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Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 5.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.3 
 
 
Number of comments: 260 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 .. 26 > ]

 

Charlie Taylor from Gallatin, TN (11/19/2012)
"Middle Tennessee's Hidden Gem of a Marathon" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Very well organized. Plenty of support with aid stations about every mile and a half (you need them too) Beautiful rolling hills, some of them brutal, at the perfect time of the year. Great swag, Long sleeved tech shirt printed with your name and monkey kills on the sleeve for the number of Monkey marathons you have run, another cleverly designed cotton tee included, and for those who ran last year, another cotton tee stating that you ran 'the year it rained', a Monkey magnet, a sticker, and a runner supplied smorgasbord after the race that was second to none. Race director extraordinaire, Trent Rosenbloom, also ran the race, which showed his confidence in his support crew's ability to pull this race off with no problems. The first year I ran the Monkey, I made a wrong turn and ran 3 extra miles and wasn't even charged more!! Great race, will be on my calendar every year (as long as I can get in)
 

The GITM from KC, MO (11/19/2012)
"One of a kind..." (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 4-5 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This isn't just a marathon, no. This is a gathering of idiots who realize that you cannot train to run 26.2 miles in the hills of Percy Warner Park with an expectation that doing so will protect you from the famed flying monkeys. The Race Director does an excellent job of communicating his opinion that no one should run this race... in fact, he thinks running is stupid. Interestingly, at some point in the race before the finish line, virtually every runner will agree with him. Running is stupid. Running the Monkey is more stupider.

The course is beautiful, which is why the flying monkeys are so protective. The race organization is AMAZING and the volunteers are AWESOME! I give the spectator rating a 5 because this is a race where you really don't WANT spectators. Where there are people, they are very encouraging, but the course is nature at it's finest.

Don't run this race. Just don't. There are too many hills and monkeys. You're better off running one those RnR races. Yes, definitely.

Besides, the fewer of you who try to sign up, the better my odds are for getting in through the lottery registration!!!
 

D. B. from Tupelo, MS (11/19/2012)
"A runners race" (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


A very tough course, but a very friendly marathon. Excellent organization and volunteers. No crowds, no frills, no hassles.
 

tim runyon from Kell,Il. (8/24/2012)
"Super Marathon" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


This is my favorite road marathon hands down it actually reminds you of a trail marathon with all the trees just no dirt to run on...the course is one of the most beautiful courses I have ever run...the park that time of the year is at its best..the reason for only 1 star for spectators there just isn't very many and I think that is best for this marathon..i myself don't need crowds of people cheering me on at every marathon...at some marathons it is nice but this one the course is the thing that drives me.
 

R. M. from Chicago, IL (2/25/2012)
"Local as it gets and as big a challenge." (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Expo - friendly and low-stress. Enjoyed and was inspired by the exhibit on Yitzhak Rabin in the Jewish Community Center where it was held.

Goodies - Enjoyed the tech and regular t-shirts we were given, though one shirt would have been plenty for me. Heard if you return to do the Monkey there will be a special indicator on the sleeve of your next tech-shirt.

Pre-Race: Loved that could just drive and park or be dropped off at starting line just minutes before the race started. Good music. Food wasn't ready at the start as it was for the pot luck afterwards which was fine with me.

Course: Things got tough after about the first half mile because of the hills. By mile 6 I was really tired so had to make adjustments. Once I learned to respect the hills it was more manageable. Hill at mile 18-19 was incredibly tough, but after that the hills were much less threatening except a monsterous steep short hill at mile 23.

Aid Stations: Outstanding, frequent and well equipped. Gels aplenty, pickles and other snacks. Very friendly volunteers.

Race Director: Ran the course with us. Had the pleasure to chat with him over the course of a mile midway through the race.

Signs on the course: Hilarious. Put in strategic positions on the toughest hills to make us laugh if we had a breath left in us.

Spectators: Not too many besides bikers and runners/walkers in the park. All very enthusiastic and their support definitely gave me a boost.

After race: Also outstanding. Pot luck brought by all the runners. Delicious complementary microbrews. Motivation enough to finish the race near Noon when alcohol was allowed to be consumed.

Register again? Yes, if I can get in. If it is the only race I do this year I will be satisfied even if there are no chip measurements and is not a Boston Qualifier.
 

R. N. from TN (2/17/2012)
"Difficult but fun" (about: 2011)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Right after I finished I said 'never ever again!'. Now, I am ready to sign for next one..there is some magic in this place. It pushes you to challenge yourself...and to do it again
 

L. C. from Brooklyn, NY (12/30/2011)
"Wet but memorablea must-do!" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I had a fantastic time at the Flying Monkey Marathon: sure, the rain made it difficult, but this is a run I will never forget! It is the hardest road marathon I've done (only other comparable hilly one is Mad Marathon in Vermont), but crossing the finish line felt like a true accomplishment. The pasta dinner buffet was great value for money, camaraderie was priceless, and the race shirt and schwag were some of the best I've ever gotten. I love the personalized tech tee and the wooden laser-engraved medal, sticker, and additional cotton t-shirt. And who doesn't love free (Yazoo) local beer after a race?

It should be on the list of any marathoner who likes a challenge and likes running trails. It had the feel of a trail marathon but on road. The rain made me feel very cold post-race so unfortunately I only had one beer and a plate of goodies before I needed to shower and jet to the airport, but it was great nonetheless. Free showers were provided at the JCC, and volunteers were absolutely terrific! The few dedicated spectators were amazing; they were out in the pouring rain for 5+ hours cheering! I would do it again; worth the flight from NYC!
 

G. M. from Southwest U.S. (12/18/2011)
"Get Spanked" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This is a great little marathon. The park is pretty and you run it all on a paved path. And yes, it's basically all hills. And yes, you will not only receive multiple disparaging emails for choosing to sign up for this race, but there's also signs on the course pointing out your idiocy. The prizes are wonderful, it's quality swag and the post-race food and beer is top-notch. This is a prime example of what makes small races so great.
 

G. K. from Nashville, TN (12/2/2011)
"Great Race!" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is not a race for those looking for fast or flat, but it is a beautiful course and excellently run.
 

K. M. from US (11/29/2011)
"Best race ever" (about: 2011)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is one of the best races I've ever participated in. It is so well organized from start to finish. RD does an awesome job with pre-race communication. The course is very well marked and beautiful even in the rain.
 

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