While my goal is to run a marathon in every state, this is the first race I'd consider doing again. It is 100% Maine. If you can't accept our state for what it really is, then this isn't the race for you. There's no fluff: No big expo, no large crowds, no giant goody bags. It's run on real Maine roads - ones with hills, cars and in places, terrible shoulders - but it's also the most beautiful race I've run (not just in places here and there, but all 26.2 miles).

It was my first marathon, and although I'm not super slow (9:20 average), I felt very alone towards the end. Traffic can get a little bothersome (they don't close the roads) but the scenery is beautiful. The climb from miles 8-11 isn't as bad as it seems. No chip timing, and it would be nice to have a porta-potty or two in the last half of the race! If you are into low-tech, small, scenic marathons, this one is for you.

One recommendation: eat at Tufulio's the night before the race. The pasta dishes are delicious.

I am from Maine, so when they said, "its mostly a downhill marathon," I had to see it to believe it. Well, it is definitely a fast marathon. The first 18 miles were challenging, but relatively easy, with some obvious hills. the last 8 miles were not as hilly as the first 18, but it was NOT 16 miles of a decline like they had stated. I was told the spectator support was not huge, but I felt that there was tons of support from the crowd. All of the volunteers were more than generous, and the cyclists on the course were extremely attentive. The weather was fabulous. It's definitely a great BQ race!!!

This was my first time running the Sugarloaf Marathon, which I think put me in the minority of the runners. The many return runners all had stories to tell me about how great this course is. The last 16 miles of this point-to-point are mostly downhill, with only small, uphill climbs. With one exception, all water stops were in basic, 2-mile intervals. The one exception is at roughly at mile 18. Due to the layout of the road, there just wasn't a place for a water stop.

I gave the spectators a rating of 5 even though there were not a lot of them out there because the ones that were made up in effort what they lacked in number.

My only other problem was the lack of shade for the last three hours. Of course, that was because I ran the race in five hours, but I now have sunburn on one arm (it is a north-to-south run).

The start is very beautiful, and after you get past the hills from mile five to mile 10, you can just keep rolling for the last 16 miles.

There are a lot of top notch runners in this race (not running in my section of the pack but they are there), so if speed is your issue, you will have company. My only tip is that, if you plan to attend, get your lodging early and know where you plan to eat. The pasta dinner sold out and we ended up eating in the hotel restaurant. Not bad, but we had to pay hotel restaurant prices, and there was not a lot of selection.

But enough complaining. This was a fun race and a fun atmosphere.

This was the second year I have run the Sugrarloaf Marathon. I had a great experience. The course is challenging but not too much for a novice who just wants to run the whole distance. It is the only marathon that I have done that I would recommend to beginners as well as experienced runners. The water stops are well spaced about every 2 miles and the spectators are few but enthusiastic. I highly recommend the host hotel, which gives great rates. Everyone is very friendly and helpful.

NOTE: porta-potties are at the beginning of the race at the start. BUT they are very limited along the course (one at 3 miles only I think). This was not a problem for me but might concern some others. The route is very wooded and remote, and runners are free to "use the woods."

I will continue to do this marathon.

MAJOR GRIPE ALERT!!!

If this is your first marathon or having a picture of the event is otherwise important to you, I strongly advise you have a friend or family member at the finish line to take a picture of you.

MY ONLY CRITICISM IS THAT ONCE AGAIN I GET NO FINISH PICTURE OF MYSELF!! LAST YEAR, ABOUT 300 PEOPLE RAN THE MARATHON, AND IF YOU DID NOT FINISH IN THE TOP 20%, NO ONE BOTHERED TO TAKE A PICTURE OF YOU EITHER AT THE FINISH OR ALONG THE ROUTE. ONCE AGAIN, THERE ARE ABOUT 10 PICTURES OF THE SAME 30 PEOPLE AND NO ONE ELSE!!

So a word to the race director: "Remember the little people..."

Not everyone runs a sub-3 hour marathon (or ever will). With only about 300 finishers, you would think you would be able to get a picture of yourself....

I ran the 15K in 2008 and the marathon in 2009. The race was extremely well organized. Ample aid stations. Plenty of volunteers on the course. Scenery was perfect. Personally, big crowds at races stress me out. At big races I've been stepped on, whacked, and slowed down by crowds. None of that here. I was able to focus on myself and my goal. There were not a lot of fans along the course, but the ones there seemed very genuine. I can't wait for 2010.

It's was a very nice experience and I will be there in 2010. ;o)

My first marathon, and it was great!! I'm already getting ready for next one. Thanks to Scott, Pete, and my wife, Rebecca, for the race-day encouragement. The massage provided at the finish saved an old man's legs. Thanks again to the organizers of a great event.

Regards,

Paul Tracy

Thanks to the race director and staff for making the Sugarloaf Marathon a great experience. The organization was terrific, the scenery was beautiful, and the course was a lot easier than I expected. I drove the course the day before and thought the hill at about mile 8 would be tough. The speaker at the pasta dinner said it looks tougher from a car than on foot. He was right! I was over it before I even knew I was on it. There were very few spectators but the water stop crews made up for that. Thanks to all the folks, especially the teenagers, who gave up their day to man the water stops. A special thanks to the guys on the bikes who rode back and forth along the course making sure everyone was okay and providing encouragement. There was plenty of food at the end, enough that the ladies serving the food gave me a bag of goodies for the long drive home. If the food at the finish isn't to your liking, there is a great healthy place to eat across the street - I think it was called the Orange Cat Cafe.

The Sugarloaf Resort is beautiful and the views are spectacular. It was a great place to stay and well worth taking a few extra days to do some hiking.

Just a couple of suggestions:
- More police on the route. Although the traffic was not heavy, some cars were driving very fast on a twisting road.
- Provide runners with more information about things to do in the area such as hiking trails, restaurants, etc.

This was my 4th marathon and second BQ attempt. From the time I checked into my condo at the ski mountain, the vibe was positive and totally welcoming. The course was as advertised: beautiful, hilly, pretty fast, but with sparse fan attendance (especially on a cool and rainy day). Organization was excellent, from pre-race communications, to the packet pick-up, to the busing up to the start.

Aid station volunteers were capable and mostly cheerful, but this race is all about the run. The road stays open, but somehow traffic sorts itself out. There were enough runners in my pace range that I never felt completely alone.

I'd love to go back next year, but I'm not sure whether I'll be recovered from... drum roll... running Boston (yes, I got my BQ at Sugarloaf).

Definitely not a race for everyone, but if you want to focus on running rather than battling crowds, Sugarloaf is a fantastic place to do that.