The run on the ice age trail and up the tower is very difficult, but makes the run more interesting than most. There are very few water stations, and you have to bring your own Gu, etc. I suggest using the bag drop, which will drop your bag at the mile 10/16 mark (you can put extra Gu, fruit, water, etc., or anything you think you might need. There is also very little fan support. However, there seems to be an even stronger camaraderie between runners on this course. I recommend this race if you are looking for marathon that is a bit more challenging.

I ran the half marathon in 2007 and thought that it was OK. I have run around 10 other half marathons, and this was by far the most low-key of any race I've ever done. The course was almost completely flat and paved, which was a nice change of pace... albeit a bit boring. One word of warning: There were mile markers between miles 1-4, and 10-13, and none in between. I ran with a first-timer who found this to be extremely frustrating, so wanted to send that warning out!

Overall, a nice race, but not recommended for a first-timer who deserves to be more spoiled the first time around. :)

Not sure I will do this again. The out-and-back course is great for the first 16 miles, but when you get back on the bike trail (especially with a headwind) it's really boring. The organization was good, it's very low-key, and if that appeals to you, go for it!

I did the half marathon this year so that I had something motivating me to keep active over the winter. I ran the race with 2 very good friends and met some nice folks along the way. The police did an excellent job at the intersections. There could have been maybe one more water stop somewhere along the 1/2 course, mile 3 and 7 and then back at 10 when you looped back seemed like a long stretch near the end of the race. No GU (it was bring your own), and after-race munchies and drinks were sufficient, but nothing fancy. I'd suggest it as a first race of the season.

Excellent, well organized, low-key run, Wisconsin style - munchies and beer at the finish. Great wind-shirts and hats for finishers. Beautiful course through town, farmlands and woods. If you need to be pampered on the marathon course, go run Chicago.

I loved the course, the hardcore runners, and just the simplicity of the whole thing. This race was all about getting back to basics - running and good people. Again, I just loved it.

This was a very tough race and is not a "blow you away" marathon. It was a very scenic run and is a great way to open up the season. Very friendly atmosphere but not for those who need spectators clapping along the whole route. If you bring your own spectators, though, it is very easy for them to jump in the car and jet up ahead to the next checkpoint to cheer you on. Also, they worked very hard to slice up hundreds of fresh oranges for most of the stops. The only real hard part was going off on the trails through a wooded area and climbing to the top of a lookout tower which is bad for race times, but great for a fun run!

The previous comments accurately describe the course. The "non-trail" areas were pretty and pleasant and quiet. Race organization was just fine. By the time I was done with the full marathon, the remaining food was bagels, popcorn and peanuts. Volunteers were great, aid stations were well stocked and staffed. More portable restrooms available than most races. The trail wasn't too rugged, and made the run more interesting and scenic. Police did a great job with traffic control at the few places where it was needed. Obviously not a race for you if you need spectators or something fancy as far as post-race food, but I'd recommend it otherwise. Nice little race that doesn't cost much.

I've run this marathon or half marathon many times and they keep getting better. This year they had a really nice wind shirt for both half marathoners and full marathoners. I heard many comments from other runners that they really liked the shirt. The half marathon course is quite flat, being on an abandoned railway bike path. The full marathon does have about 6 miles on the Ice Age Trail and includes climbing a tower. That portion of the race is the only real challenge, as in some areas I felt I had to walk because of being either too slippery or too rocky. Bascially, there are no spectators--it's difficult for them to access the trail. There definitely are not enough water stops and the mile markers still aren't accurate, but I keep hoping they'll improve these things eventually.

The finish had beer, popcorn, hot dogs, etc. which I rather enjoyed! It was better fare than at Boston, which basically gave you a bottle of water and a tiny bag of pretzels. Despite some of its flaws, I still like this race and I'll be back. It's a good early-spring race to get you fired up about the upcoming racing season.

Only 6 actual miles of trail. Paved bike path does not qualify (get real). There were few aid stations, and those that were there were poorly stocked, leaving one very depleted. The shirt I was given went straight into the trash when I got home - the worst shirt I've ever rec'd. I should mention that when this event started about 14 years ago I had a bad experience and vowed I'd never return; yet it did fit into my training plans for '05 and so I thought it had to be improved--WRONG! And it is true: hot dogs, potato chips, and beer for a post-race feed. Yikes! Look elsewhere!