Rails to Trails Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.5

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Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 61 to 62]

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Keepon Rollin from Twin Cities, MN (11/3/2008)

"Great, inaugural, rail trail marathon" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5

Wow, what a great race! The organizers did a fantastic job getting this marathon going. Norwalk is a very small town that is reminiscent of a modern day Mayberry. The registration and spaghetti feed the night before felt like a town gathering of sorts. Very inviting and entertaining, topped off with some kind of belly dancers of all things! The course definitely has some elevation change, but most of the hills are gradual and nothing terrible. The 3/4-mile long tunnel that you run through twice might possibly be the coolest marathon segment that I've encountered in any race. I now know what "tunnel vision" really means. Awesome! The crowd along the course is very sparse, but those that were there were energetic and encouraging. The organizers and volunteers really welcomed in the runners. There are a few little tweaks that could make this one better, but overall this is a fantastic marathon with great organization, small-town spirit and a unique course. I would definitely do this one again.

t. o. from Chicago, IL (11/3/2008)

"Terrific New Race; Amazing Course" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rails to Trails Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3

For a first-time marathon I thought it was pretty well done. First, the course is the first rails-to-trails bicycle/running path in the U.S. It goes over amazing, hilly scenery - it looks more like Kentucky than Wisconsin. You basically run on an old RR path that is about 100 feet above the surrounding farms at times. But because it's an old RR rail-bed, it's never steep or hilly. You go up a long time but it's gradual so you don't really notice it.

And there's a 3/4-mile tunnel in the race. They give out flashlights at either end.

The race includes a pre-race pasta dinner the night before AND a post-race chicken dinner. Amazing.

The race is small with only about 400 runners. There really aren't any "crowds" on hand, but the aid stations were plentiful and well-stocked. These people did it right.

I think it's a welcome addition to the marathon circuit.

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Rails to Trails Marathon Runner Comments