the late start wasn't needed. Perhaps I'd feel differently about the late start if it was in the teens! There is one aid stop that we pass twice every lap. the volunteers are super enthusiastic and the station has water, sports drink and multiple kinds of gel. There's a packet pick-up at a local running store the day before but there's also a race day packet pick-up. You get a nice tech shirt and medal and post race there's a heated tent w/ traditional race food and pizza. If runners want to get one more race in before the new year and are game to something a little different I think this race is a good option!
A. R. from NW Arkansas (1/1/2014) "not as flat as advertised" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I don't think the loop course is for me. It was hard to run around the runners you were lapping, and having to make many turns slowed down your momentum. There were 8 loops and 2 good inclines every loop, so not exactly flat as advertised. The race was however very well organized and the voulteers were enthuziatic. Aid stations well stocked and long sleeve tech shirt was good quality. The race benefited a good cause. The race director gave us a discount from having our race cancel (Memphis and Dallas)from the ice storm. It offered packet pickup the same day which most marathons don't offer. Since I only live 2 hrs away, I didn't have to get a hotel room. I'd probably run the half if I did this race agian but not the full.
C. Y. from LA (12/30/2013) "Harder Mentally than Physically" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Pros: - Well organized and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers - Small and friendly - No additional vacation time required Cons: - Seeing all 26 mile markers every lap (x8) was discouraging and mind numbing. - 10am start screwed up my entire pre-race routine. I heard the reasons (temperature) but don't buy it. Sun was up at 7:25am; start should have been 8, 8:30 at the latest IMHO. - Open course with traffic and no police support at all. Volunteers at many of the intersections. - No notices to residents/drivers that there are runners on the road; no barricades; no cones to designate runner lanes. - 'Flat' is relative and debatable in this case. 400ft in elevation change x 8 made for a lot of hills for me. You do end where you start, but that's still hills to me. OVERALL: This was my first and will be my last multi-loop course. Maybe 2, but no more. I couldn't get into a good place mentally for reading all the mileage markers trying to find the ones for the lap I was on. If the scenery was beautiful (and this was no where near) it would still get old after seeing it 3-4 times.
j. w. from Spfld MO (12/30/2013) "Great small low key event with lots of support" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Run for the Ranch Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Low key event near the campus of Missouri State University. A loop course with large aide station with access twice per lap. Lots of local support, free race pics, porto johns just steps from the start, good food and refreshments after and nice finisher metal aswell. If you need one more to finish off the year, do it.
D. H. from St Louis, MO (12/29/2013) "Well run, looping marathon" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First off the RD was fantastic. He was very prompt to respond when I emailed him. Further, he offered reduced discount to athletes whose races had been cancelled (at other locations) due to the ice storm on 12/06. You could tell he loves the sport, and passes that love to the athletes. This is a looping course through a local neighborhood, with each loop being 1/8 of a marathon. Personally, I like looping courses because I don't mind the repetition. If you absolutely need variety, you'll probably not like this one. I found this race to be fun & extremely well organized. The volunteers were very helpful, and I was able to get a print out of my results from the scoring table after I crossed. The only con is that the medal, which is very nice, but does not differentiate between the half & the full. Not a big deal to me, but it is something I noticed. I would do this race again in a heartbeat. GOOD JOB!
B. B. from St louis (9/26/2013) "fun race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great race. small loop course that went by rather fast. as long as you can count to 8 your good to go. Some people did not do all the laps but the race director did a good job and weeding them out.
K. W. from Illinois (1/6/2013) "Poor" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 For the record I signed up for this race to try and qualify for Boston and I mistakenly was led to believe I had:( Wow! What a horrible race! I can't believe things were so unprofessional. A Really, really terrible tracking system and organization. I'd like to have my registration money refunded to me since according to your latest results I didn't really finish:(. It's a fiasco! Your racing system should be reported to Boston and whatever other officials approve of the races. Boston won' let you get away with this. So many people like me train way too hard for something like this to happen! I am sorry to keep emailing you back and forth like this...I did hear them announcing names, however when I supposedly thought for sure I still had three more laps to do and actually did cross the start mat they told me to turn around and come back...,the finish was straight...that is why I was confused.

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



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R. M. from Missouri, USA (1/15/2020) "Rough but glad I did it" (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was trying to get my last marathon of the year done and found this little gem right at the end of December. The only thing I wasn't looking forward to was that it is 8 loops. And as someone who is switching to trails, this was extra tough. The weather could have been bad considering location and date. But it wasn't that bad. The only thing being a slow runner is that my last 2 hours was almost all rain. Not heavy but enough. Actually, there was one street that was completely flooded (so I guess there was a little rain). Detour across someone's yard. But being a slow runner I was WAY at the back of the pack. No spectators at the end. There was course support until my last loop back so that was acceptable. But coming in to finish, the people working the race were very nice, accommodating, pretty awesome really. Would I do this one again? Probably not just because of the loops. Would I recommend this race? Definitely YES!
A. R. from Winchester, VA, USA (9/22/2018) "A Very Cold, But Very Memorable Marathon" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 One of the last marathons run in the calendar year, I did this race in 2017 to cross Missouri off my list for state marathons. Leading up to the race their was ample communication from the race organizers via Facebook and through email. They were also prompt to answer questions I had. Packet pickup was a breeze the day before. Parking race day morning was plentiful at Missouri State University (being the college is out for the winter break). In fact we parked very close to the start / finish line! The course itself is easy physically (very flat run around the University and local neighborhood), but challenging mentally in that you do 8 full loops for the marathon. While not like this every year, in 2017 it was freezing cold (18º with wind chills in the single digits), and that added to the challenge of the race. While there is little to no crowd support along the race route (again this could be due to how cold it was in 2017), there was great support at the aide stations though as they fought to keep the water / gatorade unfrozen and also provided plenty of other fuel. One of the best parts of the race that I will always remember was crossing the finish line and provided with a nice hot cup of chicken noodle soup in the post-race aide tent. Yum!
G. J. from Chicago, Illinois (12/30/2014) "Flat but challenging because of repeats" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 45th marathon. Exceptionally well organized and well run. I registered race day with ease. The volunteers and race directors all were welcoming and nice. Get this, there were at two volunteers at every single turn! They were so appreciative. I must have been thanked at a dozen times for running the race. There were no mile markers or clocks on the course, other than at the start and finish, which made sense because with the repeat laps it would have been way too confusing. The course is flat and fast. There was no incline over 30 feet, and even those were long and gradual. Great race to PR. It was cold with rain, sleet and, for a brief while, snow. By the end of the race there was strong hail. Yet, the volunteers and race organizers remained on the course. After completing the race, eating, recovering and while sitting in my car near the finish line, I noticed that each time a runner would near the finish line, the race director and volunteers would stop whatever they were doing and actually run to welcome them to the finish with generous applauds. It was 6 hours and 54 minutes after the start when I saw them welcome a runner to the finish-line. The runner, an older man who speed-walked the course, had the beaming smile of a champion, in part because they made him feel that way. It was great to watch. The 8 lap course was a big challenge. Generally at 20 or 21 miles I would feel a sense of near completion. Here, however, I still had two daunting laps to complete. That was hard. All-in-all, I likely will run this race again because I loved the commitment and sense of appreciation demonstrated by the wonderful people who put on the race. Great job!
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, Pa (1/28/2014) "Well organized, unique small race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I really liked this race. Full disclosure I need to say I prefer smaller, more intimate races. I feel like these races are more personal and you definitely get a more local feel. This race has only 100 plus in the full and 200 plus in the half. The course is very unique in that you run a 3.2 mile loop 8 times (4 for the half). I know many folks don't like this but I really do. You learn the course and know exactly where the aid stops are, where the turns are, etc. I think this allows runners to really guide their effort. I believe if a runner is going for a PR or BQ that this race would be a good place to try. The terrain is very flat. There are 2 false flat type of hills on the course but nothing major. My Garmin said there was 364 feet of climbing for the whole race so its pretty flat. The race begins 10:00am. I was not fond of that. I think it was done because its usually so cold for this race. This year we had ideal running temps in the 40's and 50's so the late start wasn't needed. Perhaps I'd feel differently about the late start if it was in the teens! There is one aid stop that we pass twice every lap. the volunteers are super enthusiastic and the station has water, sports drink and multiple kinds of gel. There's a packet pick-up at a local running store the day before but there's also a race day packet pick-up. You get a nice tech shirt and medal and post race there's a heated tent w/ traditional race food and pizza. If runners want to get one more race in before the new year and are game to something a little different I think this race is a good option!
A. R. from NW Arkansas (1/1/2014) "not as flat as advertised" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I don't think the loop course is for me. It was hard to run around the runners you were lapping, and having to make many turns slowed down your momentum. There were 8 loops and 2 good inclines every loop, so not exactly flat as advertised. The race was however very well organized and the voulteers were enthuziatic. Aid stations well stocked and long sleeve tech shirt was good quality. The race benefited a good cause. The race director gave us a discount from having our race cancel (Memphis and Dallas)from the ice storm. It offered packet pickup the same day which most marathons don't offer. Since I only live 2 hrs away, I didn't have to get a hotel room. I'd probably run the half if I did this race agian but not the full.
C. Y. from LA (12/30/2013) "Harder Mentally than Physically" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Pros: - Well organized and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers - Small and friendly - No additional vacation time required Cons: - Seeing all 26 mile markers every lap (x8) was discouraging and mind numbing. - 10am start screwed up my entire pre-race routine. I heard the reasons (temperature) but don't buy it. Sun was up at 7:25am; start should have been 8, 8:30 at the latest IMHO. - Open course with traffic and no police support at all. Volunteers at many of the intersections. - No notices to residents/drivers that there are runners on the road; no barricades; no cones to designate runner lanes. - 'Flat' is relative and debatable in this case. 400ft in elevation change x 8 made for a lot of hills for me. You do end where you start, but that's still hills to me. OVERALL: This was my first and will be my last multi-loop course. Maybe 2, but no more. I couldn't get into a good place mentally for reading all the mileage markers trying to find the ones for the lap I was on. If the scenery was beautiful (and this was no where near) it would still get old after seeing it 3-4 times.
j. w. from Spfld MO (12/30/2013) "Great small low key event with lots of support" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Run for the Ranch Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Low key event near the campus of Missouri State University. A loop course with large aide station with access twice per lap. Lots of local support, free race pics, porto johns just steps from the start, good food and refreshments after and nice finisher metal aswell. If you need one more to finish off the year, do it.
D. H. from St Louis, MO (12/29/2013) "Well run, looping marathon" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First off the RD was fantastic. He was very prompt to respond when I emailed him. Further, he offered reduced discount to athletes whose races had been cancelled (at other locations) due to the ice storm on 12/06. You could tell he loves the sport, and passes that love to the athletes. This is a looping course through a local neighborhood, with each loop being 1/8 of a marathon. Personally, I like looping courses because I don't mind the repetition. If you absolutely need variety, you'll probably not like this one. I found this race to be fun & extremely well organized. The volunteers were very helpful, and I was able to get a print out of my results from the scoring table after I crossed. The only con is that the medal, which is very nice, but does not differentiate between the half & the full. Not a big deal to me, but it is something I noticed. I would do this race again in a heartbeat. GOOD JOB!
B. B. from St louis (9/26/2013) "fun race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great race. small loop course that went by rather fast. as long as you can count to 8 your good to go. Some people did not do all the laps but the race director did a good job and weeding them out.
K. W. from Illinois (1/6/2013) "Poor" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Run for the Ranch Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 For the record I signed up for this race to try and qualify for Boston and I mistakenly was led to believe I had:( Wow! What a horrible race! I can't believe things were so unprofessional. A Really, really terrible tracking system and organization. I'd like to have my registration money refunded to me since according to your latest results I didn't really finish:(. It's a fiasco! Your racing system should be reported to Boston and whatever other officials approve of the races. Boston won' let you get away with this. So many people like me train way too hard for something like this to happen! I am sorry to keep emailing you back and forth like this...I did hear them announcing names, however when I supposedly thought for sure I still had three more laps to do and actually did cross the start mat they told me to turn around and come back...,the finish was straight...that is why I was confused.

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Marathon Details - Run for the Ranch Marathon