This was my first trail marathon and I loved it, although I did discover how clumsy I really am. -Packet pick-up was a breeze, had no issues with shuttles and post-race party was great! Johnny Carino's did a great job, and having a beer while cooling your feet in the river was awesome! Great small race, friendly people and would recommend it for all. Only one major long hill - the rest was enjoyable. You don't need spectators on a trail run... but those that watched were very enthusiastic!

The hill was steep and LONG... but very worth getting to the top to get to make that turn into the woods and the long awaited descent! Beautiful run! Loved the cowbell finisher's medal and water bottle with the Haulin Aspen logo. Great food and free massages!! I will be back next year!!

The only thing I'm unsure about is the lack of mile markers. I don't like seeing them every mile but none for the whole corse? I don't know what's better.

The inaugural Haulin Aspen event proved to be an exciting first trail marathon; however, their is some room for improvement.

Course - primarily was made up of two components (4X4 trails and single track). I found the hill/small mountain starting around Mile 10 or so to be very challenging. I believe the elevation gain was about 1840 feet over a distance of about 3-3.5 miles. Once the hill was behind you, it was all basically downhill.

Aid Stations - Too infrequent. Need to be better supplied with water/drink/cups. At a minimum, I think they should also have the mileage covered noted. Volunteers were very nice - especially those working the hill (filled my water bottle - while I took a breather).

Post-Party - One of the best (except for running out of beer - which was good). The food sponsors were nice, friendly, polite (lots of choices). The massage was a great way to relax.

I must say that this was my first 'trail marathon.' Being from Indiana, I was not sure what to expect with the altitude, hills, terain, etc., but it was a great event. I knew it was going to be challenging, but my biggest fear of getting lost was quickly put to rest by the hundreds of little orange flags that marked this course... no problems finding my way. The race director was very thorough, and what a nice group of people running the event. Even the local competitors that passed me during the event took time to ask me where I was from, what kind of day I was having and really felt like I was on a 26-mile training run with my buddies back home... kudos to the front-runners. Even when I finished, I heard...'Hey INDIANA, how'd you do?'

As for the course, yeah it was challenging... the 3-mile hill at midway was a definite memory, but man do I love a challenge. The winding course home made me feel like a sports car on a slalom and the volunteers made all of us feel like winners. The volunteer young military people stood at perfect attention at the turns and I am sure that took some fortitude to stand there that long. The food at the finish from Outback Steakhouse was the pips, and thanks for the cool finisher's medal. I would highly recommend this race to someone looking for a 'real' challenge. Keep up the good work and I wish you the race director's continued success.

With 34 races under my belt, I can safely say this is the best organized race I've seen. Beautiful course, excellent shirt and medal, excellent support (though still a good idea to bring your own fast-draw bottle) and fantastic finish line chow. Grilled chicken and caesar salad, wow, that did hit the spot. Doing this race the day after Crater Lake, I actually enjoyed it more. Major kudos, I recommend it. (Disclaimer: Yes, I'm a local, but I am in no way affiliated with the race.)

This was my most fun marathon of 16. The marathon's debut was outstanding. Kudos for pre-race, course and post-race support. Being a forest trail run, spectators are not expected or necessary. The extensively-marked course was mostly on soft dirt roads and trails. The first half had an elevation climb of 2,500 feet. I ran the first half until the last half-mile, where I walked and enjoyed the awesome high mountain scenery. Then at 6000-ft elevation and the halfway point, the course turned downhill for over mostly shaded meandering single track. I relaxed with arms down and allowed gravity to do the work. Due to the dry air, I drank water at every stop, increasing to one cup per mile. A banner across a main street in downtown Grant's Pass, Oregon says: IT'S THE CLIMATE. That can also be said for Bend, a great place to go for an August marathon. The day started at a chilly 39 with 65 percent humidity and warmed to 78 with 15 percent humidity by noon. Suggested improvements for next year are clearly marked mileage at all aid stations and posting FULL MARATHON STRAIGHT AHEAD and HALF MARATHON TURN RIGHT just before the separation point.