JEFFREY KLOSKY's Staging Area

It is Wisconsin in the last half of November. Cold, windy, snowy are all probable, and still, this was a very enjoyable marathon. Logistics were fairly simple. Sign up, show up a little before the race on race day to get your bib (and/or shirt), run, get your medal, go home. Low cost and you can opt out of the shirt to save another $5. The marathon repeats the big loop (5 mi) 4 times and then the small loop (approx 3 mi) twice. Support was just great for what this is. Course is pretty, people are nice, I would recommend this for sure. A few hills with a decent slope exist, but none last more than 50-100 of vertical. If you want small crowds and a minimalist marathon, and can handle some cold weather, sign up!

The organization of the New England Challenge is always on point. Easy logistics. The loop is a little over 5 miles run 5 times and is very scenic. The main aid station is by the start/finish line and is well stocked. There is another aid station at the far point with water and stingers. Don’t let the multi-loop format throw you off…scenic and enjoyable.

Nearly perfect weather. A little bit of wind (always a headwind of course). Started with a little ice on the windshield driving to the start, but it was Florida/Alabama cold…warmed up to nice 50s and 60s quickly. The course is flat and scenic. It runs through the Gulf Shores State Park. You run over some of the same trail, but it isn’t repetitive. Not very crowded, even in the beginning miles. Well supported with aid stations. Stations have mostly just Gatorade and water. Some had gels, and one (toward the end had some bags of chips). Would have liked a little more food, but pretty good. Got in late, so I missed the expo. Packet pickup and all the start line activity was easy and great. Parking didn’t seem like a problem, even if you got there late. Restrooms were available and staff/volunteers were great. Other than a little more food, my only complaint would be the hotel. The lodge at Gulf State Park was a very nice property and the location was awesome. I asked about a late checkout to take a shower before heading to the airport. They said the organizers negotiated a $75 late checkout rate to go past noon. The rate we got was $120 out the door, which was good for that hotel, but the $75 would have been more than a normal rate and as I diamond member at that chain, I would have normally gotten a late checkout, no problem. Small complaint…found a YMCA on the way to the airport. Post race food was a little limited, but did the trick.

Flat and easy course through urban to suburban Detroit and Belle Isle (no Canada due to COVID-19). Not overly crowded, but a very well attended race where you are never out of contact with multiple runners. Half/M Relay folks run at the time/course, but not as issue. I don’t like crowds personally and this was entirely ok. Aid stations and bands were frequent, spectator support was average in places to awesome in some neighborhoods. Lots of viewing opportunities for your spectators. Bands, music, beers, fireball, food, etc. was also provided by locals not as part of the race itself. Weather was comfortably chilly the entire race. Communication was awesome. Expo was not over the top, but nice and appropriate. Results were emailed almost instantly along with links to photos that could be downloaded free. Start was via corrals and not an issue. We had no trouble parking for the expo or start, but I could see that as about the only potential complaint. This is an excellent marathon!

Great organization and a whole lot of truly nutty runners come from anything from the 888k down to the 8 miler. If you love trail runs, you will love this one.

The festival lasts for 10 days with the marathon on the last full day. There is a 7.5 mile loop that climbs about 2000 feet in maybe 2 miles. Single and double track, not so technical, but steep. All downhill on the last part of that loop. You pass through the start area on the way to do the 20 mile loop which has one hill around 12-13 miles about the same height, but climbs over 4 miles. The 20 mile loop has areas that are more technical and lots of opportunities to roll an ankle. Very beautiful, very challenging, and very well organized. You have support as you pass through the start at 7.5, another minor food and water station around 16, and at 20 is the best food I ever had on a marathon. You need to be self supporting because of the spacing, but the aid stations are nice. Volunteers are great.

We had light to moderate rain the day prior and mostly cool and overcast on race day. There was some mud, but mostly minor/avoidable. A few stream crossings, but there were wood planks, rocks, or something to get across. As timing would have it, I had a fairly new pair of shoes on and they stayed mostly clean and dry.

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you don’t like trails, you stopped reading at the beginning. Do this one!

Well organized, flat course, reasonably scenic if you like Air Force Bases. Southern portion runs by a small lake, nice woods, and some horses, the rest is Air Base. Course is all paved roads with very light traffic. Support/aid stations/post race food were all decent. We had rain and chilly…perfect running weather. Gotta take some time to see the museum.

I thought I would not like the 12 loop repetetiveness, but it was a pretty route and I enjoyed this a whole lot more than I thought I would. A minor hill right before the end of the lap got bigger every time. Well organized, especially with COVID-19 stuff going on. You get a little square on a table with your bib number to place food, drinks, etc., so you get 12 shots to resupply. The were a few people cheering by the the finish line, so after a few loops, you really look forward to their cheers. I’d run another one like these for sure.

Great organization, RD very responsive, course is hilly, hot, and beautiful. No PRs and only 2 aid stations, so prepare. A couple water crossings, but overall not very technical single track trail that will greatly challenge you. It is closer to 27 miles, but makes the finish even better. Enjoy!