I have run this race 3 times as an 'out of stater'. The reason why is because it is very well organized and a beautiful trail. If you enjoy running in a pretty rural setting, but also want good organization, this is a great race.

Thanks for the wonderful race organization (communication and support pre/post-race) and the great race planning, it was a great first marathon. Based on the experience, I definitely will keep running marathons. Met some amazing people on the way and made some new friends for life.

What a fantastic race. Leading up to the race, the course website provided all of the necessary information in a quality format and the race coordinator was extremely effective in communicating. The small scale of the race allowed for morning-of bib pickup, which is a plus. It used chip timing, but the only sensor was at the end, so the chip times were effectively gun times.

The race itself was wonderfully supported and the trail is quite beautiful in the spring, though it can be a little stark (in a stunning way) at times. Volunteers at small races are almost always better, and the LWTM is no exception. They had tremendous enthusiasm even despite the 40-45 degree temps and slight drizzle.

The finish area is fantastic, and volunteers were incredibly sensitive to the needs of runners, especially medically. The food was also amazing - pizza (good stuff, too), bagels, homemade cookies, fruit, juices, hot chicken broth, yogurt, and more were all available right at the finish.

Results posting was also prompt and efficient. There was no awards ceremony; instead they had a tent that served as the drop bag pick-up (they had this, too) as well as award and shirt disbursement location. They had a packet prepared for you with your drop bag waiting according to your arrival at the finish. All of this was within about 50 yards of the finish line.

The swag from the race was really impressive, especially considering the affordable entry fee. The shirt is a long sleeved tech tee that has already become my favorite, among at least 15 other technical shirts I own. They also provided a pretty nice bag at the start a couple steps in quality up from reusable grocery bags - heavier material, zippered, and with water bottle mesh at the ends. If you are searching for a medal that comes packaged with a mobius strip, this is also the race for you; they are not amazing, but they are above-average quality and distinctively designed. The icing on the cake for me was the age group winner award, however. A mug, with 'Lake Wobegon' written on one side and 'Where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all of the children are above average' on the opposite.

Register early for this one next year, it's growing quickly and the field was limited to 350 runners this year (~300 registered).

Kudos to the organizers for doing such an awesome job in organizing this race! This was my first time running this race and I was impressed with how smooth the bus ride and bib pickup went and even more impressed by the wonderful volunteers who did a great job of not only passing out beverages but cleaning up as well. I was pleasantly surprised at how many supporters were out there on a drizzly cold day and how friendly and encouraging they were! And at the finish, everyone was so wonderful&. I really felt welcomed. This experience wants me to run more hometown/smaller marathons& I hope to be back next year!

Excellent course, beautiful scenery, and quaint, small Minnesota towns to run through. Given the rural nature of the course, and the small number of runners, there were few spectators, but those who were there were enthusiastic. Excellent volunteer support. This was the absolute best post-race food I've had after any race, and they also gave out really cool Lake Wobegone Trail throw bags. Overall, a great race and a great value, too.

My husband & I both had PRs at yesterday's marathon & he also qualified for Boston! This was my 6th marathon and definitely my new favorite. The weather was in the 40s and misty, which was perfect. A little windy after the turn at 11 miles, but a lot of the course is surrounded by trees, which cuts it a bit. The volunteers and spectators were amazing. They were so excited for all of the runners and welcomed us with open arms at the finish. The race entry fee was only $45, the shirt is the nicest I've received for any distance, and the medal is beautiful. We also received a messenger bag, which was used for the bag check. At the finish they wrapped me in a foil blanket, handed me a bottle of water and my checked bag, with my finisher shirt. I headed right into the trail facility where they had a great spread of food. Hot broth, bananas, oranges, juices, yogurt, coolers of soda, freshly delivered pizzas, & cookies. We sat next to a space heater and chatted with other runners as we refueled. We were able to park right by the finish so after a change of clothes we headed home to Minneapolis. We thought we might miss the crowd support you find at the bigger races, but this was fantastic. I was never crowded by other runners and the water stops were so easy to run through. This is a must-run marathon!

This was a great race - and ideal for a PR. After the first mile, which had a good downhill, the course was virtually pancake-flat: with just some occasional minor ups and downs. The tail-wind was nice the first 11 miles too! The school facilities at the start area were perfect for the number of participants: it was great being able to be inside to stretch and warm-up, with hot coffee, fresh water, snacks, and bathrooms rather than portable toilets. The gear bag was much nicer than expected, and the bag drop was well staffed: both before and after the race. Spectators were sparse, due to the nature of the course, but the spectators that were along the route were enthusiastic and helpful. I highly recommend this race: for the beautiful scenery, the excellent staff and volunteers, the free goodies and food, and most of all, the flat, fast course that is conducive to PRs.

I am so glad that I ran this race. It's new, so I thought I'd give it a try. It was easy for my family to navigate. The course was very pretty mostly, with some boring areas. No traffic to fight. I loved the fact that a number of pro photographers posted pictures you can pick up free from the LWTM website!

The downside was the bib-number pickup - it was a mess. Good thing is they realize it so it should be better in 2011.

I am a warm-weather runner. It was cool to start the race (light snow on the ground and snow on roof tops), but it warmed up when the sun came out. We were also lucky that the wind was on our right shoulder, so we weren't running against it the whole time.

The course is VERY FLAT and good for running a PR (I did a PR even with having to stop two times along the way for bathroom breaks).

Fans were at each road crossing helping out and were very energetic, and it felt like they were very happy to be there - I guess it was warm for them. ;-)

Water/Gatorade stations were well stocked.

That was marathon #29 for me and state #17. This was well organized, and with a little tweaking on getting the numbers for the race (which the race director already said she would do next year), it will be flawless.

I highly recommend this one.

This is a really nice event. The people involved are friendly, it's well organized and the course is definitely one you could PR on. (Even if I didn't!)

There aren't a lot of spectators, but the ones that are there are very enthusiastic and encouraging. Given its small field (200-250), you're likely to spend a fair amount of time running alone. The race director also does an excellent job of communicating with participants both before and after the race.