The trail is essentially up a forest road and down a single track trail. It starts out so cold but ends up being good weather for running.

I've done several trail runs and did the half marathon portion of this run. The trail wasn't terribly challenging nor was it very pretty. The race packet said half-marathoners would encounter 5 aid stations. There were only 3 and the last one was at 7.8 miles or so. Luckily I had my own water and gels, but the girl I entered with did not and was hurting by mile 11. The race organizers, spectators, and other runners were GREAT!!! I would do this race again because it was somewhat challenging, but the people made the race fun. The end-of-race medals were cool, and it was nice to get a finisher's hat rather than another t-shirt.

The first half of the course is up dirt jeep trails and gravel logging roads. The race moves up a big ridge that offers great views of the Cascades. Most of miles 2-14 were uphill. Most of the remainder was downhill on mountain bike single-track trail. While there were a few technical elements, most of the terrain was pretty fast. The event was run by some of the nicest volunteers and race managers I've ever met. It supports a local high school cross country program. Great food and drink at the finish line. I highly recommend this race for runners wanting to move from road racing to trails. It is great. I will run it again without question.

This was by far my favorite race to date! It's definitely not a race to run for a new PR though! The course was challenging and fun, and the scenic views were the best. Well-stocked aid stations had ripe bananas, which were wonderful on the go. The people at the stations were so nice and encouraging. This was a well-marked and organized race.

This course is for a younger and more agile group. I tripped numerous times and fell hard once. It is beautiful and provides a great challenge. Rather like being in the service - "glad I did it but will NEVER do it again." Very nice race director and crew.

This was one of tens of half marathons I've raced, and by far the most memorable. Bend, OR, is beautiful. Tall, tall pine trees, air so fresh it invigorates, and ample but not too much sunshine made this Californian totally want to return next year. While the race is definitely not for beginners (miles of inclines in both the half and full races), it is awesome for those who have done their homework. It truly was a real treat to race. I would totally recommend this to long-time runners/racers who are looking for serious challenge. The inclines are what let you do well; the steep declines were like skiing without the snow. Race directors did their homework with excellent course markings, and the food afterwards was the most abundant, and of the best variety for sure, of any race I've ever been to, including Chicago. Kudos to the guy who started us off; he and his wife did a great job organizing this beautiful, tough, challenging race. But don't enter unless you've trained!

This was the smallest field of marathoners for me yet, but by far the friendliest. The weather was perfect and the trail had scenic vistas and technical, forested single track. The aid stations were expertly spaced and adequately stocked with fluids, GU, and bananas. There was some light congestion with marathoners joining the half-marathon participants; however there was tremendous courtesy and respect for all racers, including those donning frilly tutus. There was an excellent blend of novice and veteran runners from all ages that offered insightful perspectives on training and marathoning. Excellent post-race food and beer encouraged runners to hang out creekside, as if attending a family reunion picnic. I had a blast!

I was really anxious going into this marathon because it was the first one I have ever run, and everyone told me it was a terrible first marathon! Because of the enormous and steep 7-mile climb, I suppose. That being said, I was very satisfied with the marathon and stepped up to the challenge. If it's your first, I think that the same rule applies as to seasoned marathon runners: training pays off, and quality training pays off even more. As long as you enter this marathon prepared (i.e you have trained both distance and hills), you can have an amazing experience. The course is spectacular, with amazing views, and the terrain was soft and nice on your legs (aside from the hills). I would recommend doing some light weight training for your legs because a lot of people pooped out and walked sections of the hill, which really slows you down. After the race, the food spread was awesome, with plenty to go around and all the right foods.

One appealing aspect of this marathon is the very liberal late entry fee-only $45 until 2 days before the event; and only a $10 increase the after that. Also, the race director generally permits day of race packet pick up, depending on the circumstances.

This is an extremely challenging trail marathon, with a lot of climbing and challenging terrain-rocks (boulders), roots, tight turns, and steep decents (I found it almost impossible to 'run' these frequent portions). (Also a covered bridge and several narrow footbridge crossings). I would recommend against it as your first marathon event.

That being said it is also an immensely scenic course with beautiful vistas of the surrounding forest - esp. at the top of the steepest climb.

The course was generally well marked with yellow or red flags (yellow marked the accompanying half, red the full). The flags were mounted on small wire posts.

Pay close attention if you are in the small (100 runner or so) marathon field, as there aren't any course marshals at any turns-you are on your own (myself and another runner overlooked some flag markings and ran about 1/2 mile extra).

On the other hand I found the aid stations appropriately stocked and manned with a surprising assortment of Gu, bananas and Gatorade at the most critical junctures. (Early stations had Gatorade and water only.) I very much enjoyed the unique trail marking system of distances that weren't on "exact" miles as road marathons, and usually about 3 miles apart. It seemed like the race passed quicker in this manner, considering the scenery in between.

A good deal of food, mainly "health" style at the end - much more food than similar marathons in size. Chicken and vegetarian pasta, ceaser salad, rye crackers and peanut butter, fruit, and more. Also beer water and sports drink.

I didn't find the cowbell as unique a finisher's award as others thought it to be. As much as I appreciated the nice young and amicable cadets that worked the finish line, I would rather have been draped by a medal (primarly because it may have been the toughest marathon I feel I have probably ever run) - rather than the remark the cadet made: "Would you like a cow bell, sir?" (Incidentally marathon and half marathon finishers earned the EXACT same cowbell).

No T-shirt is included with entry fee. A high-priced $25 technical T was available the day of the event, but the cotton t-shirts sold out at the expo the day before. Buy it then if you want one.

This is a well-organized trail marathon with good support from various organizations in the Bend community. It was well worth the seven-hour drive from Sacramento. The first approximately 4 miles take place in Shevlin Park with beautiful trails, a covered bridge, the sound of a rushing creek and young cadets standing at attention guiding the way at the turns. Miles 5-14 miles are mostly on a wide jeep/fire road. Miles 7-14 are going uphill and approximately miles 11.5 - 14.7 are a climb (2500 ft net gain). But as soon as I hit the aid station at 14.7, an absolutely beautiful single-track trail took me to the end (gradually descending with lots of fun, quick turns). Not technical, but plenty of roots/rocks to keep one focused. There were good aid stations with helpful volunteers who even filled my bottles for me. Course was well-marked with hundreds of flags and no chance of taking a wrong turn (well, a couple guys did but they had run the Crater Lake Marathon the day before and a nice runner went to collect them before they got too far). Great food from Johnny Carrino's at the end. But the best was the ice cold beer from Cascade Lakes Brewery waiting for me at the finish. In fact, after mile 24 it was my entire focus. Well, that and seeing my family at the end. We'll be coming back for next year's Haulin' Aspen.