This was my third marathon and the first trail run. It was a tough course but I loved every step of it. I felt like I was running with family and friends. Everyone was so polite and helpful, and the finish was fantastic. Well organized from start to finish. I'll be back next year.

This is a great place to run your first 50-miler. The course is beautiful, and the volunteers are wonderful. The scenery along the Big M trail is spectacular, incuding more mushroom varieties than I have ever seen. If you are thinking about this race for 2007, sign up - you will not be disappointed.

This was a unique event. It was a challenge on a difficult and beautiful course. Everything about it, from the organization to the post-race festivities, was superb. The thing that made it truly unique, however, was the care and respect extended not only to the runners but also to the spectators accompanying the runners. I have not experienced anything like it at any other event.

I really enjoyed this trail marathon through the beautiful Manistee National Forest. The course was very well marked and aid stations were awesome. I thought this event was very well organized and the food was especially nice after the race.

This was my first experience running an ultra and I wasn't sure what to expect, or how it would go. The run was completely positive from start to finish. The course was a bit challenging, but that made it all the more interesting. The trails were so beautiful!!! The Striders Club did an awesome job, very organized. They were all so encouraging. THe prizes were an extra bonus surprise. The aid stations were extremely well stocked; I didn't even need my drop bags or other items that I carried other than my water bottle. This 50-mile run went much better than any marathons (26.2's) I have run. Thank you for a fabulous event; God willing, I look forward to next year's North Country!

This was my 5th marathon - and first trail run. Being from Texas & Florida, I wasn't used to running 'REAL TRAIL HILLS' so I found this challenging. However, I had so much fun I didn't even realize that the miles were being logged below my feet as I ran. The volunteers were OUTSTANDING. I would have finished 20 minutes earlier if I hadn't sat and chit-chatted with the friendly aid station attendants :-) By the way, the potatoes at the stations were a great change of pace from the normal 'sweets' served during these races - but the fizzled Coke really hit the spot at mile 22!

Thanks again for a great time.

The 2005 North Country Trail 50 mile ultra marathon was truly a thing of beauty. The day was mild and sunny and the course winds through cool forests of pine and hardwoods. The trail is soft, cushioned with duff and very well marked. There are hills but it is all nicely runnable. Aid stations were so well stocked and the volunteers were WONDERFUL. The post race cookout had something for everyone, including vegetarians. Steve Webster does a fantastic job. Put this one on your calendar.

This was my first marathon, and it was awesome! However, the difficulty of the hills is underestimated, especially from about miles 17 to around 24. The last two miles were all downhill, however. I'd recommend a lot of training on hilly trails. Overall, it was a great experience. I'll definitely be back next year!

Well, considering that I had never run a race before in my life, not even a 5K or anything close, this marathon was awesome! I didn't know what to expect. When I signed up for the race, I was under the understanding that it was moderately hilly. However, when I got there I found out that they had switched the location and that now it was on a cross country ski course marked difficult for the last 7-8 miles. It was awesome though. I really pushed myself and found that everyone from the runners to the workers were very encouraging as well.

It is set in the beautiful northern woods of Michigan. The stations were great and the food afterward was awesome. It was so well run and was just tons of fun. I loved it! I think that now I'm hooked on marathons for life, and I am sure I will do this one again! The experienced people working the event were so helpful and kind as well. They showed me exactly what to do. I can't say enough about the race and the people who put it on! Thanks! I was so blessed by this race and the lessons I learned from it! Praise God!

Overall, it was a great race and a great course. I did the 50 mile race, and was very pleased with the trail surface, aid stations and volunteers. You can tell this is put on by someone who knows what ultra-runners are looking for.

The course was a little hillier and slower than I was expecting. This year was a new course, and I was told it was more challenging than previous years.

If you are looking for a first trail run for marathon distance, or you feel ready for your first 50 miler, you cannot go wrong with this one!

FYI - Do not stay at the Carriage Inn Motel in Manistee, it is a dump.