I've never heard of this race before, but I'm glad that I found it. I ran ultras, and with this hidden location, who would expect a herd of spectators? I don't mind running 2 loops here overlooking the lake and the valley. Pre- and post-race stuff need improvements. I passed on the post-race food. Good thing there was a hot dog stand. What's with the energy drink too? It seemed like 2 different types.

I ran my second marathon here and loved it again. The weather was cool and had rained earlier that morning. My only complaints: Whatever that foul substitute for Gatorade was, blech! Don't use it again. Some volunteer called it a health drink. Please fix the directions to the reservoir on your website, and don't say that you are going to use credit cards if in fact you are not. Fortunately, those runners who were planning on using credit were told to send in a check. All in all, I loved it because it is beautiful, with a manageable course and no noise.

I loved this marathon. The scenery is very pretty except for just a few little dreary parts by stone quarries and a long paved stretch over a dam. It's also great to do an event like this for a wonderful cause - Habitat for Humanity. It's got the best volunteers of any race I've done. Also, the weather this year was fantastic.

This is a nice course for those that like to run on dirt. About 20 miles of the course run on dirt roads that are very easy on the feet. The course isn't flat, but rolling with a few short climbs. I don't care about spectators and there aren't any at this race. It was small (at around 150 marathoners) and you can park 100 yards from the start. I want to give a big "thank you" to the Race Director for letting us pick up our packets the day of race. For you RD's that force us to come the day before, I avoid your races, as it is such a hassle for those of us who do multiple marathons every year. My only negative comment is that the post-race food was very poor: Only orange and banana slices and some water. Just make soup or add some bagels, etc.; that would have been much appreciated.

I ran this event in 2007. It's a refreshing getaway from street runs. The volunteers and aid stations were awesome, especially the young lady with the brownies at mile 18/22 - awesome. The medal was cheap but that's why I love it. And, the website showed the elevation in feet (should say meters) so it's a bit more rolling than expected. I recommend the run.

Great marathon, especially if you don't like the big-city marathons. Very beautiful; the day was perfect - a little hot at the end but not too hot. The hills were moderate and not too bad. The course was accurately measured as long as you cut the corners and took the shortest route, which I didn't think of until after mile 4 where my GPS watch was reading .3 of a mile longer. After that I cut all the corners and stayed exactly .3 of a mile longer to the end. There were plenty of aid stations; however, 2 at the end ran out of Gatorade (though they did have water). The dirt road was great to run on; you had to watch out for the rocks in places but overall very good surface for a trail run. The biggest hill is about mile 20. I was suffering after that; I had gone out too fast at the beginning and that last hill took most of my reserve out of me, and slowed my pace down a bit. Next year I look forward to running this marathon again. The organizers and all the volunteers were very friendly also.

What a refreshing race to run a trail race in So. Cal without the crowds - and what scenery! Great organization and fun little expo after the race! I ran the half and there were stunning views around every corner. Felt like jumping into the lake near the end because it looked so inviting! Will be back next year!

I traveled all the way from New York City for this tiny (86 finishers) trail marathon a couple hours east of Los Angeles. What a great experience - I will definitely be back. The course was beautiful and somewhat challenging. The volunteers were great. The trail winds through the mountains surrounding a large reservoir. With such a small field, you spend most of the race in solitude (which I prefer over the large crowds at NYC, LA, Miami, etc.). The supportive volunteers at the aid stations every 2.5 miles make you feel like you have reached an oasis. The town of Hemet is more than adequate for pre- and post-race needs (I ate at two good restaurants and stayed at a perfectly decent hotel).

This is a must marathon for people who enjoy scenic, low-key races. The beauty of the course was incredible. Every turn around the lake brought a new treasure to look at. No spectators or race fluff; however, that is why this is such a perfect race! Great volunteers. Terrain is generally good, however, uneven pavement caused my foot to fall asleep. I suggest you bring a water belt, as water tables are spaced about every 2.5 miles. I am gonna be back!

First time running this and it was great. This is a runner's race, not a megathon, and in southern California it's a refreshing change to have race where the Marathon Maniacs shirts outnumber the TNT shirts. Weather was good and the views were stunning. I am glad the out-and-back was first; running past the finish line before mile 5 isn't bad, whereas running past it at 22 and doing an out-and-back for the last four miles would not be so enjoyable. Later aid stations ran out of Gatorade, but that's not surprising considering that the half marathoners ran past those aid stations too. We managed without it. The information did warn people to carry fluids.

Regarding the course and the complaints from the GPS users, guys, it's around a lake with a lot of coves. Since the course needs to be measured as at least 26.2 using the most efficient tangents between curves, yes, unless you're very good at geometry and calculating the straightest lines between each curve, you WILL run more than 26.2. Deal with it. If you want a perfect 26.2 course, find a point-to-point along a straight stretch of road.

Fewer than 130 runners in the full, and many of those heading from this race to Carlsbad the next day. This was a race as races used to be, a group of enthusiastic runners out for an enjoyable Saturday morning run rather than an enormous crowd of people looking to check another event off their life list. I had a great time, had no idea how I was doing because I forgot my watch, met some friendly fellow runners, and will definitely be back. And I love Saturday morning races!

Well organized, small, low-key race. Not for those who need spectator support, because most of this is inaccessible, and not for those for whom a fancy medal or a chip time or free gels are necessary to validate the experience, but definitely for many runners who love running and want to enjoy a relatively unknown part of southern California.