I ran this race due to the time of the year and the location (my family has a cabin just over an hour away). Due to the Twin Cities Marathon … MORE
I ran this race due to the time of the year and the location (my family has a cabin just over an hour away). Due to the Twin Cities Marathon being cancelled, there was a large surge of runners who signed up for this race last minute (someone said 200 extra). We were bussed to the start line from downtown Ashland. We got to the start and there was a line forever for the porta-potties. I got in line and there was a total of 7! porta-potties for 400+ marathon starters. The line was forever but the lady on the microphone kept saying that they “wouldn’t start without you” and that they apologized for the long line. As start time was nearing, they said they were going to start at scheduled time, but due to it being chip timed, anyone could start once they got through the bathroom line. By the time I got out of the porta-potties, the gun had already gone off, about a minute earlier. I raced through a huge wave of spectators walking the course, then raced through the back of the field to try and catch up. I know it was chip timed, but I was hoping to better my BQ from a few weeks earlier. I continued to catch up to groups of runners and maneuver around (the course was very very muddy due to persistent rains the day before and day of) the course lanes to keep my pace. The spectators were pretty good and the aid stations were well run. I caught up to a lot of the walker half-marathoners towards the end but all were very courteous and super supportive. Despite the muddy gravel and headwinds once we got into town, I was able to run a 3:01:53. I was most disappointed with how the start of the race was handled. I did not mind the course, but if looking for a big crowd to pump you up, this isn’t it. I think it would be much easier if it wasn’t so wet and muddy. I thought the slight elevation drop was not noticeable except in mile times. Because it is pretty much a straight shot, my total distance was 26.25, which I really liked.
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Muddy but Fast
I ran this race due to the time of the year and the location (my family has a cabin just over an hour away). Due to the Twin Cities Marathon … MORE
I ran this race due to the time of the year and the location (my family has a cabin just over an hour away). Due to the Twin Cities Marathon being cancelled, there was a large surge of runners who signed up for this race last minute (someone said 200 extra). We were bussed to the start line from downtown Ashland. We got to the start and there was a line forever for the porta-potties. I got in line and there was a total of 7! porta-potties for 400+ marathon starters. The line was forever but the lady on the microphone kept saying that they “wouldn’t start without you” and that they apologized for the long line. As start time was nearing, they said they were going to start at scheduled time, but due to it being chip timed, anyone could start once they got through the bathroom line. By the time I got out of the porta-potties, the gun had already gone off, about a minute earlier. I raced through a huge wave of spectators walking the course, then raced through the back of the field to try and catch up. I know it was chip timed, but I was hoping to better my BQ from a few weeks earlier. I continued to catch up to groups of runners and maneuver around (the course was very very muddy due to persistent rains the day before and day of) the course lanes to keep my pace. The spectators were pretty good and the aid stations were well run. I caught up to a lot of the walker half-marathoners towards the end but all were very courteous and super supportive. Despite the muddy gravel and headwinds once we got into town, I was able to run a 3:01:53. I was most disappointed with how the start of the race was handled. I did not mind the course, but if looking for a big crowd to pump you up, this isn’t it. I think it would be much easier if it wasn’t so wet and muddy. I thought the slight elevation drop was not noticeable except in mile times. Because it is pretty much a straight shot, my total distance was 26.25, which I really liked.
Would definitely do again!
Nice small marathon. This is a BQ and a super great course to do it on - I've never ran a flatter course! Only a little hilly in the first … MORE
Nice small marathon. This is a BQ and a super great course to do it on – I’ve never ran a flatter course! Only a little hilly in the first 2 miles and then a slight downhill the rest of the way. The race was very well organized – no issues with parking, buses, toilets, or aid stations. Very well staffed! I’ll probably go back again to try and BQ!
Scenic fast rails to trails downhill
I first ran this race in 1998, its inaugural year in 3:25 six days after running the Twin Cities Marathon at age 48 (my 20th marathon and a PR). The … MORE
I first ran this race in 1998, its inaugural year in 3:25 six days after running the Twin Cities Marathon at age 48 (my 20th marathon and a PR). The following year I ran my marathon PR there in 3:20 (now out of 145 marathons age 44-68). It is a small (typically less than 500 participants) point to point soft fine gravel but generally firm, wide rails to trails marathon with LOTS of fall color and about 13 trestle bridge crossings and just a few turns. I have run this race 12 times. The last time was in 2013 in 4:35 – my fastest of 4 marathons that year. I recommend this race for anyone looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon who is often close but not quite qualifying. With a 400 foot gradual overall downhill west to east course (think typical tailwind) with just a few gradual short climbs, this race is a FAST course. It is tree lined most of the way (scenic – prime color time). The trees do reduce the wind effect some. Expect anything from snow to rain to dry with temperatures ranging from the low 30s to the low 70s depending on the year. The weather will impact whether you PR here. Typically the weather is dry with slight wind about 40°F at the start and 60°F at the finish. You likely will NOT PR here if the temperature stays near 40°F with rain or sleet. Do not expect huge crowds of spectators or bands. There aren’t any. Some family members of runners will be at most of the aid stations (water and powerade) every couple miles. But do expect a fast, straight, soft (easy on the joints) course without other runners in your way with a bus ride to the start and showers at the finish. A pasta and whitefish – (the finish line town of Ashland, WI is on Lake Superior) dinner is complementary to runners the night before the race.
Beautiful scenery along the course
Well organized race; good communications; friendly community; 2018 was a cold race! Bus ride to start was easy to access; need more porta-potties at the full start line; well organized … MORE
Well organized race; good communications; friendly community; 2018 was a cold race! Bus ride to start was easy to access; need more porta-potties at the full start line; well organized bag drop allows runners to stay warm before the race starts; scenic course didn’t feel like a downhill run so don’t stress that will might be hard on your knees. Shirts were good quality and only available to finishers; medals were nice; expo was small; blues and brews festival was a fun evening event
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I got to packet pickup the night before, in a tent that was serving the pasta feed, live music playing, and a small area to buy Whistlestop gear. It went … MORE
I got to packet pickup the night before, in a tent that was serving the pasta feed, live music playing, and a small area to buy Whistlestop gear.
It went really quick, the staff was super helpful discussing the rain and the course conditions because of that (Its a 6′ wide gravel trail)
The map that they gave didn’t have a North Arrow on it, and was actually upsidedown, which for an out of towner was a bit confusing, but it was actually really easy to navigate once i realized where to go! I thought parking would be more of a problem, but I got there pretty early and parked on the south side of the community center.
The bus to the start line was nice, and there were buildings to stand in for the 31degree start. The course was absolutely beautiful, not very many people cheering, but i hardly noticed because i was staring at all the fall foliage. The bridges that you ran across were frosty and caught me a little off guard for being a bit slick, but i should have been paying attention at those temps a bit more.
The spectators that were on the course were awesome. There were ample stations with water and powerade….they had bananas, gu, and pretzels (Which are my new fav race snack).
The showers were in the ice rink and for those familiar with “hockey locker rooms” thats exactly what it was. Perfect for post race.
The finisher shirt was a nice 1/4 zip tech shirt. The medal was cute with a little train on it. I’d run this again,but totally book a hotel much earlier than I did.
First Half Marathon Made Memorable!
Ran the Whistlestop as my first Half Marathon and was very happy with this decision! Very fun course, through the woods on an old railroad grade, spectators were at road … MORE
Ran the Whistlestop as my first Half Marathon and was very happy with this decision! Very fun course, through the woods on an old railroad grade, spectators were at road openings and through Ashland on the final stretch. Shirts were nice, medals nice, great atmosphere. Would definitely do this race again and recommend it!