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Apr 27, 2024

Free State Trail Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.8

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 17 [displaying comments 11 to 17]

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G. Z. from Phoenix, AZ (7/30/2010) "I finally found my favorite!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I wish there were a marathon like this in every state. This is a runner's race: no big expo, prizes or bands. It's all about the joy of running - running through streams and mud, and over rocks and tree roots. If you need thousands of other runners and lots of spectators, this is not the race for you. If you are looking for a well-run, home-town-supported race, with fresh-baked cookies and hugs from the race organizers at the end, well... you're in luck. I have never loved running a marathon so much. My only complaint was that I couldn't get water out of the giant jugs left along the trail, but that was probably user fault. I would recommend testing it out before hitting the trail so that you don't waste time trying to adjust the nozzle, tip the jug, and all the rest in the middle of the run. If I didn't refuse to repeat races, I'd be back for more next year.
S. S. from Ft. Collins, CO (5/11/2010) "In a word, muddy!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 In a word, muddy! This was a spectacularly dirty good time! This race was in conjunction with a 40-mile and a 100K, so it had the feel of an ultra race more so than most marathons. The race takes place in a state park near Lawrence, Kansas. I would consider this the wooded, hilly part of Kansas. I've run hillier marathons, but this course is not flat, and parts of the course are steep and technical, if only briefly. I ran roughly 20% slower than I would have run a normal city marathon. The course is probably 90% dirt single track trail, with very short sections on access roads and a cross-country-style romp through open fields to start the race (which was really smart, by the way, as it spread out the runners nicely before we got to the real single track). Some of the trail is pretty technical, particularly the bit around mile 10 (I think?) near the shore of the lake, but nothing too outrageous, coming from someone who lives in Colorado and trains on trails quite a bit (so you should probably take that with a grain of salt). In 2010 the area had just received an abundance of rain, so the trails were particularly muddy, although it sounds like the trails are usually muddy this time of year. This was probably the defining characteristic of the race. Your shoes and socks are guaranteed to get soaked and filthy. I had mud caked all the way to my knees from splashing through the slop! In addition, there are several small stream crossings, and one rather large stream crossing (probably 40-feet wide and knee-deep) so even if the trail is dry, you will get wet. And watch out for low-hanging tree branches, and one or two tree hurdling opportunities await the steeplechaser inside of you. Combine the technical trail sections, the hills, and the mud, and the times are going to be pretty slow. But what fun we had! The race director hosts a fun, friendly and competent event. There were only three aid stations for the entire course, but they were generously stocked and ably staffed with knowledgeable and helpful volunteers. The race requires you to bring your own hydration system, for obvious reasons. The race is marked with little flags, but it is marked very well. There are no mile markers and my GPS watch had trouble accurately marking through the thick trees and winding trails. So another bit of advice would be to try to study the landmarks on the map and figure out specific mile markers on-course rather than relying on your watch; it will only confuse you! We got very lucky with our race-day weather; it was cool (in the 50s probably?) and dry, with minimal bugs. Very good running conditions. This was my 19th marathon, and I've run all sorts of races - from the big cities to the small towns to the mountains to the deserts - and I can't say I've ever had so much end-to-end fun as I had in Kansas! There are no spectators, but the trees will rustle their leaves in admiration as you pass by. I felt just like a kid, running around the forest in the mud. Oh, one last bit: I think it did sell out this year right before the race, so don't assume that you can sign up on the day of the race; they only accept 200 participants altogether.
C. L. from Kansas City (10/18/2009) "My very favorite event by far" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Free State Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is amazing and beautiful. Challenging but not at all intimidating. The volunteers are all experienced trail/ultra runners and they understand everything you're going through and are ready to help you with whatever you need. The weather is always interesting. One year it was perfectly sunny; this past year a bolt of lightning hit the ground 50 feet from where we were and we were in the middle of tornado sirens. But it was great, and safe, and very professional. I hate to tell too many people about it because it's such a treat to run and I want to keep it a secret! This is one race any serious runner/ultra runner can do while still having a really fun time out there.
J. A. from W Hartford, CT (6/10/2009) "This race is a 300-man riot in the woods" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well stocked, with aid and support, great markings (although I was a bit confused when the marathon joined back up with the 40K trail), serious runners involved. Great weather.
R. W. from St. Louis (4/26/2009) "Fun in the Mud" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Free State Trail is run on a challenging up-and-down course on the trails on the north side of Clinton Lake in Lawrence, KS. The race director and the volunteers make this a truly great event. The trail is perfectly marked for the race, well staffed with both manned and unmanned aid stations. The support at the manned stations is exceptional (they use seasoned runners/ultra-runners who make sure you have everything you need to keep on running, as well as making sure you are still ok to keep on running). This year's race had the additional surprise of an intense weather pattern that spawned tornadoes not too many miles from the course. Despite the crazy weather, the race director maintained control and did his best to ensure the safety of all the runners, volunteers, and spectators. Unfortunately, the severe weather caused the remainder of the runners still on the course to be removed at various checkpoints for their own safety (it was already after 6 p.m.). This was a great experience and a great challenge. I give the spectators 5 stars - not for their number, but for their enthusiasm. Since you are running on single track trails, you spend most of the time by yourself unless you bring a friend to run with. And, be sure to bring your mud shoes! Several parts of the trail were nothing but mud/slop. Even though Lawrence had not seen much rain the week before the race, short sections of the course were nothing short of slop. The mud, rocks, tree roots, and terrain definitely slowed me down. If you are looking for fun people, an extremely well-organized race, and a challenging course, this is the place to go.
p. d. from seattle WA (6/8/2008) "fun in the mud" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Hate to write too glowingly about this race, because (selfishly) I don't want the secret to get out. I flew in from Seattle to do it and felt it was time and money well spent. The event is "no frills," but you'll have everything you need. No mile markers, many self-serve water stations, and the course isn't particularly fast. But the course itself, and the logistics and energy around the event are both great. Bad Ben has a small army of great volunteers that will take care of you! Highly recommended - but don't tell anyone :).
G. M. from Missouri (4/29/2008) "You have to do this race!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Free State Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the 100K this year; it was my first race of that distance and I loved every second of it. The course is beautiful, a technical single track, and the race director and organization are top-notch. Having experienced ultra-runners at the aid stations gives you a huge advantage over some other races. Fantastic race, Nerds!

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