Thoroughly enjoyable marathon. I loved the Wooden Train Whistle Medal. It was a trail over an old train route after all, in the old west and very appropriate and different. It certainly will not get lost among all the other lookalike medals hanging around the house. I gave 5 stars for both organization and spectators. The 5-star rating on spectators was not for quantity, but for heart! I gave 4 stars for the course, which was just a bit too rocky for my liking. But, I am on my way to Boston with a PR and picked up a 1st place-trophy to boot! Everything about this race was just over the top. At the early start, it was 22°, but you would never know it because the start was a kick; our rendition of the national anthem was the best I've ever heard, and everyone was laid-back and happy. No stressing out in sight! I loved that everyone was just there for a good time, even if PRs were goals. If you are looking for a small, laid-back marathon, where you can just enjoy the moment so that you can relax and actually have a chance to PR, this is it!

We all have different opinions about races. I have run 64 marathons and ultras, and this is one of my favorites. I compare this course to Tahoe in beauty. The aid stations were the best: every two miles, fully stocked, great volunteers. Eric the race director did a great job! I will be back next year. I love the whistles, something different from just another medal. On a 1-to-10 scale, I give Bizz an 11.

Yep, folks I'm not kidding. If you want to train hard for a crappy wooden whistle tied to a rope (instead of a medal), then by all means sign up for this race!
I was heartbroken that the "fastest in the west" course was one of my slowest marathons, but I truly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and avoided a DNF because I wanted another medal for my collection.

I laughed when the woman handed me the whistle and continued to look for my medal. When I saw other runners wearing the rope-tied whistle around their neck, my heart sank. Way to add insult to injury!

Also, DO NOT stay at Budget Host Hotel. The rooms were filthy, with wallpaper-thin walls (listened to a squeaky little girl ALL NIGHT LONG pre-race) and holes in the sheets - and the pillows reeked of smoke!

For what it's worth, the volunteers were incredibly kind, and as I mentioned, it's the prettiest course I've run.

The course was fine, but I really found the majority of the course to be unlike the photos on the website. The first 20 miles are pretty monotonous. The last 6 miles are where you can finally see the river and the scenery depicted on the website, but by then I was just looking to reach the end.

I think the tunnels need to be much better lit. It was very difficult to see and I really felt like every foot strike was a test of my faith. Seriously. I considered slowing down, but I wanted a top 10 finish so I risked it. Fortunately the footing was good in there. I was quite surprised by how dark the tunnels were. The food was plentiful and of good quality along the way and at the finish. The bus shuttle was convenient. I enjoyed the run.

The race director is a bit arrogant and short with people, but I wasn't looking for a buddy, so no worries.

*Scenic course
*Decent aid stations (water was freezing)
*No expo
*No race packets/No info
*Rude, disrespectful RD and snotty right-hand man

Would I run this HM again? Not a chance after the way the RD treated racers.

A great racing event...I ran the two half-marathons on consecutive days, something I had never done before. The course is kind on the body, the trail is gorgeous, and the race was well organized. I will be back in 2008 to try the back-to-back half marathons again! Maybe I can improve both race times!

Beautiful course, but do yourself a favor and avoid any contact with the race director.

This was my first marathon and I'm so glad I picked the Bizz Johnson. Very easy on the legs as there are no hard surfaces. The organization was good and the course is just fantastic. The temp at the start was in the upper 20's and climbed into the 60's by the finish - clear, cold, perfect running weather! This marathon is pure fun!

Traveling from MA, I wanted a non-urban experience. I have already run Boston and several urban races and was due for a change. This was it! I combined this trip with a back-packing trip through the Nevada desert, using an economical airfare with Southwest. That in itself was a great experience, using mountain hiking for cross-training and altitude adjustment. It was snowing when I arrived in Susanville. Campgrounds were closed. No matter! Eric, the organizer, and Dave, the caretaker of the Depot in Susanville, gave me a comfortable back lot for camping. Eric and staff were always present and willing to answer any question no matter how many times asked.

Finally, the marathon itself: What a trip! It was so beautiful on the trail I had to just remind myself it was, after all, a competitive run. When my feet got tired, I just cruised along on pine needles at the edge of the trail. What a blast!

There were a few spectators who were friendly and the volunteers were great. I made a point to thank them all!

One point of caution: The Chamber of Commerce in Susanville was useless in providing any information. I could only conclude that they didn't want people to come to Susanville. They told me to stay in Reno. Thank you, Eric and Dave, for saving me from that fate!

I've run lots of races in PA and MT and this was an excellent course. Very scenic course; well graded wide trail surface of dirt and some gravel; great, well stocked aid stations every 2 miles and a nice finish. It was a great size for a first marathon, too. You don't expect a trail run to have spectators but those near aid stations were very encouraging. It was my 1st marathon and I'll definitely return next year and hopefully bring some other runners from MT.