As the sun beat down on Denton Hill, I feared that I had mistakenly entered the Satan's Country Marathon. Despite that - or maybe because of it - it was a great experience. Running marathons is about meeting challenges and getting that "I did it" feeling at the finish. God's Country provided that feeling, along with first-rate organization and the friendliest and most caring volunteers anywhere. If you want a PR, go elsewhere. If you want a challenge, come to God's Country.

This was such a great experience! The course was extremely tough, made tougher by 90-degree heat. BUT it was still worth it!

The race was well organized - from the buses that got us to the start in plenty of time, to the race day packet pick up to the well marked course, to aid stations at every mile, everything flowed.

The people were awesome - the volunteers were cheerful and very concerned that we stayed hydrated, the spectators were few in number but large in enthusiasm (we saw them several times as they leapfrogged ahead to keep cheering us on) and the other racers were WONDERFUL. There was such a kinship in achieving a real accomplishment together.

The course was very beautiful - if you ignored the fact that you were running along a road with some traffic and looked out at the green mountains and rolling hills, you could see why they call it God's Country.

I came in late the night before, ran very slowly and then dashed for my plane right after the finish - and I'd do it again. Don't expect to make time; expect to connect with some really nice people.

I was not prepared for this run, having just come off Nashville 6 weeks ago. I ran it for the accomplishment and the challenge of the course. I ran it to see if I could run uphill for 2 1/2 hours just to get to a 3-mile mountain, and then run for another 2 hours in blistering heat. I did. That is what mattered to me - not the spectators, not the medal, not the traffic. No one controls traffic for me when I do my long runs, so I was used to it. Also what mattered was the aid stations, which were the top reason I was able to finish. The ice and water hoses was the difference between forward progress and perhaps never running again! The volunteers were top shelf. Much thanks to everyone! This is a small, low-key event with few bells and whistles. What they do they do well. That's why you should run this. If you want the logistical problems and the expense of a major city marathon, there are a lot of choices out there. If you want a unique, memorable, and well run event that you will talk about for years, run God's Country. They call it that for a reason. It's beautiful. It's like showing up in your backyard for a 5K and then getting an experience of a lifetime.

Thank you to David and everyone else who had a hand in making it another successful God's Country Marathon. After reading some of the negative comments, I had to chuckle at the one chap barking about the speed motorists were traveling and the small crowd at the finish line. Maybe next year you can shut Route 6 down for 6 hours, Dave, and put some silhouettes along the way that make noise. I run the race for pride and self esteem - not for an expensive medal and a roaring crowd. I am sure this fellow won't be back next year, which is good for us all. Thanks again, and maybe next year you can do something about the heat and humidity!

Three letters, one word... WOW! This was my first marathon, and I enjoyed every minute of this challenging course! I never imagined Denton Hill would have been that steep, but I guess that is why it is ranked as one of the hardest!! Everyone was so helpful and I felt it ran very well. Thank you, Coudersport, for giving me the spirit to keep on running! See you next year!!

The course itself was very tough the day I ran (June 7, 2008) because the temperature reached the triple digits, and with the "hill," it was almost impossible to get into the zone. However, the event staff and volunteers did a fantastic job with the water stations every mile. It was well organized with all the details being carried out. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a challenge in life.

Thus was the second year that I ran God's Country. I am normally a 3:30 marathoner but because of the weather and the course reduced me to 4:27. This is a difficult marathon not to be taken lightly. It is run mostly along Route 6, where you can have your family or "crew" care for your need. Really scenic course with very nice people helping and running the race with you. If you are after a big race expo, fancy medal, or other insignificant items, please don't run this marathon. However, if you are after a challenging and humbling experience that you can truly call an accomplishment, by all means run it.

You will be hard-pressed to find a more challenging or more rewarding race to run. Where else are you going to find a 2-mile climb at mile 15? The support stations along the course were great. When you have finished God's Country, you have finished a marathon!!!!! Thanks again for another memorable event. See you next year!

This was a super race. Beautiful course and challenging. The water stations were awesome. Thank you all.

I'm having a little trouble understanding how this race has gotten the glowing ratings that it has. Not that it doesn't have its merits, which include:
*Easy race day logistics - I parked 100 feet from the finish line.

*Affordable entry and pasta dinner, free post-race lunch.

*Interesting age-group awards (gift baskets with local goodies).

*Big prize money for a race of this size - $750, $500 and $250 for the top 3 men and women.
And finally, plentiful and excellent aid stations, some with hoses and misting stations, 4 with GU, many with fruit, and all with helpful volunteers.

Now for the bad news:
*Kudos to the organizers for adding aid stations when it became obvious the day would be hot and sunny. But was there any thought given to moving the start time from 0800 to 0700? That's not a big deal for a race this size, when sunrise is well before 6 a.m., and it would have meant trading an hour in the mid-80's for an hour in the high 60's. Huge difference.

*Things don't happen on time. The 6:45 bus left Coudy at 7:05; the race started a couple of minutes late; and the 2:30 awards ceremony began at 2:55. You expect this of an inaugural race, not of one in its 34th running.

*Despite attempts by race officials and police to slow down motorists, it is disconcerting to have cars and trucks whizzing by at 50-60 mph.

*Chintzy medal. Maybe a little less money can be spent on the prize money for the 4% of runners who received it, and a little more on the other 96%.

*Very few spectators. Who is giving 4 and 5 stars in the spectator rating, and have you ever run a race with more than 100 spectators?

Bottom line, in my opinion: Run this race if you want to be able to say you ran one of the toughest road marathons in the country, because it is, and it is rewarding when you finish. Don't run the race because you think it will be excellent in all other respects, because it isn't. You can do better - think Steamtown and Akron.