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May 5, 2024

Tecumseh Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Tecumseh Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 97 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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J. M. from Illinois (12/9/2008) "WOW" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
Z. G. from Ohio (12/9/2008) "Awesome!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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!
M. C. from Chicago (12/8/2008) "I need to get some trail shoes" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
L. B. from VA (12/8/2008) "My first snowy marathon!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.
Roscoe Douglas from Macon, Georgia (12/7/2008) "The marathon team that put on this race was great" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first trail marathon. After 31 road marathons in the past 2 1/2 years, I decided to try the other marathon course, the trail. Man, was it hard. The only thing I can relate it to was hiking the Appalachian Trail in December in snow in the north Georgia Mountains. It snowed several inches during the race, and the temperature was in the teens. Not a pretty sight for a runner from Georgia. We slipped and slid up and down mountains for 26.2 miles. There was a cutoff time late in the race at mile 22.8 because of fading light. I missed the cutoff by 10 minutes, and the sweeper led me and another runner through the woods with a head light. Once we reached the road - which was solid ice - we carefully slipped and stepped to the finish for what seemed like a 10K, but was really maybe a mile. A pickup truck came up behind us and let us use his lights for the last mile on the road. All in all, this was a miserable 26.2 miles that I am glad to have completed dead last. This marathon was a great experience that I will always remember. I can't wait to try another trail. The volunteers were the only spectators, but they were tough and hearty people to be able to stay in freezing weather all day. The food stops were every 2 to 3 miles, and were well stocked and the volunteers encouraging. The Tecumseh trail is gorgeous, remote, and hilly. We crossed icy bridges and frozen streams, but by George we finished. Thanks, folks, for good Indiana hospitality. Roscoe Douglas 50 States Club Marathon Maniacs
B. H. from Fort Wayne, IN (12/7/2008) "Most difficult marathon I've ever run!!!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Just ran the 2008 Tecumseh Trail Marathon earlier today. (I'm not in bed yet because my muscle cramps won't let me go to sleep.) Based on the comments I've read on here and talking to people who've run this race before, I was expecting a difficult course. I still underestimated how hard it would be! The course is absolutely beautiful, but very technical, and very slick when you have 1-2 inches of snow on the ground like we had. The biggest difficulty for me, however, were the hills - they were absolutely UNREAL. My recommendation is to train for the hills first, then the distance, then the terrain. The aid stations are incredible too - lots of stuff to keep you going with very nice people running them. In my opinion, this is not the race to run for first-time marathoners unless you have adequate hill training. I don't know yet if I'll run this race again (9 hours after finishing the race with muscle cramps in my feet and hammies probably skews my view a little), but if you truly want the challenge of the most difficult marathon you can run, I highly recommend it.
Sandy Carroll from Enon, OH (5/3/2008) "Nothing compares - JUST DO IT!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Tecumseh Trail Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 2nd time for Tecumseh (the previous year was SO muddy - I can't believe I set myself up for this again, but I got addicted!). This year, the terrain was MUCH more manageable. Two IMPORTANT tips: (1) Don't bother with trail shoes. Too many large tree roots, rocks, etc. for trail shoes because they're harder on the bottom, so they tend to SLIP like skates at times. (2) DO NOT do this one solo - everyone should have a buddy. You would NOT want to have an injury out in this wilderness and have to wait for someone to come along for help, especially toward the end, when clusters of runners get fewer and farther apart. Injuries here could tend to be bad with so many rocks, trees, and hills involved.
S. B. from Athens, Ohio (1/6/2008) "worst time ever, but best race to date!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was just so fantastic. The course support, the volunteers and the miles and miles of wilderness made it absolutely memorable. The meal provided after the race (homemade soups and sandwiches with hot beverages) totally hit the spot. This was my first trail marathon, and what an introduction! The volunteers were so friendly, and the veritable buffet of snacks gave me something to look forward to every few miles! The types of runners who attended this marathon made it fantastic, too. No prima donnas, it seemed, just plenty of people from all walks of life who loved running and sharing their stories of past wilderness marathons. Such a sense of camaraderie among everyone, even towards someone like me who is new to running marathons. I will definitely be back next year!
C. C. from Indianapolis, IN (12/27/2007) "Best race ever" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had never run a trail race and I never trained on hills. This was the MOST FUN race yet! You don't even notice how far you are running because you're focused on not falling and there are no mile markers. You feel like a little kid running, playing "Follow the Leader." You can't expect a good time for this race - just run it for fun! I only want to run on trails now.
sara wade from chicago (12/15/2007) "unbelievable" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tecumseh Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've never run a trail before, or hills, and I'm slow (5 hours). This was an absolute blast - I can't recommend it highly enough. If you're slow, no worries - there were tons of hikers and great, friendly people. The scenery is incredibly beautiful - actually moved me to tears in one pine forest with huge foggy hills in the background. I always use an iPod, and I didn't even turn it on, so peaceful and the sounds of leaves underfoot were enough. From a totally cynical Chicago runner - do this race; don't be intimidated by hills (yes, big, but everyone walks), or the idea that everyone is hardcore (so not) or that there's a lot of dirt (minimal). It was transformative and fun. Perfect stops, and alone time....

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