This is a beautifully hard course. With careful pacing and a lot of humility, I was able to finish 13 minutes faster than last year. Running well on this course is worthy of being called a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The race director and volunteers are at least as good as raved about by other reviewers. If you love to run and could not care less about the number of bands on the course, this is the race for you.

This was my first Monkey. Some of the comments from 2009 runners reeled me in. And it didn't disappoint. The director does a fantastic job; the course is absolutely gorgeous; finishing makes you very proud of yourself; and all of the extras (beer, food, shirt, medal) will make you smile at the end. It's not about the time either; it's about the experience. Sign up quickly!

Loved the course but sadly the love was not returned. I did finish and enjoyed all aspects of the race though. Volunteers were awesome! Race director - AWESOME! So glad I was able to run this one. Hills are no joke but when you finish you will feel such a sense of accomplishment that you haven't felt at any other marathon.

The race is extremely well organized. It is the best way to execute a long run before Thanksgiving. Trent changed the course slightly, with more of the final gruelling miles in the shade. A definite improvement over a project that was already as close to perfect as could be done. Try a slice or two of Trent's homemade pumpkin pie afterward; it alone is worth the trip! Online registration took 30 minutes to close. Stayed at the Hampton Inn on Coley Davis Road, just 7 minutes from the start/finish.

Truly an exceptional running experience. Beautiful course and stellar logistics. Very difficult but worth the training and suffering! Feast and beer after!

As tough as it is, this course is fantastic - a true divergence from the over production of today's marathons. This race is truly about the love of running and fellowship with other people "crazy" enough to attempt a marathon on such a course. Nothing but good things to say. Well done. Thanks, Trent!

Loved the course, and it was as difficult as advertised (or more). The kindest support staff, and an interesting and fun group of participants. The intensity of the cheering support more than makes up for the lack of numbers in a race this small.

I wanted to push myself further than I ever have and this race put me to that limit. I enjoyed the day.

I've wanted to run the Monkey for several years and finally got my chance. It is indeed hilly as advertised, but Percy Warner Park is incredibly gorgeous. This year was on the warm side (70 degrees), so I faded in the latter half. But the temp was perfect for the apres-race potluck (with free beer!). Trent puts on an incredibly well-organized race with awesome volunteers. Not many spectators, but that's not something I care about (and besides, the volunteers more than make up for it). Awesome swag too!

You'll get your money's worth on this one for the number and quality of hills. As a bonus, the RD rewards you handsomely with a wonderful tech shirt, swag and medal. I've done this race for a number of years now and it never fails to disappoint, as Trent puts on a super, quality race. The organization is top notch! One of my favorite things about the race is the post-race pumpkin pie made by none other than the RD himself. I look forward to it each and every year!!