Run For The Ranch Marathon Reviews

  A Very Cold, But Very Memorable Marathon

By Aaron Riddle about 2017

Review

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!

  Set a PR here!

By DBC about 2015

Review

I ran this in 2015 6 days after the Dallas Marathon (which sucked for me) and the weather was perfection. It was about 45 degrees the whole time, crisp and sunny. Our parking spot was literally 25 feet from the finish line. I loved the 8 loop course because it was super flat, you knew exactly where the aid station was, they got to know you and what you wanted and the on-course support was great!

Race Tips

You run under the timing area each lap and can see your time on the clock - helps you figure out if you are on pace, if you're trying for that! There is a short section in the middle where you see the other runners on course, so that was fun to "high five" and "good job" versus the boredom of never seeing anyone!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

My friend and I stayed at her sister's house in town. No traffic, parking is literally RIGHT THERE. 10 am start is great for a cold race. Highly recommend!

  

By JJM about 2015

Review

Good support, easy course.

Race Tips

8 laps, can be chilly.

  

By EMR about 2013

Review

I really like these smaller more intimate races. This is run by the Ozark Mtn Ridge Runners and my experience is races run by local running groups really get it! This race is 100 plus in the full and 200 plus in the half. The course is a 3.2 plus loop done 8 times (4 for the half). Many folks complained about this but I like it. You know exactly what to expect and when the aid stops appear. I think a runner attempting to run for a PR would do well with this set-up.

Race Tips

The loop is very flat. There are no hills but there are a few false flats. My garmin said I had 364 feet gained for the whole race. In 2013 we had ideal weather but usually runners can expect cold temps. The race begins at 10:00 to help with that. I'm not fond of the later starts but maybe I'd feel differently if it had been 20 degrees. There is one aid stop that we pass twice every lap and it has sports drink, gels and enthusiastic volunteers. After the race there's a heated tent w/ pizza and more traditional race food.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed @ the Holiday Inn express which was about 5 minutes from the race start. The loop begins and ends on the Missouri State campus and there's a large, super convenient parking lot. Runners can easily arrive under 30 minutes before the start. There is a race day packet pick-up.