May 2, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Rails to Trails Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rails to Trails Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
|
C. G. from Spring Hill, TN
(11/5/2013)
 "I qualified for Boston at this race on Sunday" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Norwalk WI Marathon blessed me immensely with the assistance I needed. Leg cramps were severe. I came out of that experience avoiding the Hospital and I was able to enjoy the rest of the day with my grandchildren in WI before I had to head back home to TN on Monday. | |
|
A. A. from La Grange, IL
(11/5/2013)
 "A very nice event- beautiful course" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This really is an extraordinarily beautiful course. The railroad grade is often well above the surrounding fields, so you can see some really great farmland. On my way to the race in the morning, I saw not one but two Amish horse and buggy carts along the road. As for the business of the race itself, I was a little reluctant to do this race in past years because I figured that a trail with 'limestone screenings' would be slow. This year I didn't sweat it. The path is actually quite good. Most of the surface is packed dirt, with some fallen leaves. A few areas of gravel but not dominant. Traction thus wasn't a big issue. I ran a slower race than usual, but that was mostly down to me rather than the course. Tunnel footing is a little disconcerting, and it throws one's Garmin off, of course, but it was still a fun and unique feature. The event was well planned, well supported, and the day perfect. | |
|
M. P. from Minnesota
(11/4/2013)
 "Beautiful course!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Of the 90 marathons I have done this one ranks in the top five for beauty. It is entirely on a limestone trail through rural Wisconsin. Although not hilly (an old railroad bed) it is surrounded by hills and farms. The fall colors were spectacular. There is a 0.75 mile tunnel which we ran through twice. It was lit with lanterns about every 50 yards. The plentiful water stops were well stocked with sports drink, fruit, cookies and gels. The town of Norwalk did a fantastic job putting on this event! Thank you!!! | |
|
b. j. from madison, wi
(11/4/2013)
 "What's with the price hike?" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Rails to Trails Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I have run this marathon from the start. It took them a couple years to iron out the kinks but they improved every year and added something for the value. While it's still friendly, it seems a little stagnate, they price hike didn't offer anything additional from my point of view. This is a beautiful marathon, whomever had the idea to utilize this trail is a genius. The registration fee was increased by $10-15 dollars this year, not sure why? With bigger numbers this race should become more affordable to put on. Emails/facebook posts go unanswered, couldn't even get a copy of the race course? don't they realize it's on file with the state officials? i understand that people putting on race aren't runners, but you do need be intersted in running and able to provide information for participants. A buddy of mine wanted to know their plan for emergency evacuation. This could be challenging due to the tunnel, terrain? Question goes unanswered. you would thnk insurance company would want to know. I realize that waivers are signed , but this is a sue happy world and race directors do get sued personally. Ask the guy at Fox City. Any way over all good race, just continue to improve and stay with the times. You've gotten a little stagnate. | |
|
K. J. from Minnesota
(11/3/2013)
"Pretty Setting for a Fun Race" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first year taking part in Rails to Trails. I ran the 1/2 Marathon. The course was an out and back with great views of the vibrant autumn colors. While the GPS maps of the course indicate big (midwest big) inclines, there are no big inclines. However, there are long steady inclines and declines due to this once being a railroad bed. The maps are wrong because GPS devices don't work inside the 3/4 mile tunnel. I'll note that the tunnel is amazing. It has rough footing, darkness, and dripping water - too cool. The after-race feedbag was nice as well. | |
|
K. M. from New Hampshire
(1/22/2013)
"A great event!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved the event. The area was beautiful and people very friendly. It was a great deal with lots of places to stay near the start. I highly recommend it. The turn around was a little tight but it was worth it to not run on roads or in traffic. There was not much crowd support but what was there was enthusiastic. It was such a pretty part of the country, no big hills and the tunnel! It got a bit wet in the tunnel and I needed to watch my footing but it was well worth it. | |
|
Dennis Jarvis from Shakopee, MN
(11/28/2012)
"overall marathon course" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The overall vibe of this event is great. It's low key and you really feel very little pressure and that often lends itself to free and fast running. I finished in 3:14 and qualified for Boston after running a marathon 4 weeks prior in MN where I ran a 3:22. The course is not congested outside the first 400 meters. The overall course is NOT hilly. It ungulates more in the beginning and is mostly flat. The tricky part is maintaining speed and focus when running through the WET and very dark train tunnel. Do yourself a big favor, where a headlamp in this race. My name is Dennis, and I will be back next year! Awesome race!! | |
|
A. O. from Minneapolis, MN
(11/5/2012)
"Small town, but pretty" (about: 2012)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race was really nice. I loved the views at different parts of the trail. I personally wasn't too fond of the first three miles thou. I think I would've rather go 1.5 miles further on the other direction. That little turn around was a bit of a bottle neck. But, not a big complain. The spectators were not that many, but you could tell the ones that were there were going around to cheer in different places and were really energetic. I loved loved the tunnel. The race 'felt' a lot uphill, so it is a good challenge. I don't train running uphill for more than 2 miles, so this was really a challenge for me. The dirt road made it easy on the feet, that's for sure. It was a cool race and I would recommend it. | |
|
Travis Pernsteiner from La Crosse, WI
(11/5/2012)
"All-time Favorite Marathon" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I've ran Boston, Chicago and the Twin Cities Marathon, as well as a small town race (La Crosse, WI) and can easily say that the Norwalk Marathon is my favorite. Though considerably smaller than others, the community really comes together for the event, the course is FANTASTIC, and the refreshments afterwards are perfect (Chocolate milk and Pearl Street Brewery beer). The 3/4 mile tunnel was a surreal experience. | |
|
Jerry Noll from Oconomowoc< wi
(11/5/2012)
"A great small town marathon." (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Having ben cancelled out of the New York Marathon I scrambled to find one close to home and I was not disappointed. I registered the night before and was offered a complimentary spaghetti dinner and free beer. Hotel was only 17 minutes away and dinner at Antonnini's in Sparta was wonderful (make a reservation). Easy access on race day morning and no need to get there hours ahead. The trail was very smooth with the exception of the tunnel. While very neat to run through it will slow you down a bit and you need to be careful. Race support and water stations were very adequate and enthusiastic. Remember you are running on rural bike trail so not alot of crowds but enough to have fun with. It is also very easy for family and friends to follow you. After the race you were given a free Chicken dinner and an option for more free beer. This was my 19th marathon and was just as much fun as Chicago and Grandma's. I will run this again if I am every looking for a late fall run. |
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
