Good organization. Couldn't have picked a flatter/faster course. I enjoyed the quiet surroundings and nice scenery. Definitely will recommend to friends and family. Will run again in the future. The hotel was decent. I enjoyed the 2 a.m. fire alarm "wake up call" by locals. Didn't affect my run time though. Actually ran a new PR of 4:02.

Great heartland scenery, well-spaced water stops, gels, food - it had it all! Will be back next year.

Kudos to the organizers and volunteers for putting together a great marathon. Flat, beautiful course on a trail that passes through farmland and woods. Small scale and friendly support were a joy. I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon and got my Boston qualifier.

This was exactly what I was looking for - a chance to shave some more time off my Boston qualifying time! Weather was perfect. Course was beautiful. For those that complain about lack of spectators or straight line course, you are not a true distance runner if you need that to motivate you. There were enough runners to have some sense of where you were, and the course was easy to maneuver. None of the hassles of the big marathons and no major waits to use the bathroom! Showers right after with plenty of room to relax and change to dry clothes. This one is highly recommended!!! By the way, I did not run a PR here, but it is definitely a course on which to do that.

I was there for the half-marathon and it was a great day. The course was fast and volunteers were great. This is a small race by marathon standards but it is sure to grow as more people learn about it. The race organizers did a great job with the hotel accommodations and the pasta dinner was satisfying.

Very well organized. A beautiful trail. Great volunteers. Only about 150 marathoners, so there was plenty of room. I only saw about 20 spectators, but I still give them 4 stars because it's quality not quantity that counts.

Last years problems were fully corrected. There were ample drink stops, an added gel stop, and some fans followed their favorite runners through the course. The course meanders across roads and I saw many of the same fans throughout the race. I did feel a little bad knowing the people they were cheering were behind me, but honestly, the fans were awesome and encouraging. At about mile 19, some children were cheering me on but I was bonking. Their cheers got me going again, and I finished with a 3:20. Thanks Kids!!

I loved the age group prizes given when crossing the finish. I loved that they let me catch my breath before tackling me for my timing chip. I loved they had plenty of water. The race director went the extra mile to ensure I had a map to the race start. They posted results quickly on the wall. The medals were ribboned with your age group placing if placing, and colored if not. Well organized, and fast.

My previous PR was 3:48, now it's 3:20. I'm starting to feel like a real runner :) Boston here I come! Thank you Race volunteers and Director.

I'm somewhat new to marathon running - only the second course I've run. I've read the other comments from this years race and I will agree. Scenic and fast. Why did it seem uphill both ways to me? Maybe because I didn't qualify for Boston. Many people do come here to do so. I'm grateful for the chance to run in this race. Good luck to the Murray Ridge School!

It was very nice to be able to hang out in the heated school gym until a few minutes before the start. The volunteers were great. At the end, being able to lie on the mats in the gym was great.

Downsides: This is a very fast, flat course. It is easy to get going to fast the first half. Know your pace.

Upsides: This is a very fast, flat course. If you cool it on the first half, you will do great. I ran too fast at times, bonked, and still shaved 17 minutes off my PR. I'd do it again.

Nice, small marathon for a PR. Nice, warm gym to warm-up in. Good food afterwards. Nice and friendly volunteers. Thanks for a nice race.