I ran this marathon in 1977 and 1978. My first marathon was the Paavo in 1977, and I was in the lifeboat section (women and children) coming up the last big hill before plunging into Hurley. I've run many, many marathons around the US since then, but the Paavo is still my favorite memory. In those days, you didn't get a t-shirt unless you finished, and the first year I was so slow they had run out of larges, so I got a tight medium. The next year I picked up my pace and got a large, along with homemade soups and a great time. If I still lived anywhere near Wisconsin, and my knees weren't shot, I would run this race every year.

This was the second marathon I have run, the first being the Marine Corp in Washington DC. Even from my limited experience, you don't get much more contrast than that.

My wife and I had been planning to go to Ironwood Michigan to intern her father's ashes, so I planned on running the Paavo marathon as a sort of ode to him (he was Finnish and loved the area). Despite what I thought was some good training, I found myself totally exhausted at mile 23 looking at (it seemed to me) another big hill and feeling like it was 90 degrees out. In other words, this is not a marathon where you are going to qualify for Boston. It has several rolling hills and it was hotter than I hoped.

The spectators, and other runners, were few and far between. With less than 200 runners and probably even fewer spectators, I spent most of the race alone with my thoughts. Being out there for more than 5 hours gave me plenty of time to reflect on why we do these type of things. Don't get me wrong though, I liked the smallness of the event.

All in all, I would recommend the Paavo marathon for those of you who do not care about finishing medals, age group awards, and getting lots of inspiration from cheering fans but do like great volunteers and fellow runners who are more interested in a mid-race chat than trying for a PR. I thought the course was very scenic when I was not gasping for breath and could not help but be buoyed by the aid station people. I stopped for a few slices of watermelon and a wet sponge around mile 18 and that really perked me up (at least temporarily).

The town of Hurley was really fantastic and I enjoyed my visit even though our original reason for coming was so depressing. My hats off to the race organizers for doing this and also to about 25 other runners who slowed down enough to give me words of encouragement when I was obviously looking the worse for wear.

I wanted my first marathon to be about the distance and not the party. We found it! My friend summed this event up 'wow, not even a balloon!' I loved the course (hills and all). The last few miles are odd (running along a highway), but overall it was exactly what I wanted. The people are extremely friendly and my friends and I had a blast. It felt like a training run with great support (tree lined roads running through small towns). Be prepared, no gu or energy bars anywhere!! Just a bake table at mile 18 - I laughed and ate the banana bread. No medals - just a shirt I'll treasure forever.

The Paavo was my 8th marathon in the last 8 months--I am attempting to run 12 marathons in 12 months.

This race was very well organized, especially for a smaller race. I generally tend to prefer the bigger races, but this one did not disappoint.

Yes, the course is very hilly (especially the second half). You probably will not PR here. But it is a very scenic and pretty course, and the locals up there all are aware of the race (unlike some bigger marathons I have run).

One recommendation: take in the whole weekend when you're there. The Pasta feed was well done, as was the post-race party. They had a torch-lighting ceremony the night before, and this part of northern WI is very pretty (close to the shores of Lake Superior). Our overall experience was great, and one of the funnest marathon weekends I have had.

The race director, Ricky Kelly, did an outstanding job of putting this whole thing together, and was very personal in her approach (she recommended a great campground for my wife and I to spend the night at)--something else you are not going to get in a big-city marathon. In addition, she was in email contact with me early on about various aspects of the race weekend which were helpful as well.

This was a fun experience overall, and I will say with pride that I ran the Paavo--people in the UP of MI, Northern WI, and MN know what a feat that is with the hills and the heat of August. This is probably not a good first-time marathon, and don't expect to set a PR, but do enjoy the beauty of the area, and the hospitality of the locals.

Last month's (July) Marathon: Lake Okoboji, Iowa

Next up in September: Twin Cities Marathon

The Paavo is a beautiful marathon running along picturesque country roads in northern Wisconsin. They generally have 350-400 runners compete. We run through several small towns and in each of the towns people come out to cheer us on and offer words of encouragement. It is such a refreshing change to the large institutional feel of most big city marathons. I highly recommend this marathon if you want a small town feel, with a 1st class course.

Having decided to run our first marathons together, my sister, brother and I found one that would work at a time we could all get together. It was this race (we called it the Hurley Nurmi). Staying with our families in a hotel, we found the experience magical. From the spaghetti feed to the registration to the finish line, it was wonderful. Of course, little did we know how hilly it was going to be. In contrast, my brother and I ran the Twin Cities two months later. We both agree that we'd sooner do the Paavo again. Hats off the organizers. It really was special.

This was my first marathon, and I had many fellow runners tell me I was crazy to have picked this as my first marathon. Be aware that this course is extremely hilly, with VERY few spectators. However, the scenery was awesome and breath taking, and I felt like I was running through a calendar page. The people I met during the race were really nice, friendly, and encouraging. I recommend it with caution!

It's true that the Paavo Nurmi marathon is a nice alternative to big city marathons, and the organizers and residents put on a good show for this small event (about 250 marathon runners, plus another 50 or so relay teams).

But runners should be aware of what they're getting into. The course is challenging (there are many parts of the country - including where I live and train - that do not have hills like these). And despite being far north, temperatures are warm in mid-August. Fluid is provided only every 3 miles for the 1st 18 miles, so hydration on a hot day can be an issue.

This is a good event for its size, and fun for its small-town atmosphere, scenery and tradition. But this would be a tough 1st-time marathon, and not the place to look for a pr.

After 25 years of racing that covers 20 states across the US, this is the true essence of old school running. as a young lad I attended the running camp that started all of the tradition. At the end of two weeks of running four times a day in the woods outside of Upson, the runners from the camp would carry a torch fron the camp to the town square on Main Street Hurley and light a flame that burned for the entire weekend. Each leg was about 1/2 a mile long but we all felt like true olympians with that torch. The festivities envelope the entire area and it's broadcast on local radio. The race travels through the woods and in and out of 5 different towns that gives it a Tour-de-France feel as you pass.
The post-race stew and the awards party simply top off the day and many runners stay around for a night of revel. A true class act at the helm of the race supported well by a strong group of volunteers and the entire community. A must-run for those of you that search for good treatment with a very good course and a small town feel. I have run it twice and will many times more in the future.

First of all, this is not a big city marathon. But don't worry about that. The little towns put on quite a show as you pass through each of them. The aid stations are very well maintained and spaced to provide adaquete refreshment. All of the volunteers and people that show up to cheer on the runners are enthusiastic and very nice. Lastly, you won't get trampled at this race in the start or the finish, but you will probably be able to personally meet the winner and most of the runners at the post race party.