Well organized, nice shelter at the starting line, friendly people. Nice, hard to miss mile markers. Weather was perfect, sun came out after the run. Nice door prizes, great MC. The girls at the 19 mile mark get my vote for enthusiastic cheering. Keep this course!!

Rolling, scenic Northwoods roads with mile markers and aid every 2 miles make for a 1st class marathon. Reasonably priced motels within walking distance of the start and finish are added benefits in addition to lakeside resorts and camping at early season prices. A great opportunity for a family vacation and a little fishing. I think they could draw more runners with a more dynamic name like the Flying Pig I did the previous week. How about the Eagle River Marathon - nicknamed THE EAGLE.

- A beautiful run through the woods.
- I am not familiar with the old course, but the new course is definitely worth keeping.
- Plenty of water and Gatorade at every other mile through 20 and then at every mile.
- Spectators consist of trees and wild animals, but that is the beauty of this race!

If you like small crowds and plenty of room to run, this is the race for you. The course scenery is outstanding and relaxing and offers you plenty of time to just enjoy running. Weather was clear and cool (low 40's start and warmed up to mid 60's), but there was a wind that didn't really play into the race until the latter part of the course (when you least want it). The race is on lightly traveled country back-wood roads as you head into Eagle River WI from the NW. The roads are paved, but most are concrete surfaced. The hills are not particularly hard, but just many more than I had envisioned (the pre-course drive the night before provided me an 'eye-opening' glance). The mile markers are marked, but there are no split clocks provided so you will want to bring along your own timing device.

First, I'll admit that I had run two marathons in the last six months. I was tired but curious about this one. So I ran the half-marathon. I passed on the Lake Geneva Wisconsin 25k (same day) which I've run several times. This half was outstanding! A four and one half hour drive. Vilas County is heaven in the Midwest! The medal with the eagle, the sports drink (Allsport), the transportation to the start, the markers and prompt start and timing, the friendly people, the scenery, and the perfect weather make this one a race to consider. Lots to do in the area. Places to stay and eat abound in the area. I've read the reviews of the hills in the first half. But for traning and fun, no gripes, this half could be the premier show. Great overall organization!

This was my first marathon and will most likely by the hardest that I will face... until I do it again. The first half was very difficult for a first timer but the second half got you through it.
Everyone that put it together did a wonderful job. I can't wait to run it again. Absolutely one of the best in the country.

This is a well-organized race on a challenging course. I highly recommend this race to anyone, especially if they have not had an opportunity to experience Northern Wisconsin. I was pleasantly surprised at the enthusiatic spectator support throughout the run.

Lots of rolling hills in the 1st half of the race, fairly level the 2nd half.

Don't do this race if you expect or need thousands of cheering fans for support. But, if you enjoy the serenity of a run through the north woods, with the smell of pine in the air, Journeys should be on your 'must run' list.

I'm a mid pack runner, and found that unlike large races where the faces around me are constantly changing, I ran with the same small group much of the race. You quickly strike up friendships and provide support for each other. I haven't found this camaraderie in larger races.

Race organization was good, other than missing mile markers due to some vandals, everything went well. The expo, as one might expect was small. The pasta dinner was ok, with some nice home-made desserts.

Weather in 2001 was fantastic. After a chilly start to the day (28°F and scraping frost off our windshield) the temp was nearing 40 by the start.

This race has everthing I need.
1)Good weather. I probably jinxed it for this year, but it has been 47 degrees and overcast each of the last two years.
2)The right number of runners. You certainly don't have to worry about crowds, but there are enough people to run with. When I was finishing, I was working through the tail end of the half marathon finishers, which helped.
3)Nice course. Some hills in the first half but no real killers. Some long straight shots the second half, but I was zoning out by then anyway.
4)Good organization. As usual with a well done race, organization is taken for granted. No traffic problems. Everybody gets bussed to the start on time. Accurate mile markers. My gear gets to the finish line.

Very runner friendly course - if you don't mind a few hills. The first 20 km is one rolling hill after another. Remainder of the course is relatively flat with a couple of notable exceptions.

Mature forest bounds either side of the road. There are several lakes bordering the road to about 15 km. After that - trees and more trees. Wind is a non-factor the first half, and only a strong east wind might cause some misery during the second half. Repeat - very nice, interesting course.

Organisation was fine. Everything proceeded as planned. Small race - mini-expo. Mostly local sales folks. Carbo-dinner the night before; in the grade school cafeteria. Many local restaurants provide a much better choice. The area is big on tourism - especially fishing and camping.

Very few spectators. If you bring your own spectators along, they can follow the race course quite easily without interfering. In that regard, I preferred seeing my own support group every 2 to 3 miles, as opposed to strangers.

The 2000 edition saw 222 start and 193 finish. Temps at 45 F (7 C) from beginning to end. Drizzle on n' off and 20G30 tail wind.

I plan to be there next year, the 2000 event having been a substitute for Big Sur. Not a half-bad substitute for the best Marathon in the USA!