I signed up for this race after looking at the pictures from last year. The course is absolutely beautiful, with the most amazing views of the mountains and Big Sky country. Unfortunately, it was also a brutal course with the elevation and slow steady hills- both up and down- that lasted for miles. There was minimal support along the course, and very few spectators. If you are one who needs a lot of motivation along the course, don't run this one. The race director was great, very helpful, and was very up front about the lack of support. We were warned repeatedly to bring everything you might need while running. This was the prettiest, but also the hardest race I've run. It was very well organized, the director was fantastic. Just be sure and heed the warning about the hard, hilly course with little support.

Scenery - nothing in comparison. Course - dirt roads, few potholes. Spectators - few, thankfully. The few spectators I encountered actually made things (unwittingly, I'm sure) much more difficult, as they cruised alongside the runners in their cars, kicking up dust and forcing us into the ditch so they could pass. The hills were incredibly, incredibly challenging. I would advise camping the night before, in the small, primitive campground at the start. It was hot, very sunny and exposed (no shade), and the flies were BIG and swarming. But I can't wait to come back to this race again!

Not many marathons in the world offer vistas as spectacular as these -  jaw-droppingly gorgeous! And no road marathons in the US have this little oxygen due to elevation, but that's OK as long as you recognize that you will have to go slower. And you'd be hard-pressed to find as friendly a community or as dedicated a set of volunteers and organizers. Come do this! You'll be glad you did.

This run is very difficult to rate with stars because it's unique. I've given the course 5 stars since they say exactly how the course is... very high, difficult and with incredible views. There's no other course I've heard of that puts you on top of a mountain range and gives you a very decent gravel road to run on. If you've ever wanted to see 60-80 miles in any direction, this course delivers.

As a small town (very small), they're still learning what is required to put on a high-elevation run. A lot of the times listed were pushed back and there were ample opportunities to speed things along. However, a participant needs to remember that all the race gear needs to be trucked up a long gravel road and placed above 9,000 feet - not an easy task, regardless of the location.

Spectators: One star. Not a lot of folks want to drive way the heck up into the mountains to watch a few folks burn themselves up on a road, and I understand. But this is the beauty of the race; as a participant, you must be mentally fit to run the longest marathon you've run. No music, no cheers - just you and your mind getting you through. The steady sound of your feet on a gravel road and meeting other racers on the course should be the most and best to expect. If you need a zillion folks to keep you motivated, stay home. If you enjoy the solemnity that only 9,500 feet, 26.2 miles and views of the Rocky Mountains can provide, sign up now.

Depending on the year you attend, make sure you know where and when there's water and what sort of nutrition will be provided - and be prepared to bring extra of your own. Also, a small camera would be a good extra, as the photos you take you'll be grateful for as you build upon you marathon career.