May 2, 2024
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☰
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 51 to 61]
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R. O. from Des Moines, Iowa
(11/2/2009)
 "Well run, country, down home marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race was well run. The course was beautiful. The before- and after-race meals were excellent. On-course spectating was easy, with a little pre-race scouting. If you are looking for a unique experience and don't want crowds, this is it. The course was beautiful. If you don't like running through leaves, you may not enjoy the surface. The tunnel made the race worth it. | |
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Mr. Wonderful from Arden Hills, MN
(11/1/2009)
 "Second year - twice as good!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rails to Trails Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The race organizers listened to last year's comments! The barbecued chicken was phenomenal. Water stops were well staffed. Volunteers were plentiful and helpful. Take this with a grain of salt: I can appreciate the course change, but I would prefer gaining 400 feet of elevation between miles 12-19 (as in 2008) rather than 15-22 (as in 2009). I understand that the race director must find the solution that works for the most people, but that's just my opinion. Very well organized for a race of this size in a town with a population of about 600. | |
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M. T. from Neenah, WI
(2/20/2009)
"I enjoyed the experience" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Better lighting in the tunnel: Glow stick were a nice idea, but were kicked all over by the return trip. I loved the people, and the chicken dinner afterward was awesome. If you approach this as a low-key, fun event, relax and enjoy the scenery. You will not be disappointed. The race hotel was a decent drive away, but a good value and fun for the family. | |
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K. H. from Wisconsin
(11/25/2008)
 "OK for the First Try" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I think that the organizers did a good job for their first try at this - they are apparently non-runners who just wanted to do something to promote their community. They had a lot more runners than they expected and did pretty well responding to that. Overall, I say, "Good for you!" They did a much better job than the race production company did at Run Charlevioux in June. The tunnel experience could be improved, and the last 3.2 miles were insane. However, having communicated with the RD since the race, she is looking to change the finish and provide more light in the tunnel. Overall, I think that they can look to their race budget and re-allocate some expenses - I paid $80, which is a lot for a marathon of this size, I think. If I were them, I'd put money into chip timing and age group awards (all they provided were certificates) and reduce the spending on the chicken dinner at the end, especially as it was served in an open park shelter. A big pot of soup would be better and cheaper. The aid station people were VERY nice and enthusiastic - though I assume most were not runners. | |
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Mark Morgan from Akron Ohio
(11/15/2008)
 "Great race - few corrections needed" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great race! Good views - perfect time of the year to run this trail. I really enjoyed it. The tunnel was a VERY interesting addition. Considering this was an inaugural race, they did a great job. Pre- and post-race food as well as the extremely nice shirt were the icing on the cake. Small town with nice people. The only thing to change would be the distribution of finisher medals when you cross the finish line. Other than that what a great time, well worth the drive and money. | |
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h. h. from Iowa
(11/14/2008)
"Beautiful course." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall this was a very good marathon. I do think that there are some areas to improve on though. The 3/4-mile train tunnel was what attracted me to this race. It sounded awesome. They said you could bring your own flashlight, but they would be provided at both sides of the tunnel, so it was not a necessity. They did not say that there were only 100 flashlights for close to 400 runners. There were none left by the time I got to the tunnel, so I had to run through in the dark! I felt as though it was pretty dangerous. I could not see the ground I was running on, nor could I see if there were any runners coming back towards me. They definitely need to do something to improve the lighting. Also, running past the finish line at mile 23 is cruel! You see people finishing, and know that you still have 3.2 miles to go. What a horrible feeling. Just have us run 1.5 miles more before you turn around. Last thing to improve is the distribution of medals. I talked to the race director about this and she said that the 3 volunteers that they had arranged to hand out medals did not show up for the race, and one of them had the medals in the trunk of their car, which is why they were not handed out at the finish. Some of the runners were finished by 9:30. Who would wait around until 3:00 to get their medal? They are supposed to be sending them in the mail, but it is two weeks after the race, and I have yet to receive mine. The course was absolutely beautiful, and the weather was great. The aid stations were well stocked, and managed well. I didn't have any of the pre-race or post-race food, but it all looked very good, and there was plenty of it. The race shirts were also very nice. | |
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J. D. from Madison, WI
(11/9/2008)
"Promising marathon that needs improvement." (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I agree with J.S. from Richmond. Organization was kind of a mess. Can't understand the reasoning behind the course running past the finish line, going 1.5 miles, and returning to the finish. Weird. Race started late, which drives me nuts, and having no medals at the finish was a disappointment. Like many people, I drove a couple of hours to the race. Finished at about 11:15, so no way was I staying until 3 p.m. for my medal. J.H. from Richmond may be correct about the food being good, but I look for solid race organization when I sign up for a race. I couldn't care less about pasta and chicken. His comments re: J.S. from Minnesota are unfair; J.S. was simply commenting on the race organization. I didn't read anything there that was asking for something a big marathon would provide. I'll probably come back next year. If the organization is improved, I may continue to sign up for this race. It really is a beautiful course. | |
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D. S. from Minnesota
(11/8/2008)
 "Great Small-Town Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I thought the course was very scenic and fast. This was my 11th marathon and I had a PR of more than 8 minutes. The tunnel was very dark, so more lighting would be nice. I only really have a couple of complaints. To expect runners to pass the finish line at mile 23 and then run 1.6 miles out and then back to the finish seems cruel. Also, finishing medals should have been given to runners as they "finish" the race - not 3 hours later. Overall, I think the marathon was a great success and the weather was perfect. I could see the course being very difficult if it was raining or snowing, but I plan on running the marathon again. | |
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J. H. from New Richmond, WI
(11/7/2008)
"A good start to a unique race" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I like the smaller marathons and this first-year event exceeded my expectations. The course was out and back on the Elroy Sparta bike trail, and the footing was very good. We made to two trips through a 3/4-mile tunnel, which proved to be the most unique feature of the race. The pre-race pasta dinner was excellent, and entertainment was provided by a local belly dancer troop. What a hoot! The post-race grilled chicken was very good. Everyone in the town of Norwalk (population 600) had some role in putting on this event. If you want all of the bells and whistles, go to New York; but if you want a nice run through the Wisconsin countryside, come to Norwalk. | |
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J. S. from Minnesota
(11/4/2008)
 "It was the first, but so much could be better!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I know this was the first running of this race, but a general air of disorganization was felt throughout the experience. Race start was cramped on the bike trail. A larger area would have been better. Medals were not handed out at the finish, but rather at a post-race award ceremony at THREE in the afternoon, two hours after most runners had finished. It was wrong to expect people to stick around that long since many runners were from out of state. When asked why the medals were not distributed at the finish, the race director claimed it was due to lack of manpower. However, many volunteers were seen around the finish line area not doing much at all. Course maps were not provided until the morning of the race, so spectators were on their own as far as navigating the area. Spectating information on the website was inaccurate. GPS coordinates given led fans to incorrect locations. The finish line veered off to the left, even though the sign above the right side said "FINISH." Also, the finish line was over VERY, VERY rough ground. It was unfair to have the runners come in on shaky legs with such bumpy ground conditions. Runners had to pass the finish line area to run their last 5K of the race. Why didn't they just extend the course 1.5 miles before the marathon/half marathon turn-arounds so that they could actually finish at the park?? Running through the tunnels was extremely dark - more so than many runners had expected. Flashlights did not create enough light to see at all. Runners risked great injury or bumping into other unseen runners. A better expectation of what the tunnels would be like would have been appreciated. Maybe race directors could inform runners to bring HIGH-POWERED flashlights. The shirt was actually a very nice tech shirt and the goody bag was fair. The food throughout the race (pre/post) was fantastic, many runners commented that it was the best they've ever had at a small race. Volunteers were standing just outside of the runners' shelter and at aid stations smoking - yuck! I really hope the race director takes comments into consideration because there is so much room for improvement! |
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