This was my fourth marathon and first one on a trail, and it was by far the most fun! This is why I run: to be part of the elements and the challenges they give you! The aid stations were great, the other runners were great, and I hope to be back next year a little more surefooted!

Fantastic. The course is beautiful, and the snow/ice this made it spectacular. It's hard and will kick your ass, but if you like trail running and aren't afraid of a challenge this could be a race for you. Just remember - pain is weakness leaving the body. The organization is very good - my only comment is that the food at the finish line was limited and there was not enough hot stuff. Buses to the start were late as well, which could not be helped because of the weather; but the early arrivals were shuttled off the buses and out to the start, where we had to wait 20 or so minutes (it was in the teens) before the start, which was late. Volunteers were fantastic, and aid stations throughout the course were plentiful and more typical of what you'd see at an ultra, not a marathon. Very impressive. Crowds were sparse, but in my opinion that is preferable - you get to enjoy your running and appreciate surroundings in a way that is not possible in one of the big road marathons.

I also disagree about a prior posters comment that you need to run with a buddy. Sure, you could slip and need help getting out, but that's true for ANY trail run. There are so many people running this race that if you do go down and hurt yourself, it won't be long (I'd say less than 1 minute) until someone else happens by. And the organizers did a nice job of putting up some rope pulls at a couple of the really icy parts.

This is going to be annual event for me. It really is the best non-ultra I've ever run.

This was my sixth marathon and first Tecumseh Trail Marathon. I had heard a lot about this race, particularly how tough it was, and it certainly lived up to what I had heard. For a flat-lander like myself, the hills were certainly challenging and the snow/ice didn't help. However, there were several long stretches running on more level ground that were absolutely wonderful to run. The course is beautiful, the organization is excellent, and the water/food stations and volunteers were fantastic.

This one separates the treadmill runners from the mud-between-your-toes crowd. If you can't get enough hilly single track, creek crossings, snow and ice, this one is perfect! The organizers and volunteers are great. The course is a toughie. That's why trail runners love it. Thanks, DINO folks!

I can't argue with any of these comments. Tecumseh is so cool. It made me fall back in love with running. My buddy did it as his first marathon. Don't be scared of this one. While it is challenging, it goes at a much slower pace than a typical asphalt marathon, and to me, this was easier on my body than any of my last 6 marathons. I even added 2 miles at the end to reel my buddy back in. I took a camera and shot some video that tells the story pretty well.

The race started about 15 minutes late, which meant that we were standing around a bit in the 18-degree temps and the snow, but once the race got started I loved every minute of it. The course is beautiful, and the other runners were a joy to run with. The path was slippery because of the ice and snow, so footing was an issue this year. The aid stations are amazing - cookies, bananas, even hot chocolate was served on the course. I've run big-city marathons, trail marathons, and small-town marathons; this one is my favorite. Everyone should try it. The hills are a challenge (everyone walks up them), there are no real fans on the course (the horses and the aid station people are wonderful), but the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled.

Oh! And the post-race soup and sandwiches are great. Excellent attention to detail from the organizers all around.

I fell twice, finished an hour and a half slower than my previous best marathon, and had an awesome time! The other runners out there were so much fun to talk to, and the volunteers and aid stations were great. Can't wait to run it again next year.

This was by far the hardest race I have ever run. With that said, it was one of the most enjoyable also. I think everyone needs to give this race a try. If I could change one thing I would put mile markers at each mile. Other than that I loved it!

I give 5 stars to spectators for quality over quantity. Right before the Indian Hill climb, a spectator says, "I should go tap a maple tree because the sap's still running." How right he was.

First trail marathon but not my last. I loved the lack of mile markers, stopping for a chat at the water/hot chocolate/food stops and the course. It was hard. I ran, then walked up hills; I slid and braked downhill; and I tripped over roots on the flat. When we reached a road, it was sprinkled with golf ball-sized frozen gravel. I fell three times to help my fellow runners recognize the slipperiest bits. What a great time.

After 5:26 of fun, I ate the tastiest soup and sandwich, gazed at the world's most beautiful women and listened to some of the funniest men alive. I'll see you again next year but with trail shoes and some of those yak track shoe chain things.

This was a super run. About an inch or more of snow fell during the day, which made for a beautiful, and slick, course. The volunteers were great, and the food at the finish really hit the spot. Everyone needs to run this one at least once.