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May 2, 2024

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 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

N. B. from Milwaukee,WI (11/8/2010) "Great Race!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race! Beautiful course. The aid stations were well placed. The beginning was a little crunched because it was on the trail and in the initial few miles you had to crunch in a little so that the frontrunners coming back had enough room. But that was right in the beginning. The people were very nice, and since it included 2 very good meals, it was a great value.
J. M. from Illinois (11/8/2010) "Well Done, People of Norwalk" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've been running road races off and on since the early 1970's. The positive vibe this event brought forth deserves a shout out. Race temperature was around 60 - that will probably never happen again. The tunnel's uneven surface messed my back up but didn't stop me from admiring how well the races were organized. Spectators were out on the course in abundance for a trail race and there was a loud cheering section for even the slowest of runners. The post-race meal was boffo. Norwalk people, you should be proud!
C. G. from IL (11/8/2010) "Excellent organization and very scenic course." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The mile markers and signs for water stops ahead were very much appreciated. The tunnel was fun to run through. The people giving and taking flashlights were very good. All aid stations had happy people working at them. Only negative: please use bigger glasses for drinks. It was like a small shot glass they gave out.
K. B. from Milwaukee, WI (11/8/2010) "Gorgeous, organized - the best last WI marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Rails to Trails Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Have run this marathon all 3 years. Gets better every year. Tunnel was well lit, which helps maintain pace. Hot meal after is included and rocks! Plenty of water stops. Superb small-town marathon on gorgeous Elroy-Sparta trail.
M. L. from Grayslake, IL (11/8/2010) "Nice Little Race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Registered for this after suffering through the heat of the Chicago Marathon. There were a couple factors that made this race appealing. I didn't have to take time off from work to travel to the race (it was on a Sunday rather than a Saturday) and it was close enough that we could stay in the Dells to give the wife and kids something fun to do as well. For the race itself: -The weather was perfect. -Packet pickup was smooth the morning of the race. -The trail was relatively flat. Only gradual ascents and descents. -The running surface was forgiving. It was relatively firm - muddy in some places but never enough to be a problem. -I really liked running through the tunnel. It was somewhat rejuvenating: it was cold and water dripped from the ceiling. I ran faster through it and my heart rate actually went down. -There were plenty places for spectators to stop and see the race. My wife and kids were able to give me water bottles along the course. -After suffering through hot marathons this year in Madison and Chicago, I ended up with a 12-minute PR in this race.
s. b. from Lakeville, MN (9/16/2010) "Great and fast experience" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great course and fun. Beautiful fall running. The end of the course is downhill so you can power into the finish. One improvement would be having timers before and after the tunnels. Your Garmin will be thrown off.
M. K. from Chicago (11/13/2009) "Unique Trail Run" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pros: * The tunnel may be the coolest marathon experience you'll ever have * Weather was perfect * Organization good * Nice, small marathon * Shirt was above expectations * Definite hometown feel Cons: * Middle of nowhere (sorry to those who live close) * We had rain recently, so the trail was a little soft and slippery in spots (where there was an accumulation of leaves) Overall, I would definitely recommend it.
N. R. from Tomah (11/3/2009) "A Great, Small-Town Marathon You Need to DO" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a unique marathon. Running through a 3/4-mile old railroad tunnel using a flashlight and Coleman lanterns inside the tunnel was great. Thanks to all of the volunteers; this little town puts on a terrific marathon.
K. T. from U.S. (11/3/2009) "Beautiful race with room to improve. :)" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was the third half marathon I have run. With the fairly flat course, I ran a PR! The chickenque was great, and I think the long-sleeve technical tee is awesome! To make the race better in the future, it would be nice if people at the water stops knew what mile they were on in the course to help inquiring runners. Additionally, if there could be volunteers giving time splits at the 5K, the 10K, and the 10-mile, that would help to make this course even faster than it already is. For the Champion Chips to give accurate times in the half marathon, shouldn't we have run over the timing pads to start the race? My gun time and chip time were identical.... I have to admit that the tunnel freaked me out; it is shocking to the system to go from running outside in the light to running in a dark tunnel. If there could be more spotlights in the tunnel, that would facilitate running through the tunnel, and make it easier to see the ground. (It is pretty awesome to be able to say you ran 1.5 miles of a half marathon in a tunnel, though!) Thank you for a fun run!
S. P. from La Crosse, WI (11/2/2009) "Race director got it perfect this year!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rails to Trails Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This year's Rails to Trails was fantastic. The three-mile out-and-back was at the start, rather than the finish, the tunnel was lit much better, and there were lots of porta-pots at the start. The food was excellent, just like last year. This is the most value for a race fee I've ever had at a marathon. Good job! We'll be back next year!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

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