I really enjoyed this race. The aid stations were very well run, the scenery was great, the goody bag was awesome, and I had a good time. I like how they marked every mile, too! As it was my first race, I liked knowing where I was along the course. I will run this again!

At the start, we are all huffing and puffing for the first several yards; the elevation takes some getting used to! The first 14 are on new, hardly traveled asphalt. THEN get ready for a trail race, with the remaining miles being rock and dirt.

Great schwag! The pin has got to go! It's VERY little; I cannot even read it. A beautiful medal could've been fabricated depicting the canyon. This run deserves a medal.

Also, make it so that our entry gets us into the park for some sightseeing after the race.

But I really liked the food the night prior!

Usually, first-time marathon events experience major problems, but not the Grand Canyon Marathon.

The small negatives:
- A few parts in the first half of the course were unclear and some runners got lost.
- Not enough time at the start to enjoy the view.
- Altitude and hills (but I could live with that).

The big positives:
- Great schwag: A Teva reusable bag, discount coupons, Teva sandals, Grand Canyon magnet and book, pack of cards, food samplers, commuter mug, and long-sleeve tech shirt.
- Finisher's medal was a pin, which is more useful.
- Photos of runners in action were taken and given at the end of the race.
- Scenic course of the canyon and later the forest.
- Great volunteers, which were plentiful in the second half of the course. Volunteers tended to your every needs.
- Free massage at the end.
- Plentiful raffle prizes.
- Enough finish line food, which was enjoyed in the tent.
- Shuttle ride to the start was scenic.
- Did I mention the great volunteers?

I hope that this event will occur again. This is a unique way to experience the Grand Canyon.

I have competed in 16 marathons across the US and Canada, and this by far was the most special and scenic. It is very difficult due to the high elevation and rolling course, but well worth the experience. Participating in the FIRST Grand Canyon Hermits Course Marathon was really special, as the organizers, 65 racers and volunteers were thrilled to be sharing this adventure. The course views were jaw-droppingly fantastic, as the early morning sun cast shadows on the Grand Canyon, and ours were the first footsteps to grace the newly paved road in this closed-to-traffic section of the rim. There were 13 miles of views of the Canyon, which were followed up with a rugged forest run along a forestry road. It was tough and fun as the challenge never ended. The volunteers were enthusiastic and deserve a high rating for their role and the race organizers were hugely committed to making this a success. I gave the spectators a high score not because there were any but because the few that were there in the form of volunteers were fabulous. Don't even think about your time; go for the experience and enjoy this magical place and the opportunity to run well supported among others of like mind. The prizes for top 3 in each age group were superb and there were lots of draw prizes too. I will be back with my friends!

- Janice McCaffrey, Calgary, Alberta