This is why I run! What an awesome experience it was. I give this race an A++. Great job, RunningFit and Tami!!

This was my first trail half-marathon, and it has me excited about running a full marathon! "Tough" isn't the word for it - more like "grueling!" But a fantastic workout! The participants and the volunteers were awesome! Seeing Chris out there checking on people was reassuring! My only complaint is the website! I had a hard time signing up, and trying to get the results and photos is next to impossible, which surprises me.

Hilly, hot and humid this year, but I would do it all over again. It is well organized, and has great volunteers and an absolutely beautiful course (with many lakes and wildlife to enjoy). Kudos to everyone involved with this race; you do an excellent job!

I've run one trail marathon before in Delaware, so I kind of knew what to expect. Unfortunately, being a flat-lander, I had not trained for the ups and downs. I looked forward to the few flat parts of the trail and the short stretches of roads. The day started out nice (60 degrees), and it got up to 80 degrees or higher by noon.

Pros:
Started on time.
Well organized.
Polite runners.
Plenty of food for the size of the run
Lots of cool lake to rinse off in at the end.

Cons:
It didn't start in waves as advertised, so everyone piled up at the first hill.
Even though it was advertised, some people still wore headphones, so you couldn't tell if they could hear you when you excused yourself to pass or not. That rule must have been for the "other" people.
Looking at the times of the winners, they must have been part mountain goat. The second loop kicked my butt. I think the hills got bigger or something. It would have been a real challenge in rain or snow.

I was in the area visiting family and decided to run this race to add Michigan to my list of states. I loved the race. This race takes place on a 13.1-mile loop in a state park, and is almost entirely on trails (a few short road segments). And yes, as previous comments indicated, it is a tough run. Lots of up and down, but great scenery and fantastic volunteers. I also took refuge in the lake after my run and my legs feel great the day after. If you like trail runs, this is the race for you! If you need lots of spectators, don't bother (though the ones that were there were enthusiastic). Only thing I would change: There was no Gatorade at the end of the race, only water; but Gatorade was on the course. Great run, and I would do it again if I were in the area.

The course is challenging but rewarding throughout. There are a barrage of hills during the first few miles and during mile 11/24. There's also one at the end. Don't go out too hard or the second loop will tear you apart. The best option is to keep a steady effort and not worry about your time.

At the end of the race, take a dip in the lake to show your muscles some kindness.

If you've never run this course, give it a go before race day. If you don't, you'll be in for a rude awakening.

Great course. Great, slow, mental race. A 13.1-mile loop. You run past the finish to start the second loop. Very hilly. Use the lake as an ice bath at the finish. I love it!

Beautiful course. I did the half-marathon (the marathon does same loop, but twice). It was VERY hilly, and can get crowded on the trail, which is mostly one track. But it's well worth running it anyway. My only complaint: It took me 30 minutes to move 0.5 miles from outside the state park entrance to inside, because there were just 2 guys there to take the $6 day permit fee (which I don't recall seeing mentioned on the website, luckily I had $6 on me!). So, instead of arriving a leisurely 45 minutes before race time, I got there 15 minutes ahead and had to rush around like crazy to pick up packet, hit the porta-potty, etc. The volunteers were great - plenty of water/Gatorade/GU on the course. No spectators, really, except at the finish, so if you are into that, it's not the race for you. Nice finisher's medal and very nice tech shirt. I'd do it again!

Do you want to get your butt kicked?? You will, if you do this half-marathon trail run. And it feels GREAT when you're done!

I try to do this race every year. It's one of my favorites (I also run the course whenever I can in my week-to-week running, because the trail is so beautiful and challenging). The trail was carved out by the glaciers 10,000 years ago, and it shows in the terrain - very hilly and rocky, with many hidden lakes. Middle spring in Michigan is arguably the most beautiful time to be in the woods - things are greening up, wild flowers starting to bloom, but the trees haven't fully filled out so you can see more of the terrain plus - no bugs. Even when we get a late snow, the race is fun! Randy Step and the Running Fit gang have years and years of race organizing experience and really do a fantastic job putting on events.