This is a tough course, but it's spectacular. After 9:20:00, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The course support is the best. As a flat-lander I was the last one to reach the turnaround at the Pass. The aid station was still there for me with four supporters to make sure that I was doing ok. The race directors are awesome! I was second to last to finish and the finish line was still open, the announcer still there to call out my name, and the race director put the medal around my neck. The last person to come in was an hour behind me. The co-race director interrupted the post-race dinner and encouraged everyone to go out and cheer him into the finish. Awesome experience. Will definitely do it again.

Tough course but worth every minute. People were great and the atmosphere surrounding the race was very inviting.

I've run over 20 marathons and this was by far the hardest. The altitude makes breathing tough, which you expect going in. What you may be surprised by is the unrelentingly steep climbs and somewhat rocky uneven paths. It took me roughly an hour and a half longer to complete than a road marathon. If you're a competetive runner you'll need to go into this race with a bit of a different attitude or you'll burn yourself out on the inclines before the race is even half over. I found the declines nearly as tough as the inclines because the footing is treacherous. If you get moving too quickly, you could very well break an ankle. This is one to do for the challenge and scenery.

I only gave the course 4 stars because I didn't like the fact that you had to weave around people on the way back down from Mosquito Pass. And I thought the finish line was somewhat disorganized, which is why I only gave 4 stars for organization. The only spectators were at the finish line and aid stations, and that's a good thing in a marathon like this.

This is my third year running/walking the Leadville Marathon. I keep coming back because of the people: the directors Ken and Merilee are so nice and friendly. This year at the last aid stop after Baldy Mountain, my daughter Christine and I were greeted by the director and his super volunteers. My other daughter Melanie has run the marathon for the second year, and she is amazed by the volunteers - last year they took her shoes off and fixed her blisters. No other race has such down-home friendliness. The views from Baldy Mountain made me think of the Sound of Music. The top of Mosquito Pass is great, and to top off the day, each finisher is given a beautiful mug with the Leadville Marathon motif. This is a really hard trail run but I hope to be back for more next year. Also, this is the first year they have had the heavy half. My friends Carol and Alison did the heavy half and they thought the views and people were outstanding.

In my meager marathon experience, I think the Leadville race was incredible. As a social event or personal challenge, I can think of few single-day races that could possibly compare. The course was brutal and breathtaking. Perhaps most impressive was the attitude of both the volunteers and the participants. Nearing the turnaround, I was amazed by how many of the fastest racers were willing to sacrifice their breaths to cheer the other racers on. We were very impressed by Leadville, too. The mountain biking alone is worth the trip. Best of all, the pretense that infects many of the spectacular cities in Colorado doesn't seem to exist in Leadville. We really enjoyed our stay there.

The Leadville Trail Marathon is a very challenging course. Due to the rugged terrain and high altitude it takes about one and a half times as long as a low altitude road marathon. That's okay with me because I love running on trails. The scenery is wonderful and makes the effort very worth your while to run this marathon. Although there wasn't a cloud in the sky at 8:00 am, it was overcast and windy by the time many of us reached Mosquito Pass. I suggest carrying appropriate gear to deal with cold or rain as the weather can change quickly in those mountains. The day after the marathon, my family and I went horseback riding which we arranged through a sporting good store located very close to where the Leadville 100 has its race pickup. That was fun too! If you like camping and hiking, the Leadville area is great.

This was my first trail marathon. The wild flowers and vistas were beautiful. Since I am a better downhiller, I enjoyed the steep downhills, mostly on the return. It was well marked and had good aid stations. Course was mostly gravel roads (many rough spots) with a few miles single track. Windy at the top!

For a Floridian living on the Gulf, the elevation alone was quite a challenge for me. (I even had altitude sickness the night before.) This was my first actual trail marathon or should I say hike, and yes it was tough; steep and rocky, but I would do it again! I always carry a camera during my marathons and just looking through my photos makes me want to sign up for next year. The views were spectacular and believe me, I had plenty of time to look around as I caught my breath!

Although this marathon will surely be my slowest, I missed winning a trophy by one place... they gave a trophy called 'last ass through the pass' to the last finisher. I was second to last. During the awards ceremony, the names of all the finishers were called starting with the last person. Just to finish this one no matter your time was an accomplishment.

As has been said the aid stations were the best and volunteers always cheerful. Thanks to all of them who stayed out there for us slowpokes!

This was my fourth marathon and first off road. I came in from out of town with only one and a half days to feel the lack of air, coming from Houston. The course is very rocky with lots of loose rocks pretty much the entire course with steep climbs. Snow is still present on some of the course and very windy. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done and was such a huge accomplishment to finish.

Excellent all around marathon. Unless this is the only marathon you run, forget about doing this one quickly. Most of the uphill portions are so steep that you will walk about a third of the distance (8 plus miles). The aid stations were so well stocked that I was tempted to return to the course upon my finish. A great social race as well, as I spoke with many of my fellow runners. The finisher medal is unique and top-notch too. Be prepared for steep descents or you'll be very sore. No need to carry a water bottle as the temp and humidity generally are such that you won't sweat too much, just drink up at the aid station.