I gave this one 5 stars for every category because it was extremely well planned, hosted, and it was just a great experience. There were hardly any spectators, but the friendly folks at the water stops made up for the lack of people actually on the course. Great hometown feel and everyone was very nice before, during and after the race. You could see other runners throughout the race because of how the course was laid out, which was neat. I will run it again! Thank you, Steve and Paula!

It's great that Steve and Paula put this event together. What a great way to reconnect with what's very important: Meeting real life people, sharing stories, and having a great time. I ran the half marathon, and I highly recommend this small race - it's genuine, the local town people come out and help, and there are runners from all over, most seeking alternatives to the R 'n' R mega events. Beautiful country and the flowers were in bloom. This year the weather could not have been better.

I did the half, and thought it was great. Good support, protected course. Not many spectators (that didn't bother me, as I run alone in rural areas), but the ones there were great. I liked the dirt roads at beginning and end. If you never run on dirt, you may have some problems. Hot dogs were good - but it was too cool for ice cream! I plan on coming back, though I will do the half again, as I don't like multiple loops.

This was my second marathon, and I loved it. It was well organized and started right on time. Because it was small, there were none of the usual issues with crowds or parking. Because it was a rural marathon, the crowds were non-existent. Also, with about 100 marathoners, the course was lonely at times. This provided quite the mental challenge that I didn't experience in my first (larger) race.

My only complaint was the 1.5-mile stretch at the beginning/end of the loop. The packed dirt road was a little dangerous, so the runners had to be careful as to not twist an ankle.

Overall a great race, and if I don't qualify for Boston, I will probably run it again next year.

I loved the dinner the night before. It was good and the company was fun. Race morning was a bit chilly but the race started without a problem. The two-loop course had a few challenges in the roughness of a couple of the roads. You really have to watch your footing. No one was in the stands to cheer when I finished. That was a bit disappointing. No pictures of the kids' Possum Walk. Hot dogs sucked, but the strawberry bars ruled for post-race food. Of course, getting the bear was an added bonus. My twins enjoyed the nearby playground and the Possum Run. Steve and Paula really did a good job. Water stations were well stocked but no one working the stops cheered at all. In fact, I saw the race leader ask for water and had to skip it because they didn't have any ready for him. Overall, the experience was very positive.

What a great little event! Well organized. Friendly, enthusiastic volunteers. The course was a beautiful, 2-loop, out-and-back. It was mostly run on asphalt, with a little stretch on dirt roads. Tall pines and wild flowers lined the course. The start/finish at the high school stadium was cool. Post-race showers, hot dogs, and frozen strawberry fruit bars were nice perks. Put this event on your calendar.

I can't say enough about how fun this event was. My third half-marathon, and by far my favorite environment - smiling people, wonderful forest, no crowds. I've just taken up this "sport" (age 60) and I enjoy the walk/runs in beautiful natural areas. I achieved a personal best time and am already planning to chase the bear again in 2010.

My better half and I were excited about this race being in an area we have never run in before. Knowing what Steve and Paula Boone have done for the sport of marathoning, and having attended their race on New Year's Day, we were not disappointed here. A beautiful rural course out in the piney wooded country of east Texas, with a few rolling hills, dirt and forest roads, and well monitored highways. As always, there were nice, personal touches, from personalized motivational signs, to a finisher's stuffed bear with your finishing place around its neck (along with a cutesy medal). Friendly volunteers served you hot dogs and ice cream after the race, which was also nice. Do you want a great, organized, low-key marathon, away from all of the big-city hustle and bustle, with a postcard picture course? Well, this is it, my friends. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! My only regret is that we didn't stick around to explore more of the Davy Crockett Forest - B-U-tiful!

What a great marathon this was! A quiet and peaceful run out in the country and into the Davey Crockett National Forest. Gentle rolling hills. Wonderful folks at the aid stations. Even the Boy Scouts manned one of the aid stations. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make this a memorable event! Steve and Paula have tons of experience as race directors, so they really know how to put on a race. Even our non-running family members got fed at the pre-race pasta party. WOW! Even the weather was perfect. Spectators are enthusiastic. All runners are well cared for, from the first to the last. Sign up to do this one; it's a great, "small" race! Thanks, Steve and Paula!

Steve and Paula put on a great race. The weather was perfect for a marathon and the scenery was fantastic. I think what really makes this race are the people. If you need hundreds or thousands of people cheering along the course, then this isn't the race for you. But if you prefer quality or quantity, then this is the race for you. The people in Groveton are amazingly nice and the folks along the course are such good people. Also, the volunteers were some of the best of any race I've done. My whole experience in Groveton and the marathon was very positive. I'm willing to bet this marathon becomes one of the must-do races in Texas.