Hi everyone, this is Pete Wright - Event Organizer - after reading the comments, I wanted to let everyone know we're changing a little. First, the course has changed... same awesome views and scenery, but not so hilly. The new course will be online soon. Same terrain - pavement, trails, and dirt road... and the Stowe Rec Path. Stations - every two miles at least, with H2O, Powerade, gel, and fruit. Party - more food, local brews, and excellent service as always... don't forget the great music and massages! We've added a half-marathon and kids race too, and don't forget the team challenge. We listen to our runners and we're making the race better... just for you! See you in September!

This is one of the best kept secrets in the Marathon world. But emphasis on this....it is small.

Course - Fantastic, a lot of trails and off road running, very enjoyable. The last 8 miles you run along a very busy road, with little or no protection. Traffic is fast and the 'pack' is well spread out.

Organization - the best. Water/poweraid/gel/cliff bars at every water stop. More volunteers than runners. The best. The only complaint I have is the finisher medal. They ordered but did not receive the 'official medals' so they gave us cheap substitutes. I would have rather they mail the good looking medal.

This race is not for the faint of heart. It was 95 degrees at the finish and the hills were painful, but if you enjoy a challenge go.

Suggestion to the race committee. Put a skull and cross bones on the finisher medal. And bill yourself as the toughest run you will ever love. I would do it again just to get the medal, otherwise I will pick a flat course.

THis was by far the hardest marathon I have ever done! For one, we had recode highs in the 90's when I finished (just past 3 hours) and it only got worse from there. The race didn't start until 930 AM!! I was told the reason was because the avg overnight temp in Sept in Stowe is 30. THat is perfect!! However, this year it was 70! But, other than the weather, it was awesome! I loved the dirt roads and the trail. I could do with out the pavement for the last 8 miles, but you have to get back to the start somehow. And did I mention the hills? Stowe is a ski town for God's sake, but I din't expect to run every hill in the county! Would I do it again? Heck yeah! Great shirt, medal and organization. But I will wait until the temperature gets back down to the normal temps.

I have only good things to say about this, my second marathon. Well, the heat became unbearable towards the end, but there's not a lot anyone can do about that except start the marathon earlier in the day, or later in the season (but this would mean paying premium prices for lodging as opposed to the 'summer rates' offered early in Sept.) The marathon is exceptionally well organized. Water/aid stations every two miles or so, and trust me, I drank at every one. If you're not used to hills, don't do this one. I train on this kind of terrain everyday, and bested my previous marathon time (Dublin, Ireland...flat!) by nearly an hour. The scenery is incredible, the people fantastic, the trails, and dirt roads incredible. I could do without the last 6 or 7 miles being asphalt in the sun though! I wouldn't recommend this as a first marathon, but highly recommend it if you've done one before and want a challenge! Spectators are fairly non-existent except for those enthusiastic helpers at the aid stations and those offering directions on the wooded trails. I'd do this one again if I lived closer. Tee-shirts and finisher medals are impressive too.

If you didn't like the terrain, wait a while and it changed. From asphalt to trails,to dirt roads to trails. It was quite hot and we appreciated the many water stations. But I heartily recommend starting this at sunrise instead of 8:15am when it was already quite warm. The flies on the burgers were a problem, but the concept was a good one. Would I recommend it? Sure...will I do it again...Never!