Print edition: 
After the runners finish their sports drink and begin to breath normally, it's time to talk.
That is the time for Prairie Fire Marathon organizers to listen. Last year's first edition of the marathon went well, according to Bob Hanson, president of the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. He expects Sunday's second run to be better.
At mid-week, Hanson estimated around 4,000 runners would participate in the marathon, half-marathon and other runs, up from 3,398 in 2010.
"We've listened to the runners," he said. "You'll never make them all happy, but you try to make some adjustments."
Hanson is now an experienced marathoner. He won't run on Sunday. His experience comes from organizing and promoting the races for a second year.
"I have a little better clue about what's going on," he said. "I had never been around a marathon until last year."
The most prominent upgrade — at least for those at the front of the pack — is $11,000 in prize money to be divided up among winners in all races. The marathon winners (male and female) earn $2,000. The winners of the half marathon earn $750. Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown is the prize sponsor.
"You're going to get more recognition from the elite regional runners," said Greg Klenda, a member of the race committee. "It's worse for old, slow guys like me."
Technical director Clark Ensz said runners around the area are more likely to put the Prairie Fire on the calendar if prize money is involved. The race, however, is not going to pay travel expenses for top runners.
"It's one more step," Ensz said. "People like to go to a race where there are good, quality runners in the event."
The addition of the prize money, and other sponsors, tell Klenda that the race is making a good impression as it evolves from the smaller scope of the Wichita Marathon.
"We were lucky to get 500 or 600 involved in the Wichita Marathon three or four years ago," Klenda said. "The Wichita community has recognized that this event is truly a community event."
Also new this year are names for each course — Pizza Hut (marathon), Taco Bell (half marathon) and Mayor's 5-kilometer (Fugate Enterprises).
None of the changes to the course are major. Organizers hope the upgrades will continue the race's progress in the hearts of runners and the community. Runners complained that last year's course contained too many turns. Some didn't like the changes in race conditions from pavement to brick streets.
Organizers eliminated many of the curves in the area of Rock Road and Polo Street around mile 10. Polo hooks up with Edgemoor Street to give runners almost two miles of direct route into the College Hill neighborhood, near the marathon's halfway point.
"In the first year, there were a lot of sharp turns," runner Winston Kenton said. "It's tough when you're on a steady pace running a marathon when you make a sudden change. Straight-aways are the preferred way."
Because of construction, Hanson said the race will avoid Old Town and its brick streets. When runners use Douglas, they will be allowed to run on the middle of the street instead of the outside lane, giving them more room. Hanson also said the new sponsorships allowed organizers to mark the routes better.
"The whole race is going to be very similar (to 2010)," Ensz said. "Last year's worked. If you're in the event business, you know you can't stay the same for very long at all. You're always looking at things you need to adjust."
Hanson also made some improvements for the spectators. He upped the number of bands (or disc jockeys) by two to 12 this year. He expects those music spots to be gathering places for the crowds.
"Then it becomes more of an event, more of a party atmosphere," Klenda said. "That's what runners want today. At the end of the day, what we all want it entertainment."
