This was my first trail marathon and my ninth marathon overall, and I can't remember ever having this much fun. Tecumseh is challenging and playful, with many switchbacks on a narrow running trail. Race support was great, as was the course. Can this marathon be any better? Only if there is more hot chocolate on the course. The jacket in the race packets were over the top. The soup and sandwiches at the finish were a nice touch of southern Indiana hospitality. One last word: This race is not for the weak of heart. Would I run this race again? YES!

Well, I've only run three races. But there were embroidered jackets, buffet tables at aid stations, hundreds of happy and friendly people (no one would talk to me at Grandma's or Quad Cities), soup and sandwiches and cookies at the finish, a dirt-cheap hotel, a dirt-cheap entry fee, and the most beautiful course, woods and hills and ravines and countryside.

There are no chips, no splits, no hundreds of fans sitting in lawn chairs watching you sweat, no McDonald's banners in the sky, no massage tent, no garbage of any kind. Towards the end, at some point, there was no one in sight, in front of me, behind me, anywhere. I just stopped and looked around at the woods, and practically cried. This was the best race.

I knocked this race last year when the buses were so misguided, and will give full credit to the RD and staff for correcting that problem this year. Buses got to the finish area early this year, to avoid the lost driver debacle of last. Everything appeared to go smoothly. Race shirts are hugely improved over prior years. The trail was in the best shape of any time I've run it, and it was a great day for all. Course is always first-rate, organization came through with many improvements, and spectators?? This is a trail race!! You don't run it for crowds, but to get away from them.

Exceedingly challenging! I would characterize this as a hill race with trails. Lots of switch-backs and trees. This was my first marathon. The forest and lakes of the Morgan-Monroe State Park were beautiful. Very well organized race; we started on time. Long bus ride from the finish to the start, but the back roads are too steep and narrow for buses. Aid stations were great and just enough. I will do this again.

This was my third marathon, but the first on trails, and the first one I've run that I'd say is actually fun. The scenery is beautiful, the volunteers are friendly, and the aid stations are awesome (I'm torn between which was my favorite - the one with the hot chocolate and coffee, or the one with a buffet of Oreos, M&Ms, pretzels, Fig Newtons, Cheez-Its, and Clif Bars). The course is grueling at times, but the remoteness and the quiet of running in the woods made this race almost meditative for me.

Organization was very good, given the logistical demands of getting everybody to the start line; the race started maybe 10 minutes late. Also had trouble tracking down water at the finish line, which strikes me as a potentially more serious problem. Still, this is a great race all around, and I intend to run it again in 2008.

This marathon is plenty of work with about 4700 climbing feet and 4800 descent. But it was flawless in organization. Terrific people with optimally placed aid stations and lots of good things to eat. Hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies at Mile 18.5 really hit the spot on this cold day. This course requires vigilance as the mass of oak and maple leaves can hide rocks and roots and fallen branches. I would expect everyone to say this was plenty of work and challenge but flawless in organization. A terrific feed at the end restores nutrition and hydration.

Ran the race for the first time. The race was well organized and the shirt was great (more of a pullover). Might be the hardest trail race I've done. Can't wait till next year. The volunteers were great and seemed to enjoy the day even with the cold weather. First aid station were well stocked.

Great run, as always!

My third Tecumseh Trail run and definitely my favorite marathon.

While I'm glad I experienced, in years past, the super primitive check in - groping through the dark at a camp shelter with the organizers walking around in mining helmets - this year's check-in at the Summerhouse Inn was a GREAT improvement and one that I hope can be continued.

This year, most of the creeks were dry so it was a much less wet and muddy run and we were able to face that INSANE hill at mile 13 again, which had been inaccessible due to flooding last year.

The hot chocolate at mile 13 is the best in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

The run is challenging but so much fun that anyone considering this run should go for it.

The volunteers and organization are top notch and the fans, while very few (it is a trail run!), are enthusiastic. Also, great pullover this year! I just can't say enough good about this run.

This was a great race. Small, laid-back, muddy, and challenging. I had such a good time that I plan on coming back for more in 2007. I gave organization a 4 only because it did start late. Not a problem for me since the buses did stay, providing a place to stay warm. They did a great job changing the course due to flooding. If you are looking for a change of pace from the crowded, flat, and fast marathons - this is your race. As much as I love the spirit of the big marathons, nothing compares to running through the woods.

This was my first marathon and if I had it all to do over again I would still pick this race to be my first. The course, while challenging and very muddy, was amazing. The scenery was awe-inspiring throughout the race, and as I love both running and hiking, this race fit me perfectly. The race did start 45 minutes late, but given the circumstances and the re-routing of parts of the course due to flooding, I didn't mind. I will definitely return for the '07 race and with any luck it will be slightly warmer and perhaps a little less muddy.