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North Country Trail Run Runner Comments
Back to North Country Trail Run Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 49 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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Joe Ely from Indiana
(8/26/2012)
 "The Course is the attraction" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This is a race with real potential. Some plusses and minuses. Positive: 1. The course...this is the real draw. It's a varied and enjoyable track through the woods. Hills are challenging but do-able. 2. Aid stations...very enthusiastic and lots of varied treats (save one...see below). LOVED the blueberries!! Full of water and flavor. Minuses: all relate to race organization. 1. Start the 50 milers and marathoners together. By having the 26.2 folks go first, we were steadily passed by the 50 milers who started 20 minutes after us. It was a full 10 miles before the field spaced out enough to have a normal trail run...over 2 hours. On the single track course, this detracted. 2. Long Lines at registration and post race food. No reason to wait 45-60 minutes to get a Tshirt at registration. The burger line after the race had over 80 people standing in it. I gave up and left. This is all fixable. 3. Emphasis on 'bling' over 'runner enjoyment'. Lots of focus on handouts, medals, early registration, food. The race would improve a lot by moving this focus to easing course congestion and... 4. No water at aid station. On the very hot day, which was 2012, I got to the last aid station, 2+ miles from the end and they had zero water. None. Inexcusable on a hot day. Truly detracted. Attention to some organizational issues would move this from a good race to a great race. If the organizers would like further conversation, I would be happy to do so! | |
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A. G. from Chicago, IL
(8/31/2011)
 "Beautiful Run In The Woods" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! This was an amazing run. It was more of a battle with the ground. I tripped at least 12 times. This was my fourth trail marathon and it taught me not to look away from the ground. I would like to note that the 1/2 marathoners should start 1 hour after the FULL marathoners. There were a couple instances when I was elbowed off the path while going downhill. FULL Marathoners have better etiquette than that. Passing is fine, but just please hold off on the steep downhill parts. The aid stations were excellent and the volunteers were wonderful. I will do this again if the 1/2 Marathon is spaced out even longer, or they are taught some manners when running. The post race refreshments and food were the best of any Marathon I have run. You can't beat 2 burgers and 2 beers. I love it! Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, and fellow runners who asked if I was OK when I fell those multiple times. | |
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M. C. from Michigan
(1/31/2011)
 "Change isn't always better" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ North Country Trail Runs
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This has always been one of my favorite marathons but not so much in 2010. A few suggestions: Move the date back to September again (too hot in August), alleviate the crowded trail by dropping the half, sweep the course prior to the start, and forget the medals - the sweatshirts and gym bags were better awards for placing. I still love the course though. | |
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J. C. from Michigan
(1/26/2011)
"Good course; organization needs some improvement" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 North Country Trail Runs
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The new organizers did a decent job for a first time running this race, but there were some issues. I ran the marathon and found some of the aid stations lacking - no GU at any when I went through, no lube at a couple. Most had an assortment of food and all had water and Gatorade, so it was basically OK. I had come to expect the level of performance of the former race organizers, so I did not carry my own GU or extra lube - mistake. The turns on the last mile of the course were kind of confusing. Food and drinks were running out when I finished so I wonder what they had left for the ultra people. Anyway, it is a beautiful course. There are not a lot of spectators but they are all friendly. I hope they work out the kinks next time. | |
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A. B. from Wheaton, IL
(11/22/2010)
 "Good race with one significant problem" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I ran the half marathon this year, and loved the trail, and thought the race was well-organized, but with one problem. First, the positives. The trail is beautiful, and for a first-timer on single track like me, challenging. There were plenty of aid stations, and the free beer and food at the finish line were great. Never did get the promised age-group award though. | |
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M. N. from Holland, Michigan
(8/30/2010)
"Terrific course - one not to miss!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Absolutely beautiful trail run - a 26-mile loop through the Manistee Forest. Easily navigable trails and well stocked aid stations approximately every 4 miles. Highlights: 1. The trail - isn't that the main attraction? 2. Aid stations to assist runners evenly spread throughout the course. 3. Well organized and well marked course (with the exception of the first comment under "improvements" below). 4. Great group of volunteers during a long, warm day. Improvements: 1. The very last turn off the "two track" road was incredibly difficult to find. After running 26 miles, I ended up running an additional mile or more after someone told me I was off course (I had followed some of the half marathoners and continued on the two track). Even after backtracking the turn was difficult to find (it didn't help that several cars were parked near the turn and blocked a clear view of the stakes). 2. Why not start the marathoners and 50-milers together? Very difficult to pass the 50M runners and I am sure they don't appreciate having to step aside so often. Overall, terrific run on a beautiful course. Thanks to Chris and all of the volunteers for a really fun event. | |
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E. K. from South Bend, IN
(8/29/2010)
"Great Trail Run" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon and it was a wonderful experience. The course is beautiful. There are a few hills to watch out for and the course is challenging. There are almost no spectators, which I liked, but if you want people to cheer you on, you may want to stick to road races. I would recommend this course. | |
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Clint Nickoles from Grand Rapids MI
(9/23/2009)
"My first marathon and I think im hooked now" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great time and this was a great way to get my feet wet (dirty mostly) in the marathon world. If I could do it again, I would just have to remember to not look up so much. The roots were out to get me. Thanks for a great event that I will never forget. | |
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M. D. from Detroit Area
(9/21/2009)
 "Awesome!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was amazing. It was very well organized, the awesome course was very well marked, and the volunteers were so great! I LOVED the spartan-themed aid station!! Spectators were rated a "three" only because, if you like a course that has a ton of cheering, this one isn't for you. If you like a course with incredible beauty, rolling hills and peaceful quiet, you would LOVE this trail. | |
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T. K. from Lansing, MI
(9/20/2009)
"Awesome race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent race. I did the ultra and couldn't have asked for a better one for my first. The aid stations had an excellent selection of food and drinks and the volunteers were awesome. My wife was able to see me numerous times along the course due to the excellent directions from the race staff. The post-race food was even better. Thanks for making my first ultra-marathon experience one to truly remember! |
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