My Profile

@bioprofsd

Mitchell, SD Raving since 2014 50 States hopeful/finisher, Marathon Maniacs #7665 Active 1 day, 14 hours ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    Marathon Maniacs, 50 States Marathon Club, 100 Marathon Club North America

  • Rave race:

    Divide 50K

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Notchview 100 mile run

  • I run because:

    It keeps me healthy and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

50 States Map
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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (20)

Race Distance Location Date Result
# of hrs = your age Manchester, TN Aug 31, 2017 105 mi
72 hr Glendale, AZ Dec 31, 2018 110 mi
55 hr Missouri City, TX Dec 30, 2017 104 mi
48 hr Eagle, ID May 20, 2021 102.86 mi
47 hr Williamson, WV Mar 12, 2021 102.5 mi
36 hr Lennox, SD Sep 3, 2022 64 mi
35 hr Williamson, WV Mar 10, 2018 39 mi
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 24, 2021 56 mi
15 hr Mt Vernon, OH Jun 19, 2021 33 mi
12 hr Manhattan, KS Aug 21, 2021 40 mi
9 hr 11 min Longmont, CO Sep 7, 2019 31 mi
9 hr Victor, NY Jun 12, 2021 30.6 mi
8 hr River Falls, WI Nov 8, 2014 36 mi
40 Miler Idaho Falls, ID Jun 27, 2020 10:22:12
50K Rockford, MN Apr 12, 2014 5:18:10
Marathon Yankton, SD Apr 27, 2013 3:42:50
30K Canton, SD Oct 28, 2017 4:22:29
Half Marathon Keizer, OR May 19, 2013 1:39:21
18K Lander, WY Jun 11, 2022 3:37:55
10K Fargo, ND Nov 23, 2017 54:09

Future Races (10)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
50K St. Regis, MT Jun 17, 2023
12 hr Corydon, IN Jul 1, 2023
24 hr Newmanstown, PA Aug 5, 2023
24 hr Lennox, SD Sep 2, 2023
12 hr Versailles, KY Sep 23, 2023
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 30, 2023
12 hr Dacula, GA Oct 28, 2023
Marathon Salina, KS Nov 4, 2023
100 Miler Phoenix, AZ Dec 31, 2023
50K Rogers, AR 2024

Past Races (193)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Casper, WY Jun 4, 2023 5:42:40
50K Laramie, WY May 28, 2023 8:35:03
Half Marathon Fargo, ND May 20, 2023 2:18:28
50K Susanville, CA May 13, 2023 10:20:28
48 hr Abilene, KS Apr 21, 2023 63.7 mi
24 hr Henderson, NV Mar 4, 2023 34.6 mi
50K Milton, FL Jan 15, 2023 9:25:04
12 hr Fort Mill, SC Nov 19, 2022 31 mi
24 hr Wichita, KS Nov 11, 2022 50.4 mi
12 hr Golden Valley, MN Oct 22, 2022 31 mi
24 hr Lapeer, MI Oct 8, 2022 34.1 mi
Half Marathon Mitchell, SD Oct 2, 2022 2:27:06
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 23, 2022 53.7 mi
36 hr Lennox, SD Sep 3, 2022 64 mi
Marathon Sioux Falls, SD Aug 28, 2022 5:43:51
Half Marathon Winona, MN Jul 23, 2022 4:06:49
Marathon Rice, MN Jul 16, 2022 7:44:38
12 hr Omaha, NE Jun 25, 2022 33 mi
18K Lander, WY Jun 11, 2022 3:37:55
24 hr Fairbanks, AK Jun 3, 2022 36 mi
Marathon Windsor, CO May 28, 2022 6:50:31
25K Houston, MS May 21, 2022 4:48:56
50K Aurora, IL Apr 23, 2022 7:33:30
50K Osawatomie, KS Apr 16, 2022 7:25:25
12 hr Decatur, AL Mar 5, 2022 35 mi
50K Tulsa, OK Jan 22, 2022 7:12:16
24 hr Dallas, TX Dec 4, 2021 51 mi
Marathon Hebron, NE Oct 23, 2021 5:37:47
50K Burns, TN Oct 9, 2021 11:32:11
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 24, 2021 56 mi
24 hr Lennox, SD Sep 4, 2021 54 mi
12 hr Manhattan, KS Aug 21, 2021 40 mi
12 hr St. Joseph, MO Jul 24, 2021 35.75 mi
25K Butte, MT Jul 10, 2021 3:51:00
Marathon Portland, OR Jul 4, 2021 5:17:34
15 hr Mt Vernon, OH Jun 19, 2021 33 mi
50K Springfield, VT Jun 14, 2021 8:12:20
9 hr Victor, NY Jun 12, 2021 30.6 mi
Marathon Viborg, SD Jun 6, 2021 6:00:45
48 hr Eagle, ID May 20, 2021 102.86 mi
30 Miler Luverne, MN May 15, 2021 8:30:28
50K Stillwater, OK Apr 10, 2021 8:52:38
50K Brighton, CO Apr 3, 2021 7:20:02
50K Ottawa, KS Mar 27, 2021 6:35:18
47 hr Williamson, WV Mar 12, 2021 102.5 mi
24 hr Moab, UT Oct 31, 2020 35.5 mi
50K Council Bluffs, IA Oct 24, 2020 6:51:17
Marathon Papillion, NE Oct 11, 2020 5:16:32
Marathon Gering, NE Sep 26, 2020 5:46:13
Marathon Brookings, SD Sep 12, 2020 4:57:46
50K Brainard, NE Sep 5, 2020 11:24:18
50K Ida Grove, IA Aug 8, 2020 11:40:01
24 hr Rapid City, SD Jul 17, 2020 34 mi
40 Miler Idaho Falls, ID Jun 27, 2020 10:22:12
24 hr Watford City, ND Jun 20, 2020 52 mi
48 hr Phoenix, AZ Jan 1, 2020
50K Crawfordville, FL Dec 14, 2019 6:54:26
24 hr Benton, AR Nov 29, 2019 40 mi
50K Las Cruces, NM Nov 2, 2019 24:00:00
24 hr Des Moines, IA Oct 26, 2019 49 mi
50K Susanville, CA Oct 13, 2019 6:49:42
12 hr Springstein, Canada Oct 5, 2019 34 mi
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 20, 2019 44 mi
9 hr 11 min Longmont, CO Sep 7, 2019 31 mi
12 hr Lennox, SD Sep 1, 2019 37 mi
50K Manchester, NH Jul 23, 2019 7:34:40
50K Woonsocket, RI Jul 21, 2019 8:03:06
50K Coon Rapids, IA Jul 7, 2019 9:38:47
50K Simsbury, CT Jun 24, 2019 7:31:53
50K Birdsboro, PA Jun 20, 2019 8:49:24
50K Bear, DE Jun 18, 2019 8:55:38
24 hr Regina, Canada Jun 1, 2019 47 mi
50K Renton, WA May 26, 2019 8:44:26
12 hr McCall, ID May 18, 2019 33 mi
12 hr Webster, NY May 11, 2019 35 mi
50K Ottawa, KS Mar 30, 2019 6:44:30
50K Ovett, MS Mar 2, 2019 7:51:00
50K Kisatchie National Forest, LA Feb 2, 2019 7:17:00
50K Kapaa, HI Jan 26, 2019 8:08:52
72 hr Glendale, AZ Dec 31, 2018 110 mi
50K Grand County, UT Nov 17, 2018 7:53:56
24 hr Lilington, NC Nov 3, 2018 40 mi
30K Canton, SD Oct 27, 2018 4:24:42
Half Marathon Rutland, IA Oct 20, 2018 2:12:40
Half Marathon Mitchell, SD Oct 14, 2018 2:04:16
50K Sterling, IL Oct 6, 2018 7:21:45
50K Sharpsburg, MD Sep 29, 2018 7:55:41
50K Centrahoma, OK Sep 1, 2018 9:52:57
24 hr Shelbyville, KY Aug 4, 2018 32 mi
12 hr Rochester Hills, MI Jul 28, 2018 32 mi
Marathon Sioux City, IA Jul 11, 2018 7:19:02
50K Breckenridge, MN Jul 8, 2018 9:05:09
50K Holyoke, MA Jun 27, 2018 7:13:38
50K Olympia, WA Jun 16, 2018 6:52:31
12 hr Fairbanks, AK Jun 2, 2018 37 mi
50K New Gloucester, ME May 26, 2018 8:07:54
12 hr Terre Haute, IN May 19, 2018 31 mi
50K Augusta, NJ May 17, 2018 8:14:24
Marathon Ottawa, KS Apr 21, 2018 5:23:35
12 hr Green Bay, VA Mar 31, 2018 34 mi
35 hr Williamson, WV Mar 10, 2018 39 mi
50K Moulton, AL Feb 10, 2018 8:28:51
55 hr Missouri City, TX Dec 30, 2017 104 mi
24 hr Spartanburg, SC Dec 9, 2017 34 mi
10K Fargo, ND Nov 23, 2017 54:09
50K Las Vegas, NV Nov 11, 2017 6:39:39
30K Canton, SD Oct 28, 2017 4:22:29
Marathon Mankato, MN Oct 22, 2017 4:56:25
12 hr Dayton, OH Oct 7, 2017 34 mi
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 22, 2017 33 mi
Marathon Sioux Falls, SD Sep 10, 2017 6:21:09
# of hrs = your age Manchester, TN Aug 31, 2017 105 mi
50K Hot Springs, SD Aug 19, 2017 7:20:13
Marathon Hisega, SD Aug 5, 2017 8:06:00
50K Saint Joseph, MO Jul 22, 2017
Marathon South Sioux City, NE Jul 20, 2017
Marathon Baltic, SD Jul 18, 2017
Marathon Frenchtown, MT Jul 9, 2017 5:27:46
Marathon Tigard, OR Jul 3, 2017 6:27:47
Half Marathon Astoria, OR Jul 1, 2017 2:45:53
Marathon Kailua-Kona, HI Jun 25, 2017 6:13:32
50K St. Regis, MT Jun 10, 2017 7:08:57
Marathon Valentine, NE Jun 3, 2017 5:43:36
50K Van Meter, IA May 27, 2017 7:35:39
Marathon Holdingford, MN May 13, 2017 5:20:42
Marathon Yankton, SD Apr 22, 2017 4:57:12
Marathon Abilene, KS Apr 8, 2017 5:12:36
50K Macleod, ND Mar 18, 2017 6:54:00
11 hr Lithia Springs, GA Mar 5, 2017 32 mi
Marathon Piedmont, AL Feb 26, 2017 4:50:55
Marathon Northfield, MN Jan 8, 2017 5:36:21
Marathon Norwalk, WI Nov 6, 2016 5:23:57
Marathon Dover, DE Oct 22, 2016 4:56:44
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 16, 2016 5:26:48
Marathon Schenectady, NY Oct 9, 2016 4:54:14
Marathon Mandan, ND Oct 1, 2016 6:56:17
Marathon Sioux Falls, SD Sep 11, 2016 5:17:52
Marathon Juneau, AK Jul 30, 2016 5:27:36
50K Ashland, OR Jul 23, 2016 9:04:05
Marathon Vernonia, OR Jul 16, 2016 5:24:39
50K Maupin, OR Jul 9, 2016 7:21:08
Marathon Portland, OR Jul 4, 2016 4:53:31
Marathon South Williamson, KY Jun 11, 2016 5:45:56
Marathon Roanoke, VA Jun 5, 2016 6:35:05
Marathon Waterbury, CT May 30, 2016 6:56:23
Marathon Great Barrington, MA May 29, 2016
50K Coventry, RI May 19, 2016 8:13:32
50K Springfield, VT May 17, 2016 8:01:09
Marathon Greenfield, NH May 16, 2016
Marathon Wells, ME May 15, 2016 4:56:31
Marathon Toledo, OH Apr 24, 2016 4:36:25
Marathon Wamego, KS Mar 26, 2016 4:32:45
Marathon Cape May, NJ Mar 20, 2016 4:50:09
Marathon Jackson, MS Jan 9, 2016 4:58:06
50K Fountain Hils, AZ Dec 5, 2015 7:59:05
Marathon Seattle, WA Nov 26, 2015 4:38:50
Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 22, 2015 4:42:30
Marathon Nashville, TN Nov 14, 2015 4:26:41
8 hr River Falls, WI Nov 7, 2015 28 mi
Marathon Raleigh, NC Nov 1, 2015 5:19:51
Marathon Greenville, SC Oct 31, 2015 4:47:02
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 18, 2015 4:49:039
Marathon Kansas City, MO Oct 17, 2015 4:58:01
Marathon Roscoe, IL Oct 10, 2015
Marathon Cumberland, MD Sep 27, 2015
Marathon Keyser, WV Sep 26, 2015 4:57:21
Marathon Boulder, CO Sep 19, 2015 4:50:46
12 hr Reading, PA Sep 6, 2015 31 km
Marathon Indianapolis, IN Aug 1, 2015 6:55:18
50K Hot Springs, AR Jul 25, 2015 8:32:10
Marathon Lamoille, NV Jun 20, 2015 4:46:15
Marathon Wallsburg, UT Jun 13, 2015 4:36:06
50K Fish Camp, CA Jun 6, 2015 6:44:46
Marathon Boise, ID May 30, 2015 4:53:43
50K Los Alamos, NM May 23, 2015 11:17:10
Marathon Fargo, ND May 9, 2015 4:260:23
Marathon Brookings, SD May 2, 2015 4:53:54
50K Jacksonville, FL Apr 5, 2015 6:52:30
Marathon Savannah, GA Apr 4, 2015 4:55:49
Marathon Lincoln, NE Mar 14, 2015 5:38:39
Marathon Lafayette, LA Mar 8, 2015 4:47:00
Marathon Beaumont, TX Mar 7, 2015
50K Kansas City, KS Feb 14, 2015 7:56:12
Marathon Northfield, MN Jan 11, 2015
8 hr River Falls, WI Nov 8, 2014 36 mi
Marathon Wakefield, MI Sep 13, 2014 4:37:50
50K Gunnison, CO May 17, 2014 8:24:20
50K Rockford, MN Apr 12, 2014 5:18:10
50K Omaha, NE Oct 27, 2013 6:05:50
50K Sundance, WY Sep 28, 2013 7:57:04
Marathon Deadwood, SD Jun 2, 2013 4:19:50
Half Marathon Keizer, OR May 19, 2013 1:39:21
Marathon Yankton, SD Apr 27, 2013 3:42:50

My Raves

The race started at the Ford Event Center, so we could stay inside out of the wind and elements before the start. The first part of the course consisted of … MORE

The race started at the Ford Event Center, so we could stay inside out of the wind and elements before the start. The first part of the course consisted of a loop of about 4 miles that had a couple of moderate hills. It then went downhill to the town at which the rest of the course was relatively flat except for one small hill. Most of the course is at an elevation of about 5100 feet, which didn’t bother this slow runner much. I’m guessing that about 2/3 of the full marathon course is on concrete paths along the North Platte River. That was the most scenic part of the course, and I saw White Pelicans, Gulls, an Egret, and Canada Geese along the river. I would say the course would. be easy for someone used to the altitude. Course markings consisted of arrows painted on the pavement and the only signs were for the mile markers and lists of sponsors. At a couple of places, it would have helped to have signs at the turns. At one point, I was almost misdirected by a volunteer when the half marathon course split off from the full marathon course. Fortunately, I questioned the direction and he pointed me in the right direction. If I hadn’t been paying attention, I could have followed the half marathon runners. The swag was good, and they were giving away leftover shirts from previous years. The shirt for this year was a one-quarter zip long-sleeved technical shirt. The medal was nicely designed and mentioned that this was the 20th anniversary race. I also scored two different-sized zippered duffle bag with the race logo on it for a total of $25 to replace my worn out one. There was a pasta feed at the packet pickup for $15, and Chuck Engel, the Marathon Junkie, did an inspirational talk to all who were present. A coupon for a free beer was also given at the packet pickup, and there was a free beer, lunch, and a live band at the finish. All in all, it was a very good value for the registration fee that was charged.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is one of the hardest 50Ks that I've run, right up there with the Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail Run 50K. The scenery along most of the course is … MORE

This is one of the hardest 50Ks that I’ve run, right up there with the Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail Run 50K. The scenery along most of the course is worth it though. I say most, because there was a 4-mile stretch where the road that we ran on for the out and back served as a service road for I-80. It was along one of the higher points of the course, so there was more wind there and a lot of traffic noise. The rest of the course was beautiful and wound through the Medicine Bow National Forest, including the Vedauwoo climbing area that had unusual granite outcrops and rock formations that some people call “hoodoos.” There were four major hills along the 50K course, the last of which made me want to quit. I stuck it out though, and I’m glad i did, as the last hill turned out to be slightly easier than I thought it was going to be at the 8,000 foot plus altitude. There was a 9 hour time limit for the 50K, which was the same amount of time given for the marathon runners, but I made it with 35 minutes to spare. For the marathon, 9 hours is plenty of time, even for us flatlanders. The 50K runners were given a long-sleeved cotton shirt at the packet pickup and were presented with a nicely detailed belt buckle at the finish. The volunteers were very friendly and supportive; however, not all of the aid stations had hydration with electrolytes made up ahead of time. They did have a powder drink mix that they could mix up, but that took a little longer and it was hard to get the powder to dissolve in a smaller water bottle like the ones I had in my hydration vest. I finished dead last, but I am happy with that given that I was doubting whether I could finish for about 6 of the last 10 miles. Incidentally, the marathon is rated as one of the top 10 most difficult marathons by one of this website’s lists.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5
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The Fargo Marathon is always well organized, and this one was no exception. I've run the full marathon twice before, but this was the first time running the half. The … MORE

The Fargo Marathon is always well organized, and this one was no exception. I’ve run the full marathon twice before, but this was the first time running the half. The course runs south of the Fargodome, then zigzags a little at the southern end of the course before heading back north to the Fargodome. You can see the Fargodome for about a half a mile from the finish, but it is deceptive because you have to circle around it to get to the entrance where the finish is located. The course mainly goes through residential areas, and the residents come out to cheer and set up impromptu aid stations, including one that was serving mimosas. The swag was nice. This year the marathon and half marathon runners received a hoodie. The one disappointment this year was that the post-race party was canceled without telling any of the runners. I heard some were hanging around waiting for the free beer, but none of the volunteers knew that it was canceled. This is something they need to fix for next year. The weather was really pleasant this year and the Fargo Marathon races always make for a fast race.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was the second race that I've done near Susanville, the first one being the Bizz Johnson 50K, which was mostly downhill and was a fast course. The Paiute Meadows … MORE

This was the second race that I’ve done near Susanville, the first one being the Bizz Johnson 50K, which was mostly downhill and was a fast course. The Paiute Meadows Trail Run is run mainly in the hills surrounding Paiute Meadows, except for one long out and back in the first part of the course. Most of the steeper parts are in the second half of the course, and the hills wiped me out. I was reduced to a crawl going up the two last climbs. The views of the valley and wildflowers were beautiful though, but it was tough going getting up there. There were a lot of switchbacks, which helped, but some of the climbs were long, especially in the afternoon when the temperatures started to climb into the mid-70s. There were scattered rocks on the trails, so you had to pay attention to avoid tripping. There were plenty of aid stations staffed by helpful volunteers. The sweepers ended up catching up to me with about 6 miles to go, but they were very supportive and allowed me to take as much time as needed to get to the finish line. It seemed like the race director and volunteers wanted to see everyone finish as much as the runners did. All in all, I have never felt so much support from a race.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5
My Media

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The Earth Day Buckle Mania Endurance Run was directed by veteran ultrarunner Will Sprouse and his wife, Carrie. It was immediately apparent that they had participated in many long ultramarathons, … MORE

The Earth Day Buckle Mania Endurance Run was directed by veteran ultrarunner Will Sprouse and his wife, Carrie. It was immediately apparent that they had participated in many long ultramarathons, as they thought of everything. They had “real food” available around the clock, heated indoor sleeping areas with cots (free for runners), and several photographers that were on the course after the start of the 12, 24, and 48 hour races. The entry fee included a sythetic short-sleeved shirts and well-designed belt buckles for each and every mileage milestone, including 50K, 50 mile, 100k, 100 miles, and 150 miles, which a couple of runners reached. Thus, if you finished 100 miles, you received the 50K, 50 mile, 100K, and 100 mile buckles. All of the runners seemed very friendly and humble, even the podium finishers. The weather was great this year, the course was easy to follow, and very, very flat. I generally don’t like to run races more than once, but this just may be one that I will want to return to in the future.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
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The Jackpot Ultras is organized and managed by Aravaipa Running, which puts on some of the most well organized and popular races. If they are the race organizer, you know … MORE

The Jackpot Ultras is organized and managed by Aravaipa Running, which puts on some of the most well organized and popular races. If they are the race organizer, you know it will be a good one. This race was on a 2.31 mile u-shaped out and back around the lake at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, NV. As an urban ultra, this one was fairly scenic with mountains on the horizon and a picturesque lake in the middle of the course. I enjoyed watching the ducks and geese that were swimming in the lake, and watching the other runners and members of the public walking their dogs. The one thing I didn’t care for much was the hard running surface which was hard on my feet and joints. The wind was also strong along the back stretch, but you can’t blame the race organizers for the weather. The course was down in a low spot, but that didn’t prevent the wind from gusting on part of the course. As usual, the aid station and support was phenomenal, along with live entertainment and nice swag.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
My Media

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This course is very flat, but don't let the elevation profile fool you. The narrow single track trail zig-zags in tight turns with roots hiding in the leaves at what … MORE

This course is very flat, but don’t let the elevation profile fool you. The narrow single track trail zig-zags in tight turns with roots hiding in the leaves at what seemed like every corner. There were a few low banks where you had to step up, but otherwise no perceptible hills. Much of the course was in densely vegetated wood, but it opened up in a couple of sections, including one short stretch on a beach with loose sand along Big Coldwater Creek. I’m not familiar with the vegetation, but there was typical Florida plants including Palmettos, Pine trees, and Cyprus in wetter areas. The short, 4-mile loop course is nice in that you are always close to the aid station which is indoors and had flush toilets. The race was chip timed, and laps were published online in real time on the timing companies website. Overall, the race went smoothly without any hitches. I would recommend this race if you enjoy running single track trails on loop courses.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2
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I thoroughly enjoyed this race through the Anne Springs Close (ASC) Greenway and around Lake Haigler. Yes, it did have some hills, some of which I would classified as medium … MORE

I thoroughly enjoyed this race through the Anne Springs Close (ASC) Greenway and around Lake Haigler. Yes, it did have some hills, some of which I would classified as medium difficulty, but none of them were very long or very steep. For the first few loops, I kept telling myself that it wasn’t bad, but knew in my heart that they would eventually add up and get to me. None-the-less, the scenery of the late fall trees and the lake kept me distracted. However, it seemed like almost every time I looked up at the views, I immediately would trip on a root. This became more common as it got dark, and I started fearing that I might eventually fall, so I cut my run short of the full 12 hours. I still managed to complete a 50K and earned the owl pin that they gave out to everyone who completed that distance. The one main aid station had a good variety of hot food including grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. They also had a taco bar complete with chicken, pork, and ground beef, and two free beers for all runners. The shirt was a light-weight, long-sleeved hoody shirt. The weather this year was cool and crisp, but I did not feel a need to put on running pants after dark. It was kind of a fun course, with some challenge, but not so much as to wipe you out. The race venue was close to the Charlotte Douglas Airport and there were plenty of motels close by. Overall, I would give the race a grade of an A.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2
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I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend at the KUS 6/12/24 hour run. The trails were wide, well-groomed, and fairly flat. It would be a good course to go for a distance … MORE

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend at the KUS 6/12/24 hour run. The trails were wide, well-groomed, and fairly flat. It would be a good course to go for a distance PR. The volunteers and race volunteers were very friendly and learned my name fairly quickly. The aid station was the best that I’ve seen all year, with at least six crock pots full of hot food and other real food available by request such as ham and cheese sandwiches. They also had a couple of different soups, quesidillas, and pancakes and bacon for breakfast. They also had pre-packaged danish and cookies. About half of the course was sheltered from the wind by trees, but the other half was open. Fortunately for me, the weather cooperated, although it was crisp and clear. The one main aid station was inside a large recreation complex, complete with tables and chairs where one could get out of the cold and rest. There was also a masseuse on hand the whole 24 hours of the race whose services were provided for free with a sign that said tips were appreciated. The race was chip timed and everyone who finished at least 31 miles received a heavy cast bronze belt buckle.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
My Media

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This race was held at a golden time of the year when the fall colors are at their peak. The course is along single track mountain bike trails, which can … MORE

This race was held at a golden time of the year when the fall colors are at their peak. The course is along single track mountain bike trails, which can be hard on the feet due to the hard packed dirt. The course is far from flat with a total elevation gain of 420 feet per 5 mile loop. There are a lot of switchbacks, which can make progress back to the start/finish area show, but they also ameliorate the hills. With the exception of one particularly steep, but short hill, the uphill sections were very manageable, but eventually took their toll on this flatlander. The venue is nice in that there is a large building with indoor restrooms, a restaurant which wasn’t needed due to the well-supplied aid station, and a large lounge area where support and family members could get out of the cold in the morning. Door prizes were randomly awarded as runners crossed the start/finish line throughout the race, and most of the 12-hour runners had to option of receiving a nice picnic blanket or a discount for next year’s race. There was no medal, but the blanket was a much better deal.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4
My Media

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend at the Bear Lake Ultra 24 hour run. It was held at the Lions Bear Lake Camp north of Lapeer, MI. The start/finish line and … MORE

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend at the Bear Lake Ultra 24 hour run. It was held at the Lions Bear Lake Camp north of Lapeer, MI. The start/finish line and main aid station was located at the top of a hill that rises about 95 feet from the lower part of the camp. Most of the rest of the 3.1 mile loop course was rolling hills with a few steep, but short climbs. Altogether, my GPS watch recorded an average of 94 feet elevation gain per mile. That qualifies as a hilly course in my book, but the hills were manageable. At no point in the day did I feel totally wiped out when I got to the top of the last hill, which was the longest one. Most of the trails were double wide and smooth, but there were a few single track trails that had a few small roots, but they were well marked with orange spray paint. The trees were beautiful with their fall colors and the air was clear and cool which made for excellent running conditions. The aid station was well supplied with the usual ultra food and drink selections, although some of the portion sizes were rather small (not a big problem because you can always take more than one at a time). Later in the afternoon, they put out cheese and pepperoni pizza and I also saw some kind of hot soup that was served. I got a glimpse of what was probably a deer running through the brush, but I didn’t get a good look at it. I also saw a fox squirrel, a cottontail, and a water snake. The swag included a nice heavyweight hoodie with the race name and logo, and a nice basket that you could use to carry all of your race supplies. The runners, volunteers and race management was very friendly and encouraged us to ask if we needed anything. I had a great time and would consider returning again if I ever need another race in Michigan.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5
My Media

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This is a small-town marathon that does a very nice job of organizing and running a fall half marathon. The medals are very nice and usually feature the namesake Corn … MORE

This is a small-town marathon that does a very nice job of organizing and running a fall half marathon. The medals are very nice and usually feature the namesake Corn Palace. Bananas, bottled water, and chocolate milk were supplied at the finish. The weather was overcast this year, but the rain held off which made for nice running weather. The trees were turning shades of red and yellow around Lake Mitchell which made for scenic views. The course is fairly flat and is a fast course.

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This year I was really impressed with the course improvements that were made. There were some stretches in the woods where there were low spots that would puddle water when … MORE

This year I was really impressed with the course improvements that were made. There were some stretches in the woods where there were low spots that would puddle water when it rains and that would get muddy. This year, however, the county that manages the park put down some hard-packed gravel in the problem areas that made it less slippery and easier to run, even in the rain.

The race committee continues to put on a very well-supported event with a lot of food, a generous post-race awards ceremony with a taco bar and a lot of door prizes. Runners that reach an accumulation of 100 miles are still given free sweatshirts and a hundred mile patch, and those who reach 200, 300, or 400 cumulative miles get additional patches. I haven’t sat down and figured out the average mileage for this year, but with the course improvements, I would guess that it was much higher than last year. I don’t know if they had it last year, but they also had chip timing this year as well as volunteers counting laps as a back up.

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5
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This is a small, low-key race on a couple's organic vegetable farm. I have ran it four times, and it seems like it keeps getting better year after year. This … MORE

This is a small, low-key race on a couple’s organic vegetable farm. I have ran it four times, and it seems like it keeps getting better year after year. This year, a wooden bridge over the creek washed out earlier in the year, and they just built a bridge out of dirt to cross the creek. I actually liked this arrangement better as you didn’t have to step up onto the bridge. Instead, you could just run across. Grass has also grown on the trail, so instead of soft dirt that can turn to mud when it rains, there is a layer of short grass to run on. There is still one part of the trail that runs along a slope, so the trail is slanted to the left, but it is only a short stretch that doesn’t take long to cross. Basically though, the whole trail is runnable, even for slower runners like me. The farm has a lot of fun animals to watch, including T-bone the miniature steer, Wierd Harold the pig, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and Pearl, the tame whitetail doe who sometimes runs with the runners. The race directors are really nice and accommodating as are all of the runners. They have a really nice aid station with “real food” and a variety of beverages to drink including beer. All in all, it makes for a fun weekend.

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2
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5
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This was the fourth time I've run the Sioux Falls Marathon. For the last few years, I've been running mostly ultramarathons and only one or two marathons a year. The … MORE

This was the fourth time I’ve run the Sioux Falls Marathon. For the last few years, I’ve been running mostly ultramarathons and only one or two marathons a year. The only reason I did this one is that it is close to where I live, so travel time is short and I don’t have to spend money on a motel. If it was further away from me, I probably wouldn’t do it as often. There is only one short stretch that is scenic, which is near the falls. Much of it is along urban bike trails and the last 10 miles or so is along the Big Sioux River with no shade. This race is know for being very hot and humid some years, but this year we were lucky as there was plenty of cloud cover for the first 4 hours. The race was well organized and volunteers were plentiful and enthusiastic. I was a little disappointed in the swag though. The finisher’s medal was a rather smallish, plain medal in the shape of the state of South Dakota, and the shirts were very thin “t-shirt” hoodies. They had soft granola bars, bananas, ice cream bars, and beer from a local brewery. We started and finished at Howard Wood Field this year, rather than starting inside the arena. I actually kind of liked it better as it didn’t seem as crowded.

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2
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5
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2
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2

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This course was run on a loop of approximately 6.4 miles. There were two long, steep, steep hills with about 400 feet elevation gain each per loop. Combine that with … MORE

This course was run on a loop of approximately 6.4 miles. There were two long, steep, steep hills with about 400 feet elevation gain each per loop. Combine that with July heat and humidity and you have yourself a real challenge. To give you an idea, there were 16 runners signed up for the marathon, and only 9 completed all 4 loops. Granted, the race directors allowed runners to drop down to a shorter distance should they choose, and quite a few chose to do it. The trails were very pretty with a lot of wildflowers in the meadows, and were marked so well that you would have to really try to go off course. There was plenty of food for sale afterwards, but it was kind of pricey. The race was really well organized with encouraging and dedicated volunteers. I registered too late to get a shirt, and all finishers were given a cow bell as a finisher’s award. All in all, it was a very nice race, but not for flatlanders.

DIFFICULTY
5
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5
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4
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2
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This race was one of the races in the Mainly Marathon's Summer Camp series. Unlike their other series where you can run a race in different states on consecutive days, … MORE

This race was one of the races in the Mainly Marathon’s Summer Camp series. Unlike their other series where you can run a race in different states on consecutive days, all of the races in this series were near St. Cloud, MN, the hometown of the Mainly Mararthon’s owners.

This particular race was at Bend in the River Regional Park which is located near the Mississippi River. The park is an old farmstead, complete with farm buildings near the start, and was all on gravel and dirt roads. After we made a loop around the parking area, we headed out on a gravel road that paralleled the main highway and the river. The first half of the out and back course had a few patches of shade, but was mostly out in the open. The second half was heavily shaded and had three different overlooks were there were benches with concrete block retaining walls where you could see the Mississippi River. It did get pretty hot in the second half of the marathon, but nothing that couldn’t be managed by slowing down and staying well hydrated. The restrooms near the start/finish area had sinks with running water, and I stopped there a few times in the afternoon to douse myself with water.

The bling for Mainly Marathons keeps getting better and better. I especially liked the cotton t-shirts which had a well-designed summer camp logo and the medals were very nice too.

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5
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Yes, this was one tough course with a little over 100 feet of elevation gain per mile. For the third year in a row, the G.O.A.T.z. trail running club move … MORE

Yes, this was one tough course with a little over 100 feet of elevation gain per mile. For the third year in a row, the G.O.A.T.z. trail running club move the course to another location. This time it was at the Chalco Hills Recreation Area southwest of Omaha in the Chalco suburb. Just to give you an idea, we started out by going up a sledding hill that was almost as much elevation gain as a short bunny skiing slope. Right after that, we went down a long, gradual downhill through a row of trees for about a half a mile. That was the easiest part of the course, but all runners know that whatever goes down, must go back up again. We then took a hairpin turn onto an exposed power line with some really big rolling hills that were mostly uphill for about another half of a mile. After that, there were more hills, but not as long or as steep as in the first mile. There weren’t any really scenic vistas as we were in a suburb of Omaha, and there wasn’t much in the way of wildlife, although I did see white-tailed deer on the trail right in front of me that was standing in the sunlight and looked beautiful. I also heard a lot of birds singing along the trail, but didn’t see many of them except for a pair of Northern Cardinals. The swag was really nice as is usually the case with the G.O.A.T.z. trail running club. We received a nicely colored cotton t-shirt, a wooden finisher’s award for those who stayed out on the course for the full time, and a very nice looking trucker’s cap. The main aid station was well supplied, although I didn’t rely much on solid food for this one, but instead relied on a combination of Maurten sports drink, Tailwind, Coca cola, and Powerade.

DIFFICULTY
4
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5
My Report
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2
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4

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Sinks Canyon is named for a geological feature in which the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River dives under a granite escarpment and disappears, only to reappear just a … MORE

Sinks Canyon is named for a geological feature in which the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River dives under a granite escarpment and disappears, only to reappear just a short distance down the canyon. The race began just a few miles upstream of this feature and was held mainly on single track trails. The trail started out easily enough, even though the start was above 7,000 feet elevation. It followed the river downstream for about a mile before turning around and gradually ascended along the side of the canyon wall. Once we got to the first aid station, the course continued uphill until we came to a road which ascended along the side of fossil hill, which is one of the highest points in the area. I’m not sure, but I think we had to divert this year to run along the road which was a gradual uphill climb. We then turned onto the Wolf Trail, which was an old jeep trail that went straight uphill. This was the toughest part of the 18K course as it was very steep 1 mile climb to near the top of Fossil Hill where the second aid station was located. I had to stop about every 50 yards to catch my breath and to keep my heart from beating out of my chest. From the aid station near the top of Fossil Hill, we went around the backside of the ridge on single track trails and then followed the top of the ridge down towards the bottom of the canyon. After we crossed over at a pass in the canyon wall, we then followed the trail back downhill to the start. There were wildflowers growing everywhere including Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Wyoming Paintbrush, Lupines, Penstemon, and many others. The only wildlife that I saw were red squirrels, but there are mule deer and even moose that are known to inhabit the canyon. The course was very challenging with close to 2,000 total feet of elevation gain in 11 miles, which is why I didn’t choose the longer 50K course this time which had over 6,000 feet elevation gain. The steep climbs were worth it though for the scenic views and beautiful flora along the trail. Swag was minimal, and included only a technical shirt and a pint glass at the finish line, but there were delicious gourmet wraps at the finish, which made up for the lack of a finisher’s medal.

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4
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5
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The Alaska Endurance Trail Run is held on the wide, unpaved cross country ski trails adjacent to the University of Alaska Campus. The trails are varied: mostly dirt, some of … MORE

The Alaska Endurance Trail Run is held on the wide, unpaved cross country ski trails adjacent to the University of Alaska Campus. The trails are varied: mostly dirt, some of which is covered with wood chips, as well as grassy fields with wet spots. In fact, there are quite a few soggy places which makes keeping one’s feet dry almost impossible. The only wildlife that I saw on the trail were red squirrels, although I did see some moose sign. It was interesting to run through the night when the sun did drop below the horizon for a couple of hours, but it never really got dark. In fact, I didn’t need a headlamp at any time. There were no finisher medals, but running in Alaska is enough reward in itself.

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3

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I signed up for this race because I knew that I would be traveling through the area on the weekend of it. I'm glad I did, because it was a … MORE

I signed up for this race because I knew that I would be traveling through the area on the weekend of it. I’m glad I did, because it was a very laid back, small race. The course was on the concrete bike paths of the Poudre River Trail. The start was near where the Cache la Poudre River crossed highway 34 near Windsor, CO and extended to Island Grove in Greeley, CO and then back again to the start. The course was about as flat as you could get, with no major hills. Most of the course was along the riparian areas of the Poudre River and passed by farmland with cattle and even one area with prairie dogs. Along the back half, the course bordered several water-filled ponds formed from mining activity. The scenery wasn’t anything to write home about, but the excellent race organization made up for the shortfalls in scenic vistas. Swag included a technical running shirt, a finisher’s medal, and food and beer at the finish. Hydration on the course included unflavored Tailwind, water, and Coca cola at some of the aid stations. What impressed me the most was that the race director had to make a mid-race detour along the course due to downed power lines from a storm the night before. She did this seamlessly, and even got volunteers out on the detour to direct us along with an aid station. This added an extra mile to the course, but at least we were able to finish our race.

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1
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5
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4
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On May 21, 2022, I ran the spring edition of the Witch Dance Trail Run in the Tombigbee National Forest near Houston, MS, but it didn't go the way I … MORE

On May 21, 2022, I ran the spring edition of the Witch Dance Trail Run in the Tombigbee National Forest near Houston, MS, but it didn’t go the way I had planned. I had a couple of problems that messed with my head going into the run which was causing some unnecessary anxiety, the foremost of which was that I hurt my lower back on the Monday before the race while bending over to fill my lawnmower with gas (damn you household chores!). The second and third were the hills for which I hadn’t trained, compounded by not running since I hurt my back, and the heat and humidity which I wasn’t prepared for.
I had signed up for the 50K which had a soft 8-hour cutoff. The race director said that if we were through the last full-service aid station within 8-hours, we could continue to the finish. The course was a 12.5 km loop on an equine trail. The first loop went well, but by the end I knew that I would not be able to keep up the pace because of the heat and humidity. I did the calculations in my head, and figured that it would take me at least 9 + hours to finish, which would have most-likely given me an official finish time. If I did that though, I would be hard-pressed to get my rental car back in time to avoid having to pay for another day’s rental charge, which I didn’t want to do. Besides, if I finished the 4 loops, I would have been so wiped out that I would not be able to drive back to the airport in Memphis safely by myself. Thus, by the end of the first loop, I had already decided to ask the race director if I could drop to the 25K distance, which he agreed to do.
Knowing that I only was going to do one more loop, I admittedly took my time so as not to succumb to the MS heat and humidity. It took me almost 5 hours to finish the 50K, but I was in good shape to do the 2.5 hour drive back to the airport. I know that given enough time, I could have finished the 50K, but I would have been miserable and most likely not have returned my rental car in time. I was, however, not the only runner to drop to the 25K. There were 15 people signed up for the 50K, and only 6 finished. Even the locals who were used to the heat complained that it was too hot.
The race director did give me a medal, which did not have a distance on it like the others. When I looked at it, I was worried that TSA wouldn’t allow it in my carry on bag because it was a cutout of a witches head, and the brim of the had had sharp points on it, so I took it out of my bag before going through security and put it in one of the plastic bins. Apparently, they must have confiscated it because when I picked up my items after they were scanned, it wasn’t there, or else I just missed picking it up because it wasn’t in my bag when I got home. I was still worth it and I’m glad I did it for the experience..
Sorry for the long-winded pity party. I’ll post a picture of a tree that I thought went along with the name of the trail for which the race was named (pun unintended).
P.S. My back didn’t bother me much during the run, but probably slowed me down a little and it is a little sore today.

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This race was put on as a fundraiser for Rover Rescue, a decentralized organization that fosters dogs that are available for adoption. The race was run on a 1.55 mile … MORE

This race was put on as a fundraiser for Rover Rescue, a decentralized organization that fosters dogs that are available for adoption. The race was run on a 1.55 mile loop that we ran 20 times around the scenic Waubonsie Lake Park in Aurora, IL. The area appeared to be a clean, upscale suburb of Chicago. It was an open course, so there were a lot of people walking and running on the path, some with their dogs, but it never felt crowded. There were plenty of people to watch as we ran, so it never seemed boring. It was a small race, so I spent most of the first half running by myself, but ended up running with a couple of other runners in the second half after most of the runners in the shorter races had finished. The swag included a hat, which did not arrive in time for the race, but the race director said that they would be mailed out. The 50K finishers were also given a small, but colorful belt buckle as a finisher award. There was water, HEED, Coca-cola, and Ginger ale provided for hydration, and snack-type food such as cookies and mini muffins for nutrition. It would have been nice to have some peanut butter and jelly sandwichs or wraps, but it wasn’t bad for a small race. The nice thing is that we went by the aid station every 1.55 miles. I had to be careful not to spend too much time at the aid station, as there was an 8.5 hour cutoff which I easily met by almost an hour. The trail was paved and was flat and fast with just slight undulations. Garmin Connect said that there was only 125 feet of elevation gain over the 31 miles, so it is a very fast course. There was one short stretch of maybe 200 yards with dense shade, otherwise it was fairly open which wasn’t a problem with this spring ultra.

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This was not only the inaugural running of the Mile 0 Flint Hills Trail Run, but was the first race done on the newly constructed east end of the trail. … MORE

This was not only the inaugural running of the Mile 0 Flint Hills Trail Run, but was the first race done on the newly constructed east end of the trail. The trailhead was impressive with a depot-style kiosk with historical information about the area and a nice iron archway in a local style. There was some loose gravel right at the start, but most of the rest of the trail was nicely groomed and smooth with a crushed limestone surface. One of the prettiest sections of the trail were between about mile 5 and 6 where it bordered the Marais Des Cygnes River. Even where the trail wasn’t right next to the river, it went alongside the wooded bluffs of the river valley made up of chert (flint) embedded limestone, the namesake of the “Flint Hills.” About a mile before the trail reaches the small town of Ratoul, the land opens up into open grassland, but most of the rest of the trail is bordered by shade-bearing trees.

The race was very well organized with police monitoring the places where the trail crossed public roads and a system where runners were checked in and out of the aid stations which were spaced a maximum of about 5 miles apart. Aid stations were typical of most ultras with PB&J sandwiches, fruit chews, pretzels, chips, cookies, donuts, and a good selection of soft drinks. I must have looked like I was in bad shape at one of the last aid stations as I was even offered some Fireball whiskey, which I declined. Finisher awards were made of wood, and we were offered soft drinks, pork sliders, breakfast burritos, and chips at the finish. Professional photographers were also seen along the trail.
All in all, the race was professionally run and was organized like a well-polished machine. It’s too bad that this is so far away from where I live as I would like to do it again and spend a little more time in the area.

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2
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5
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The Delano Park 12-hour is a really well run fixed time race on a 1-mile crushed limestone course that meanders around the park. The course is mostly flat, with a … MORE

The Delano Park 12-hour is a really well run fixed time race on a 1-mile crushed limestone course that meanders around the park. The course is mostly flat, with a couple of ruts that are easily negotiable. The weather in this part of Alabama was warm but tolerable in early March, and was a welcome relief for this runner from the cold and snow up north. There was a little shade in just a few spots along the course, but not much as the deciduous trees had not leafed out yet. The day of race packet pickup was self service, but was easy to do. The one aid station at the start/finish was extremely well stocked with food and drinks. They had bottles of gatorade, bottled water, and several types of soft drinks. In the afternoon, they also had pizza. This year, they gave out heavy cotton sweat shirts, a swag bag with all sorts of miscellaneous office supplies, and a small finisher’s plaque. At the finish, they also gave us an engraved plate with our finish distance that we could add to the plaque. There was also a very nice dinner and awards ceremony at a church just a couple of blocks from the course. It would have been a very nice weekend had my travel arrangements gone as smoothly as the race. I had a travel delay at the DFW airport, but still got home the same day.

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1
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5
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3
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5
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I was pleasantly surprised as I traversed over the two loops of the Go Long, Go Short, Go Very Long 50K course. Yes, there were a few industrial areas and … MORE

I was pleasantly surprised as I traversed over the two loops of the Go Long, Go Short, Go Very Long 50K course. Yes, there were a few industrial areas and construction that we went by, but the park areas near Turkey Hill and along the North side of the Arkansas River more than made up for the less than idyllic sections. For the most part, the course was very flat and paved with the exception of a short section of the trail near some construction. The one hilly part was when we went up over the top of Turkey Hill, which is considered an Urban Wilderness area by the Tulsa River Parks Authority. Of course, I didn’t like the idea of going up that hill on the second loop, but you are rewarded with a nice downhill stretch on the opposite side. There was a nice start/finish area in River West Festival Park, but the one big disappointment was the aid stations. There were enough of them for me and they were well manned, but the food and drink offerings were very limited compared to most trail marathons. The only drink offerings were water and NUUN drink, and the only food along most of the course were pre-packaged pretzels and peanut butter granola bars. Granted, they did have some delicious beef burritos and hot dogs at the finish, along with craft beer, but it would have been nice to have some more options at the aid stations. The finisher medals were really groovy, and the long-sleeve shirts were also nice. All in all, I would give the race a 4 out of 5, but if there was more at the aid stations, I would have given it a 5/5.

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3
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Running for 24 hours on an 800 meter loop may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you like to eat, there is fine dining at the aid station … MORE

Running for 24 hours on an 800 meter loop may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like to eat, there is fine dining at the aid station every half a mile. The course was actually a lot prettier than I thought it would be based on the pictures that I saw on social media. Yes, there aren’t very many trees along the course, but you can see the lake and the lakeshore. One downside is that the park is right on the flight path for the DFW airport, so there is a continual stream of low-flying jets flying overhead, which makes for a lot of noise. I found it hard to maintain conversations with other runners due to the air traffic noise. The running surface is entirely pavement, which can be hard on the feet if you aren’t used to it. There is one small upslope on one curve and a short downslope on the opposite side of the course, otherwise it is very flat.
On the plus side, the aid stations had real food such as soup, rice and beans, and pizza, as well as Hammer energy gels and snack food. The race shirts weren’t as nice as the ones last year that I received when the event was switched to a virtual run and consisted of a black, long-sleeved technical shirt. We also received a swag bag with a choice between a water bottle or a travel mug and a wooden finisher’s award.

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5
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3

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I didn't have a lot of expectations for this race going in due to the small size and small-town location, but boy did they ever over-deliver. There were less than … MORE

I didn’t have a lot of expectations for this race going in due to the small size and small-town location, but boy did they ever over-deliver. There were less than 15 starters this year (but over 10 finishers to meet the 50 State Marathon Club requirement) and everyone finished. Race organization and amenities were second to none. They had a packet pickup the day before at the Hebron Community Center and had a complementary spaghetti dinner for participants. There was also an option to pick up your bib and swag at the shuttle pickup the morning of the race. There was a short shuttle ride to the start, which was at a turnaround at a historical marker for the Oregon Trail. We had a shotgun start, and ran around the turnaround before heading east parallel to the actual route of the Oregon Trail. There was a 10-15 mph headwind for the first 9-10 miles, but then we had the wind to our backs for the rest of the race. The route was very well marked with mile markers and signs at the turns, but they still had volunteers at each turn to make sure we stayed on course. Aid stations were every three miles, so if you need a lot of hydration, I’d recommend carrying a bottle, but it wasn’t really necessary with the cool temperatures. There was another short shuttle after the finish back to the Community Center where they had some light snack food and water. Swag consisted of a technical running shirt and a small, but nice medal. I was kind of disappointed with the number of runners, because I felt that the humble and hard working race organizers deserved better.

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I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about this race because the race director sent out an apologetic message quite a while before the race and said … MORE

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about this race because the race director sent out an apologetic message quite a while before the race and said that her co-director had quit and dropped the ball on setting up this year’s registration page. However, when I arrived the morning of the race, I found plenty of volunteers and organization second to none. The race was at one of the Montgomery State Park group camps, which included a lodge with a kitchen which was used to prepare hot food for the runners. They also had a lot of swag for sale, a tent for lap counting, a table set up with hydration products and snacks, and a timing table. Runners had a choice between running a hilly and rough 3 mile trail or a hilly 1 mile loop on pavement through the group camp. Laps were counted by runners putting clothespins on a horizontal string; plain wooden ones for each trail loop completed and red clothespins for each road loop completed. A volunteer periodically added up the miles and kept track of them. The trail loop started on pavement, but after about a quarter of a mile turned onto a single track dirt trail. Some sections weren’t bad, but others looked like they had been washed out by flash flooding and had a lot of exposed roots, rocks, and small debris on the trail. There was plenty of shade on the trail loop though. The road loop was shaped like a clover leaf, with three side loops that went through different parts of the group camp that had cabins. Quite a few of the runners rented a cabin, so they had a convenient place to stop for a rest right along the course. I would have liked to use a cabin, but because I flew into the race, I didn’t have any bedding available. Each of the “clover leafs” of the road course went downhill and then back up again, so there were few flat stretches. Food was great with hamburgers, bacon, and chicken rice casserole while I was running, along with snack foods. Hydration included a Gaterade-type beverage, Coca-cola, and one or two other soft drinks. 100-mile finishers were given a belt buckle and it appeared that all other finishers received a non-distance specific cowbell on a ribbon. I felt that I got stronger as the day went on, but it may have been because as it got close to dusk, the temperature was cooler. It wasn’t an easy course, but it wasn’t so bad that you wanted to quit halfway through the day. Overall, I was very impressed by the race organization and venue.

DIFFICULTY
5
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4
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2
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This was my third time running this race which was the 10th anniversary edition. The weather forecast sounded almost perfect the day before the race, but 1.5 hours after the … MORE

This was my third time running this race which was the 10th anniversary edition. The weather forecast sounded almost perfect the day before the race, but 1.5 hours after the start, a line of rainclouds moved through the area and dumped what seemed like 0.25 to 0.5 inch of rain which turned the nice smooth dirt trails to a sloppy mess in a few spots. Fortunately, the rain stopped after about an hour and a half, leaving cool but wet conditions for the rest of the night; basically perfect for running.

This race is a fundraiser for a Local Lupus Alliance, and the community support is phenomenal. The race director’s family cooks a full breakfast of eggs, homestyle hashbrowns, and bacon cooked in maple syrup. They also had two types of homemade soup late at night, grilled cheese sandwiches, and pizza, along with the usual snack foods. For hydration, they had two different flavors of VFuel hydration mix, coffee, cola, and other sodas.

The course seemed a little wider than I remember from the first two times I ran this race, so it was easy to pass other runners, even when they were running in small groups. The only time it got congested was when we were trying to weave around muddy places in the trail. There were plenty of porta potties, and a lot of room for participants to set up tents and running camps. Laps were counted with a chip timing system for the first time this year, but they still had volunteers counting laps as a backup system.

I ended up with a 24 hour PR of 56 miles after suffering from Achille’s heel problems in my last 24 hour race. It really didn’t bother me much while I was running, but it is pretty sore today. My mind was arguing with me about continuing beyond 31 miles, but fortunately, I didn’t have a tent set up nor reservations in town, so I had no choice but to continue. I ended up finishing 2nd in my age group of 60-69 out of 8 runners, and around 29th out of 145 overall. There were no finisher’s awards, except for the top 3 male and female finishers, but we were given a t-shirt, free craft brews, and a huge number of door prizes for those who stayed for the after-race awards ceremony. They served a taco bar after the race under a huge tent, and presented runners who finished a cumulative number of 100 miles with a sweatshirt and 100 mile patch, no matter how many times they had to run the race to reach this milestone. They also presented patches for 200, 300, 400, or 500 cumulative miles to put on their 100 mile sweatshirt. It’s no wonder that this race fills up within hours after the opening of registration. If you would like to run this race, I’d advise you to be ready on your computer when the clock strikes midnight of the day of registration, because it does fill up quickly. If you miss out, don’t worry, they do have a waitlist and many people who are waitlisted do get in eventually.

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This was the third time that I've run this race, and it keeps getting better and better. This year the course seemed to be much smoother with less holes than … MORE

This was the third time that I’ve run this race, and it keeps getting better and better. This year the course seemed to be much smoother with less holes than in year’s past. I could see where holes had been filled with fine gravel and the parts of the course that went through grass were nicely mowed and manicured. One highlight of the race this year was Pearl. Pearl is a yearling white-tailed doe that the race directors took in after it’s mother was hit by a car. They brought it inside and bottle fed it over the winter, and now runs loose outside on their farm. It has seemed to imprint on humans, so it is friendly as a Labrador Retriever. It ran alongside some of the runners on the course and even started with the 12 hour runners. Besides Pearl, there are also ducks, chickens, pigs, donkeys, and T-bone, a miniature heirloom bull. Part of the course runs along a small creek, and the banks were covered with wild sunflowers. To me, it seemed much more of a magical place than it did in previous years.

Another new addition to the race was a 36-hour division, along with belt buckles for anyone finishing over 100 miles in any of the race lengths. The race directors and volunteers are very nice people, and will give you the shirt off their back if you ask them. This year, instead of cotton shirts, finishers were given a custom hat. I foresee this race getting bigger and better in future years, and should become a must-do race for midwestern ultrarunners,

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This inaugural race was held in a city park on a course that was on an approximately 1.25 mile loop of smooth, crushed limestone. Even though it was a small … MORE

This inaugural race was held in a city park on a course that was on an approximately 1.25 mile loop of smooth, crushed limestone. Even though it was a small race and run for the first time, it had a lot of amenities of larger, more established races such as chip timing and a well stocked aid station. We were able to park right along the course on the edge of the park, so there was easy access to anything we needed in our cars. A few people set up tents or shelters along the course, but I just put a chair out next to my car. Even though it was an urban park, there was plenty to see as we ran. On one side of the course there was a native, tallgrass prairie dominated by Big Bluestem. Later in the day, eastern cottontails could be seen along the edge of the prairie.

Swag included a nicely designed t-shirt in a neutral color and a nice medal. Later in the afternoon, the race director cooked hamburgers and made them available to the runners. Overall, the weather was pleasant and a good time was had by all.

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Running all night in July in Missouri on a 400 meter track might seem appealing to some, but there are some advantages. The aid station is always available whenever you … MORE

Running all night in July in Missouri on a 400 meter track might seem appealing to some, but there are some advantages. The aid station is always available whenever you need it, and you can always see the location of your competitors. The Realfeel temperature this year was 108 degrees F. at the 6 pm start, but there was a little breeze on one side of the track. There were some scattered clouds, so at least the sun wasn’t bearing down on us before sunset. It seemed like it took quite a while to cool down after sunset, probably because of the humidity.

The timing company for the event was from Show Me Running Company, and they had a monitor at the start/finish that you could check at the end of each lap to see how many laps were completed. There was also a display of Christmas lights at the finish and Christmas music was played throughout the race. The aid station had a good selection of ultra food, but unfortunately, they let people reach in with their hands to take food, which is probably not a good idea during the Covid pandemic. There were relatively few participants, which was a shame considering this was a well-run and well-organized race. Top finishers were given hanging Christmas ornaments and runners were given a running shirt at packet pickup.

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I decided to run The Divide 25K, rather than my usual 50K due to the lack of an elevation profile in the race description and the extreme heat that we've … MORE

I decided to run The Divide 25K, rather than my usual 50K due to the lack of an elevation profile in the race description and the extreme heat that we’ve been having lately. The Divide 25K starts in Thompson Park (5725 feet) near Butte, MT, and after a short segment on a rail trail, heads up the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and then back through Thompson Park to the start. We got a respite from the heat, with a high of about 85 degrees when I finished before noon, but the elevation and hills did not disappoint. I started out very conservatively, and walked up a short 50 foot hill leading up to the rail trail at the start, but I still felt like I had sprinted a 400 yard dash when I got to the top. The rail trail was almost flat, but for the first mile, I still couldn’t run slowly for more than a few hundred yards without taking a break. After going through two tunnels and a high railroad trestle, we went onto the CDT and my breathing settled down. The CDT was relatively soft and smooth single track that reached a peak elevation of 6,470 feet. From there, the 25K dropped back down on rolling hills back to Thompson park and Sagebrush Flats where the race started. It was very scenic, but the panoramic views were spoiled by smoke from forest fires in Idaho. The total elevation according to Strava was 2,511 feet for the 25K. The 50K course was the same as the 25K except for a 7.5 mile out and back that led up to the summit of Homestake Pass. There were only two aid stations for the 25K, one about 5 miles from the start and the other about 1 mile from the finish, which left a big gap in between. We were warned beforehand about this and that we should carry plenty of water in a hydration vest or hydration belt. The 50K only had three aid stations, so it was largely self supported. There were no finisher awards unless you finished in first place, so don’t do this race if you get upset about not getting bling. The views alone were worth it though. I may even go back next year to attempt the 50K.

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There is just one hilly section on a short out and back, otherwise this race is flat, flat, flat. The number of runners seemed to be down this year, which … MORE

There is just one hilly section on a short out and back, otherwise this race is flat, flat, flat. The number of runners seemed to be down this year, which was surprising to me given that there still aren’t very many marathons offered after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. None-the-less, there were plenty of well-supplied aid stations that were adequately staffed, but few spectators. The heat wasn’t too bad this year, and strawberry ice cream sandwiches were substituted for the traditional serving of strawberry shortcake. Otherwise, it was pretty much back to normal. Finishers were given a nice medal and short-sleeved shirts were given out at the packet pickup.

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This event was held at a private farm in a rural part of central Ohio. It was really well organized, but basic. The loop was exactly 1.5 miles, with one … MORE

This event was held at a private farm in a rural part of central Ohio. It was really well organized, but basic. The loop was exactly 1.5 miles, with one aid station at the start/finish. Snack foods and drinks were available, but little in the way of more substantial food for the first 9 hours or so that I was there. The race director said that pizza was going to be delivered, but I left early so did not eat any of it. Wash cloths with the wood splitter logo were given out as swag, and all participants were given a finisher’s award made on a 3D printer. In addition, all runners that achieved at least 50K were given a silver belt buckle. The course started out with just a few hundred yards of pavement going downhill, then a long stretch through the edge of a corn field, then it continued as single track through a shady, wooded stretch. Upon leaving the woods, we went along the other side of the corn field, then through a field along side a couple of small ponds, and then back to the start/finish. There was a good variety of running surfaces and scenery, but the small number of runners meant that it was a little difficult to find someone to run with. Overall, it was well organized, and I hope that this race continues for a long time in the future.

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Running a Mainly Marathon race is more like a family reunion than a race. Both the runners and the race directors are very supportive, and it is difficult to walk … MORE

Running a Mainly Marathon race is more like a family reunion than a race. Both the runners and the race directors are very supportive, and it is difficult to walk away from one of these runs without making a friend or two. This course is not the most interesting one in the world, as it is sandwiched between the Black River and state highway 11 in Springfield. The river is scenic with lush green riparian vegetation, but on the other side of the trail you can see and hear traffic, so it isn’t exactly a wilderness experience. Because this is part of a series of 7 or 8 marathons in as many days, many of the participants are walking, so it is tempting to slow down and walk with other runners. Suffice to say it is difficult to get a PR in these races (runs). There are no awards for the fastest runners, but there is an award for the last runner to finish. Some do these races to hammer out a number of states in a short period of time, and others do it to add to their lifetime marathon or half marathon total. Others probably do it to see all of their other friends. In any event, these races are quite popular, so the race directors have definitely found a niche. If you are very competitive, these races are probably not for you, but if you just like to run with other people, you will probably like these races.

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The 9 Hours for 9 lives ultramarathon was held at the Victor Apple Farm near Victor, NY to raise money for providing local veterinary care for stray cats. The course … MORE

The 9 Hours for 9 lives ultramarathon was held at the Victor Apple Farm near Victor, NY to raise money for providing local veterinary care for stray cats. The course was a 1.7 mile hilly loop around the apple farm and vicinity that seemed more like a 5K loop with the hills. The surface was mainly mowed grass, but it was packed down where the farm machinery drove around the orchard, so it was actually a pretty smooth surface. This was the first year for the race, so there were only 25 runners. The weather was nice, but it did get just a little bit warm in the afternoon, but not excessively hot. My goal was to run 50K, which I thought would be easy with 9 hours to do it in, but the hills said otherwise. I had to do 18+ loops to get to 50K, but with less than an hour to go, I only had 16 loops completed. I picked up the pace a little, and managed to finish 18 loops that totaled 30.6 miles with about 20 minutes to spare. Only completed laps counted, so I wasn’t able to get to 31 miles. So, although I was disappointed not to make my goal, I still managed to finish as the third place male overall. Aid station food was mainly snack food items, but a good selection of liquids were available for hydration. The finisher award was made of wood, but due to the small number of runners, awards were only given to the first place male and female runners. Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes for those that were running on the course. There was one nice view of the hills to the west at the high point of the course, otherwise it was typical farm scenery.

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Upon arrival at the Swan Lake Christian Camp, the site of the start of the Swan Lake Marathon, I was met with a cacophony of sounds of song birds. This … MORE

Upon arrival at the Swan Lake Christian Camp, the site of the start of the Swan Lake Marathon, I was met with a cacophony of sounds of song birds. This is one marathon where you don’t want to wear earbuds. First of all, you want to hear the sounds of the farms and nature, and also for safety as the course is open to vehicle travel, although traffic is very light on a Sunday in this rural area. About half of the course was paved roads and the other half dirt and gravel. Due to the gravel roads, I would recommend wearing a pair of gaiters to keep the dirt and gravel out of your shoes. I didn’t bring mine, but I wished that I had as the dirt mixed with the Trail Toes lube I put on my feet to make an abrasive mixture. The course starts out going around three sides of Swan Lake, and then goes south to the small town of Viborg, turns west for a couple of miles, and then heads back north to the camp for a total of 13.1 miles, so the marathon course this year repeated the loop twice. The scenery is typical southeastern South Dakota with fields of corn, soybeans, Swan Lake, and scattered farmsteads. If you like running in front of big crowds, this race is not for you. There were plenty of volunteers at the aid stations which were spaced about every 2 miles, but not many other spectators. After I finished the first loop and the half marathon runners headed across the finish line, I found myself alone despite being able to see almost a mile in all directions. I thought I could see another runner about a half a mile ahead of me during the last 5 miles, but I might have just imagined it. If you like small marathons and a chance to get a podium age group award, this is a good one to do. The camp does have air conditioned cabins that are available for runners to rent, and the camp staff served runners a delicious lunch after the race consisting of pork loin sandwiches, cheese potatoes, mixed fruit and berry salad, and cookie bars for a free will donation to the camp.

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The Pulse Endurance Run 48-hour race turned out to be a fantastic experience, but I have to confess that I was a little disappointed in the course. Because it was … MORE

The Pulse Endurance Run 48-hour race turned out to be a fantastic experience, but I have to confess that I was a little disappointed in the course. Because it was in a state park, I expected at least some single-track trails and smoother gravel trails. It was very flat and an easy course, but much of the course consisted of what I would call unimproved, single lane, dirt and rock roads. The rock wasn’t your typical crushed gravel either. It was the kind of rocks that you would expect to find along the Boise River which was adjacent to one side of the course. Don’