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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 21 to 31]
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Peter Healey from Fenton, MI
(9/5/2009)
 "awesome organization and volunteers" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent day in the woods with very supportive and helpful volunteers. | |
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D. P. from Wisconsin
(9/22/2007)
 "Green, green, and more green" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event is an ultra that also just happens to offer the "half race" (i.e. marathon). If it was the other way around, all marathoners would have received finisher medals. Instead, they received very nice mugs (much more useful than a medal anyways), which is more typical of the mementos given away at ultras. The course is well marked with obvious orange stakes at intersections - so I would be surprised if anyone got lost during this event. The course was extremely confusing, especially the last 8 miles when you run the interior trails (the first part is a clockwise outer loop following the bike trail). If the markers weren't there, they would have needed a search party for bodies. It would have been nice to have had a course map before the race just for a sense of where we were going, but it wasn't required to stay on course. Trail is smoother than most ultras, though single-file for the most part making passing or pacing strategies a little more difficult. I came across one guy who ran the event barefoot. There were spectator groups at several points along the bike trail portion who cheered enthusiastically - not typical for an ultra event where solitude is the rule. The thick woods were a beautiful green with a lot of fern undergrowth, and the leaves kept the rain off us and the shade kept us cool. The only negative is the lack of panoramic vistas to run by - just a continuous green maze. Thanks for the "1/2 mile to finish" sign. I would also add a "1/4 mile" sign as well. | |
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C. R. from Paw Paw, MI
(9/18/2007)
"Outstanding Organization!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first 50-mile experience couldn't have gone any better! The organization was excellent, the volunteers helped you with whatever you needed, and there were never any shortages. The course was outstanding, though "slightly hilly" only applies if you run in the mountains on a regular basis. The terrain was challenging but with excellent footing on a groomed single track. I'd go back every year as it's an easy drive for me, and Manistee is a nice, quiet destination. | |
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F. R. from West Bloomfield, MI
(9/17/2007)
"First Full Trail Marathon.... Awesome!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the NCT Marathon (on 9/15/07), and it was by far the best marathon yet for me! The scenery made it feel as if you weren't even racing. The course was hilly and challenging, but gorgeous! I think I'll pull the 50 next year.... | |
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Mike Solberg from Rockford, IL
(9/17/2007)
"great trail run" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 50-miler two days ago - my first. The race was absolutely perfectly organized. I was the last one to finish, four minutes before the official cut-off, and 45 minutes behind the person in front of me - and they still had every aid station open and fully stocked. Registration was glitch-free, and although I couldn't eat it, the food at the end looked good. The course was very, very hilly - but then I don't have anything to compare it to - and beautiful, silent, and remote. Other than aid stations, and other runners (before they all passed me), there was nobody to be seen, and nothing to be heard other than rustling leaves and my own feet. At times the beauty of the trees was just breathtaking. Still, because the forest has a very high canopy, it wasn't stuffy or muggy. And did I say it was hilly? It is. There were many people who have run this race many times, so obviously they like it. I put "five stars" for spectators - but that might be misleading. There are exactly the number of spectators you probably want for running a 50-miler through a national forest: none. If you want/need spectators to help you keep going, you don't want to do this trail run. If you want remote and quiet, this is great. And, oh yeah, the course is hilly. By the way, 50 miles is a long way. | |
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l. w. from usa
(9/16/2007)
"Awesome 50-mile ultra" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a wonderful 50-mile ultra-marathon with rolling, northern Michigan woods on a single track. Marathoners and 50-milers start at the same time, so it's a little tough to recognize a fellow ultra runner. Aid stations are incredible, as is the support. Ran this 50-miler in the past 2 years and am absolutely in love with it. If you enjoy ultras for the extreme conditions and or beating other people, this is not about that. If you race ultras to run forever, and have an incredible experience (and still beat some other people!), this is the race. | |
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p. k. from St. George, Utah
(1/16/2007)
"The most pure trail running ever!" (General Comments)
3 previous marathons
| 2 North Country Trail Runs
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Yes, it's the toughest and hilliest run in lower Michigan! It's also the smoothest and features the best footing ever! No sand! I have never run on a more pure trail runner's trail. Once you try it, you may be tempted to run it barefoot the next time. I will be back for my third marathon in '07... wouldn't miss it! | |
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henry miller from St. Clair MI
(10/11/2006)
"Fantastic marathon" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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T. L. from Ann Arbor MI
(9/24/2006)
"Nice course for first ultra" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 North Country Trail Run
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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D. D. from Canfield, Ohio
(9/22/2006)
"Absolutely the best!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 North Country Trail Runs
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. |
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