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May 4, 2024

Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 64 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

Corey Baker from Dimondale, MI (8/22/2011) "Perfection" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Again, the crew at the Old Farts Running Club has set the bar for entertaining runs. If this won't convince the average road runner to get their feet dirty, nothing will. A nice change for this year was the elimination of several miles of gravel roads and the addition of grassy field. Also, the redesigned race shirts are the funniest that I've ever received.
Helen Garen from Dayton, Ohio (8/21/2011) "This is a gem among long trail runs." (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The star is the park. Somewhat remote yet beautifully maintained, the Fallsburg park is a time travel trip to a better era with a commodious lodge, water, and covered bridges. The toughness of the course is over-rated, but we had a real break on the weather this year so that puts me in a good mood. I do have mixed feelings about not having a cut-off time. It doesn't seem fair to organizers and volunteers to have participants know at the start they will take ten or more hours. Marathonguide should consider a 'does not apply' to the spectators for trail races.
R. G. from Holland, MI (7/26/2011) "Add 50% to your marathon time." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you run a four hour marathon, expect to run six hours here. Everyone sets a personal worst. Most are two to three hours slower than their PR. Expect it and laugh when one mile takes 8 minutes and the next mile takes 20 minutes. If you break six hours, you will be in the top half!
Michelle Nitengale from Greenville, MI (8/19/2010) "What an accomplishment!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 For anyone who ran any of the races at Fallsburg: you have accomplished a great thing. It was the most challenging course I have ever run and my 5th marathon set a PW (personal worst), but I knew that going in and left the watch in the vehicle. I ran the half in 2009 and definitely liked this year's trails better than last year's roads. The sweatshirt and towel are possibly enough to convince me to run again next year!
c. b. from Michigan (8/17/2010) "Small Race Charm" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Kudos to the Old Farts Running Club. I just want to take a few moments to thank them and their brigade of volunteers for a great and well organized race. First, let me begin with how much my family and I enjoyed the course. My one son, who ran the half marathon previously, and I far prefer the increased trail presence in the route. It was extreme enough to appeal to us more experienced runners, but not severe enough to overwhelm my three sons, who enjoyed their debut half marathon. Personally, I thought the new beginning complimented the second half of the marathon. My wife particularly liked that the 5K did not feel like "simply a money making afterthought." She loved that the route was unique and challenging, and it allowed the six of us the run the first three miles together. If the route remains the same, we will be encouraging our daughters to run the 5K also (if you can tell teen girls what to do). I will be encouraging my regular Dances with Dirt team to run this as an excellent primer. Secondly, I would like to thank the crew for making my family feel so welcome. As I ran the full at a glacial pace, my wife and four sons had lots of time to wait for me to finish. They report that they felt welcomed and comforted by your crew. At the finish, my wife reported that the 5K finishers were greeted as enthusiastically as the other distances (which is rarely the case at other marathons). I personally witnessed how the half marathoner were treated like champions (again marathoners are often the only stars of the show). It is this type of stuff that makes this race special. Lastly, your volunteers at the aid stations were encouraging and friendly. You've always had great volunteers, but I got to notice it more because I ran the first half with a group of relative novices. In closing, thanks for giving the Baker family a great experience, and don't change the course back, because you found perfection. Sincerely, Corey Baker
T. S. from Traverse City, MI (8/16/2010) "Fun park picnic/trail marathon/distinct challenge" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Let me begin by saying that the race organizers did a great job. The trails were well marked, each runner received tons of swag (my wife was super jealous of the hooded sweatshirt and the finisher's towel), and the finish line featured a fun picnic atmosphere complete with snow cones and Chef Troy's savory Greek chicken! For me, the after-party is just as important as the race, and this one rates well. The marathon itself is a challenge. I've run a 3:03 marathon already this summer, but I stumbled through this in 3:52. My recommendation is to leave the stopwatch at home so you can better enjoy a carefree romp through the forest. This year the temperature/humidity was also a factor, but the aid stations were sufficient (I made sure to drink at all of them), and they had tasty Gatorade, not the watered down stuff popular at larger marathons. Overall, a fun and memorable experience.
Kathryn Donaghy from Gowen Michigan (8/16/2010) "Challenging, scenic and fun" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the second year that I have run this, and it remains the toughest course I have ever run. The people are great, the handouts are amazing and you get to soak in a nice, cool river and enjoy good food at the finish. No matter what time you finish, the feeling of accomplishment just adds to the endorphin high. I got lost (but I can do that in an elevator) and ended up running 31 miles, and still loved it!
M. N. from Holland, Michigan (8/16/2010) "A great trail marathon that you must try!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A truly exceptional marathon for anyone who loves to run trails (and a few hilly streets). The event is well organized and the course is extremely well marked - this is one you really should try. It is a challenging course. I ran the Boston Marathon in April in under 3 hours and this one took me 4:00 to complete. The heat/humidity certainly took its toll this year (2010) but you are in the thick woods most of the race, so the sun is not a factor. Thanks to the race director for a terrific event and special thanks to those at the water stations (including the wonderful lady who stopped her van to give me water at mile 20 - what a blessing!).
Helen Garen from Ohio (8/15/2010) "Lovely, friendly, tough, flawed." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I did it! I did it again! I made a NEW PWT (personal worst time) again at this race (and still won a trophy). If you think you are tough, I will see you at Fallasburg next year. There seems to be an ongoing problem with marking the course. It was not a problem for me, but some others were running around in opposite directions through the woods like in a Keystone Komedy. This was also a problem for other runners two years ago, so marking the course must be looked at. For me, I love the site - an unusually well kept county park with a big "lodge" and covered bridges... and I like the atmosphere and the goodies. I will now expose one of their well-kept secrets: the best trophy is for the very last "runner." We were back in Ohio by the time this was awarded. Nice goodies. Friendly, communicating volunteers, and a beautiful place for a run.
Kevin Gieg from Columbus, Ohio (8/15/2010) "Holy... cow!!!! (Or other words you might use!)" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Fallsburg Marathon and Half Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 10th marathon and I set a new PR... for slowest ever! It was awesome! Hills, trails, hills, mud, hills, streams, hills, heat and humidity. Did I mention hills? I loved it. I would definitely consider a trail marathon again. Thanks for a great day. Ps. I was only at mile 20 when I normally finish a marathon, just to give you an idea of how challenging this one was....

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