Okanagan Marathon Reviews

  Flat PR course

By SD about 2017

Review

My husband and I came to this marathon for one reason- to PR and qualify for Boston. Mission accomplished!

The not so good: The course is a double loop with some sections of out and back, so is repetitive and somewhat boring. The miles along the lake are the best scenery but you do run on boardwalk and brick pavers that portion, which is harder than blacktop. The half marathoners also start 30 minutes after the marathon so we both ended up catching up to the slow runners on our 2nd lap and having to dodge/ pass them.

The good: The course is flat as a pancake, there are plenty of aid stations, and the weather is usually optimal for marathon performance. My husband ran a 2:54 here, which was a 9 minute PR from his 1st marathon and I ran a 3:37, a 16 minute PR from my first. We trained a lot harder but the course and weather really were near optimal to PR. Kelowna is very scenic and a great place to spend a weekend, too.

Race Tips

We stayed at the Grand Okanagan which was nice and less than half mile from the start/ finish which made it easy on marathon Sunday.

  

By SH about 2016

Review

Super flat course. Well organized. A lot of turns, and can get a bit congested for faster runners near the end due to overtaking half-marathon runners on the double-loop.

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

There are a few hotels right across the street from the start/finish, and the race is small (no corals) so logistically it's a breeze.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

Fast & flat course, ideal weather, pace bunnies.

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

Hotels within walking distance of start/finish. Marathon course (double loop & figure 8 shape with start/finish in the middle) allows spectators to see runners 4 times in the same place along the route.

  

By Anonymous about 2016