From the Race Director:

"Regarding the chips, we had several runners start the marathon at 8:30 - the same time as the 10K start. They did this without our knowing. This really goofed up our radio communications from aid stations - trying to figure out why these runners were on the course at times when aid stations were set to close. We sent out the message to pull the chips from these runners and we also made a time decision based upon safety concerns. In the meantime, we figured out why these runners were on the course. As race director I learned that chips were pulled from runners that should not have had their chips pulled in the confusion. I was very concerned about this, so we did everything we could to make sure all of these runner had chips reapplied or had their times/places recorded properly.

"I apologize for this as I know what kind of feeling is must have generated. A marathon is a difficult challenge enough, and this adds another layer of challenge. I hope my explanation at least answers the 'why' question for you."

Good enough for me. I upgraded my "Organization" rating from 2 stars to 4.

One more thing: if you decide to run this race, when you're at the expo try to catch the presentation on the geography and history of Grand Island. It was fascinating, and as a runner it gave me a perspective I wouldn't have otherwise had.

Oh, and I'll definitely be back in '09.

This was a great run! The weather was perfect, the course was absolutely beautiful, the lake was awesome, and the organization pulled off the feat of getting 700 people ferried over to the island to enjoy it all. Every bit of this trail was great, including the awesome views of the lake while we ran along the shore.

The Sunset-on-the-Bay Motel was an excellent place to stay. This family-owned place went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable.

50-Staters, don't miss this marathon!

It's hard to find a more beautiful place to run, and the weather was perfect: sunny, cool and breezy. The trails are easy to follow and mostly shaded. Heavy rains the day before made them mucky and muddy but never treacherous. Garmin reception is haphazard; I lost mine for good in Mile 14 and I know other runners lost theirs as well. The hardest part of the course is the long stretch of beach that follows the first major downhill. Post-race refreshments were ample. My only complaint is with management's mid-race, still-unexplained creation of a 3:15:00 cutoff time for persons passing through the Mile 16 aid station. I missed it by minutes and was told I'd been scratched and would have to surrender my chip (and my official time). I can't tell you what a blow this was mentally. Staff didn't know why the cutoff time had been established. I could decide to finish the race on my own, or I could wait for a bus to take me back to the start/finish. I went on, not even knowing if the aid station at Mile 22 would be staffed (it was, thankfully, and they didn't understand the cutoff time either). I was met by a bike patrolman in Mile 25, who essentially told me the cutoff had been rescinded and I'd get an official time after all. I won't run this course again, gorgeous as it is. I won't lay my money, or the time and effort I spend training, on the line with management that makes questionable decisions and does not explain its actions.

Oh, and I saw a bear around Mile 18 or 19. It was just sitting there back in the tall grass, watching me. I also saw a large pile of fresh scat, probably around Mile 23. Fresh, as in newly-minted after the 200+ runners in front of me passed by. When they say it's a wilderness island, they mean it.

I think this is about as beautiful as trails can get here in Michigan. In the north and west portions of the trail, giant ferns give it an almost prehistoric feel. Several parts of the trail overlook cliffs that drop straight down to Superior. The beach part is a great touch (and not that difficult). I even got to see a black bear - he was watching me eat a Clif Bar. That was a little nerve-wracking for us city-folk, but he stayed put and all was fine. Lots of uphills, but all in all, not a technical trail. A definite *should* for anyone up to it. Can't wait to do it again.

I had a really great time at this race. It was well organized, but being at the back of the pack, I heard a lot about people being disqualified for not meeting a cutoff (3:15?) at a certain mileage - when I was only aware of a 6-hour finish time cutoff. So I suggest a little more explicit info on the cutoffs. The volunteers were great, and as my first trail marathon, I was highly impressed by the "green" race management - even down to the super yummy post-race snacks from the local food co-op. I would definitely do this race again... and as I saw in another comment, I agree: HEED is gross.

Although you cannot praise nor fault a race/organizer for weather...the weather WAS picture perfect this year.

Thanks for a most gorgeous run - even the bear poop on the trail was pretty!

Overall I had a great time but I feel there are a few constructive criticisms that are due:

1) Informational packets were confusing and needed serious editing. One glaring example was the fact that the actual start time of the marathon was missing. Every other time was in there, but the most important one was not. The rest of the information seemed to lack logical flow. Not bad, but definitely could do better.

2) A good friend who I trained and ran the marathon with had a wife who was expecting twins, possibly that day. As a precaution, we bought another friend a spectator boat ticket and had him come to the island with a bike, cell phone, and pager. Well he didn't make it. The lady taking the tickets would not let him on, even though the boat was half empty she made him wait 2 hours. Furthermore she passed judgment on my buddy saying that he shouldn't be running the race.... Even though we were calm and collected, she became agitated with a raised voice. Our buddy had to wait till 9 a.m. to get on the island, and during that time he witnessed her yell at several other people.... I wonder if this is the same women that was mentioned in the 2007 comment???

3) Bathrooms: Most everyone spent there time in the porta-john lines instead of stretching or getting ready. I was on the first boat to the island and I got in line, did my business, then immediately started the race.... It was tight. Could use more, but the number may be a limitation set by the park service.

Positives:

1) Great course, well marked, challenging and beyond beautiful.

2) Great environmental focus (trash policy, organic foods, etc.). I did not see one piece of litter on the trail!

3) The people at the aid stations rocked, the HEED was ice-cold, and the 16-mile station had Advil!! Great support.

The course was fantastic. I would have enjoyed having a finisher medal to remember the day, and wouldn't mind paying more for it. A date for the shirt would make them collectible. Thanks for a GREAT race.

I am 19 and this was my first marathon. It wasn't as difficult as I was expecting, but it was definitely still very challenging. I did all of my training on trails, so that helped a lot. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who loves a good challenge and wants to have a good time doing it!

This race, as you have read, is very beautiful. I'll even concur that the locals at the race pick-up were not as pleasant as they could have been.

What a prospective runner should note about this race is that you better be in great shape. I ran the Detroit marathon prior to this and this course was about 14x more difficult. They should pre-screen runners for this race. The whole race was uphill, and when it was flat it was on the sand.

Great memory - Jeff the coordinator sitting Indian-style near the finish with his hands on his chin looking frustrated because I was part of the group who apparently took too long. We barely made the last ferry.

I must say that this course was very beautiful... actually prettier than Big Sur, which Runner's World ranked as the one marathon to run if that's all they could do.

In theory the environmentally responsible outlook the organizers took was nice to see. That shouldn't be an excuse to have fewer aid stations, or food/support though.

The check-in lady seemed to have a bad attitude, which colored the rest of the experience for the worse. Can her and the race will improve dramatically.

Not many spectators, but fellow campers such as "Flanders" were just downright jerks, and Heed is the energy drink. One of the aid station girls put it best. I asked what it tasted like and she replied, "Ass."

All negatives aside, the island is stunning, and the course isn't that hard or technical for a trail marathon. The reason to run this race is the island, and not the rest of the package. I'm glad I ran this race and would do it again.