My Profile

@bioprofsd

Mitchell, SD Raving since 2014 50 States hopeful/finisher, Marathon Maniacs #7665 Active 11 hours, 35 minutes ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

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

  • Rave race:

    McLennan's Grit 12-hour Ultra

  • 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.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (19)

Race Distance Location Date Result
# of hrs = your age Manchester, TN Aug 31, 2017 105 mi
72 hr Phoenix, 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
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 (12)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
12 hr Albuquerque, NM Apr 6, 2024
12 hr Webster, NY May 11, 2024
50K Augusta, NJ May 14, 2024
24 hr Regina, Canada Jun 1, 2024
Marathon Helena, MT Jun 8, 2024
12 hr Summerland, Canada Jun 15, 2024
24 hr Bristol, RI Aug 9, 2024
24 hr Lennox, SD Aug 31, 2024
24 hr Stoddard, WI Sep 20, 2024
12 hr Lykens, PA Oct 4, 2024
24 hr Williamsburg, VA Oct 26, 2024
Marathon Salina, KS Nov 2, 2024

Past Races (201)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
50K Oak Grove, MO Mar 16, 2024 8:38:55
12 hr Haralson, GA Feb 17, 2024 39 mi
12 hr Erwin, NC Dec 9, 2023 33 mi
24 hr Belfry, KY Nov 18, 2023 32 mi
Half Marathon Mitchell, SD Oct 1, 2023 2:41:22
24 hr Dixon, IL Jul 14, 2023 41.11 mi
12 hr Corydon, IN Jul 1, 2023 31.5 mi
50K St. Regis, MT Jun 17, 2023 8:09:09
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

This was an ultramarathon that was run mainly on paved golf cart paths on a former golf course. There was a little bit of gravel, maybe 20%, and a very … MORE

This was an ultramarathon that was run mainly on paved golf cart paths on a former golf course. There was a little bit of gravel, maybe 20%, and a very small amount of grass surface. There were more steep hills than I expected, and they took their toll by the middle of the race. Only about 60% of the 50 milers finished in the time limit. The course map looked complicated, but the course was very well marked and there were two volunteers out on the course to direct us at two places where we had to take a sharp turn. This helped keep us on course and was a big help. There were no finisher medals, but the 50K runners were given a t shirt and a towel with the race’s logo. There were the usual hydration options available, but just snack food for nourishment. There was no real food such as sandwiches, pizza or soup. My description probably makes it sound spartan, but it was really a well-run race. I’m sure the race director will make some adjustments in the future and make the race even better. It was really a nice venue, but I didn’t like it that we had to park about 300 yards away from the start, and the course didn’t go by our vehicles in case we needed anything left there.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3
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This was a 12-hour ultramarathon that was run on a 2.6 mile "lollypop" course. After a short section that went along a paved path through some woods that were filled … MORE

This was a 12-hour ultramarathon that was run on a 2.6 mile “lollypop” course. After a short section that went along a paved path through some woods that were filled with small birds, there was a long straight stretch on a two-lane road that had little traffic. After the field was spread out, you had the opportunity to see runners going in the opposite direction and greet them with a wave or a few words of encouragement. This was a small race, but everyone was very friendly. Even though most of it was on roads open to traffic, there were few cars and I really didn’t feel unsafe at all. About 3/4 of the course was on paved roads and 1/4 on a gravel road. The course was fairly flat and even this out-of-shape runner could run the hills (if I wanted to). The swag was plentiful, including a shirt, a car magnet with the race logo, a coaster, and a few other trinkets. It probably helped that I knew the race director and her husband, but all of the runners were friendly and I was able to meet some new running friends. All in all it was a very successful day.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
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This was kind of a unique set up for me for a fixed-time race. What made it unique was that the start was on a main street of downtown Erwin, … MORE

This was kind of a unique set up for me for a fixed-time race. What made it unique was that the start was on a main street of downtown Erwin, NC and was an out and back rail trail course. The course is usually 5 miles out and 5 miles back, but this year, there was a bridge that was washed out, so they shortened it up to 9 miles total for the out and back. The trail was about 15 feet wide, smooth, and covered with finely crushed limestone. There was one dog leg on the trail, but was otherwise straight and easy to follow. The weather was pleasant this year for a December ultra with highs near the mid-70s. There were aid stations at the ends of the out and back that had a good variety of fluids and soft drinks, snack foods, pizza and peanut butter and jelly sandwichs. They gave out nice finisher medals and a hoody instead of a shirt.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
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Running for 24 hours around a high school campus may not seem to be a great idea for some, but after running three ultramarathons organized by Alexis Bautausa and the … MORE

Running for 24 hours around a high school campus may not seem to be a great idea for some, but after running three ultramarathons organized by Alexis Bautausa and the Tug Valley Road Runners Club, I have come to love the friendliness and hospitality of the people of the Coal Country in WV and KY. This course for this race started out by circling the track at Belfry High School, then meandered around the perimeter of the school campus. The total distance of the course was exactly 1.00 miles, but didn’t seem boring due to the surrounding steep hills of the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachian Mountain Range. In the middle of November, most of the trees had lost their leaves, which made me want to return to see the fall colors earlier in the fall. There may have not been too many runners there who can break speed records, but they are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. The food at the main aid station was second to none, including takeout Chinese food, pizza, and a lot of baked goods. Bottled Gaterade and soft drinks were also available. For a small fee, runners could reserve a cot to take a short nap, but a large propane heater outside was enough for this runner to keep warm during pit stops. The only downside to this area is that it is about a two hour drive from the nearest airport, and there are few motels nearby. The night before, I stayed at a motel in Pikesville, KY that was about a 30 minute drive to the race start.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4
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This is a very nice half marathon in a nice time of the year to run. We were supposed to get near record high temperatures for this date, but with … MORE

This is a very nice half marathon in a nice time of the year to run. We were supposed to get near record high temperatures for this date, but with the 7:30 am start and the short distances, it wasn’t a problem. The course around Lake Mitchell is very pretty this time of the year with the leaves turning, but there could be some small improvements made. At some of the aid stations along the second half of the half marathon, there was only water and nothing with electrolytes. Most marathons that I do usually have both water and a drink with electrolytes. There were donut holes, water, and beef jerky at the finish, but it would be nice if they had Gaterade, PowerAid or chocolate milk at the finish. Overall, it is a very nice, probably underrated half marathon during a nice time of the year to run. I whole-heartedly recommend and will probably. be doing it again.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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What could be less appealing than running loops on a 0.411 mile paved course? I can't think of much. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this run advertised as "fat-assed … MORE

What could be less appealing than running loops on a 0.411 mile paved course? I can’t think of much. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this run advertised as “fat-assed style.” Even though it was supposed to be self-supported, which I had prepared for, the race organization provided quite a bit of support. They served pizza on Friday evening, and provided breakfast pizza on Saturday morning. They also had a table for sharing donated food with other runners, and water and an electrolyte drink for hydration. The race director and volunteers set up right near the start finish and cheered on the runners for almost the whole race. There were also two young girls dressed in rainbow unicorn costumes, who I think were the children of one of the runners, that walked the course in the opposite direction and high-fived everyone. The park where the run was had one stretch that was densely shaded most of the day, and the rest was surrounded by stately White Pine trees that provided shade in the morning and evening. There were no shirts provided for this race, but there were very nice homemade finisher awards made out of wood that were provided. Given the short loop, it was easy to meet new runners and chat with them for a while, so it seemed like a very friendly environment. The one downside was the heavy rain at the start, but there isn’t much that anyone can do about the weather. If you don’t mind running short loops, I highly recommend this race at a time of the year when it is a little harder to find a fixed-time race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
1
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i have to admit that I wasn't expecting much out of this race, but the race organizers really came through. The timer of this chip-timed race had two monitors that … MORE

i have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much out of this race, but the race organizers really came through. The timer of this chip-timed race had two monitors that showed the results of each runner every time we crossed the timing mat. We changed directions every 3 hours which broke up the monotony, and the city put on a spectacular fireworks display that could be seen from the race course. The aid station had a good supply of real food including freshly made goods throughout the night, including pizza, pb&j sandwiches, chocolate chip pancakes, watermelon, and more. All participants were given a nicely designed medal with a sticker that showed the finisher’s total distance that was run. We were also given a cotton t shirt, which I prefer over the synthetic running shirts as I use the cotton shirts for every day use during most of the summer. Although there wasn’t much in the way of exotic scenery, it was at least a chance to get out and run some miles during a slow part of the running year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4
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This was the second time I've run this ultra and I enjoyed it more than the first time. The rail trail is a double-wide trail that is mostly gravel with … MORE

This was the second time I’ve run this ultra and I enjoyed it more than the first time. The rail trail is a double-wide trail that is mostly gravel with some dirt. Part of the trail is very fine gravel, whereas other parts have larger rocks up to about three inches in diameter, which means that you have to keep an eye on the trail to avoid tripping. The rocks also can be hard on the feet, so either trail shoes with a rock plate or road shoes with plenty of cushion should be used. The course was well marked along with volunteers with flags at major intersections. There was a lot of community involvement with this race. For example, there was a coupon for a free huckleberry shake from the St. Regis Travel Center in the swag bag. I expected a small sample, but it was a full sized shake. There was a nice free lunch/supper after the race which included beer, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, homemade pork and beans, cole slaw, and cookies. It was one of the best post-race meals I’ve had. The 50K runners received a white technical shirt at the packet pickup and the finisher’s award was a railroad spike with an engraved plate with the event and name of the race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4
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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

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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

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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
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5
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5
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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.

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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
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5
SCENERY
3
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5
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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.

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2
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5
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4
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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
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5
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4
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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
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5
SCENERY
3
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5
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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
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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
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5
SCENERY
5
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5
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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.

DIFFICULTY
2
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4
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4
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5

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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.

DIFFICULTY
2
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5
SCENERY
4
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4
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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.

DIFFICULTY
2
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5
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4
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3

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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.

DIFFICULTY
2
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5
SCENERY
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
SCENERY
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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2
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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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5
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3
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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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4
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4
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3
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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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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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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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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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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.

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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’t get me wrong, it wasn’t that bad, but you had to pay attention to the trail or you could trip. There was even a short 100-yard stretch were it looked like someone picked all of the larger rocks out of the dirt road, but didn’t fill in the holes, which made for very uneven footing. There was also about a 1/4 mile stretch through a wet meadow with flooded grass. The trail through this stretch went around the side of the flooded areas, but as more and more runners went through the course , it ended up being quite muddy and wet. One the plus side, I do think it was a fast course that was runnable the whole way.

On the plus side, there was excellent runner support and bling. The one aid station at the start/finish of the 2.78 mile loop was well stocked with tailwind, water, soft drinks, hot water for tea or hot chocolate, and most importantly, coffee throughout the race. They also had typical snack food, PB&J sandwiches, grilled cheese, quesadillas, and at different times, takeout Chinese food, spaghetti, and pizza, just to name a few items. They also had a medic on site (which I didn’t need to use) and free massages from a local school of massage during the end of the last two days of competition.

There was some wildlife to be seen on the course, although I did not see any larger animals like deer or coyotes. One highlight for me was a Osprey that was at its nest on a platform on top of a power pole along the course. I saw it sitting along side of its nest several times, and also saw it disappear into the nest (presumably to lay an egg) during the second morning of the 48 hour race. There were also your typical songbirds along the course like the ubiquitous American Robin and iconic Black-billed Magpies. Interestingly, I didn’t see any Bald Eagles.

At the packet pickup which was one hour before the race start, I was given my bid and timing chip and a long-sleeved technical shirt. After I finished my race, I was given a pint beer glass, large duffle bag with the race name on it, and a large buckle for completing 100 miles. Over all, I have to say that I am very satisfied with completing 102.86 miles over two days and will have fond memories of the experience.

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I ran the inaugural Pound the Mound 30 mile run at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne, MN mainly as a tune-up for a longer run the following weekend. The … MORE

I ran the inaugural Pound the Mound 30 mile run at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne, MN mainly as a tune-up for a longer run the following weekend. The park is located on top of an escarpment of pink, 1.7 billion year-old, Precambrian Sioux Quartzite rock which appears as a dome along the top of the park. The course was a 10+ mile loop around the perimeter of the park and consisted mainly of wide, smooth, grass-covered trails with a few sections of rocky, technical single-track trails going up and down the escarpment. It was fun listening to the Canada Geese honking along the creek and the songbirds singing along the trail. There were two well-stocked aid stations along the 10-mile loop, so you never had to go more than 4 miles before reaching aid. Among the snack food items, they had delicious home-made breakfast burritos with potatoes, sausage, and egg, and chicken cordon bleu sandwiches at the finish. For hydration, they had water, Tailwind, and Coca cola at one of the aid stations. The low entry fee included a t-shirt and a home-made finisher pendant made out of Sioux Quartzite that can been seen all over the park. The only disappointment was that the buffalo were calving, so were in a different part of the park away from all of the people.

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I'm always skeptical when a race is described as ideal for beginners, as they are often more difficult than what you expect. This course was relatively easy as far as … MORE

I’m always skeptical when a race is described as ideal for beginners, as they are often more difficult than what you expect. This course was relatively easy as far as trail runs are concerned, and it lived up to its description. Yes, there were some roots in places, so like all trail runs, you have to pick up your feet and watch your step, but most of the trail was rather smooth sailing. It was also very scenic, even though most of the deciduous trees had not fully leafed out. There were some redbud trees in bloom, which were very pretty. I would like to see what this course looks like a little later in the year. The course was very well marked on the way out, but there was one spot on the way back where I didn’t realize that I had to go opposite the directions of the arrows to get back to the finish line. I ended up going around the same loop that I had gone before twice before I realized I was running in a circle. Fortunately, another runner came along and we figured out how to get back on the course to the finish. The medal was an amazing work of art, and the food at the finish was like most trail runs pre-covid. All in all it was a very fun race that I would do again if I have the chance.

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Some of you may be wondering, why would someone want to run for 6 or 7 hours around a 1.3 mile loop? Well, some of do it just because we … MORE

Some of you may be wondering, why would someone want to run for 6 or 7 hours around a 1.3 mile loop? Well, some of do it just because we like to run and would do it if we got the chance. The advantage of such runs is that they are usually fairly easy courses, there is access to an aid station every loop, and you get to see the other runners very frequently. Because you either catch up to other runners or they catch up to you fairly often, you get to know the other people you are running with. Thus, it becomes a social or even a family event.

This run is not unlike the Mainly Marathon races that have developed quite a following with a nucleus of the same core runners. They get to know each other very well and think of each other as family. This is the way it is with Runs with Scissors.

The race director is very outgoing and has a good sense of humor. The bling wasn’t much, but that’s not why most of us do these runs. The race course isn’t too far away from lodging and the Denver International Airport, so logistics are easy. I ended up staying in the Super 8 in Brighton, which was just a short drive to the race start. It wasn’t the fanciest hotel, but was okay for the night. The official race hotel was actually a lot further away, so I passed on that option. There were nice views of the snow capped Rockies in the distance, and the course was very flat. If I was able to find a good airfare, I would seriously consider doing it again.

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This is the second time I have run this race. To be honest, the reason that I signed up was the dirt cheap early registration fee. I think it was … MORE

This is the second time I have run this race. To be honest, the reason that I signed up was the dirt cheap early registration fee. I think it was only $45 when I signed up over a year ago. I had to defer to this year though due to the Covid pandemic. We weren’t able to stage inside the Celebration Hall like they usually do, but the weather was nicer this year, and the wait before the start wasn’t bad at all. I was lucky in that the weather was much nicer this year than during the last time I ran in 2019. I started out wearing a light wind jacket, but had to stop and take it off after only a few miles as I was sweating too much. It never really warmed up that much though, as there was a still breeze coming out of the north. I had a good run even though my training wasn’t that great during the prior week, and also having run a 100-mile race just a couple of weeks before. I ended up with the fastest time that I have run in the last several years, even though I didn’t feel like I was racing.

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This might not be the most scenic course, but you won't meet any more hospitable and friendly people anywhere. For such a small race, the aid station food and drink … MORE

This might not be the most scenic course, but you won’t meet any more hospitable and friendly people anywhere. For such a small race, the aid station food and drink were second to none. In the morning, we had freshly cooked pancakes with bacon and sausage. During the day there were hamburgers, pizza, and Mexican food. We weren’t able to go inside the Technical School this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we’re supposed to be outside running anyway, right?

The weather was almost perfect for running this year. The rain stopped just as the race started, and it remained overcast, but dry for the rest of the weekend. Except for just about one stretch, there was enough light to run without a headlamp. The pavement was kind of hard on my feet, but I suppose that is the price I had to pay for not getting in too many long runs in the months leading up to the race. Overall, it was a good weekend in which I made a lot of new running friends.

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When you hear that a course is on jeep roads, you probably think it will be an easy course. This one was far from easy though. After about 1/2 mile … MORE

When you hear that a course is on jeep roads, you probably think it will be an easy course. This one was far from easy though. After about 1/2 mile of downhill from the start of the 7.1 mile loop, we started about a 2 mile steady climb to the edge of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness area. This is where it started to get really scenic, but the trail became more technical with slick rock and rock shelves. After dropping down a steep draw, we then went back up a long hill that seemed to get steeper the further we went. After we got to the top, it started heading downhill until we got to the intermediate aid station, which was generously supplied with all kinds of drink, snack food, and PB sandwiches. The sand and rock road then continued downhill until we got to the road where we drove in and the rest of the course was relatively flat until we got back to the finish. Altogether, there was about 774 feet of elevation gain per 7.1 mile loop. After finishing up my 5th loop in the dark and having a difficult time seeing the course markers, I decided to call it a day and stop early. Both the main aid station at the start/finish and the intermediate one on the course were stocked like I was used to in the pre-covid days with real food as well as a wide range of snacks and energy gels. I still felt safe though, as the volunteers all wore masks and gloves. Bling included a shirt, a custom Boco trucker’s hat, and a small belt buckle on a ribbon. It was really well organized, and I can see myself going back again some day.

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This race's course reminded me a lot of the Prairie Spirit Trail Ultra in Kansas, but only better. The trail was more scenic, a little more rural, and had a … MORE

This race’s course reminded me a lot of the Prairie Spirit Trail Ultra in Kansas, but only better. The trail was more scenic, a little more rural, and had a lot of history. It also had slightly more incline, but only ever so slight. So little in fact, that you hardly knew you were going uphill. The trail this year was rock hard though, even the unpaved portions that were covered with crushed limestone. The limestone seemed to set up like concrete. I wore my trail shoes, but wished I had wore my road shoes. There was absolutely no way you could get lost on this trail. It was just a 15.5 mile out and 15.5 mile back course. The trail was well marked with sign posts every 1/4 mile. The aid stations were great with Honey Stinger products, bottles of Gaterade, water, and much more. We received a long-sleeved technical shirt at the packet pickup, and a wooden finisher’s award, a coffee mug, a 50K car magnet sticker, and a boxed lunch at the finish. The organizers of this race went all out, and I never would have guessed that it was an inaugural race. They started us in three waves, and had us stand on circles at the start to make sure we maintained social distance due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The runners also wore masks at the start. My favorite sight on the course was a pair of old rail cars that had derailed into a creek bottom near the small town of Mineola, IA. One rail car had a couple of trees growing through it, but I was never able to find out how long ago the derailment occurred. All in all it was a delightful fall run with black squirrels along the trail, Northern Cardinals, and leaves falling all around.

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The Nebraska Marathon was held in Papillion, NE, a suburb of Omaha. The start was at Papillion-LaVista South High School, and dropped down to Walnut Creek Lake on a concrete … MORE

The Nebraska Marathon was held in Papillion, NE, a suburb of Omaha. The start was at Papillion-LaVista South High School, and dropped down to Walnut Creek Lake on a concrete bike path and then went around the lake. This was actually the best part of the trail and I enjoyed looking at the native prairie grasses that were tall as me along the trail. After we ran around the scenic lake and watched the sunrise, we then did two long out and backs in opposite directions. The concrete bike path went along Papillion Creek, which was more like a ditch than a stream. I was disappointed that there were no trees, so no shade. The trail was flat however, until we got back to the lake and climbed the steep hill back to the high school. The aid stations were 2-3 miles apart, but only had water and flavored water and no food. I forgot to bring my favorite energy gels, but luckily found two of them in my running bag that were left over from my last marathon. I still started hitting the wall in the last 6 miles, which may have been avoided if they had something to drink that had some carbohydrates. I’m not sure why, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they gave us our finisher medals at the packet pickup. It seemed to me that they could have let us pick one up at the finish without putting the volunteers at risk. I hope I’m not being too critical, because it was a good day for a run and I’m appreciative for the opportunity to run a marathon within driving distance from where I live. I hope I get a chance to provide some input to the race organizers, because I think this could be improved from a ho hum marathon to a very nice one. Don’t take my word for it though, give it a chance and give it a try.

I see that in prior years, this race was run through part of the old town in Omaha. I think that I liked the location for this race this year rather than running in old town Omaha.

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The start of this race was on a very fast downhill from the Wildcat Hills Recreation Area down to the valley floor on paved highway. We then turned east for … MORE

The start of this race was on a very fast downhill from the Wildcat Hills Recreation Area down to the valley floor on paved highway. We then turned east for 2 miles, then north for another 2 miles, and then back west again. Around mile 13, we started descending up to the Scottsbluff National Monument along the route of the Oregon Trail. This year, the wind funneled down through the gap in the bluffs and blasted us with 30 to 45 mph gusts. At one point, a tumbleweed even blew down the road right towards me before veering off at the last moment. It was tough going even after we were west of the bluffs on the downhill with the wind in our faces. We then looped around to the east again and turned onto a dusty dirt road which we followed around the north side of the bluffs back into town. The wind picked up the dust at times, making it tough to enjoy the views of the badlands-like terrain. I’m sure that in better weather, this would be a delightful stretch of dirt road. After we returned to town, we then headed south on a paved bike trail most of the way back to the finish. The wind made it difficult to appreciate the views, but they were breathtaking none-the-less. This is definitely the most scenic marathon in Nebraska, or perhaps even the midwest, and is a must-do race for any history buffs as it is steeped in the history of the Oregon Trail and the old West.

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We lucked on the weather for this Covid-19 postponed marathon. It was originally scheduled for May 16, 2020, but was postponed to September 12, 2020. Runners were given a temperature … MORE

We lucked on the weather for this Covid-19 postponed marathon. It was originally scheduled for May 16, 2020, but was postponed to September 12, 2020. Runners were given a temperature check at the packet pickup and had to wear a wrist band to show that they had the check. The 118 runners were divided up into 3 waves at the start to allow for sufficient distancing and were required to wear face coverings at the start. Once the race started, we were allowed to take off our masks. Due to the staggered start and the small field, runners became spaced out very quickly. There were a surprising number of volunteers who were stationed at every turn and at most intersections. Swag included a cow bell, a rather plain, but heavy finisher’s medal, and a zippered long-sleeved shirt. Post-race beef sliders were kindly provided by Nick’s Burgers, but they weren’t served at the finish line. Instead we had to go to their location for take out service. I had forgotten how pretty some of the trails were along the route, but this race is probably not for you if you like lots of spectators. Other than the volunteers, there were few people cheering the runners along the route.

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This was a very laid back, but yet well organized ultra. The race director and volunteers were very helpful and patient. It was a fundraiser for the local cross country … MORE

This was a very laid back, but yet well organized ultra. The race director and volunteers were very helpful and patient. It was a fundraiser for the local cross country teams, and so many of the volunteers were cross country runners, but they were very polite and helpful. You really couldn’t ask for more. With just one exception, the course was very well marked and easy to follow, which is not always the case for a road ultra. The race director was upfront about the course being long, and he was right. It was about 34 miles in length according to my GPS watch. It was a very scenic course that took us through the towns of Brainard, Loma, and Valpraiso, NE, and then back to Loma and Brainard, NE. About 70% of the course was on dirt or crushed gravel roads, 15% on a straight bike path with white crushed gravel, 10% on a cross country course around a lake, and 5% on paved roads. There were a lot of hills, but most were runnable. Swag included a long-sleeved t-shirt and a very nice natural walnut finisher’s award. I survived the heat this year, but just barely.

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Moorehead Pioneer Park, site of the Trail of the Dragon 50K and 50 mile ultramarathon, is a gem in a sea of terraced corn fields. Originally the site of the … MORE

Moorehead Pioneer Park, site of the Trail of the Dragon 50K and 50 mile ultramarathon, is a gem in a sea of terraced corn fields. Originally the site of the town of Ida Grove, the 258 acre park would seem to be too small for the site of an ultramarathon. However, the devious minds of the race organizers have succeeded in making it one of the most difficult challenges in the Midwest.

I did the 50K run, which consisted of a 1/2 mile out and back on a gravel road, followed by three 10 mile loops with a total of over 3,800 feet elevation gain. Just to give you an example of the frustrating nature of the course layout, there were 5 out and backs that consisted of going up a steep hill, followed by a turnaround that sent you straight back down the hill. Near the midpoint of the course, there were three of these out-and-back steep uphills in succession, two of which went up a steep sledding hill complete with a cable lift. Did I mention that they were steep? These out-and-backs were connected with sweet, mostly wooded single-track dirt trails, with the exception of two out-and-backs near the Maple River. One of these ran alongside a cornfield that added to the intense humidity that added to the difficulty of the run.

Even though this was an extreme challenge with the three H’s, heat, humidity and hills, the park was really beautiful. There was a beautiful little lake, in the middle of the “hollow,” complete with a family of endangered Trumpeter Swans, which seemed to be unafraid of the people around the lake. When I was finishing the last of my 3 loops, I was honored by the Trumpeter Swans swimming along beside me as I ran near the shore.

There were also several historical sites along the course, including a stagecoach inn and barn and an old school house. Along the schoolhouse, the race organizers set out school books for course markings. On another stretch of the course near a playground, stuffed animals were placed along the route, and finally, along another shaded stretch, someone had set up a cheering gallery composed of Barbie dolls. The trails that went through the grassy parts of park were very well mowed, and the single track parts of the course were also very well maintained without ruts.

A pasta feed was also provided at the packet pickup, with a choice of pasta with meat and a vegan version, along with a delicious Caesar salad with fresh cucumbers. Food was also provided at the finish inside the air conditioned Conservation Center which doubled at the location for the packet pickup.

Because I am no longer a big fan of ultramarathons with the heat and humidity of August, I doubt that I will be doing this one anytime soon. However, with a little arm twisting, I could be talked into going back again to do the Moorehead Park Mazathon, which is run on the same day as the ultras. The marathon is run on a slightly different course, which hopefully doesn’t have as many of the out-and-back hills.

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The M Hill 24 hour ultra is run on a hilly and rocky 3.8 mile loop that goes around the south side of the M Hill in Rapid City and … MORE

The M Hill 24 hour ultra is run on a hilly and rocky 3.8 mile loop that goes around the south side of the M Hill in Rapid City and climbs steadily along both sides of a long switchback up to the “M” near the summit. The “M” is a giant letter denoting that Rapid City is the home to the South Dakota School of Mines, the main engineering college in the state.

From the top of the ridge, the single track trail heads north and then goes downhill on a series of rocky switchbacks back to the start/finish area across Rapid Creek from Founder’s Park. Each loop has a total of about 525 feet of elevation gain, which makes for a challenging course. Laps were counted manually, but I didn’t hear of any accuracy problems. There was one aid station complete with volunteers, and finishers were given a wooden finisher’s award, along with a nicely designed t shirt with complementary rust brown and turquoise colors.

The 24 hour race started at 6:00 p.m. on Friday which made for a toasty first couple of loops, but the temperatures dropped down to a tolerable level at night. The next morning a cold front moved through which cooled temperatures by about 13 degrees.

The race was well run by the two race directors, and I would sign up for another one of their races if they offered any in the future. I’d have to think seriously about signing up for this again, as it was a very difficult and challenging course, In hindsight, I’m glad I did it once though,

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We were greeted by very pleasant weather for the Badlands 24 hour run. We were given the choice between running a 11.5 mile loop or a shorter, 2.4 mile loop. … MORE

We were greeted by very pleasant weather for the Badlands 24 hour run. We were given the choice between running a 11.5 mile loop or a shorter, 2.4 mile loop. Most of the runners chose to run the longer loop first, just so they could see the whole course. The scenery was great, with spectacular views from the top of the bluff. There were some pretty steep and long hills though, so after the first loop, most runners like me decided to do the shorter loop that had less elevation gain. I’m glad I did the longer loop first because of the scenery and wildflowers, but I could have probably gotten in a few more miles had I just run the shorter loop. The first half of the short loop was relatively flat, but there were a couple of short, steep, dips down into some draws. The second half had some long uphill stretches, but nothing too steep.

The timing system was flawless, the race director and volunteers were very encouraging, but the aid station food was rather limited. There was no hot food, even at night, probably in order to reduce the risk of spread of the
SARS-CoVid-19 virus. Water, Tailwind, bottled gatorade and an assortment of soft drinks in cans were provided for hydration.

The race director reported that there were a record number of runners in the solo division, probably a result of most of the other races being canceled this year. Even with the mountain bikers and relay runners, it was a pretty small race.

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Like most fixed-time races, the best reason to run this, besides getting to run in pleasant weather in winter, is the people you will meet. There are people from all … MORE

Like most fixed-time races, the best reason to run this, besides getting to run in pleasant weather in winter, is the people you will meet. There are people from all over the world, and you will get to see a number of endurance running legends. Most of them are very friendly too, so don’t be afraid to talk to them and say hello.

This year was a decade edition of Across the Years, so they added a 10-day run which is difficult to imagine anyone doing, yet there were many out there running day and night for 10 days. There are also elite athletes trying to break records and first timers just testing their limits. If you are a fan of fixed-time races, this is one to do at least once.

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Yes, 40 miles is a long distance to run, but it's on a road, so how bad could it be? Well, it wasn't that bad, but it was a pretty … MORE

Yes, 40 miles is a long distance to run, but it’s on a road, so how bad could it be? Well, it wasn’t that bad, but it was a pretty hilly course. Between miles 5 and 10, it was almost all uphill at about a 5-6% grade. There was also another long hill on the way back from the out and back course that was about a mile long. Combine this with the heat of late June and a lack of much shade, and it can be a challenge.

There were some nice views of the valley from up on the ridge that we ran over, and some fine looking farmland, but the scenery wasn’t anything to write home about. This is mostly a relay race, so there was mostly just water at the aid stations, except that they did provide some bottled Gaterade for the solo ultrarunners at a few of the aid stations.

When I finished, the race director handed me a nice, heavy, trophy, which was provided to all of the ultrarunners and gave me a whole pizza from Dominos. I was kind of surprised, but it was a nice touch.

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This race started at the historic Wakulla Resort in Wakulla State Park and consisted of five 10K loops for the 50K. After starting in the park, we exited the park … MORE

This race started at the historic Wakulla Resort in Wakulla State Park and consisted of five 10K loops for the 50K. After starting in the park, we exited the park and ran an out and back in opposite directions on a straight stretch of closed road before returning to the start. There wasn’t much to see along the highway except for the runners going in the opposite directions. There was also a ruck division this year, so it was fun to see all of the members of the armed service carrying their packs. There were aid stations spaced about 3 miles which was nice as I didn’t even have to carry a hydration bottle. The highlight of this race for me was walking down to the springs after the race and seeing the manatees as I had never seen them before. The springs were crystal clear and it looked like you could see 20-25 feet down. We were given a nice 3/4 sleeve shirt at the packet pickup and a medal at the finish. I enjoyed the race as it was a unique ecosystem for me, but it would have been nicer if it had been a longer loop or if it had made use of more of the trails in the park.

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I've run quite a few fixed time ultras all over the country this year, and this one was as well organized as any that I've done, and quite the bargain … MORE

I’ve run quite a few fixed time ultras all over the country this year, and this one was as well organized as any that I’ve done, and quite the bargain too. Even though the entry was by volunteer donation, the aid station and amenities were as good as any. It was apparent that the race director and volunteers were familiar with ultras and had a lot of experience, as they didn’t skimp on anything. The course was relatively flat, with just enough undulations to give your muscles some rest on the downhills without having to negotiate any steep uphills. It was also wide enough so that two people could run side by side with still room for faster runners to pass. Laps were counted with chip timing, which is surprising given that the entry was just by free will donation. This was kind of an old school event, which was kind of relaxing without music blaring at all hours of the day. I hope this race continues well into the future, as it appears to have a fairly loyal following.

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I ran the 24 hour option at the Day of the Dead Zombie Ultras managed by Clint Burleson of Deadrunning.net. Clint has extensive experience as a race director as he … MORE

I ran the 24 hour option at the Day of the Dead Zombie Ultras managed by Clint Burleson of Deadrunning.net. Clint has extensive experience as a race director as he was the original founder of Mainly Marathons, so he can run a race in his sleep. I wasn’t expecting much from the course, as it was advertised as a 1.1 miles out and 1.1 mile back on a paved path along the Rio Grande River in Las Cruces, NM. I was a little disappointed though, as there were just a couple of places where you could see the river because of dense shrub-like willow trees along the edge of the river. I was also surprised that there weren’t very many birds along the course, but maybe it was too late in the year. You could see the very stark and rugged Organ Mountains in the distance from the course, but the main attraction were the people that were running. Larry Macon, who holds the record for the most lifetime marathons was there, along with Jim Simpson, Eugene DeFronzo, Eugene Bruckert, and Ila Brandli who have collectively run over a thousand marathons. There was a good assortment of real foods such as sandwiches, and water and a Gatorade-like drink available for hydration. The air was crisp in the morning, but warmed up to nice running temperatures in the afternoon. The medals were very nicely designed and were a plus. All in all, it was a good day’s worth of running.

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This is a small, urban, fixed-time race, yet there are enough finisher's for it to count for the 50 State Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs. It is a really nice … MORE

This is a small, urban, fixed-time race, yet there are enough finisher’s for it to count for the 50 State Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs. It is a really nice venue, consisting of an approximately 1.9 mile paved loop around Gray’s Lake in Des Moines, IA. The path is wide with just enough undulations to give yourself a break by going down short hills. Overall I would describe it as a flat course though. There were also at least three bathrooms with indoor plumbing within a short distance from the course. It is in a park-like atmosphere, with some prairie plants along the shoreline and views of the skyline of Des Moines. The course was open during the day, so there were other pedestrians, cyclist, and fisherman on the course, but it was never a problem because of the wide path. The one and only disappointment for me was the aid station. The only liquids available were cola and water, and the food selection was rather limited to cookies, chips and candy. If you like to eat real food like PB&J sandwiches, you would need to bring your own. Bling consisted of a nice pullover sweatshirt that I was given after I finished. Despite the one shortcoming, I will remember the pleasant fall day, and the seemingly never-ending flock of tens of thousands of noisy Common Grackles that flew overhead for a long time. It was a well managed race that I hope to do again sometime.

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This race really exceeded my expectations. There was a farmer's market and chili cookoff at the packet pickup, which created a festive atmosphere. The shuttle bus pickup went off without … MORE

This race really exceeded my expectations. There was a farmer’s market and chili cookoff at the packet pickup, which created a festive atmosphere. The shuttle bus pickup went off without a hitch, but it was below freezing at the start which was at an altitude above 5,000 feet. My breathing was rather heavy right off the bat, but settled down after a couple of miles. It didn’t seem like I was running very fast at first, but in hindsight I should have started out a little slower or taken more frequent walk breaks from the start. The first half of the course was through mainly pine forest, but the vegetation an terrain got better the closer we got to the Susan River. The day before, I saw Scrub Jays, White-crowned Sparrows, Steller’s Jays, and some smaller birds that I couldn’t identify with certainty, but may have been Dark-eyed Juncos. Most of the finishing times were faster than the average trail run, so this would be a good race for a beginner or for someone wanting to PR. There was a good selection of food and drink at the finish, and the 50K finishers were given a ceramic drink coaster and a medal.

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The Beaudry Fall Classic is run on a 3.1 mile loop through riparian woodland along the Assiniboine River just west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The fall colors were beautiful this year, … MORE

The Beaudry Fall Classic is run on a 3.1 mile loop through riparian woodland along the Assiniboine River just west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The fall colors were beautiful this year, but the weather didn’t cooperate for us. It started raining the night before the 12 hour run started, and it continued throughout the morning, turning the trail into a wet and slippery mess. It would have been a fast course had it been dry, and I’d like to give it a try again in the hopes that the course was in better condition. The loop was mainly cross country ski trails which were nice and wide, but water pooled in the middle along much of the trail. I only saw two whitetail deer, but there were also a lot of grey squirrels to keep me entertained. The lap counters seemed to do an excellent job, and I didn’t hear of anyone who felt they were short changed. There was a good variety of food items at the aid stations, but they didn’t have any soda, just Nuun drink and water. I guess if you like to drink Coca Cola during an ultra, you would have to bring your own. There were also 6 hour, 24 hour and 48 hour options, but my travel schedule only permitted me to do the 12 hour.

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This was my second time at the Goose Bumps 24 hour run. This time we ran on a shortened 1.85 mile course as a result of high water. The course … MORE

This was my second time at the Goose Bumps 24 hour run. This time we ran on a shortened 1.85 mile course as a result of high water. The course wasn’t as interesting as the longer one that I ran on two years ago, but it was long enough that I didn’t feel like I had to run a zillion laps to hit my mileage goal. I ended up staying for the awards ceremony, which gave me a new perspective on the race. They started out with a door prize drawing, which lasted over an hour. They then presented cumulative mileage awards, which amounted to hoodies for those with over 100 miles cumulative mileage, and patches that could be added to the jacket for 200, 300, and up to 500 miles. They also served a catered taco bar and had a beer pod with four different craft beers (which they ran out of incidentally). The part that I liked the best about this race is all of the families that participated, both running and volunteering. There were people running with dogs, baby strollers, and whole families running together. It was really a refreshing change from the big race scene. If you like laid back races, this one is for you.

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The American Heroes Run is done on a short loop course of 1.05 miles. About half of the course is on smooth, crushed gravel, and the other half is on … MORE

The American Heroes Run is done on a short loop course of 1.05 miles. About half of the course is on smooth, crushed gravel, and the other half is on concrete sidewalk. The course goes around a scenic pond with a lot of Canada Geese, but there was little shade. The aid station was well stocked with a good assortment of food and drink. I was given a beautiful challenge coin for finishing an ultra distance, but there was no medal. The shirt was a cotton shirt that fit with the theme of the race. It was a small field, but there were some impressive performances.

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This was a small race on the Good Earth Farm, near Lennox SD. The trail that we were supposed to run on was a dirt track that was soaked the … MORE

This was a small race on the Good Earth Farm, near Lennox SD. The trail that we were supposed to run on was a dirt track that was soaked the day before with heavy rain, so we ran on a shorter loop that was mostly grass for the first few hours of the run. The race organizers managed to get the dirt path packed down enough that we were able to run the longer loop which was only about 1.35 miles. It was a soft path that was easy on the feet. The aid stations were stocked with the usual ultra fare, including vegan items, and there were plenty of things for families to do and explore on the farm. The owners had miniature donkeys, a miniature Dexter bull, chickens, and a couple of pigs.

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This race was day 3 of the inaugural Northeast Series organized by The Road to 50 Races. The course was another 1.1 mile out and 1.1 mile back course along … MORE

This race was day 3 of the inaugural Northeast Series organized by The Road to 50 Races. The course was another 1.1 mile out and 1.1 mile back course along a relatively straight, paved, and well-shaded bike path. This one had fairly good canopy cover along almost all of the course, but this year, it wasn’t really necessary as it rained for all but the last 5 minutes of my run. The rain was a welcome relief from the heat though, and I ran almost 30 minute faster than I did two days previously. One welcome addition at the aid station was freshly cooked bacon, which gave me heart burn at one other race, but this time I ate it without any problems. This race went off again without a hitch, except George and Kate’s large TV monitor on which they projected the split results got wet and quit working. There were just enough marathon and 50K runners for the race to count for the 50 State Marathon Club, but not enough starters for it to count for leveling up in the Marathon Maniac club. Hopefully, they will be able to grow this race in the future as it is a nice venue for this type of an event.

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This was the first race in the inaugural Northeast Series organized by The Road to 50 Races. They provided water and Gatorade the afternoon before the first race of the … MORE

This was the first race in the inaugural Northeast Series organized by The Road to 50 Races. They provided water and Gatorade the afternoon before the first race of the series at the packet pickup, along with a veggie tray. We were given a cotton t-shirt, a custom bib, and our timing chip. Due to the forecast of a heat advisory, the marathon and 50K runners were given the option of a 4 a.m. start, which was a good idea given the weather. The course was a 1.1 mile out and 1.1 mile back on a concrete bike path. The first 1/3 of the relatively flat course was in the open with few trees, but the rest was well shaded. The course paralleled the Blackstone River, but we did go by a fenced water treatment plant. Considering this was an inaugural series, the race went off without a hitch and the timing system recorded our splits for every out and back. The one draw back is that the timing system used passive integrated transponders, so we had to touch the wrist band onto a touch pad for it to work, so you had to come to a complete stop every 1.1 miles. The medals were customized for each race of the series and consisted of a hollow ring with a solid disk in the middle that indicated which race of the series was run along with the distance. Awards for the top 3 in each distance were given except for the 50K because there weren’t enough starters.

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This race consisted of three loops that all began and ended at a central point that had a well-stocked aid station. The first loop was mostly single track that meandered … MORE

This race consisted of three loops that all began and ended at a central point that had a well-stocked aid station. The first loop was mostly single track that meandered through lush woods. This was probably the hilliest an most difficult section. The second loop traveled through more open country which was more exposed. The third loop also was more exposed and went through the town of Coon Rapids, then a long, long climb over the last three miles which finally dropped down to the finish. This race really wiped me out. I’m not sure if it was the heat or the hills or a combination of both. It was a well organized race though, and the finisher awards were unique plaques made out of weathered barnwood. They also gave out waterproof drop bags and I received one even though I registered at the last minute.

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Although this out and back course was in the middle of town, it was well shaded and lined with plenty of trees which kept the temperatures tolerable. There was only … MORE

Although this out and back course was in the middle of town, it was well shaded and lined with plenty of trees which kept the temperatures tolerable. There was only one sharp turn other than the turnaround, so one could stride out and get some speed. My only criticism was that the cones were laid out in kind of a zig zag near the finish, and I wasn’t sure whether to run on the outside of them or the inside. It might have been helpful to have some arrows.

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Day 3 of the Mainly Marathons Independence series was held on the grounds of the Daniel Boone Homestead Historical site. I think this run was made a lot more meaningful … MORE

Day 3 of the Mainly Marathons Independence series was held on the grounds of the Daniel Boone Homestead Historical site. I think this run was made a lot more meaningful to me because I arrived early the day before and took a guided tour of the home where Daniel Boone was born. The house was modified and added onto significantly by two other subsequent owners, but is still the birthplace of an American frontier explorer. The course itself was mostly paved road, but there was a short segment of gravel that was maybe 0.25 miles long. This gravel segment went by a barn and a building which held a blacksmith shop. There were also sheep that roamed the grounds, and I saw a snapping turtle that crawled out onto the gravel path as well as a fawn just on the other side of a railed fence. This would be a great place for history buffs and was a nice place to run. There was a bit of a parking problem due to heavy rains the day before and on the morning of the race, but the race directors were able to work everything out.

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3
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This was a typical Mainly Marathons run, except there was a little more variety of running surfaces. Like many of their races, the course consisted of a short out and … MORE

This was a typical Mainly Marathons run, except there was a little more variety of running surfaces. Like many of their races, the course consisted of a short out and back. This allows them to run longer races without having a large number of aid stations and a large number of volunteers. It works if you know a lot of the people, but can get boring at times. The course started out by going around 3 sides of a paved parking lot, then across a grassy area, then through a dirt trail, then a paved road that alternated with a couple of gravel sections. The park was nice and green with verdant trails, but with the 16.5 out and backs that I had to do for the 50K, it was a little monotonous. The humidity really sapped my strength, but the race organization can’t do much with the weather. There was a good crowd this year and the aid station food was good.

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This was a really well run event held on the concrete trail around Wascana Lake. It was by far the most enjoyable fixed-time event that I have ever done. I … MORE

This was a really well run event held on the concrete trail around Wascana Lake. It was by far the most enjoyable fixed-time event that I have ever done. I felt really welcomed by all of the participants, volunteers, and race officials. The trail was located in a park around scenic Wascana lake. There were a lot of geese in the park that weren’t afraid of humans, so runners had to weave around them at times, but they were fun to watch, especially the ones with large numbers of goslings. There was also a totem near the course that I took time to photograph, as well as several bronze statues. There were also fountains in the lake, the Beaux-Arts Saskatchewan Legislative building, and the Wascana Center where people were renting rowing boats to take out on the lake. There was a lot going on which made for nice distractions, but on the other hand, near the end of the day the trail got busy with pedestrian and bike traffic. Also, there was a Run for Women that shared the trail during the middle of the morning with hundreds of participants walking 4 or 5 wide on the path. Fortunately, there was room to run around them, but it seemed strange that they would allow such a large race at the same time as an ultramarathon. Despite this downside, it was a very well-run event that I would do again if I have the chance.

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The 50K event involved 3 loops of 9.4 miles plus one short out and back around Youngs Lake, the watershed for Seattle, WA. It was a shame that the whole … MORE

The 50K event involved 3 loops of 9.4 miles plus one short out and back around Youngs Lake, the watershed for Seattle, WA. It was a shame that the whole lake is surrounded by a high chain-link fence with barbed wire over the top. Otherwise, I think it would be a pretty course. As it was, I kind of felt like I was running in a prison. The course was very hilly with long rolling hills. The weather is usually mild in Renton, WA though, and this year was no exception. We lucked out in that it was dry most of the day. Swag included a short-sleeved shirt, a butt, and a medal. It was inspiring to see the runners doing 100 and 200 miles, but this wasn’t one of my favorite races.

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The scenery and wildlife were the best part of this race. It was a tough one though. There were some steep hills, some with switchbacks, but there were some short, … MORE

The scenery and wildlife were the best part of this race. It was a tough one though. There were some steep hills, some with switchbacks, but there were some short, steep climbs too. There were also stretches with nothing but solid golf-ball sized sharp rocks. The worst part of this was that because it was a 4.79 mile loop, you had to run the hills and the technical sections multiple times. The first 1.2 miles of the course were relatively flat and smooth though. It was when we got near the end of the peninsula where things got interesting. This was where the switchbacks started that led up to the overlook, which was a new addition to the course this year. The addition was a short side loop to the top of a rocky knoll overlooking Payette Lake. Even though it was a tough climb, the view was worth it. Even though there weren’t many other runners to keep me entertained, I enjoyed watching all of the wildlife including mule deer, red squirrels, ruffed grouse, sandhill cranes, bufflehead, chipping sparrows, ravens, American robin, and yellow-rumped warblers. The race was very low key, with no bling, but if you like to run by yourself in the great outdoors with spectacular scenery, this is the one for you.

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5
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This is getting to be a very popular race, so if you want to sign up, you'd better be ready as soon as the race registration opens. It is run … MORE

This is getting to be a very popular race, so if you want to sign up, you’d better be ready as soon as the race registration opens. It is run on a 1 mile paved loop around a small pond in North Pond Park in Webster, NY. About the only complaint that I have about the race is that the paved path is fairly narrow which makes it difficult to pass other runners without going off of the path into the grass, which wasn’t a problem because of the smooth surface. There were a lot of small birds such as Canada Geese and a few Mallard Ducks on along the course, along with numerous species of small birds such as warblers. I found several Marathon Maniacs to run with and pass the time by sharing running stories, which made the miles go by faster. In fact, I found that I was losing track of the number of loops that I had done and was surprised when I had done one more than I thought. The course was chipped timed, and there was plenty of swag for finishers of 26.2, 50K, 50 miles, or 100K distances. I received a cute racoon swag bag complete with a tail, a cap, a travel mug, a coffee cup, and a jar of hazelnut butter that the TSA scoundrels confiscated from my during my flight back home. The weather this year was pleasant, but cool, which made for excellent running conditions.

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Race headquarters for this run was at the fairgrounds in Ottawa, KS, so you could go inside the Celebration Hall and stay warm and socialize with other runners. The trail … MORE

Race headquarters for this run was at the fairgrounds in Ottawa, KS, so you could go inside the Celebration Hall and stay warm and socialize with other runners. The trail is flat and straight, and the one turn that you had to make to go under the freeway was well marked. Nice soft crushed limestone surface was easy on the feet. Belt buckles were given for all distances, and they had breakfast food at the finish including coffee, pancakes, sausage, and bacon. The volunteers were very helpful and the race had a community vibe. I very much recommend it.

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In a dry year, this course would be very flat and fast. Much of it is on old Forest Service roads that are smooth and level with a soft pine … MORE

In a dry year, this course would be very flat and fast. Much of it is on old Forest Service roads that are smooth and level with a soft pine needle cushion. This year was very wet in the days leading up to the race, which turned the lower parts of the course into a muddy bog. The weather was almost ideal though, with temperatures in the 50’s and a good cloud cover. There was plenty of Longleaf Pine trees though, so there would be shade if the sun had come out. The field was small enough that you could enjoy the quiet solitude of the trail and listen to birds and possibly see a white-tailed deer or two. The aid stations were well supplied to meet almost anyone’s needs, although there wasn’t any hot food except for bacon. All runner’s were given a shirt and a Ulitimate Direction hand-held water bottle. I also received a beanie cap and a nicely designed medal as finisher’s awards. I waffled back and forth as to whether or not to give this a 4 or 5-star overall rating because I would have liked to give it a 4.5 because of a lack of a post-race meal which is becoming more and more common at ultras, but everything ran so smoothly that I decided to give them a 5.

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The 50K option of this race is run on a single 50K loop through the Long-leaf pine forests of Kisatchie National Forest. The trail allows ATVs and horses, so becomes … MORE

The 50K option of this race is run on a single 50K loop through the Long-leaf pine forests of Kisatchie National Forest. The trail allows ATVs and horses, so becomes very rutted and eroded with numerous wet spots that become muddy. There are also some short sections with loose, white sand. The race support and organization were second to none though. The aid stations were well-supplied with a range of beverages and ultra fare, including one that had bean burrito wraps and quesadillas. Most of them also had PB&J sandwiches, along with Gatorade, water, Coca-cola, and ginger ale. The best part was at the finish where they had their own branded Red Dirt Ultra beer and plenty of delicious Louisiana gumbo. The weather was pleasant this year and dry, although the trail was pretty wet. The bling included long-sleeved cotton shirts and a nice medal with the silhouette of Louisiana. The soft trail was easy on the feet, but you did have to watch out for a few roots and rocks in places. Overall, it turned out to be an enjoyable morning run in the National Forest.

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I ran the 50K on day 3 of the Mainly Marathons Aloha series in 2019. The course consisted of an out and back that was a total of 2.2 miles. … MORE

I ran the 50K on day 3 of the Mainly Marathons Aloha series in 2019. The course consisted of an out and back that was a total of 2.2 miles. The 50K runners had to do this 14 times plus one shorter out and back to bring the total up to 31 miles. The out and back was along a concrete bike path that ran along adjacent to the shoreline at Kapa’a Beach Park on Kauai, HI. It might sound boring to have to run this 14 times, but the scenery was beautiful and there were all kinds of tourists and locals to watch, along with many species of birds. Some of the birds that I was able to identify included Zebra Doves, which were everywhere, a small, chestnut brown, bird called the Black-headed Mannikin, Red-crested Cardinal, a species of shorebird that I wasn’t able to identify, Common Mynas, Cattle Egrets, and one Albatross.

I only gave the race a 4 out of 5, because I would prefer to run longer loops. Also, I gave the race production a 4 out of 5 because I didn’t feel that the aid station was up to their usual standards, probably because they couldn’t bring their usual caravan of trailers with them to Hawaii, and so didn’t have their “Looney Lunchbox” kitchen. I thought that they could have ordered pizza from a local restaurant or other local food to supplement the snacks that were offered. They also ran out of t-shirts in my size because of an unexpected high number of runners that signed up for the 5K on the days of the races.

I hope I’m not coming off as being too critical, because I’m just trying to tell it as it was. I really had a good time, and met a lot of really nice friends. One of the runners even let me use their shower because I was flying out the same day as my race so I could be back at work on Monday. If I could, I would give the race an overall rating as 4.5 and would do it again if I ever have the chance to go back.

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Across the Years offers fixed-time races of 24, 48, 72 and 144 hours. It is held at Camelback Ranch which is the spring training facility for the LA Dodgers and … MORE

Across the Years offers fixed-time races of 24, 48, 72 and 144 hours. It is held at Camelback Ranch which is the spring training facility for the LA Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. Given that it is a venue for a professional sport, the grounds are very well manicured and designed. The course is mainly a packed dirt path around a picturesque lake with resident Canada Geese, Cormorants, and Mallard ducks. The start/finish line is located on a “main street” with a spectator tent with chairs, a warming tent with tables and chairs and charging stations, and a communal sleeping tent with cots that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also an option of renting a tent with a cot, or you can camp out along a straight stretch at the far end of the course. The course itself is a 1.048 mile loop, which means that every 21 miles, you get an extra (bonus) mile added to your total. The weather this year was about 15 degrees below normal and it rained for most of a day. It is still a much better option than running in the more northern latitudes during the first of the year. Hot food is served about every 6 hours, and typical ultra food is available any time at the one fully-stocked aid station. It was fun seeing so many famous ultra runners this year, including the Jester, Ed Ettinghausen, Ann Trason, Catra Corbett and her famous running Dachsund, Truman, and Davy Crockett. Several American and Canadian records were set, and Don Winkley broke the 80-85 year old age group World Record formerly held by Ted Corbitt by almost 21 miles. It’s such an iconic race that every endurance runner should do it at least once in their lifetime.

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This course meanders by beautiful and strange sandstone formations, red canyons, and natural bridges off of the Gemini Bridges Road about 10 miles North of Moab, UT. The first 4.5 … MORE

This course meanders by beautiful and strange sandstone formations, red canyons, and natural bridges off of the Gemini Bridges Road about 10 miles North of Moab, UT. The first 4.5 miles is along a rough jeep road that gives the large field a chance to spread out before hitting the slick rock and sandy trails. Once you hit the single track trails, the first half of the course is a gradual uphill and then is mainly uphill in the second half. The red sandstone, greasewood, Mormon tea (Ephedra sp.), juniper, and pinyon pine give the course an ageless appearance. I didn’t see much in the way of big game animals, but there was a sign near the start that stated that the area was a desert bighorn sheep lambing area. I saw a couple of bushy-tailed woodrat nests along some of the undercut sandstone cliffs, and ravens could be heard making their “kraak” calls along the trail, along with some small, blue birds about the size of a lazuli bunting. The weather was mostly sunny with a low of about 24 degrees and a high of about 60, which made for a difficult decision on what to wear. I decided on a pair of tights, long-sleeved technical shirt, and an ultralight jacket which I took off after I got to the first aid station. Speaking of aid stations, they had almost anything you would want, including peanut butter and honey wraps, quesadillas, pierogies, pancakes, and the ubiquitous boiled potatoes. The swag included a nicely designed short-sleeved t-shirt, Boco hat, and a nice finisher’s medal. This was a challenging course for me as I wasn’t used to running on rocks with all the attendant hopping from one ledge to another, but there were no steep climbs either. Many of the hills were gradual enough that you could run them, but don’t forget to take the time to stop and take in the views as they are spectacular. I skipped a short detour off of the official course to a point where you could see the Gemini Bridge, and regretted it later as the pictures that I saw later were spectacular. It was all good though as I was able to meet a couple of other runners about the same age as myself for the last 10 miles of the race, and helped pace one of them to a new personal record.

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This 24-hour timed event is run around a 0.59 mile loop surrounding the Lillington Parks and Recreation complex. The course was chipped time, and the timekeeper posted distance updates and … MORE

This 24-hour timed event is run around a 0.59 mile loop surrounding the Lillington Parks and Recreation complex. The course was chipped time, and the timekeeper posted distance updates and placing about every two hours. There was a tent with Gatorade, water, coffee, Coca-cola, and ginger ale, along with a wide range of food items including ham or turkey and cheese wraps, avocado wraps, an a wide variety of snack items. In the evening, they fired up a grill and cooked hamburgers and chicken tenders. The timing services and race management were excellent and went off without a hitch. All registered runners were given a short-sleeved t-shirt, and finishers who completed at least 100 miles were given a belt buckle. The weather this year was excellent with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Inflatable Halloween decorations around the course and costumed runners made for a festive atmosphere. This was a fun event and one that I would consider doing again.

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This race was formerly known as the Newton Hills Ultra. I ran the 30K again this year with a fellow co-worker. The weather was much warmer this year, with lows … MORE

This race was formerly known as the Newton Hills Ultra. I ran the 30K again this year with a fellow co-worker. The weather was much warmer this year, with lows in the 40’s and a high in the 60’s. The one downside of the nicer weather was that there were some spots where the trail was pretty rutted and muddy. The course starts out with a two-mile lolly-pop loop that returns to the start/finish area where there is a fully supplied aid station. The aid station was much bigger this year, covered with a large tent, and had a wider selection of food and drinks. There is then another 4-mile loop in the opposite direction that has 3 pretty long and steep hills. I was passed by some of the faster runners just before one of these hills, and even the leaders were walking up them, although they could be run if you were a good hill runner. Most of the course is single-track dirt, except for a short section at the beginning of the second loop that is gravel road. Podium finishers were given gift certificates at least two deep in each age group, and the overall winners were given a gift certificate for a free pair of Altra running shoes. I believe this race was taken over by a different race management group, and I could see that some improvements were made. Now they just need to advertise a little more to get the word out so that more runners take advantage of this local event.

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I made a last-minute decision to run this half marathon just because I was passing through the area and thought it would be a good training run. I am glad … MORE

I made a last-minute decision to run this half marathon just because I was passing through the area and thought it would be a good training run. I am glad I did it, as it turned out to be much better than I thought. It was a small-town run done on the Three Rivers rail trail. The trail was smooth and straight, and the stiff wind was at our backs for about 3/4 of the race. The trees were in their fall glory, and the sun was shining, but there wasn’t much in the way of spectators except for the volunteers at the aid stations. After the race, a free pancake and sausage breakfast was served by the local Kiwanis club. What surprised me most was the bling. The finisher’s medal was modest, but well done, and we were given a zippered bag with the race name, a long-sleeved technical shirt, and a commemorative beer glass. I think the number of runners was down this year, but it was sufficient for it to count for the Half Fanatics and 50 State Half Marathon Club. All in all, not bad for a fun run in the country.

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This was the first year for the Palace City Kiwanis Half Marathon, which starts and finishes at the World's Only Corn Palace. The Corn Palace was open before the race … MORE

This was the first year for the Palace City Kiwanis Half Marathon, which starts and finishes at the World’s Only Corn Palace. The Corn Palace was open before the race for day of the race packet pickup and also to keep us warm before the start of the race. It was chip timed by allsportscentral.com, and had fall decorations at the start/finish line. There were water stations with Gatorade about every 2.5-3 miles. I didn’t see any mile markers until about mile 6, but I was told that they put them out every mile, but maybe the were blown down by the wind. There were about 160 runners this year, not bad for a town that really doesn’t have much of a running culture. There was an announcer that called out people’s names at the finish, and there were custom medals shaped like the Corn Palace handed out at the finish line. I attended the pre-race packet pickup on Saturday, and picked up a cloth swag bag with a long-sleeved t-shirt, water bottle with the Corn Palace logo, band aids, a honey stinger energy gel, tea bags, and miscellaneous coupons. All in all, I would say it was a huge success, especially for the first year. I foresee it become even bigger and better in future years, and look forward to running it again.

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I was actually dreading this run on my drive out to Illinois as it rained most of the day on Friday, and the forecast was for rain off and on … MORE

I was actually dreading this run on my drive out to Illinois as it rained most of the day on Friday, and the forecast was for rain off and on during the race. The weather gods were kind to us though, as the rain held off until about 7 hours into the 50K run. The temperatures were cool and the trail was dry which was about perfect conditions for an endurance run. This race is a point-to-point run along the Hennepin Canal. Because I was by myself, I had to ride the shuttle bus, which left Colona, IL at 2:30 p.m. for the 5:00 p.m. start. I’m not sure why we left so early as we had to stand around for about an hour and a half after I signed a waiver form and picked up my packet. It was kind of nice though to meet some of the other runners and talk about the upcoming race. I quickly spotted Lorelei, another Raceraves Lunatic that Mike Sohaskey asked me to keep an eye out for and say hi. I started out in the back of the pack and had no problem keeping up with the mass of runners ahead of me. I started out taking short walking breaks after about a mile, and continued to do so for the rest of the race. By the time we got to the second of the well-supplied aid stations, it was already starting to get dark, but I delayed putting on my headlamp until it was almost pitch black out. My legs started stiffening up by the third aid station, so I sat down and ate some boiled potatoes for a few minutes, which definitely helped. I then yo-yoed with two different groups of runners until the last 10 miles, then proceeded to catch up to them and finally pass them at the final aid stations. I missed a sub-7 hour finish because of the extended break I took at the third aid station, but still finished with my fastest splits of the second half for the last three miles. The aid stations had water, Tailwind, coffee, and several types of soft drinks. Some of the food items included grilled cheese, broth, gels, cliff bars, pizza, and boiled potatoes. The volunteers were very enthusiastic and didn’t hesitate to offer help with anything the runners needed. The medal was very nice with a glow-in-the -dark keychain that you could remove to use with your keys if you wanted. The shirt was very nicely designed as well. Although the course was somewhat monotonous, the race was well managed with excellent amenities. The one criticism that I heard several times on the course was a scarcity of porta potties at the aid stations, but that wasn’t a problem for me.

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One of the goals of this race according to the race director is to provide an opportunity for older/slower runners to run an ultra without having to worry about finish … MORE

One of the goals of this race according to the race director is to provide an opportunity for older/slower runners to run an ultra without having to worry about finish line cutoffs. Accordingly, the time limit for the 50K was 15 hours. Unfortunately, this inaugural race didn’t attract very many older runners, possibly because there were a lot of other races that same weekend. The course started at Shepherd’s Springs camp, and was supposed to go about 15 miles downstream along the historic C & O canal and then return back to the camp. Unfortunately, heavy rains earlier in the week caused the Potomac River to rise, flooding the road in two places on the drive in to the start, and flooded the course on the C & O towpath. Fortunately, the race director was able to make adjustments on the fly and allowed us to continue running three shorter out and backs to complete the 50K distance. This meant that we had to cross two flooded sections of trail, and also go up a steep hill to get back to the camp at the end of each out and back. My favorite part of the course was along the C & O canal, as it was cooler, shaded, and the dirt (mud) and gravel was easier on the feet and legs. I was disappointed that we weren’t able to see the whole course, but was grateful to the race director for allowing us to continue with the race.

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The Sizzlin' Sasquatch is the creation of RJ and Summer Chiles, who own the land where the course is located and direct the race single-handedly. You can tell that they … MORE

The Sizzlin’ Sasquatch is the creation of RJ and Summer Chiles, who own the land where the course is located and direct the race single-handedly. You can tell that they really care about this race, as there were bigfoot signs directing participants off of the main highway, all the way to the starting line, and many other amenities not often found at trail races. I was surprised at the small number of participants, but the quality made up for the small quantity. At 5:00 a.m., five or six enthusiastic runners took off for a short out and back before beginning a series of loops approximately 3.2 miles long. I fell in behind two female runners and found that it was a little dusty. I tried slowing down to get out of their dust, but it didn’t seem to settle very quickly, so I continued on behind them. After about a loop and a half, they both pulled away from me and the dust was no longer a problem. The trail was mainly hard packed to loose dirt when we were under the oak trees, but consisted of about a 10-foot swath of closely mowed pasture out in the open. I would say that about 40% of the course was covered by trees, which provided welcome shade. The course was relatively flat, with short rollers. There were a couple of places that were really rocky, but the whole course was runnable. There was one full-service aid station at the start/finish line and self-service water stations a little past one mile and a second near the 2-mile mark. There were humorous signs along part of the course, as well as a life-sized Sasquatch silhouette. The resident Llama, as well as wildlife such as tarantula hawks, a velvet ant (cow killer), and a huge rat snake kept me entertained.

The generous hosts provided free camping for the 3-days of races, and even had a pair of private outdoor showers for the runners. All in all, this was one of the best organized small races that I’ve ever had the pleasure of running. It’s a shame that there weren’t more runners to take advantage of it.

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I was amazed that this race was organized so well given the small number of volunteers involved. I picked up my bib number and t shirt the afternoon before the … MORE

I was amazed that this race was organized so well given the small number of volunteers involved. I picked up my bib number and t shirt the afternoon before the race, and the race director was out on the course marking the trail. He also mowed a path for us along the route, and was the main time-keeper throughout the 24 hours of this race. I thought he bent over backwards accommodating the runners. There wasn’t a huge variety of food at the aid station, but it was sufficient for a 24 hour run. About half the course was shaded in a riparian zone along Clear Creek, and the other half was along the edge of an old hay field. It got hot at times along the upper part of the loop, but was perceptibly cooler in the shade closer to the creek. The course was a 2-mile loop, so we were able to replenish at the aid station at regular intervals. One nice touch was that chairs were provided for those who wanted to take a break at the end of a loop. I enjoy these small events because you get to know the people so much better than at larger events.

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I didn't have too high of expectations before traveling to this race, but I was pleasantly surprised. The race was run on a 6.3 mile loop that was mostly single-track … MORE

I didn’t have too high of expectations before traveling to this race, but I was pleasantly surprised. The race was run on a 6.3 mile loop that was mostly single-track dirt trails with some double-track gravel. There were 3 logs that had to be stepped over and a couple of areas with roots, but overall it was an easy trail. The race was chip timed, and very well organized. There was one strange twist though. They gave the 12-hour runners an extra 1.5 hours to finish, so the 12-hour run was actually 13.5 hours. The 4 and 6-hour events also had extra time. This is unusual, but I guess it gives one a chance for a new PR for an unorthodox duration for a timed race. The aid stations were well supplied with a variety of snacks and food, and deep dish pizza and cake were served near the end of each event. All finishers were given a nice medal, except for those who finished 50 miles or 100K which were given belt buckles. All in all, I would give it 5 stars.

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This race was part of the Mainly Marathon Prairie Series, which is notoriously hot and frequently humid. Fortunately, this course had quite a bit of shade. The route started at … MORE

This race was part of the Mainly Marathon Prairie Series, which is notoriously hot and frequently humid. Fortunately, this course had quite a bit of shade. The route started at the Mainly Marathon “camp” and zig-zagged through a combination park/recreational complex in Riverside Park in a short out-and-back, and then proceeded to another out-and-back underneath the freeway overpass to a pretty stretch along the Big Sioux River. The first few hundred yards of the second out-and-back was open to the sun, but the rest did have quite a bit of shade. The advantage to this double out-and-back is that you ran by the aid station about every 0.5 to 0.75 miles. This makes it easier to keep hydrated and fueled without having to wear a hydration vest or carry a hand-held bottle. I thought this course was better than the Mainly Marathon races in Nebraska and Missouri that I ran last year as it was more scenic and had a little more shade. A bonus was the sighting of several white-tailed deer, including two new-born fawns along the paved trail that went along the Big Sioux River.

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If you like running on mountain single track courses through forests and streams, this race series if not for you. It is mainly set up to make it easy for … MORE

If you like running on mountain single track courses through forests and streams, this race series if not for you. It is mainly set up to make it easy for marathoners to either pick up races in different states in a short period of time with a minimum of travel between races or for people competing to see how many marathons they can complete in a year. It’s fun to see famous runners like Larry Macon, Jim Simpson, and Henry Rueden, but the courses consist of short out-and-backs or short loops (I’m talking about less than 2 miles total out-and-back). This race started with a short segment from the North Dakota side of the Red River to the starting line, which was on the Minnesota side of the river in Breckenridge, MN. This allowed runners to chose whether they wanted to count it for either MN or ND. After this first segment, the course was basically a fish-hooked shaped out and back that crossed the Red River and then proceeded for about 0.68 miles along the top of the dike on the ND side of the Red River. We then turned around and ran back to the start. I would have like to have seen a little longer out and back or a loop, but the advantage of this type of course is that you get to visit the full-service aid station at the start/finish more frequently. It was very warm and humid this year, yet I didn’t have to wear a hydration vest or carry a water bottle. There is a table at the start/finish where you can leave your water bottle and a volunteer will fill it with your choice of fluids as needed. They had Gatorade, water, Coca Cola, and more. They also had flavored ice pops, french toast, PB & J sandwiches, and other snack foods. All runners were given a starter medal at check in before their first race, and then a state medal that attached to the bottom of the starter medal to form a chain of medals. July is a tough month to run in the Great Plains with the heat and humidity, so this is a series that is mainly for the hard-core Mainlyners.

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Mainly marathons is a well-organized company that puts on series of runs of various lengths. This one was on a wide, smooth trail of crushed gravel. It was near Ashley … MORE

Mainly marathons is a well-organized company that puts on series of runs of various lengths. This one was on a wide, smooth trail of crushed gravel. It was near Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke, MA. The course started out going through some picturesque woods, and then by several ponds of Ashley Reservoir. There was a lot of wildlife seen on the course including white-tailed deer, beaver, and Eastern chipmunks. The course was a 1.1 mile out and back that was repeated 14.5 times for the 50K and 12 times for the marathon distance. The wide trails of Ashley Reservoir made for an excellent venue for this rapidly expanding series, as there was plenty of room for passing on the trails.

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The Millersylvania 50K is run on a well groomed loop trail through dense cedar and Douglas fir forest in Millersylvania State Park near Olympia WA. The race's website says that … MORE

The Millersylvania 50K is run on a well groomed loop trail through dense cedar and Douglas fir forest in Millersylvania State Park near Olympia WA. The race’s website says that there is approximately 300 feet of elevation gain per loop, but it doesn’t even seem to be that much. Most of the elevation gain is gradual, so almost all of the course is runnable. If you are a slower runner, it is important to note that there is an 8 hour time limit, which the race director appears to fully enforce as there were about 11 DNFs in the 50K this year. There was one stretch about 30 yards long that was covered with ankle-deep water with no way to avoid getting your feet wet. The bottom was solid though, so there was no mud to sink into. Most of the trail is covered with soft pine needles, with just a few short stretches of gravel or pavement. The start/finish is near a swimming beach on Deep Lake, so you can cool off afterwards and rest your legs in the cool lake. There was a barbecue picnic afterwards for the runners, but no finisher’s medals. This is a good course for a beginner or for experienced trail runners who want to get a PR and is a really beautiful course through Pacific Northwest forest. I can see this race growing a lot in the future if it is promoted a bit more.

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This was a small ultramarathon, probably because of the long distance that most ultrarunners from the lower 48 states have to travel, but it was definitely worth the effort. Except … MORE

This was a small ultramarathon, probably because of the long distance that most ultrarunners from the lower 48 states have to travel, but it was definitely worth the effort. Except for a lot of wet ground, the course was relatively easy with just a couple of noticeable climbs. The race director was very humble and gracious, and everything went off with a hitch. There were no finisher awards given, but the scenery and location more than made up for it. There was a lunch served after the race with hot dogs and hamburgers, and runners were encouraged to bring a potluck dish which fostered a sense of community. As expected, most of the runners were from Alaska, and were very warm and friendly. It wasn’t so much the course, but the people that would bring me back again if I have the chance.

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Pineland Farms has an interesting history. It formerly was the campus of a mental institution for the state of Maine. It’s buildings are now rented out to various businesses. Surrounding … MORE

Pineland Farms has an interesting history. It formerly was the campus of a mental institution for the state of Maine. It’s buildings are now rented out to various businesses. Surrounding the campus, are a complex network of meandering trails. They zig zag back and forth through woods, around the edge of fields, and even a dairy. The whole course is all runnable, and the path is flat and smooth except where it goes around the edges of the fields. Even the roots found on some sections were painted orange by the race directors. There was live music, food, and free beer provided by Shipyard Brewing at the finish. The amenities reminded me of a well-supported marathon as opposed to the average trail run. Even with the controversial history of the location, you would be crazy not to run this race if you had the chance.

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This race was run on a well-groomed, relatively flat trail in a wooded park. The park was heavily wooded in most places except for the path around the lakes, which … MORE

This race was run on a well-groomed, relatively flat trail in a wooded park. The park was heavily wooded in most places except for the path around the lakes, which was in the open sun. Most of the trail was about 15 feet wide and was composed of dirt and grass or finely crushed rock, although there was one stretch where we ran through a campground which was paved. There were a few roots, but they were painted blaze orange, so there was little danger of tripping. I think it would be a good course for anyone new to trail running, or for experienced runners who want to run a fast time. The run was chip timed which appeared to work flawlessly. There were really nicely design participation medals that had the distance milestone achieved labeled on the back as well as t-shirts. My only criticism is that the only food at the aid station was snack-type food. It would have been nice to have some larger food items such as PB & J sandwiches or ham and cheese sandwiches or wraps. They did have a meal after the 12-hour was finished, but I didn’t stick around for that. The entry fee was relatively low though, so in light of that, you get what you pay for. I guess I’m getting spoiled with the banquets provided by some ultras.

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This is primarily a timed ultra on a 1-mile loop although I did the 50K option. In addition, there were 6 day, 3 day, 48-hour, 24-hour, 12-hour, 6-hour, and marathon … MORE

This is primarily a timed ultra on a 1-mile loop although I did the 50K option. In addition, there were 6 day, 3 day, 48-hour, 24-hour, 12-hour, 6-hour, and marathon options. It was pretty amazing that the race director could keep track of all the different options and runners on the course, but they did. The one aid station was phenomenal, offering the usual snacks plus a grill that would make just about anything you wanted to order. Belt buckles were given out to runners finishing at least 101 miles and coins for shorter distances. This year, all runners were given a Marmot rain jacket with the logo of 3 Days at the Fair, which came in handy for most of the days of the race. I lucked out and picked the driest of the 6 days of the run. This isn’t one of those epic runs in a wilderness, but was fun seeing quite a few members of the Marathon Maniacs, 50 State Marathon Club, and many others. To me, it’s more of a social event than an athletic competition, although there were several elite ultrarunners. The race is in a pretty part of New Jersey, but the race course was on a flat fairground.

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This marathon is run on dirt and gravel roads around a single loop through scenic farm country. If you don't like hills, you won't like this marathon. Except for the … MORE

This marathon is run on dirt and gravel roads around a single loop through scenic farm country. If you don’t like hills, you won’t like this marathon. Except for the first couple of miles and the last few, it is continuous rolling hills. I walked the steeper hills and ran the rest and did just fine. I was following behind a group of three runners for the first 6 miles who were running all the way up the hills. I fell back from them when I walked up the hills, but made up ground to them on the downhills, and eventually caught up to them and passed them after we reached the first aid station. I’m sure that my run/walk strategy was the reason I passed 3 runners during the last 6 miles of the run.

There were only 30 runners registered for the marathon in 2018, with 26 finishers. I assume that the 4 that didn’t finish did not start, as there were no DNFs listed for the marathon. The time limit for the marathon was 13.5 hours, so this is a walker friendly event. The finisher awards for both the marathon and the 50 miler were belt buckles.

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"There are a lot of ups and downs on this course," said the race director at the pre-race briefing. He then went on to describe the course, "after running on … MORE

“There are a lot of ups and downs on this course,” said the race director at the pre-race briefing. He then went on to describe the course, “after running on the sidewalk along the beach, you turn left and go up the gravel road, for what I call the mandatory walking break. I call it this because I bet even the leaders will be walking.” He also went on to say, “if you don’t take it easy at the beginning, you’ll pay for it later.” Of course he was right. There were no major climbs, but the 3.41 mile course constantly went up and down. In the 34.1 miles that I ran, there were 4,691 feet of total elevation gain according to my GPS watch. For someone who live near the mountains, this might not seem to much, but for this flatlander, it was a tough day’s work. The scenery made up for the hills though. There were the two lakes of Twin Lakes State Park, lots of dormant trees, a shrubby tree with purple blossoms that is still unknown to me, and spring wildflowers bursting forth from the ground. We lucked out with the weather this year. It was cool in the morning, with highs near 65 degrees F. The trail was in very good condition, and was wide enough so that faster runners could pass easily. There were few large rocks, but some roots that would reach out and grab you if you weren’t paying attention. There was a restroom with indoor plumbing just a few feet from the course, and just one aid station at the start/finish line. Along with the traditional ultra aid station staples, they cooked hamburgers and hot dogs around noon, and made quesadillas later in the afternoon. No timing chips were used, but the race organizers did a good job counting laps. I didn’t hear of anyone complaining about inaccuracies in the results. Finisher awards were a keychain on a ceramic fob, and runners who completed 26.2 miles, 50K, and 50 miles were given a ceramic tile magnet or coaster with their distance completed.

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You won't be able to find any more friendly and hospitable people anywhere than the people of Williamson, WV, which held the first annual Conquer the Wall 35-hour Run. The … MORE

You won’t be able to find any more friendly and hospitable people anywhere than the people of Williamson, WV, which held the first annual Conquer the Wall 35-hour Run. The weather was damp in the morning when the timing company was setting up the timing mat at the start/finish, and they ran into some electrical problems which delayed the start by one hour. Fortunately, we had access to the Williamson Community Center which was well supplied with coffee, fruit, and food throughout the day. Runners were allowed to sleep on cots in the Community Center the night before, and maintain an indoor camp right next to the course throughout the race. Most of the course was pavement, and it was as flat as a pancake, with views of the surrounding hills in almost every direction. Along the south side of the flood wall, you could see the Tug Fork River, and on the north side, you could watch coal trains moving coal through town. It really wasn’t that boring even though it was only a two mile loop because there were a lot of interesting views to see, including a tunnel that the trains were going through. There were plenty of porta pottys at both ends of the loop, as well as indoor facilities inside the community center. I kind of regret my decision to leave early, and if I do it again, I will plan on staying the full time.

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The Phillip Parker Black Warrior 50K is located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Bankhead National Forest in NE Alabama. All but the first and last 2.5 miles of … MORE

The Phillip Parker Black Warrior 50K is located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Bankhead National Forest in NE Alabama. All but the first and last 2.5 miles of the 50K course were on dirt trails with moderate hills and many creek crossings. It rained about 90% of the time while I was running with a total of over 2 inches of rain for the day. The National Weather service even put out a flood warning alert. I think there were a few new waterfalls and creek crossings that day that weren’t there before. I ran into some problems during the last 10 miles or so. Somehow during all of the slipping and sliding, mud got inside of my shoe and started caking up underneath my foot. I wouldn’t have thought that it would bother me, but at one point it felt like I had a marble under my foot. It was definitely uncomfortable, so I stopped twice and took off one of my shoes to clean out the mud. It actually took me quite a while to scrape the caked up mud from off of my insoles. Then when I bent my leg to try to put my shoe back on, my legs cramped up both times. It took quite a bit of stretching to get the cramping to stop. At one point, another runner caught up to me and stopped to ask if I was okay. I told him that I was and to go ahead and I didn’t see him again. Once I got going again, I was fine, but I probably lost 10-15 minutes of time. It was all good though, as I finished with plenty of time before dark. It was definitely the wettest and slipperiest race I’ve ever done.

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Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour … MORE

Want to do 100 miles in a running event? This is the race to do it in. The support, party atmosphere, and people are all top notch. The Snowdrop 55-hour ultramarathon is put on to raise money for college scholarships for pediatric cancer patients and for pediatric cancer research. This year, the race was moved to a new venue in Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City, TX. The course was a 0.69 mile loop with approximately 1/3 on concrete path and 2/3 on dirt and fine gravel mixture. They had one aid station right along the course where you could just grab the hydration product of your choice and snack food, and also a covered aid station with a larger selection of products including coffee and hot chocolate. They also served meals 4 times a day to really fuel the fire. I reserved a cot during registration for the event, but didn’t reserve a tent. I guess I was thinking that I would bring my own backbacking tent, but decided to travel light. At the last minute, I asked the race director if they had any extra dome tents, and she said I could claim one if there were any extra ones not being used. It was just a comfort knowing that I had a place to lay down if the weather got bad. The weather at the start this year was overcast with temperatures in the mid-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Later in the afternoon it started drizzling and continued through most of the night. My goal was to finish 100K (62 miles) before the end of the first 24 hours. I managed to do it, but wasn’t able to sleep afterwards due to being wet from the mist and from sweat. I laid there a while in the tent shivering, so decided to go back out on the course and finish some more miles. While running, there was entertainment along the course. The first band was a contemporary one that played some classic tunes. Then there was a group of Irish dancers, followed by a mariachi band. There were also signs along the course with pictures of pediatric cancer patients in their honor or memory. This was kind of sad, but emphasized the importance of this event. I ended up finishing 100 miles in a little over 46 hours, and went back to my motel to get a little sleep. I woke up early the next day, checked in for my flight the next day, and went back to the course. I then walked another 4 miles, ending up with a total of 104.2. The swag for this even was fantastic, with a personal-size travel bag stuffed full of supplies including foot lube, a head lamp, a t-shirt, a visor, epsom salts, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bandana, a first aid kit, and much more. Very nice belt buckles were given for runners completing 100, 150, and 200 miles. All in all, I think this is my new favorite race.

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This was a 24-hour fixed time run on a 5K loop course along mountain bike trails of Croft State Park near Spartanburg, SC. I'm glad the weather cooperated enough that … MORE

This was a 24-hour fixed time run on a 5K loop course along mountain bike trails of Croft State Park near Spartanburg, SC. I’m glad the weather cooperated enough that I was able to get into the Greenville-Spartanburg airport as there was a winter storm warning this year. Fortunately, the snow stayed mostly to the northwest of the race venue, and I had no problems driving to the park. There was enough rain the day before to make the trails slippery though, which helped the run to live up to its namesake. The trails were in good shape, which is to be expected for mountain bike trails, but there was enough hills, roots, and rocks to make it interesting. Temperatures this year hovered in the mid 30s, which made for comfortable running weather (but doesn’t explain the two people I saw running without a shirt, lol). The course started heading down a steep slope to the bank of Fairforest Creek. It then crossed over a long footbridge, and then up a steep bank, followed by a continuous climb of about a mile. Along the back of the loop, the course bordered a firing range which was being used during much of the day (protected by a high berm), which made for an interesting distraction. The second half of the loop was mostly a fast, gradual downhill along the banks of the river, then back to the bridge, and up the steep bank to the start. The course was almost completely runnable, but only if you trained a lot on hills. There was only one well stocked aid station at the start/finish, but it was well supplied with the usual aid station fare, plus a wide variety of drinks, and a good selection of “real food.” Some of the food items that were available included vegetable broth, meatballs, hummus wraps, pretzels, candy, pickles, beef jerky, donuts, pizza, pb and jelly sandwiches and much more. All entrants were given a heavy duty hoodie, but there were no finisher’s medals. I completed a total of 34.1 miles, and wished that I could have stayed longer to do a few more laps. Unfortunately, I had an early flight out on Sunday morning, so it wasn’t feasible to run all night.

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For most runners in the USA, the idea of running a turkey trot in Fargo, ND is probably absurd. However, late November weather in ND is not always frigid. This … MORE

For most runners in the USA, the idea of running a turkey trot in Fargo, ND is probably absurd. However, late November weather in ND is not always frigid. This year, temperatures were hovering around freezing for the 8:30 a.m. start. One nice thing about this race is that you can stay inside the Cass County YMCA prior to the start and stay warm. The race was chipped timed, but I found out afterwards that the chips were only used to set the finishing times and no net time was recorded. Because I started in the middle of the pack, I ended up losing about 30 seconds of time before I crossed the starting line. The course headed south on a street for about a mile when the 5K runners separated from the 10K course. The 10K course then turned onto a bike path along the Red River for about a 1.5 mile out and back. We then went back up to the streets to head back to the finish. The race is fairly flat with just one 5 foot drop to go onto the bike trails along the river. No age group awards were given out, although age group placing was recorded on the results. Swag included a cotton t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and the usual coupons in the swag bag. This is probably one of the bigger turkey trots in the Dakotas, so has plenty of competition.

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This race was part of a series that appears to cater to serial marathon and ultrarunners, much like the Mainly Marathon series. In fact, I think it was intentionally scheduled … MORE

This race was part of a series that appears to cater to serial marathon and ultrarunners, much like the Mainly Marathon series. In fact, I think it was intentionally scheduled to coincide with the end of the Mainly Marathon Southwestern series, so that marathoners could do 9 races in 9 days if they chose to do so. I ran the first race of this series which was held in Sunset Park in Las Vegas, not too far from McCarran International Airport. The course was conveniently located, easy to find, and surprisingly scenic. The whole Las Vegas area is flat, so you can see the mountains on the horizon from just about anywhere, and this park was no exception. The course was a 5K loop, which was repeated 10 times for the 50K runners. It was a small race, but many of the runners knew each other from doing other races. The course was kind of shaped like an 8, with one larger paved loop around a dry, desert ecosystem, with saltbrush and other desert plants, and a shorter loop on crushed limestone around Sunset Lake. I saw numerous wildlife including cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, birds, and even a lizard. The course was flat and fast, so is a good placed to try for a personal record. The medals were large and nicely done. The course could have been marked a little better with larger arrows, but everyone seemed to find there way around the first couple of times without a problem. There were generous overall awards and age-group awards for such a small race. Overall, I really enjoyed this race.

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Newton Hills is a hilly oasis in an otherwise mundane agricultural region with thick deciduous trees and steep hills along Sergeant Creek that cuts through this portion of the Couteau … MORE

Newton Hills is a hilly oasis in an otherwise mundane agricultural region with thick deciduous trees and steep hills along Sergeant Creek that cuts through this portion of the Couteau des Prairie region. The Newton Hills Ultra races are small, inexpensive, no-frills trail runs. Currently they have 20K, 30K, and 50K distances. Registrants are given a cotton t-shirt and a swag bag, but there is no finisher award, except for the top 3 at each distance. All distances are run on a hilly 10K loop, so the 20K runs it twice, the 30K three times, and so on. I ran the 30K this year with a co-worker, and my Garmin watch showed that there was approximately 2850 feet of elevation gain for the 18 miles, which would come out to 4,750 feet for the 50K. There was just one aid station at the start/finish line, which was well stocked, but there was no hot meal served after the finish, which is becoming a tradition at many ultras. The 50K runners started at 6 a.m., so had to run in the dark for the first two hours. The 30K started at 7 a.m., so we ran the first loop in the dark, so be sure to bring a headlamp if you run this race. Most of the leaves have fallen off of the many oak trees by this time of the year, but it is still a picturesque park and a nice diversion from the usual monotony of southeastern South Dakota.

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I was glad that this marathon was held on Sunday, rather than the day before, because Saturday was wet and windy. The weather on race day was about perfect though. … MORE

I was glad that this marathon was held on Sunday, rather than the day before, because Saturday was wet and windy. The weather on race day was about perfect though. It was dry with little wind and the fall colors were still at their prime. There were a couple hills in the first half of the marathon that were long enough to slow you down, otherwise it was pretty flat with a long downhill in the second half. We had to take a shuttle to the start from the finish area, apparently so there would be enough parking and to allow for a downhill finish, but the shuttles were on time and plentiful for the short ride. It was a long wait at the start, but I had planned ahead and brought a credit card so I could walk across the street and drink a cup of coffee in the warm environment of the Caribou Coffee shop. I started out behind the 5 hour pacer, but very quickly caught up and moved ahead to just behind the 4:30 pacer. I stayed within view of the 4:30 pacer until just before the half mark, and then gradually slowed to a 4:56:25 finish. There were about the number of spectators that I would expect for a medium size marathon, and the post race amenities were above average. Plenty of food, free massages courtesy of the Mayo Clinic, free beer (if I hadn’t lost my ticket attached to my bib), and live music. It was well worth the short drive and registration cost of this fall marathon.

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The course for this well-run 12-hour ultramathon was run around the perimeter of the 2017 Outdoor Experience festival in Dayton, OH. The course was very flat except for one or … MORE

The course for this well-run 12-hour ultramathon was run around the perimeter of the 2017 Outdoor Experience festival in Dayton, OH. The course was very flat except for one or two “speedbumps” and was relatively smooth except for a couple of roots on the far side of the course. There was one place along the course where the path ran between a lake and a water slide that was set up for the outdoor expo where there was only room for people to run single file, and it got kind of crowded with all of the people that were there. In general, all of the many events that were going on including live bands made for interesting distractions that kept me from getting bored on the course. I would rate the one aid station a 9.5 out of 10 because of the “real food” that was served including avocado and hummus wraps. The race differed from most 12-hour runs I’ve done before, as they required you to be moving on the race course at the end of the 12 hours in order to get a finisher’s medal. The large medal was a nice touch though, which is something that you don’t usually get in all ultramarathons. We are also supposed to get a personalized wooden finisher’s award in the mail, but I haven’t received it as yet. All in all, I had a very enjoyable day and would do it again if I have the chance.

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This event is obviously a labor of love for race director Richard Chrz. Richard has been putting this on for several years as a fundraiser for the Local Lupus Alliance. … MORE

This event is obviously a labor of love for race director Richard Chrz. Richard has been putting this on for several years as a fundraiser for the Local Lupus Alliance. He is also afflicted by Lupus himself, so puts on this race so that others can run when he can’t. Based on the amount of volunteers, food, and course markings, it appears that Richard spends almost the whole year in planning this event. He left nothing to chance, from the glow sticks that were placed every 5 feet on both sides of the entire length of the course, to the broad range of full meals offered at the aid station, to the multiple lap counters. I wasn’t able to stay for the full 24 hours, but I was amazed at the breakfast that was laid out for the runners. I ate thick-sliced pepper bacon cooked in maple syrup, rosemary seasoned roasted potatoes, and a cheesy egg bake. Participants who completed a cumulative total of over 100 miles or 200 miles over the years that they participated in this event were given a hoodie and a patch. All of this was for a free-will donation. This truly is a labor of love, and seems more like an extended family reunion than a race. I foresee that this event (it’s not just a race) will continue to grow in the future. Hopefully, it won’t outgrow the close-knit family feel and warmth that I saw at this year’s race.

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This was the third time that I've run the Sioux Falls Marathon, but did not have too high of expectations for my performance. I had just come off of my … MORE

This was the third time that I’ve run the Sioux Falls Marathon, but did not have too high of expectations for my performance. I had just come off of my first hundred mile finish the weekend before, so just wanted to take it slow and easy, which I did. Everything went well right up until the last two miles. The weather wasn’t too hot, with a nice tailwind on the home stretch along the Big Sioux River, and I enjoyed chatting with a fellow runner for the first 21 miles or so. There was some lightning and light rain before the start, so the start was delayed 15 minutes. When I turned north to return back to the Sanford Premier center, most of the course markings disappeared. I saw one arrow on the right hand side of a median between the sidewalk I was on and a frontage road, so I continued straight ahead. I thought that the course turned south to return to the start, but I never saw another arrow or sign. After going quite a ways north of the Premier center, I saw one of the pacers who finished earlier and told him I was lost. He said to head back the way I came, and so I did. I eventually found my way into the entrance to the Premier center where we started, and finished with just 10 minutes to spare with the 6.5 hour time limit. After I finished, I discovered that there was plenty of Gatoraid, pallets of it, but no food and no beer. Apparently, the half marathon finishers cleaned up the post-race refreshments. I found out later that the reason that there were no course markings for the last 1.5 miles was that the local police removed the cones that marked the course before the course was suppose to close. I assume that this was because they weren’t informed that there was a late start, so they opened up the streets according to the original schedule. I let the race director know how disappointed in the situation, and she told me that she would share my concerns so that it wouldn’t happened again. I am going to be sure to ask questions before signing up again. Don’t get me wrong; I think it is a nice marathon, but it was ruined for me because of the events that transpired near the end of the race. On the bright side, the medal was a lot nice with more detail than I’ve seen in year’s past, although it was smaller compared to some.

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My head is so full of pleasant memories that I don't know where to begin. I picked this race for my first 100 mile finish attempt because of the long … MORE

My head is so full of pleasant memories that I don’t know where to begin. I picked this race for my first 100 mile finish attempt because of the long cutoff, and I wasn’t disappointed. The premise of this timed ultra is that you get to run the same number of hours as your age. This seems fair because runners naturally slow down as they age. What I learned at this race is that they may slow down, but they don’t necessarily stop. This race seemed more like a family reunion than a race. I was a little intimidated at first as I didn’t recognize many of the names, but I felt very accepted by the veterans. It looked like the majority of the participants either camped out in tents along the course, or camped out inside on cots that were set up in the dining area. I reserved a motel room for Saturday and Sunday, but this meant that I was losing time going back and forth from the course. Full meals were served every 6 hours with plenty of comfort food, and I couldn’t believe how much I was able to eat and still run. Surprisingly, instead of feeling full and uncomfortable, I found that I had much more energy after I ate. The timing was impeccable, with two independent timing systems used. We wore one chip on our bib and another on an ankle bracelet, so there was no worries about missing a lap from the total count. This seemed like more of a social run than a race, but I’m sure the top runners on the leader board were duking it out. The part that I appreciated the most was the friendliness and helpfulness of the veterans. Most of them will go out of the way to help you, even if it means they have to slow down or stop their own race. Yes, there were some that went into their “pain cave”, but I suppose everyone has their moments. I was afraid that once I finished this race that I wouldn’t want to do another 100 mile attempt again, but I think I fell in love with such longer timed ultras. I was thrilled to have completed a total of 105 miles, and am looking forward to setting many more distance PRs.

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This year the 50K was switched to a 30 mile run. I had finished the 50 mile run a few years ago, but this was the first time running the … MORE

This year the 50K was switched to a 30 mile run. I had finished the 50 mile run a few years ago, but this was the first time running the 30 mile. The race started on the Custer High School track, which actually was near the hospital and not the high school. I couldn’t find the address for the start anywhere on the website or in any of the pre-race emails, but fortunately I remembered where it was from a few years ago. Not everyone was so lucky. Anyway, the 30 mile, 50 mile, and 100 mile runners all started at 6 a.m. After circling 3/4 of the track, we then went onto the Mickelson Trail and headed for Hill City. Along the way, we passed a lot of beautiful granite cliffs, ran alongside Spring Creek, and were treated to a view of the Crazy Horse Monument (from a distance). We climbed up a gradual slope from the start to the road to Crazy Horse, and then it was downhill to Hill City. At the Hill City aid station, the 30 mile runners turned around and ran back to Custer. The trail was very smooth, with fine crushed limestone, but I didn’t have any problems with getting debris in my shoes. The altitude didn’t bother me at all, and it was very enjoyable except for a 5-mile stretch between miles 20 and 25 when my hip flexors tightened up. I think I need to work on leaning forward a little more on the uphills and shorten my stride to engage my gluteal muscles a little more. This is a great ultramarathon for both beginners and experienced ultrarunners.

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This was truly a trail marathon. Most of the course was run on single track on the Centennial Trail of the Black Hills. The trail first followed Brush Creek with … MORE

This was truly a trail marathon. Most of the course was run on single track on the Centennial Trail of the Black Hills. The trail first followed Brush Creek with beautiful wildflowers and wild raspberries, then climbed hill after hill through Ponderosa Pine forest, riparian zones, and the open meadows of the Bald Hills of the Black Hills National Forest. Total elevation gain was approximately 4,500 feet. Aid stations were located an average of 3.5 mile intervals. There was plenty of swag, although the medals were small, which isn’t surprising for a trail marathon. There was great food and beer at the finish, which was a plus.

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With an extreme heat advisory forecasted, the race director made the decision the day before to allow an optional, extra early start at 3:30 a.m. I accepted this offer gladly, … MORE

With an extreme heat advisory forecasted, the race director made the decision the day before to allow an optional, extra early start at 3:30 a.m. I accepted this offer gladly, and was so glad I did. The course was along a concrete path alongside the Missouri River. About a 1/4 mile from the start, the path went right by a casino. Due to the heat, the race director shortened the course and placed aid stations at both ends of the out and back so we would never be more than about 3/4 of a mile from fluids and ice. It worked well, and I was able to follow through with my plan to opt in to the 50K distance that is offered with each of their marathons. Shade became rather scarce near the end of my run, but there was a slight breeze blowing up the river that helped a little. Menu items at the aid station included berry smoothies, potato salad, and hot dogs, along with the usual ultramarathon fare. These races are a little bit expensive, but you get a lot of support for your money.

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Day 5 of the inaugural Mainly Marathons Prairie Series was run around the Lake at Crystal Cove Park in South Sioux City, NE. The course consisted of a concrete path … MORE

Day 5 of the inaugural Mainly Marathons Prairie Series was run around the Lake at Crystal Cove Park in South Sioux City, NE. The course consisted of a concrete path that went three-fourths of the way around the lake to a turnaround and then back the same way to the start/finish. We had to do 12 out and backs for the full marathon. There was shade on about 50% of the course in the morning, but it became diminished as it got closer to noon. The hottest part of the course was in the final stretch just before the turnaround. I took advantage of the 4:30 a.m. early start and I am very glad I did, as the heat index was 101 degrees at the start. It then cooled off before climbing to a heat index of about 108. Plenty of ice water with towels was was available at the two aid stations, which were just a little more than a mile apart.

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I think that Mainly Marathon races are an acquired taste. They put on marathon series where you can do up to 5-7 marathon in 5-7 states in 5-7 days. There … MORE

I think that Mainly Marathon races are an acquired taste. They put on marathon series where you can do up to 5-7 marathon in 5-7 states in 5-7 days. There are no overall or age-group awards, and the courses are usually repeated short loops or short out and backs. The on-course support is without rival. Their aid stations are stocked much like many ultramarathon aid stations and serve soups, potato salad, or sandwiches, depending upon the weather. They supplied ice water at this year’s Prairie Series, which was a life saver with the hot weather that was experienced. The Day 3 course was in a small park along the Big Sioux River. There was a nice view of a short waterfall that was the former location of a mill. The course consisted of two short out-and-backs, and was a little short for my taste. It allowed for a lot of interactions with other runners as you passed them running in opposite directions. During the summer, I would highly recommend the early start if offered, as it can be very hot and humid in the Midwest in July.

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The organization of this race is second to none. There was plenty of parking and easy access at the shuttle pickup, tons of porta potties at the start and along … MORE

The organization of this race is second to none. There was plenty of parking and easy access at the shuttle pickup, tons of porta potties at the start and along the course, generous aid stations, and above average spectator support. The temperatures were forecast well above normal, so the homeowners along the course setup sprinklers to help keep us cool, and had impromptu aid stations. I found the first 6 miles of the course went through hay fields and cow pastures which I found rather boring, but I am probably jaded as I am familiar with the area. The next section ran along the Clark Fork River which was spectacularly beautiful with many photo opportunities. The spectators along the last part of the route kept the course interesting too. There was so much additional adjustments for the heat that I didn’t even really feel it. All in all it was all it was made out to be and more.

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This marathon was part of a series of 4 marathons in 4 days over the 4th of July holiday, known as the Firecracker Quadzilla. I chose to only do the … MORE

This marathon was part of a series of 4 marathons in 4 days over the 4th of July holiday, known as the Firecracker Quadzilla. I chose to only do the Cook Park Marathon, as I had several other races around the same time. This marathon and half marathon started at 7 a.m. with the option of a 6 a.m. early start. I got there early, so went ahead and started a few minutes late after the early start group began. The course was mainly on a paved path, with about 50 yards of sawdust at the beginning. The first half was flat, but there were a few very short hills on the second half of the course. The start finish area was near the Tualatin River, and the 6-loop course went through woods, riparian areas, and a beautiful butterfly garden. There were some areas where you could forget that you were in a large metropolitan area. The race was chip timed, even though it was not certified. My Garmin watch showed that it may have been about a half a mile long, which was okay by me as long as it wasn’t short. The medals were rather underwhelming, but what can you expect for a $50 registration fee? We were also given a nicely designed technical shirt, which was a nice bonus. All in all, it was a great marathon bargain, and I hope to do it again some day to try to improve my time.

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This race wasn't advertised very well in advance, but boy am I glad that I discovered it. The entry fee was just the cost of an annual entry fee for … MORE

This race wasn’t advertised very well in advance, but boy am I glad that I discovered it. The entry fee was just the cost of an annual entry fee for the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, which was $20. It started with a musket blast in the replica of Fort Clatsop where Lewis & Clark’s party spent the winter of 1805-1806. It then ran through dense coastal rain forest along the Fort to Coast trail. The course was a 6.55 mile out-and-back which went down one steep ridge with many switchbacks, which meant we had to climb back up them on the way back to the finish near the visitor’s center. Once we neared the coast, the trail meandered around some private property lines in open, grassy fields. This was my least favorite part of the course because the grass had overgrown the trail and there were a few blackberry vines that I had to dodge. There were also about 4 or 5 “cattle guards” that we had to go through which consisted of a wooden structure with tight turns so that cattle couldn’t get through. The turns were so tight that you needed to come to almost a complete stop to get through them. Everyone had to navigate them though, so it was a fair race. At the turnaround at the beach, we were met with a mascot dressed in a salmon costume. It was a tough course, but a scenic one that went through coastal rain forest and the beach zone. We were given a nice wooden finisher’s award at the finish and there was plenty of free food. Surprisingly, this race was organized and implemented entirely by National Park Service personnel. I believe this is one of the few such races anywhere in the United States. I would highly recommend this as a destination race for any history buff or runner with a family.

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I knew that I was going to struggle with the heat at this marathon, but I didn't think it would affect me as much as it did. The marathon started … MORE

I knew that I was going to struggle with the heat at this marathon, but I didn’t think it would affect me as much as it did. The marathon started in the Waikaloa Resort, and the course consisted of two out-and-back sections, one of which was done twice. Both of these had a section along the main highway bordered by nothing but black lava flows. Needless to say, there was no shade on the main highway. I didn’t get fried, but I did hit the wall pretty hard at mile 19. Fortunately, the nearby aid station had Coca Cola and ice, which revived me pretty quickly. The section of the course along the resort was very pretty, but the stark views of the lava fields were beautiful in their own way. I thought this race was very well organized, so I would recommend it, but just be prepared for the heat.

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I really enjoyed this mostly downhill 53K. The first part of the course was an out and back which went up and over a railroad trestle and then through a … MORE

I really enjoyed this mostly downhill 53K. The first part of the course was an out and back which went up and over a railroad trestle and then through a tunnel. The rest of the course was a gradual downhill along the St. Regis River. There were plenty of well-stocked aid stations spaced an average of 4 miles apart, with an opportunity to have a drop bag at about the half-way point. I wore a well-used pair of trail shoes for the first half, but switched to my more comfortable road shoes at the half-way point. At two of the aid stations, we had to take a detour into one of the small towns, which added an extra two miles to the “50K.” The 50K finishers received a custom Fruit-of-the-loom hoodie and the 50 mile finishers were given a Patagonia Houdini jacket. All finishers received a finisher’s award consisting of a railroad spike with an engraved plate commemorating the finish. There was plenty of food and free local beer at the finish which was at a city park. It is one of the few ultras in Montana that isn’t just for the advanced ultrarunners.

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It's too bad that this marathon is so far from major airports, because more runners should really experience it. On the other hand, I got the feeling that the race … MORE

It’s too bad that this marathon is so far from major airports, because more runners should really experience it. On the other hand, I got the feeling that the race director really doesn’t want this race to grow. My opinion is based on the fact that the main website of the race hasn’t been updated in years, registration closed early this year despite it not being full, and the race director took a hard line on late registrations and was extremely slow in responding to email communications. None-the-less, it was a well organized marathon run on a scenic and fast course. There was a free pasta dinner the evening before the race, there were plenty of well-stocked aid stations, the t-shirts were nice and well designed, and the finisher awards were real western spurs. Race morning started very early with a 40-mile drive to the shuttle pickup point. The bus took us uphill on Brownlee Road to the starting point. While waiting for the race to start, we were able to watch the beautiful colors of the sunrise over the prairie. The mainly downhill course was on a single-lane road that meandered down through a valley. There were some actual sandhills with native vegetation along part of the course, but most of it was converted to pasture. The course also took a detour through the tiny town of Brownlee, Nebraska, which added a little variety. One unique twist that was added by this race was the mobile porta johns. They had two of them on a flatbed trailer which was driven along the course in case anyone needed to use them. All in all it was well supported, and I would do it again.

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This ultramarathon is run on gravel and dirt (mud) roads in the "Bridges of Madison County" country. While scenic, the fog that was persistent on the day that we ran … MORE

This ultramarathon is run on gravel and dirt (mud) roads in the “Bridges of Madison County” country. While scenic, the fog that was persistent on the day that we ran made it a little more difficult to appreciate. I was also a little disappointed that we didn’t go through any of the covered bridges that makes this county famous. The 50K course starts out with a short segment heading south, and then roughly approximates a square on mainly gravel roads. I say mainly, because there was one mile-long stretch on one of the infamous “B” roads. These are roads that are not maintained, and not graveled. Because it rained quite hard for much of the time after the first two and a half hours, the B road was a sloppy, muddy, mess. I had a hard time staying upright on the slippery mud even when standing still, much less when trying to move. Thus, my goal of finishing under 7 hours was dashed when I hit that segment. Fortunately, there was an aid station right after the B road, which was aptly named the “mud station.” I tried to scrape off the 5 pounds of mud or so off of my shoes, but it was pretty fruitless, so I ended up running through the rain-soaked weeds along the road which did a pretty good job of washing off the mud, even though it saturated the inside of my shoes with water. If that wasn’t challenging enough, there were two other twists to this ultra. Yes, it was hilly with almost continuous rolling hills, but that isn’t one of them. Unlike most ultramarathons, the route was not marked at all. Not a single sign anywhere. We were asked beforehand to print out a cue card with turn directions. This worked pretty well for the first 2/3 of the race, but near the end when my GPS watch was off on the mileage, it added a little bit of doubt as to whether or not I was still on course. Fortunately, I was able to follow the footprints on the wet roads which gave me a sense of assurance that I was still on course most of the time. The second twist was that there were only three aid stations. The first at 10 miles, the second after another 11 miles, and the last just another 4 miles later. As a result, I wore a hydration belt with 2 bottles of water and an extra 20 oz handheld. Because of the nearly ideal cool conditions, I probably didn’t need the hydration belt, and only dipped into those bottles a couple of times. If it had been warmer, I might have used every last drop. Even with all of these challenges, it was enjoyable and I was able to keep a positive attitude. I would have liked to have seen more aid stations, but I guess that added to the aura of the race.

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For a smaller marathon, this was one of the better organized ones that I've run. The race swag was fantastic. For their 10th running, they gave out free hooded, lined, … MORE

For a smaller marathon, this was one of the better organized ones that I’ve run. The race swag was fantastic. For their 10th running, they gave out free hooded, lined, and vented jackets to the marathon registrants. We also received a finisher’s shirt, a pair of gloves, a nice medal, and a swag bag. The had a pasta feed the day before that didn’t appear to be very well attended, but it was a good value. The course did have a lot of gradual uphill inclines, but no steep uphills. The downside was that there weren’t very many downhills steep enough to really take advantage of gravity. It was scenic and we went through a covered bridge near the beginning of the course. All in all a great race.

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This race begins in a waterfront park and is run mostly along paved bicycle paths. Heading west, the course goes up a slight incline and then drops down a long, … MORE

This race begins in a waterfront park and is run mostly along paved bicycle paths. Heading west, the course goes up a slight incline and then drops down a long, steep hill. Once reaching the Gavins Point Dam, the course goes through the scenic Lewis and Clark State Park with views of Lewis and Clark Lake. Waterfowl and other birds are numerous in this peaceful stretch. After reaching the 10-mile mark, we headed back the way we came until we got to the dam. We then skirted the west side of Lake Yankton, then traveled back to highway 52 and up a long, steep hill to the city limits. We then turned north, then east and hit the Auld Brokaw Trail which follows Marne Creek. This trail goes underneath several road underpasses, which dip down steeply under the road and then climb short, but steep inclines onto the other side. The drop at these underpasses is only about 5 feet, but the steepness prevents you from maintaining a steady pace at this part of the race which is less than 5 miles from the finish. The trail circles around to the finish line which is at the scenic waterfront park. The medals were small and weren’t race specific, but nicely done.

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This marathon was on a 13.1 mile course that was repeated twice. The course started at the Eisenhower Visitor's Center and was basically shaped like a three-leafed clover, with two … MORE

This marathon was on a 13.1 mile course that was repeated twice. The course started at the Eisenhower Visitor’s Center and was basically shaped like a three-leafed clover, with two of the leaves repeated for each round of the course. It was a little confusing, but there were course monitors that made sure we went the right way. The volunteers at the aid stations were very helpful, and there were course monitors riding horseback along the far end of the course, which was along the old Chisolm Trail. The medals were a play on the “I Like Ike” buttons which were very nice. They had food at the finish, but I skipped that part because of the need to shower before my late check out time from my motel. All in all it was an enjoyable weekend, and the organizers asked for feedback from the runners so they could continually improve the experience.

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The 50K distance was a point to point course through the Sheyenne National Grassland via the North Country Trail. The first 6 miles of the course were very flat grasslands … MORE

The 50K distance was a point to point course through the Sheyenne National Grassland via the North Country Trail. The first 6 miles of the course were very flat grasslands intersected frequently with cattle trails. Fortunately, the race director marked this part of the course very well. The rest of the course was over short, rolling hills interspersed with aspen and oak trees. We were blessed this year with almost no snow and dry trails except for under some of the wooded areas. There were only 3 aid stations along the 31 miles of the course. The first one was at 6 miles, the 2nd was after 9 more miles, and the third was about another 6 or 7 miles. This was quite a bit fewer than most 50Ks that I’ve participated in, but added to the aura of the isolation out on the prairie. It seemed to add a little more of a challenge which made the run that much more memorable. I was pleased with my sub-7 hour finish, which is the best for me in the last couple of years. The weather was cool, but comfortable, and there was good food at the finish.

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This year's version of the Yeti 7/11 endurance run was on a shortened 4 mile loop. Packet pickup was in the visitor's center of Sweetwater State Park, and the start/finish … MORE

This year’s version of the Yeti 7/11 endurance run was on a shortened 4 mile loop. Packet pickup was in the visitor’s center of Sweetwater State Park, and the start/finish line was just outside the building. The trail was a mixture of single track, dirt road, and double-wide trail. Near the end of the loop, the trail ran along the edge of Sweetwater Creek, with the ruins of an old textile mill. Incidentally, the mill ruins was used in a scene in one of the Hunger Games movies. There was one short, steep single track section, but the trail was runnable in its entirety. The trail got a little congested with park visitors in the afternoon, but nothing that got in my way. There were no finisher medals or finish swag, but it was still an enjoyable day in the park.

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This was run on a straight, picturesque, paved rail trail. The race started at the Piedmont, AL Sporting Complex, and then went on a short out-and-back along the road to … MORE

This was run on a straight, picturesque, paved rail trail. The race started at the Piedmont, AL Sporting Complex, and then went on a short out-and-back along the road to the Sporting Complex. It then jumped onto the scenic Chief Ladiga Trail. The first 2-3 miles went through the town of Piedmont, then out into the country. We did two 6 mile out-and-backs on the Ladiga Trail. The first 1/2 was pancake flat, with the second 1/2 a slight uphill. Overall it was an easy course, suitable for running a PR.

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Why would anyone want to run a marathon on an indoor track? If you like to meet other runners, and want a lot of personal interaction, this is the marathon … MORE

Why would anyone want to run a marathon on an indoor track? If you like to meet other runners, and want a lot of personal interaction, this is the marathon to do. Because the course is 150 laps, there are plenty of opportunities to see and encourage the other runners. The timers, who are members of the St. Olaf’s Women’s Track Team give a lot of encouragement and are constantly cheering. This is one marathon that you will want to go back to again and again, despite all of the “loopty loops.”

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2
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This was run on the scenic Elroy to Sparta rail trail. The course started in the town of Norwalk and included a short out-and-back to the west and then a … MORE

This was run on the scenic Elroy to Sparta rail trail. The course started in the town of Norwalk and included a short out-and-back to the west and then a longer out-and-back to the east. The second out-and-back included a 3/4 mile long tunnel. Because of hibernating bats, the tunnel was lit by red lanterns spaced at about 20-meter intervals, which made it a little hard to see. The trail goes through scenic, rolling farmland, although the trail is leveled out so that the grade is gradual. There were plenty of aid stations, and the race registration included a sphagetti dinner with free craft beer the night before, and lunch with free beer after the race. It was well-worth the price of the registration.

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The 2016 edition of the Monster Mash Marathon was cool, wet, but fast. The forecast was for early morning rain showers to stop about the time of the race start, … MORE

The 2016 edition of the Monster Mash Marathon was cool, wet, but fast. The forecast was for early morning rain showers to stop about the time of the race start, and they did taper off a bit, but didn’t completely stop until about 4. 5 hours into the race. The cool temperatures made for good racing conditions though, and the highlight of the marathon was the first mile on the Dover International Speedway. There were plenty of aid stations (almost to the point of overkill), and medics were visible patrolling the race throughout. The bling was excellent, and there was plenty of free pizza and beer after the race. Most runners reported that they had a lot of fun despite the damp weather.

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This is one of the more difficult road marathons that I've run in the midwest, but is one of the better ones. There were lots of well stocked aid stations, … MORE

This is one of the more difficult road marathons that I’ve run in the midwest, but is one of the better ones. There were lots of well stocked aid stations, plenty of first aid workers along the course, and quite a few musicians playing live music along the route. They changed the course this year, which made it a little more difficult in my opinion. They added a loop around the state capitol building in the last six miles, which added a pretty significant uphill portion. All in all I was very impressed by this marathon and would do it again.

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5

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This marathon was run mainly on bike trails along the Mowhawk and Hudson Rivers from Schenectady to Albany, NY. There were some nice fall colors in the leaves, but I … MORE

This marathon was run mainly on bike trails along the Mowhawk and Hudson Rivers from Schenectady to Albany, NY. There were some nice fall colors in the leaves, but I was a little disappointed that there weren’t more views of the rivers. The course had a couple of gradual uphills in the first half of the race, but it was mainly downhill clear to the finish. I didn’t think the multi-colored medals were anything special, but overall I thought it was a well-managed race.

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This was a very small marathon with only 11 finishers. The course consisted of two loops on mountain bike trails around Lake Harmon. The course was scenic with trees in … MORE

This was a very small marathon with only 11 finishers. The course consisted of two loops on mountain bike trails around Lake Harmon. The course was scenic with trees in the draws showing their fall colors. There were a lot of short out and backs around the draws that fed into the lake, and at the back of the lake, the trail looped back and forth several times away from the lake and uphill. I would describe the course difficulty as moderate for a trail marathon. I took it easy as I had a more important marathon the following weekend, and it was definitely reflected in my finish time.

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This was the second time that I've run this race, and the organization and course was much better than the first time. This year's version featured a single large loop … MORE

This was the second time that I’ve run this race, and the organization and course was much better than the first time. This year’s version featured a single large loop mainly on the meandering bike trails along the parks of Sioux Falls and the Big Sioux River. I particularly enjoyed the detour through beautiful waterfalls of Falls Park. Towards the end of the course, the bike trails passed the portion of the Great Plains Zoo where the Bison were resting in their pen, and I saw a bald eagle flying overhead near one of the last rest stations. The aid stations were located as expected and the volunteers were friendly and helpful. This marathon has improved a lot since it first began.

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This was a small, low-key marathon with a home-town feel. The course was a 13.1 mile out and back along the edge of Douglas Island, across the inlet from Juneau. … MORE

This was a small, low-key marathon with a home-town feel. The course was a 13.1 mile out and back along the edge of Douglas Island, across the inlet from Juneau. Most of the course bordered the steep, forested slopes of the island, but the last few miles of the out and back were right along the shores of the inlet with panoramic views of the Mendenhall Glacier as well as small waterfalls. I saw numerous bald eagles, ravens, fishing vessels, and huge cruise liners. The race director allowed 1 or 2 hr early starts, which would be a good idea for slower runners if you want to partake of the post-race grilled salmon. The medal was small, but of a nice design.

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I'll be honest; this one had me scared before the start with a starting altitude of over 6,000 feet and 31 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail. It was definitely … MORE

I’ll be honest; this one had me scared before the start with a starting altitude of over 6,000 feet and 31 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail. It was definitely difficult and tested me to the limits, but it was worth it. There were areas filled with multi-colored wildflowers, some endemic to the Siskiyou Mountains, and beautiful vistas of Mt. Shasta and the Southern Cascades. Well stocked aid stations were about 5 miles apart. Despite the warnings on the website, the cutoffs for the 50K were not enforced. Aid stations and the finish were left open until all of the 50 mile runners finished, so the 50K runners had plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Despite this one pushing me to the limit, I think I would do it again.

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Because this was just up the road from my mom's house, running this marathon was a no-brainer for me. I've always wanted to run a marathon on the Vernonia to … MORE

Because this was just up the road from my mom’s house, running this marathon was a no-brainer for me. I’ve always wanted to run a marathon on the Vernonia to Banks trail, and the move this year to the trail gave me the opportunity to do it. It starts out at the Vernonia High School, then loops around picturesque Vernonia Lake. It then goes onto the Banks to Vernonia trail for most of the rest of the route. The first third of the trail gradually slopes upward with an increasing gradient, then goes gradually downhill and flattens out about 5 miles from Banks. There is one downhill on the paved path that is steep enough to have switchbacks.

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This course started at the historic Clackamas Lake Ranger Station, went downhill to Timothy Lake, went around the east side of the lake, then went up on the Pacific Crest … MORE

This course started at the historic Clackamas Lake Ranger Station, went downhill to Timothy Lake, went around the east side of the lake, then went up on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). At the turnaround, we ran back on the PCT, then around the other side of Timothy Lake. The trail was relatively soft and smooth in most places and the hills were mostly gradual. I would say it would be a good 50K for beginners. Unfortunately, Mt. Hood was covered in clouds this year, so I wasn’t able to get any pictures from the PCT. There were no finisher medals, but we did get a glass with the Mt. Hood 50 logo on it at the finish. Shirts could be purchased separately from the race registration.

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This is a great race if you want a PR without "cheating" by doing a downhill point to point course. It is about 98% flat and the only hills are … MORE

This is a great race if you want a PR without “cheating” by doing a downhill point to point course. It is about 98% flat and the only hills are short and not very steep. It is mainly though agricultural land, so might be refreshing for city slickers, but could be boring if you’re from a rural area. It’s still a great course if you want a fast time. The only possible downside is the time of year. It can get hot, even in NW Oregon in July. I lucked out this year with near perfect weather though. It was nice and cool with no real rain. The medals are large and well designed, and they didn’t run out of strawberry shortcake this year.

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This is a marathon with a reputation for being a difficult course run under difficult conditions, and the Hatfield McCoy Marathon did not disappoint. I started the weekend by taking … MORE

This is a marathon with a reputation for being a difficult course run under difficult conditions, and the Hatfield McCoy Marathon did not disappoint. I started the weekend by taking the tour of the Hatfield McCoy historical sites and I highly recommend this, as you may not have time to notice them when running the race. I stayed at the Williamson Fire Department the night before the marathon, which was a little awkward, but I did get some sleep. I’m glad Blackberry Hill, the largest hill on the course was in the first half. I didn’t think the hills on the second half were very bad at all, but the heat got to me at the end. It was probably 92 to 93 degrees by noon of race day. We received a nice medal at the finish, a white lightning jar with the HM logo, and a set of ear buds in the race packet. All in all a fun-filled weekend and I highly recommend.

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The course is described on the race website as challenging, which is almost an understatement. There is almost 3,500 feet total elevation gain on the course, much of it in … MORE

The course is described on the race website as challenging, which is almost an understatement. There is almost 3,500 feet total elevation gain on the course, much of it in one climb up Brushy Mountain. To complicate things, there are two very strict intermediate cutoffs. If you don’t make the cutoffs, then you are diverted onto a shorter course and aren’t allowed to finish the marathon, so this is not a race for the velocity challenged. Registration includes a modestly sized medal for finishers, and a picnic lunch at the finish. I would only recommend if you are up for a challenge or want to get the feel of what an ultramarathon is like.

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3
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Overall I liked this marathon, but there could be a few minor changes that would make it better. My likes include the violin accompaniment for the national anthem before the … MORE

Overall I liked this marathon, but there could be a few minor changes that would make it better. My likes include the violin accompaniment for the national anthem before the start, the scenery which included a stretch along the Mad River with small waterfalls (rapids), and the electronic timing which included a display that told you how many laps you completed. This is a relatively new marathon, so I’m sure the race director will make the needed improvements which include an elevation profile on the marathon website, as several runners were surprised at the amount of hills on the course, and a nicer medal design. Overall, I enjoyed the marathon even though we ran under rain and clouds from the remnants of tropical storm Bonnie.

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This was my least favorite of the 3 New England series races that I did in 2016. It was kind of a cloverleaf shaped loop with several hairpin turns. The … MORE

This was my least favorite of the 3 New England series races that I did in 2016. It was kind of a cloverleaf shaped loop with several hairpin turns. The course was completely flat, but the sharp turns made it difficult to maintain speed. I actually did the 50K option that is available for all of their runs as well as the race in Vermont in 2016. Excellent support though from the whole Mainly Marathon crew and nice camaraderie.

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This is a fun marathon to do if you like to see other runners and wave hello. The course was a relatively straight, tree-lined, out and back along the Black … MORE

This is a fun marathon to do if you like to see other runners and wave hello. The course was a relatively straight, tree-lined, out and back along the Black River in NH. The weather in May was pleasant, and an easy drive to the next marathon in the series. The runners that frequent these series are a tight-knit group, but very welcoming to newcomers. It is difficult not to find a new friend when doing a Mainly Marathon run. In all of their series, you just get one t-shirt per series, one series medal and a medal shaped like the state for each race in the series. It makes a rather unique and distinctive finisher’s medal collection. They usually have just one aid station unless it is hot, but prepare special entrees every few hours and are well stocked with treats.

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This was a point to point course from Wells to Biddeford, Maine, providing a thorough tour of the working class village of Wells to the upper-class resort community of Kennebunkport … MORE

This was a point to point course from Wells to Biddeford, Maine, providing a thorough tour of the working class village of Wells to the upper-class resort community of Kennebunkport Maine. There were a few priceless views of the coastline , as well as good examples of summer vacation mansions near Kennebunkport. If you are thinking of running a marathon in Maine, this one should be given serious consideration.

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2
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This was a really well-run marathon on a flat and fast course. The only hiccup was that there was a row of porta potties in front of the starting line, … MORE

This was a really well-run marathon on a flat and fast course. The only hiccup was that there was a row of porta potties in front of the starting line, and when it came time to start, the line for the porta potties was blocking the street. Other than that, it was a really great marathon, scenic sections through the Wildwood Metro Park, and lots of great race swag. It was really a fun event.

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I was pleasantly surprised with this marathon. The organizers put on a very nice pre-race spaghetti feed at the packet pickup, and provided shuttle transportation just a short distance to … MORE

I was pleasantly surprised with this marathon. The organizers put on a very nice pre-race spaghetti feed at the packet pickup, and provided shuttle transportation just a short distance to the start. The course was well marked and had a few groups of enthusiastic spectators despite the rain. There were plenty of aid stations, good selection of hydration and energy gels, and they even provided shuttles for the three block distance from the finish to the parking at the high school. The medals and other bling was also very nice. The only suggestion that I have is that it would have been nice to have porta potties at the start.

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With fair weather, this marathon would be fast and scenic. We weren't so lucky in 2016 though. A stiff NE wind buffeted us all day on the course. Combined with … MORE

With fair weather, this marathon would be fast and scenic. We weren’t so lucky in 2016 though. A stiff NE wind buffeted us all day on the course. Combined with temperatures near 40 degrees F made for a tough race. The course was well marked up until we reached a residential area near the end. It may be that one of the 40 mph wind gusts blew the traffic cones away. Most of the turns were very well marked though. The t-shirts were well designed without the usual sponsor logos, but the medal was rather cheap looking. Food at the finish consisted of bagels, mini pastries, coffee, chicken broth, and water. Race officials did allow for an early start, but then closed the course early due to the weather and waves splashing over a bridge approach. You can’t blame them for the weather though.

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I have to admit that because of the short time that I had available as a result of my flight, I wasn't able to fully appreciate all of the festivities … MORE

I have to admit that because of the short time that I had available as a result of my flight, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate all of the festivities associated with this marathon. The course was basically one continuous figure eight, with rolling hills most all of the way. I was disappointed that there weren’t more bands along the course, but the heavy rain may have had something to do with this. The course went through some very nice, upper-income neighborhoods, with huge mansions and beautifully manicured yards. You couldn’t ask for nicer bling and finisher medals. All in all, I would do it again if I had the chance.

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This race has gorgeous scenery, mix of smooth and semi-technical trail, and generous cut-offs. The first part of the course lulls you into a false sense of security, with its … MORE

This race has gorgeous scenery, mix of smooth and semi-technical trail, and generous cut-offs. The first part of the course lulls you into a false sense of security, with its relatively flat grade. The second half is much more difficult though, with some long climbs and rocky terrain. The temperatures weren’t very extreme this year, but I wasn’t prepared for the effects of the dry air on my hydration. Not an extremely technical course, but just enough to make it interesting.

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This was a small, no-frills marathon with a lot of really friendly people. The course was along the Burke-Gilman bike trail, which was open to the public during the race. … MORE

This was a small, no-frills marathon with a lot of really friendly people. The course was along the Burke-Gilman bike trail, which was open to the public during the race. There was no one directing traffic at the road crossings, but we were told this was going to happen and were warned to yield to traffic. I thought the course was fairly scenic, except for the last 2-mile out and back which had trash from homeless people strewn along the path. Don’t get me wrong though, this was a fun marathon, but don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed. All in all I had a great time.

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This was a fun, party atmosphere. The race administrators really laid out the red carpet for the Marathon Maniacs and members of the 50 States Club with special VIP tents … MORE

This was a fun, party atmosphere. The race administrators really laid out the red carpet for the Marathon Maniacs and members of the 50 States Club with special VIP tents before and after the marathon. The race started out with confetti canons as each corral started. There were several groups of homeowners who set up festive rest stops. There was also a Center of the Universe detour near the end, which added an additional 0.3 miles, for which we were rewarded with a special medallion. Times were not adjusted for this additional distance. All in all it was a blast.

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I really liked this marathon, but mainly because I had a very good run. It did have some hills at the beginning, but flattened out in the second half of … MORE

I really liked this marathon, but mainly because I had a very good run. It did have some hills at the beginning, but flattened out in the second half of the 13.1 mile loop that we did twice. Very little in the way of crowd support, but there was a lot of beer and pizza at the finish. There were also free massages at the finish, but the lines were kind of long. Not much in the way of scenery except for the usual sights of Nashville. I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t any music along the route, not even street musicians. I would give it a grade of B.

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Main course is a 7 mile loop on single track mountain bike trails. No long hills, but a lot of little ones. The aid station at the start/finish area was … MORE

Main course is a 7 mile loop on single track mountain bike trails. No long hills, but a lot of little ones. The aid station at the start/finish area was well stocked with the usual ultramarathon fare. The other aid station at the 5 mile mark of the loop was pretty basic with just water, Hammer gels, and HEED.

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4
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5
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This course started out with the 10K, half marathon, marathon relay and marathon runners all starting at the same time, which made for a congested start. After a 10K loop … MORE

This course started out with the 10K, half marathon, marathon relay and marathon runners all starting at the same time, which made for a congested start. After a 10K loop through the city, the course went along a paved bike trail for most of the race. The course was pretty, but there was an occasional sewer smell along the bike path. The course was very hilly for a marathon.

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The marathon started out with a 10K look through the city, then went out on a bike trail for a long out and back stretch. The the end of bike … MORE

The marathon started out with a 10K look through the city, then went out on a bike trail for a long out and back stretch. The the end of bike trail, the course made a loop through the beautiful Furman University campus. The fall foliage was beautiful. The course was somewhat hilly.

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The course was well-supported with more than enough aid stations, plenty of medics on the course, and nice scenery. We went through a beautiful neighborhood, ran along a river, and … MORE

The course was well-supported with more than enough aid stations, plenty of medics on the course, and nice scenery. We went through a beautiful neighborhood, ran along a river, and then went on a trail through a wooded area that led to a park where we ran around a small lake. I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon and finished strong.

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3
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5
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This course did have some hills, but none were particularly long or steep. It wasn't as nearly as bad as the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO. It started … MORE

This course did have some hills, but none were particularly long or steep. It wasn’t as nearly as bad as the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO. It started in downtown and went through some nice neighborhoods. All in all a very nice event.

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4
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I love these small events where the race director remembers you and calls you by your first name at the aid stations. Also, the volunteers were able to remember my … MORE

I love these small events where the race director remembers you and calls you by your first name at the aid stations. Also, the volunteers were able to remember my name and greeted me when I arrived at the aid stations. This marathon was not quite as scenic as the Barnum Rail Trail marathon, but was on the historic C&O Cumberland Towpath, which has unique characteristics of its own including a barge like they used to tow up the canal. Interesting course, but a more suburban setting.

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This marathon was run on a short, but beautiful out and back course along the North Branch of the Potomac River in rural West Virginia. Fall colors were just starting … MORE

This marathon was run on a short, but beautiful out and back course along the North Branch of the Potomac River in rural West Virginia. Fall colors were just starting to form. Everyone was really friendly and I was able to make new friends almost instantly. It wasn’t a very large marathon, but sometimes nice things come in small packages.

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I enjoy timed events because there seems to be less pressure to finish at a set time goal. The objective isn't to see how fast you can go, but just … MORE

I enjoy timed events because there seems to be less pressure to finish at a set time goal. The objective isn’t to see how fast you can go, but just to keep running. This was a very fun event with a party-like atmosphere. The aid stations were wonderful and the bling was great (embroidered sweatshirts with your finishing distance.) The trail was mostly single track and just challenging enough to keep it interesting. I would definitely do it again if I was in the area.

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4
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5
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Mostly single track through forested park around Eagle Creek Reservoir. About 90% of the course is extremely runnable, but there are a few sections with steep, but short hills with … MORE

Mostly single track through forested park around Eagle Creek Reservoir. About 90% of the course is extremely runnable, but there are a few sections with steep, but short hills with lots of roots. It allows you to open up your stride on the flat sections, yet has just enough technical sections to make it interesting. One thing that could be improved is to make the medals specific to the distance and the year; the half marathon runners received the same bling as the marathon runners. I thought it was a very fun course though and would do it again if I was in the area.

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It's a real shame that more runners don't get to experience the stunning scenery of this race. The first half of the marathon descends down through the Lamoille Canyon scenic … MORE

It’s a real shame that more runners don’t get to experience the stunning scenery of this race. The first half of the marathon descends down through the Lamoille Canyon scenic byway, complete with peaks speckled with snow, spruce, and aspen trees. The second half was down in the valley with rolling hills, some rather long. It was really a tale of two races. Now for the bad part: in this year’s race, aid stations were three miles apart, which got to be somewhat long after it warmed up, and half of them only had water, with no Gaterade or Powerade. Feedback was provided to the race director though, so hopefully these lapses will be remedied in the future. If you decide to do this race, spend some time to explore the trails in the canyon. I saw marmots, chipmunks, lots of birds, and mountain goats on one of the side trails the week before the marathon.

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This was a point to point downhill course, so we had to catch a shuttle bus by 4:15 for a 6:00 a.m. start. I'm not sure why we had to … MORE

This was a point to point downhill course, so we had to catch a shuttle bus by 4:15 for a 6:00 a.m. start. I’m not sure why we had to leave so early because we had to wait around for over an hour before the start. The organizers had set up campfires for the runners to warm up before the start, which was a nice idea, but the smoke was terrible. There weren’t very many spectators along the route, but the views of the Wasatch Mountains made up for it. The course started out with a steep downhill section and then flattened out for about the last 4-5 miles, which were through city streets in Provo. I thought the expo was very nice with Ryan Hall as one of the first speakers. If I had to do it over again, I’d still do it.

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The race director is somewhat eccentric, but what a wonderful place to have an ultramarathon! This is a must-do race for those who like to do 50Ks. MORE

The race director is somewhat eccentric, but what a wonderful place to have an ultramarathon! This is a must-do race for those who like to do 50Ks.

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4
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The course was set up as a point to point downhill route along the Boise River with the finish 13.1 miles from the start. Most of the route was on … MORE

The course was set up as a point to point downhill route along the Boise River with the finish 13.1 miles from the start. Most of the route was on bike trails, so traffic control wasn’t a problem. For the full marathon, runners had to do another 6.55 mile out-and-back after they got to the finish area. This last 6.55 mile out-and-back was fairly flat, so with the first 13.1 miles of downhill, it is a pretty fast course. The heat got to be a little problem towards the end, but at least the humidity was low. All in all a well organized course, but with the early shuttle buses to the start, it isn’t for those who like to sleep in late.

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4
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This was by far the toughest 50K I have ever done. Over 6,400 feet total elevation gain with a peak elevation of 10,400 feet. There will still patches of snow … MORE

This was by far the toughest 50K I have ever done. Over 6,400 feet total elevation gain with a peak elevation of 10,400 feet. There will still patches of snow above the Pajarito Ski Area the week of the race. At the summit, we had a great view of the Valles Caldera, a crater from an ancient volcano. The course would have been more scenic, but fires swept through some parts of the course in recent years and wiped out the trees. Epic but difficult course.

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5
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5
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This was a 13.1 mile loop course that the marathon runners did twice. The expo was nice, but they ran out of a lot of the food by the time … MORE

This was a 13.1 mile loop course that the marathon runners did twice. The expo was nice, but they ran out of a lot of the food by the time I finished. The course was relatively flat and went through some nice residential areas. I would do it again if I was in the area.

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4
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This marathon is put on by Coach Jim Engel to help raise money for veterans organizations. There is no registration fee, but participants are asked to voluntarily donate to a … MORE

This marathon is put on by Coach Jim Engel to help raise money for veterans organizations. There is no registration fee, but participants are asked to voluntarily donate to a veterans organization. The year I ran, we were asked to donate to the Semper Fi fund. In 2014, the weather was mostly clear, but cool and windy. The course consisted of 9.5 loops around a bike path that circles Sunday Lake. There were 22 finishers in 2014, and each finisher received a river rock that was painted in Native American style like a turtle. It is one of my favorite finisher awards that I have ever received. Jim Engels does this free race as a labor of love, and it really shows. If you like small marathons, then this is one to do.

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The Sage Burner 50K is run in the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area near Gunnison, CO. The race is run mainly on mountain biking trails through an elevated plateau interspersed with … MORE

The Sage Burner 50K is run in the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area near Gunnison, CO. The race is run mainly on mountain biking trails through an elevated plateau interspersed with small rock outcrops. Although the area isn’t extremely hilly, the high elevation and steep climbs make this race deceptively difficult. I also ended up going off course and fell behind most of the runners, which delayed my finish to the point where I almost didn’t make the finish line cutoff. The rocks are beautiful, as well as the mountains that you can see in the distance, and I highly recommend this non-technical trail run in Colorado.

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The G.O.A.T.z. 50K trail run is a flat and fast Midwest 50K that is run around Cunningham Lake in Omaha, NE. The 50K course consists of three loops around the … MORE

The G.O.A.T.z. 50K trail run is a flat and fast Midwest 50K that is run around Cunningham Lake in Omaha, NE. The 50K course consists of three loops around the lake with just a couple short but steep hills. I just missed breaking 6 hours, but this was only my second 50K. I received a nice sized medal which is unusual for most 50Ks.

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It is really a shame that this race no longer exists as there are relatively few ultramarathons in the eastern part of Wyoming. The only other major one is the … MORE

It is really a shame that this race no longer exists as there are relatively few ultramarathons in the eastern part of Wyoming. The only other major one is the Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail run, and that one fills up pretty quickly. I ran this race as my first 50K. I picked a challenging one, as it was in the Bear Lodge Mountains of Wyoming with plenty of vertical climbing. It really gave me a taste of what a trail ultra is like. The weather was cold with heavy rain and a trace of snow at the higher elevations the night before. The scenery was beautiful though, and there was only one place where I had trouble finding the trail. There were sufficient aid stations, but nothing spectacular in the way of trail fare. As I am writing this 4 years after the fact, I don’t remember if there were any finisher medals, but I don’t think so. There were only 14 finishers the year I ran, which was the last year they did the 50K. I think they continued doing a 30K for a few years. I think part of the problem is that there are just few ultra runners in that part of the country. I will always remember it though as it was my first ultramarathon and a challenging one at that.

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This is a very fun, scenic, but challenging marathon. About 12 of the first 13 miles is a gradual uphill. Combined with the altitude, this is one of the tougher … MORE

This is a very fun, scenic, but challenging marathon. About 12 of the first 13 miles is a gradual uphill. Combined with the altitude, this is one of the tougher marathons. The Mickelson trail is a treat to run on. Crushed limestone provides a soft, but smooth running surface. There were a couple of wet spots in 2013. Expect to run about 30 minutes slower than your usual time.

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This marathon starts in the park along the Missouri River waterfront. It then goes slightly uphill and then down a fairly long, steep hill alongside highway 52 to the bottomland … MORE

This marathon starts in the park along the Missouri River waterfront. It then goes slightly uphill and then down a fairly long, steep hill alongside highway 52 to the bottomland below Gavins Point Dam. From there, it goes through the park at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, then back again towards town, detouring around Lake Yankton, then back up the big hill. Once you arrive back in town, you hit the Auld-Brokaw Trail which follows Marne Creek through town. Eventually, you arrive back at the waterfront park and then make a loop around to the finish.

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