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May 2, 2024

Whitefish Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Whitefish Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.7

Number of comments: 33 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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Paul Okerberg from Kennesaw, GA (10/22/2007) "Beautiful scenery and excellent race management" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run about 60 marathons and the Two Bear Marathon ranks at or near the top for scenery, volunteers, race management and attention to details. Was very impressed with how smoothly things went since the course is somewhat remote in spots for the first half. The volunteers and spectators were plentiful and the finisher medals and technical T-shirt were first class. Ran it injured (cracked ribs) but the beautiful scenery and supportive spectators made me glad I went ahead and ran. Whitefish is a great community and they showed they know how to stage a first class marathon.
Deborah Yarborough from Kalispell, MT (10/5/2007) "Beautiful scenery, not as difficult as it sounds" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have to admit I live nearby so I had scouted out much of the more rugged parts prior to the race - I actually thought the hardest part was after leaving the trail and adjusting to pavement again. I would suggest trail runs with pavement at the end for training. I think the website makes the race sound too hard(no wimps). I also love the technical shirt and the medal. Would have liked more variety of food at the finish-I love brats but just didn't sound as appealing at mile 26.2 as they did at mile 16. Great organization and volunteers. Not a lot of places for spectators on first half but who cares.
C. W. from Walla Walla WA (9/21/2007) "Gorgeous; fun; wonderful support; great spirit" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A bear of a route, but it was so varied and beautiful that I stopped caring if there was another hill, or yet another hill, in front of me. I'm glad there's a limit to the number of runners because there are miles of trail. The run was impeccably organized from start to finish. Great shuttle logistics, coffee at the start as dawn lit the trees, awesomely supportive volunteers at intersections (from one trail to another - if they hadn't been there I'd be in Canada or Mexico by now), and good aid tables. Sufficient food and water; great party after (how about some cheese sticks for us vegetarians?); the best medal ever (real engraved granite, not metal-plastic alloy). All this, AND one can arrive and depart on Amtrak if one lives along the Seattle-Spokane-Whitefish-Havre-Chicago Amtrak route. No folding into a car with cramping legs. Pretty town, supportive all the way to the last runner in, registration moeny goes to a good cause, and we get use of the athletic facility (pool, sauna, showers) all afternoon. Good job, folks and bears!
Krayton Kerns from Laurel, Montana (9/21/2007) "Great race on a great day in a great location." (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are wanting a perfectly organized trail-road marathon in the mountains of Montana, then this is the one. The hills over the first 15 miles take more out of you than you realize. Volunteers were great fun and called participants by name as they entered the aid stations. After a few marathons where water and gel supplies were exhausted, it was great to run where everything was in ample supply... to think I awoke early so I could have my usual pot of coffee before my run only to have it provided in abundance at the start. This is a great marathon... but treat it with respect.
L. W. from Mankato, Minnesota (9/21/2007) "Challenging and beautiful course" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved this race. It was much more difficult than I would have guessed from the website, but it was even more beautiful than the pictures of the course. There was a 1 and 1/2-mile decline in the woods that was truly inspiring. The staff were wonderfully helpful and encouraging. The event was well organized and the course was marked well. The signs along the course were clever and fun, and the finisher's medallion was awesome. And finally the weather was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this event.
J. C. from Bend, Oregon (9/19/2007) "Best small-town marathon I have run" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was done right. Well organized, friendly volunteers, cool technical t's, coffee at the starting line, gels and endurolytes at aid stations, well marked and accurate course, a fun atmosphere, and best of all, incredible terrain. The course winds through the hills of Whitefish and takes you along several secluded lakes before dumping you out on a lakeside road along Whitefish Lake, which is spectacular. You finish near downtown Whitefish, which is a pretty cool town in itself, and worth traveling to. I elected to wear racing flats, which worked fine; however at times I wished I had a more substantial shoe. The second half of the marathon is on pavement, so I don't think trail shoes are necessary. Others may disagree. Overall this was a great marathon and one I'd do again.
Stephen Rudmann from White Sulphur Springs, Montana (9/18/2007) "Great multi-surface course/ fantastic staff" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was a little apprehensive about the elevation gain/loss of this course. Once I started to run it, the varied terrain kept my mind so busy that I didn't even care what mile of the course I was on. The race coordinators knew exactly how to make this course easy to navigate with ample signage and personnel to help you keep on course. The aid stations provided great products, such as Hammer Gel, Heed sport drink and some of the usual foods. This was the first marathon at which I didn't carry any gels - they had them at all the right places. The volunteers.... Wow!! They were very supportive with lots of cheering as you wound your way through the otherwise quiet forest. The finish line was top-notch, with radio personalities doing the commentary as each runner reached the finish line. The "medals"... well if I ever get a better one, I will really be surprised. Great post-race food and free local microbrew beer. I live in Montana and I chose this to be my Montana Marathon. That says a lot.
J. C. from Bend, Oregon (9/18/2007) "Best small-town marathon I have run" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was done right... coffee at the starting line, gels and endurolytes at aid stations, accurate mile markers, cool shirts, unique finisher medals, fun atmosphere, incredible course, and post-race massages. Organizers and volunteers get an A+. The fans, although small in number were very supportive. I wore racing flats, which worked fine, but at times wished I had a trail shoe... the first half of the marathon is quite rugged. The town of Whitefish is great and definitely worth traveling to. I appreciate marathons that pay attention to details, and this one nailed them all. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to run a challenging marathon.
D. M. from Phoenix, AZ (9/17/2007) "A Bear of a Marathon!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first "partial trail" marathon, so it was quite different from the road races I'm used to. The first 15 miles are a variety of forest roads (not too bad) to VERY rugged single trails through the woods (think tree roots, rocks, sharp dips, inclines, forest hazards, etc.). It was much more "primitive" than I had anticipated, but also extremely beautiful. Honestly, I was so focused on not falling and injuring myself, that the miles seemed to go faster than with the traditional marathon! I was SO relieved when I finally hit the streets and could settle into my usual "mindless" leg turnover. However, be aware that what is promoted as "gentle decline" and the easiest 2 miles of the day in the last 7 miles would not be how I would describe that portion. If you are ready for a long uphill stretch in the sun, as well as some rolling hills (in addition to some declines), you'll be more mentally prepared than I was. I know, it all seems uphill in the last 7 miles, but it really WAS uphill more than the literature suggested! As for the organization, the packet pickup (not an expo) was simple but efficient. The information was thorough and the race start well organized. Although there were times I questioned if I might be off course, the route was fairly well marked and the volunteers helpful. I loved the two bears (in costume) at a couple of spots and the finish! The finish was well organized, and there was plenty of food (bratwurst, potato salad, cookies, etc.) and drink (including beer!). The finisher's medal is very worth the effort, and the high-tech, long-sleeved race shirt is unique and something I'll be proud to wear. I liked knowing that the entry fees would go for scholarships so that others can make use of The Wave facilities, and this counted as a charitable donation! The only downer about the finish is that they said the awards ceremony would be at 1:00 p.m., and it didn't actually start until about 2:15. I would have taken more time to shower and enjoy the facilities at The Wave if I had known it would take so long. I guess it was the lack of chip timing; that was a blast from the past to the old rip-off-the-bottom-part-of-the-bib-and-put-it-on-a-safety-pin days. More realism on the part of the race directors would enhance the experience and allow better decision-making by the exhausted runners. Bottom line, if you want to see Montana up close and personal, and if you're not faint of heart when it comes to trail running, this is a GREAT marathon! Make sure you plan your trip to allow time to visit Glacier National Park, visit the Whitefish Brewery and Mission Winery, and ski areas in the less crowded off-season!
B. J. from Clancy, MT (9/18/2006) "Most beautiful, motivating race course ever." (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Whitefish Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a way to finish 2006. This was the most beautiful and inspiring course I have ever run. The logistics were excellent, the staff outstanding, and the course was awesome. The course was very challenging and the farther I got into the race, the more motivated I was to run. I will recommend this race to all my friends. The awards are unique (cool), the after-race party fun, and the people at the Wave were very supportive. Let's do this again next year.

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