A must-do marathon. No hills, wind, or sun, and the temperature was perfect. You run 150 laps around the soft track. You reverse the direction every 30 minutes. They played good running music the entire course. An intimate race with only 40 runners. The best pasta feed! The race director, his family and friends, and the St. Olaf women's track were great. If you're planning to do a marathon from A to Z, this is a marathon starting with Z!

The 2008 Zoom Yah Yah Indoor Marathon was even more than I expected it to be. Dick and his crew did a great job making it all happen. The dinner at the St. Olaf College Commons was far better than any pre-marathon meal you will find anywhere. It is worth the trip to Northfield, MN just for that alone. The Women's St. Olaf Cross-Country Team recorded every lap time and cheered till the last runner came through the finish line. The great music throughout the race was a bonus. This was my first Zoom Yah Yah but not my last. It was a great experience.

I ran this race in 2007 with very little idea on how it would work and how I would do. The field in 2007 featured just 30 runners and each and every runner had his or her own lap counter from the girl's track team. But the girls didn't just count your lap time; they also cheered for everyone out there. The weather was perfect and they had music going throughout the course so no need for iPods or MP3's or tights or gloves. You set up your own water station(s) at any of the 4 corners so you were never very far from your own water, Gu's or Gatorade (bring whatever you are used to). Because they changed direction every 30 minutes, there were times that anyone could be in the lead of the pack. Being able to use the showers at the building made it easy to be checked out of your motel before even getting to the race in the morning. There are no hills, no curbs, and no dogs, but it is still a challenging course. Dick and his crew are great and the folks there are super friendly. I liked the race because it was easy to drive to from Chicago and it was in Jan. It is hard to find Jan. races in the Midwest and this one fit into my schedule perfectly. This is one race that challenges your mind more than your body because it is 150 laps in a row.

I participated in the half-marathon in 2006 and decided to run the full marathon in 2007 (the half has been discontinued). I was surprised at how pleasant the experience of running a flat marathon on an indoor track can be. Having competitors around you at all times and great tunes on the p.a. made the 150 laps very enjoyable. Try it - you'll like it!!!

Join a great race and raise money for the famous St. Olaf Cross Country Team as they count your laps and cheer you on. Race directors Larry and Moe will supply you with never-ending humor and commentary. Changing directions every 30 minutes lets you see both sides of the trees along the course.

I gave this 5 stars across the board, since there is nothing else like this! The course is flat, and is the only sure way to run a Minnesota marathon in January.

The organization is stellar. Dick, the race director, has this down to a science, and keeps his sense of humor throughout. The shirt and medal are great, and don't miss the pre-race dinner at St. Olaf's!

The women's track team, and others, are built-in spectators, and the periodic visitors cheer for everyone. Running in circles you get to know them pretty well!

The indoor track is easy on the knees too. Don't let my late finishing time dissuade you from this marathon. I was very slow, but had a great time!