Trent and the volunteers take every great idea that anyone has ever had for a race and then do it one better.

It's a great course but don't let folks fool you, after mile 20 it's mostly downhill with just a couple of small 200' climbs. I got a 16 minute PR over last years St. Jude....how hard can it be.

There may not be as many fans as at a R&R but they were crazy enough to stand out in the rain and cheer.

Awesome race venue with beautiful scenery and the BEST Volunteers I've ever seen - especially since it rained for almost the entire race! Trent does a great job with the race organization from start to finish, and he keeps us well informed via emails. Can't wait til next year.

This is my 6th monkey; yes I have done every race. I drive 534 miles one way why Because I am addict to the course, shirts and wacky e-mails.

26.2 run with a sense of humor and you will use this 4 letter many times
HILL

If you haven't run Monkey, you have not lived. There are two types of marathoners in the world. Marathoners...and Monkey Marathoners. I suggest you become a Monkey. You know you wanna.

I will cry if I every miss this race. The RD is a goofy guy and his personality comes out in the race. Great swag, great aid, great post race spread, great organization... I challenge someone to come up with anything negative about this event.

Great course: hilly, scenic, confusing! terrific volunteers: more aid stations than you can shake a stick at! Great sense of fun and friendship among runners with lots of food and fantastic Yazoo beer afterwards! Who could ask for more?

I chose this marathon based simply on the endless list of positives reviews I read describing this race. Folks should know first and foremost that it is not simply the race directors mission to host a well run event, but more rather about introducing agonizing pain to all those who dare to challange the monkey. Add to this difficult course the chance of rain that was forecast for raceday and I can only assume that Trent (RD) had a tear of joy in his eye come Sunday morning. And rain it did! More than 3 hours of a torrential downpour gave this years monkey finishers bragging rights for any future bar conversations. But seriously, if your looking for a smaller well run marathon (appoximately 300 runners) this is your race. I showed up an hour before the race got my packet with ease. I also got more goodies than I have ever received in a packet before. That list included two shirts, a monkey magnet and sticker, monkey tattoos and oh yeah, a finishers medal after the race. 50 feet after I crossed the finish line was a Smörgåsbord of food to indulge in. I should also point out that there are vertually no spectators in this race. However, I found this to be enjoyable in that it allowed me to take in the beauty that is Percy Warner Park while I was alone, and when I wasn't, I enjoyed talking with fellow runners allowing me to ignore the hills. If your someone who runs several marathons or perhaps is shooting for 50 in 50, this race should be your clear cut choice for the state of Tennessee. This marathon gave me that feeling that was simular to what I felt after finishing my first marathon. There is such a sense of accomplishment with this race that I promise you'll have a smile on your face when you cross the finish.

Trent is great at making promises and keeping it: great hills, great waterstops & volunteers, great food at the end and a beautiful course. The local runners are dedicated to supporting Trent in making this an awesome event, no matter if it pours down rain or the sun shines! It was another great experience for me in 2011 (My Monkey Marathon #3, plus I've volunteered two years). An event not to be missed!

WOW! The year I moved to Nashville was the inaugural Monkey. It sounded incredibly weird and intriguing. Difficult and daring. Scary and silly. Quite an odd combination. I had taken business trips to Nashville and run the 11.2 before, but twice? Plus 4.2 more? Preposterous! I finally ponied up and volunteered in 2010 and it looked like such fun I had to sign up this year.

PHENOMENAL! The schwag (why do people keeping saying swag?) is phenomenal, with a personalized technical shirt for each runner, a cotton tee for each runner and volunteer, and of course the medal that is not metal but wooden instead.

FIENDISH! The course is beautiful of course, though it appears to have six more up hills than downhills. There are easily seen mile markers at every mile AND 18 water/gatorade/GU stations (neither of which typically found at a rural marathon of 300 runners). Each aide station is also stocked with 2-8 volunteers that enthusiastically cheer on each runner. There are even volunteers at every possible misrouting to make sure the torture is not unduly extended. A few dozen maniacs ran, several carrying a monkey on their back. There were two Dorothy's (I was one). Next year I am going as the wicked witch. Every runner and many volunteers brings something to the post-race party (which comes with Nashville's own YaZoo beer). I partaked in PB&J, chicken salad sandwich, lemon bar, banana bread monkey muffin, carrot cake, popcorn, chex mix, and a caramel apple.

FUN! Oh yeah, I ran Monkey the year it rained. But Trent (best race director EVER even if he did cut his curly locks ) arranged the rain to start around mile two, in order to ensure we were fully committed and lost enough in the woods that we couldn't find our way out without following the yellow brick road.

Must run event!

Trent does an amazing job with the Monkey. From the Awesome swag to the organization. Less than 300 runners keeps it personal. Even when it rains it is a great race. I Ran the ultra version in 2010 as my first marathon and then again in 2011. The monkey is The most fun race I have ever run. Some crazy long hills but overall, a very scenic run. Im Happy that it is in my backyard.