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☰
Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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Bob O'Donnell from Michigan
(3/16/2009)
 "Great" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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. | |
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M. M. from Mentor, Ohio
(5/4/2008)
 "Great, challenging trail marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Beautiful but challenging trail course. Awesome race organization that took extra care of the runners, with great volunteers. Look forward to running this again. | |
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K. O. from Lansing, mi
(4/30/2008)
 "My first race ever." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have never ran anything in my life other then being told to in high school. I am now 39. I don't know why I waited so long to do this! | |
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Marvin Lafler from Ionia Michigan
(4/28/2008)
 "Great respect." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have a lot of respect for the following: Randy and all of the volunteers, and the spectators and all runners and walkers that endure this challenging course. I have met many wonderful people over the years. There are so many that I know faces and not all names. Some are Jeff Gaft, Al Zeller and Dick West.I don't know how many of Randy's adventures I have been on, but I do know it goes back into the 90's and the days of Triple Trail Trouble. This consisted of the marathon, Swan Creek Crawl and Dances With Dirt 100K. Again much respect and many fond memories. If you would have asked me at the finish if I would be back next year, I would have said, "Of course" - as beat up as I felt. Until next year, happy trails to all. - Marv & Toni Lafler | |
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Rob Koleski from Perry, Michigan
(4/28/2008)
"AWESOME!!!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I finished the 2008 full trail marathon. I ran this marathon 3 times before, even a few years back when it had snowed. I did not want it to end - the scenery was great! Great aid stations! What I like is that some of them had GU. I do the early start; there aren't many runners, so it gives you some room. I had 3 other runners in my car so I did not have to pay for parking. Everyone cheers, which makes me go faster. Also, great-looking medals when you finish - not the small ones, but a nice-size medal. I've have all of mine on my wall. I will be back in 2009; I'm going to do Dances with Dirt ultra at the end of summer!! | |
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C. R. from Paw Paw, MI
(5/3/2007)
"Great run - great organization" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year, 2007, had great weather that proved too warm for many locals, as the times were slower than years past. I agree with the comments from 2006 - great single track, not too technical, with only one or two major hills on the loop. Great organization, aid stations, and a chance for quiet on the course. If you like passing people on the 2nd lap, this race is for you because the 1/2 marathoners use the loop for a later start. Nearly all yielded way as I came through and were very polite, as they were instructed by race organizers. I'd go back! | |
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R. P. from Plymouth, MI
(9/19/2006)
"volunteers from heaven" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the Trail Marathon in 2004 and 2006. I decided to skip 2005 when a freak snowstorm put 3 or 4 inches of snow on the trail on the last weekend of April. This race is by far my favorite marathon. The trails are average, the scenery is pretty for Michigan, but nothing spectacular. The course is slow, and the weather is unpredictable and usually uncomfortable. Despite all of these things, the race itself is such a treat. It is a 13.1-mile loop that crosses easily traversable roads three times, which actually makes it an ideal spectator course. There are no crowds, so your friends and family can pick you out immediately, and getting from one intersection to the next is extremely simple. There is an aid station at each intersection. Both times I did the race, my mom told the aid station workers my name and what I was wearing and when I crossed the aid station EVERYONE was yelling my name. It was the coolest feeling; everyone was SO friendly. The 7- and 20-mile aid station is the only one that is not on the main road and is staffed by some of the most fun runners I've met. They cook breakfast on the trail every year. They put out signs "warning" you of the trail ahead. Their generally crazy antics have made me want to come back every year. The race is also a great training tool for a spring 50-mile race and there are many ultra runners who use it as a training run. Another bonus is the lake at the end of the run, which I have frequently used to "ice" my legs after the marathon. Results have been timely and the age group awards are generous and practical. This year it was a pint glass; in previous years, they had coffee mugs. Race shirts are techinical tees from Brooks, which have lasted me a few years of constant use. I definitely recommend this marathon to anyone who loves the allure of the trail and appreciates the camaraderie of the trail running community. | |
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D. L. from St. Louis 'burbs
(5/13/2006)
"Great romp through the woods" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a wonderful race. The course was actually less difficult than I expected. Only one big hill per loop(you get to do it twice), and not a whole lot of technical, rocky terrain. The majority of the course was pretty smooth single track, winding through the woods. The aid stations were very well stocked, complete with GU(good, because I forgot to bring any), and some snacks, too. There were an amazing number of spectators around the course for a trail race. Another plus, age group awards were given 5 deep in 5-year age groups(unfortunately I was 6th in mine). A very enjoyable run. | |
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D. Q. from Ann Arbor, Michigan
(4/27/2004)
"Highly Satisfying" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Unpredicatable weather didn't end up being much of a factor. If anything, I think some of the runners were disappointed that it didn't get muddier or there wasn't any thunder or lightning. I could have used a lightning strike to get a little kick on the last few miles, but the fans who had hiked in a bit from the finish cheered me on. All in all, it was another beautiful stroll through the woods. The early start and chip timing lets you get away from the crowds of runners (if you want to). Getting out on the trail by yourself gave you a more intimate view of the woods, plus, when you did run into other runners, fans or volunteers, the exchanges were usually priceless, such as, 'You look absolutely terrible, but I'm sure you'll do just fine!' The aid stations were placed perfectly and I was offered chocolate-covered potato chips for the first time. Very tasty. I got just about everything but a rub down from the fine folks at Ernie's (one of the last aid stations on the loop). The fans and volunteers that were there were a lot of fun. This was my fourth marathon overall, but my first time running this particular one. I had run the half marathons out here a few times (which is how I got hooked on trail running in the first place). | |
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H. L. from Ann Arbor, Michigan
(1/23/2004)
"Beautiful course, difficult terrain" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The terrain winds around a series of pothole ponds, gurgling streams and ends at a larger lake. In July, it would be great to jump into the lake after finishing, but this race is in April so leave your swimsuit at home :). At the time of the race the leaves are just starting to bud on the trees, some of the dogwoods are getting little flowers and the crocuses, snowdrops and other early flowers are blooming. It's just beautiful. As stated by someone else, there is one mile of heavenly flatness. The beginning (and middle since it is a 13-mile loop course) has a series of hills where you are basically crossing one ridge, descending into the intervening valley, then climbing up to another ridge and on... and on... The last half of the loop (after the flat mile) is also hilly, but it seems mild due to the excruciating nature of the first half. The course is not measured very well, and ends up being at least 27 miles. This year (as soon as the foot of snow clears...) I am going to measure the distance with a wheel, maybe on a bike... They also run the course BACKWARDS from the official direction posted by the Park Service for runners/walkers versus bikers. I trained at Pinckney for about four months leading up to the race which definitely gave me an advantage... that advantage might have been somewhat counteracted by following the posted rules and running the course backward most of the time :). There were five aid stations in 2003 that we passed twice, four of which were attended by volunteers. The volunteers were loud, positive, smiling saviors! Some spectators hiked in about 4 miles from either end of the loop (my parents :)) and received kisses from runners for being sole spectators along the trail (aside from aid stations and the start/finish). I hear they'll be there again in 2004 :). We had perfect weather in 2003, with the start at about 35 degrees and the finish at about 70 degrees. Other years it snowed, sleeted, rained... etc. There is an early start (7 a.m. versus 8 a.m. for the masses) where a lot of hardcore ultra-marathoners showed up in 2003. What a nice feature! You get to hit the trails before the herd shows up, you never see the 1,000 half-marathoners either (since it is a one-lane track, this is good!). The early birds in 2003 were completely supportive, talkative, helpful, friendly, etc. Everyone was fantastic about moving aside so faster runners could get ahead. I enjoyed the loop structure so I could see--and cheer on--the first place women and men as they blazed by. Overall, a fantastic race :). |
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