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Apr 30, 2024

Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 30 [displaying comments 21 to 30]

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A. B. from Oregon (8/13/2007) "Challenging and fun marathon!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
Eddie Hahn from Rancho Cucamonga, CA (8/26/2006) "Tough Race, Great Food, Feeble Finisher's Award" (about: 2006) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 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.
D. F. from Sacramento, CA (8/24/2006) "Great micro-brewed beer at the finish line!" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.
S. F. from Fort Collins, CO (8/23/2006) "Awesome trail run. Beautiful course" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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!
G. K. from Washington State (8/19/2006) "One to put on my favorites list" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!!
andy kociubuk from oly, washington (10/5/2005) "good trails, good race" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.
T. P. from Bellbrook, OH (8/23/2005) "Scenic Race - Tough Hill - Nice Post-Party" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 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.
P. K. from Anderson, IND (8/17/2005) "Beautiful Country, Challenging Course" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
j. p. from Bend, Oregon (8/15/2005) "Aspens you shall receive." (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.)
Cyrus Rhode Jr. from Spencer, Tennessee (8/14/2005) "My most fun marathon" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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.

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