JEFFREY KLOSKY's Staging Area

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!