Inaugural Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon receives rave reviews on Facebook

The finish line and aid stations have been torn down from the Inaugrual Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon on Sunday, but evidence of the marathon still lingers.  A few GU packets and paper cups can still be found along the course and runners may still feel a little muscle soreness.  This is when marathoners rehash the weekend events and post comments and pictures on Facebook and other social networking sights. 

What did runners really think about the course and organization?  Almost every comment made was positive about the change in the course.  The Wichita marathon went from running thru the lonely miles of the Airforce Base to running thru neighborhoods packed with cheering people.  Paul Shimon wrote, “It was a huge success and great marathon to run a real showcase of the city.”

Some runners welcomed the change in terrain as they went from paved streets to sidewalks, to cobblestone to dirt during the course.  Others felt this slowed them down and they could not get in a groove.  Some also had trouble with the many tight turns along the course, but the overwhelming majority loved the new course and organization. 

Spectators thru the College Hill and Crown Heights areas were amazing with people out in their lawns and some having block parties cheering the runners on.  However, the Riverside area had very little spectator support particially due to the inaccessibility to the area during the marathon.

Some of the best praise for the event was for the finish line area with lots of food and activity and an announcer broadcasting runners as they came into the finish.

I was so proud of what took place. We looked like a real marathon city on Sunday. There was obviously a lot of hard work that went into the event. I believe it's the start of something great for Wichita.–Lacy Hansen
 

The inaugural Prairie Fire Marathon was won by first time marathoner Tim Marshal,26, of Wichita who didn’t sign up for the marathon until Friday when he read about Fernando Martinez in the Wichita Eagle.  Marshal finished in 2:42:26 after taking the lead at mile 17.  He was worried that he was going too fast, but felt like he was just jogging so he just kept on going all the way thru the finish line. 

Mark Mulholland of Westminster Colorado finished second with a time of 2:26:43 and Dann Fisher of Manhattan was third with a time of 2:52:51.

The complete mens race was posted in the Wichita Eagle.

In the women’s race, Kris Huff, 46, of Cordova Tennessee took an early lead and remained in the lead for the rest of the race finishing in 3:14:19.  More about Huff can be found in the Wichita Eagle.

April Gochenour, 31, of Rose Hill was in second place and running strong with Lacy Hansen, 29, of Wichita in third for the majority of the race.

Hansen knew that Gochenour was a strong runner and also a friend and didn’t expect to see Gochenour until the finish.

However, at mile 21, Hansen was able to see Gochenour for the first time since the beginning of the race at the switchback where Gochenour jokingly said, “Come get me”.  At this point Hansen didn’t think she could catch her friend, “I was so worn out I didn't think I stood a chance.”

By mile 23, Hansen had Gochenour in her sights and caught up to Gochenour.  Gochenour explained to Hansen that she had hit the wall at mile 16 and was just wanting to finish.

Hansen encouraged Gochenour by telling her "hang tough, you're almost done," and just hoped her own legs would carry her to the finish line as well.

Hansen finished strong in second place with a time of 3:19:51just 32 seconds shy of her personal record.  Gochenour held on for third with a time of 3:23:26.

The Prairie Fire Half Marathon winners were covered by the Wichita Eagle along with pictures and video.

For complete marathon, half marathon, and 5K results, click here.