The course was tough and absolutely beautiful. There were not many spectators, but that made it even more of a treat, as we ran as pure runners. The medal is simple and plain, and the shirt is good. It has some of the best views of any marathon....

I absolutely loved this marathon! Wow, a tough course but a great, scenic and spiritual experience that I will never forget! The course has lots of views of Crater Lake along the rim. Smoke from the extreme Northern California fires this year blew up to Oregon and Crater Lake. I was amazed how thick the smoke was when I drove through Oregon to Crater Lake from San Francisco the day before the race. It was so thick that you could hardly see Crater Lake at the rim the night before the race. Runners were so lucky that the wind shifted the night before the race, and by morning it was hazy but not really bad. There were lots of views from the rim that were awesome! This was a marathon that I wanted to do for the past ten years and I was so thrilled to cross the finish line. The volunteers were extremely enthusiastic and the opportunity to run through a gorgeous national park and the roads completely closed to traffic is an experience I will never forget. The butterfly migration was incredible. Kudos to the organizers and the National Park Service for allowing a group of runners to enjoy such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The director of the race was awesome. If you want a pure marathon experience, this is a must-do - at least once! You will not regret it! Train hard and go for it!

I will start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of this race, and although I was disappointed by the layout of course itself, I still think this is worth the trip.

While you may be envisioning a grand tour of the crater rim, with unending views of blue lake and sky, for the most part there are only a few (although extremely breathtaking) quality views of the lake. The rest of the course is run down often heavily-wooded service roads in the National Park. In addition, these roads have serious sharp-angled embankments at times, to the point where you feel like your one foot is a few inches lower than your other.

You cannot prepare yourself for the experience of running up the midpoint and 22 mile hills, even if you think you know what you're getting yourself into. They're TOUGH, but you'll find a way through it if you've come all this way....

There are very few spectators, so don't count on that. Water stations are readily available and miles are clearly marked, although I am certain a few were out of place.

So with all that said, here's why I still think this is a great race to run:

- The organization is well done, and the volunteers clearly take pride in offering a good race experience.
- Not every course should be a chance for a PR. We flatland-loving marathoners need a good slap in the face once in a while to keep us humble, while reminding us what a special thing it is we're doing.
- If you're going to have only a day in your life Oregon, then this is the one place I think you should be. It is a fantastic national park and an amazing site to see. We spent several hours touring the crater rim after the race was over, and the views were much better in the afternoon than in the morning, due to the early morning haze.
- A small crowd of runners that enjoy - wait for it - running! No one shows up to this thing for the fancy medal or the t-shirt.

This was my Oregon race for my 50-states goal and I would recommend it as everyone's. If you don't mind a six- or seven-hour drive the day before and after, you can spend time in Portland or San Fran too....

Great marathon to bring the family along and see the sites. It's a small marathon (about 100 people in the full marathon, 400 more in the accompanying 13- or 6.7-mile races). Things to note: each of the 3 races share a start line but have separate finish areas and it's tough if not impossible for someone running the 6.7 or 13 to run and then go over to see the marathon finish. All of the 6.7 and 13 milers are on paved roads, and only the last 4 of the marathon are on dirt. You're bused to the start and from the finish back to one of the two villages. Finish line for marathon was in a campground with very few spectators and just warm water, Gatorade, and watermelon. After the marathon you have to stand around and wait for a bus to fill up to leave, which can be a long wait. There is no expo or check-in - they mail you your number and give shirts at the finish. The medal is pretty cheap/unattractive. The course is tough. The elevation, 5800 to 7800 feet, is noticeable but still allows you to run. The hills are brutal. The first 8 miles aren't bad, but after that there's a 6-mile-long hill. It's not overly steep, but it goes on endlessly and really saps your strength. There are some steep downhills after that and you can get moving pretty well if your legs will allow. The last 4 miles are an out and back on a dirt road - 2 miles up, and 2 miles down a winding, somewhat steep hill. It's a real sole-crusher. The weather is usually cool and dry. I recommend this marathon for the scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and challenge. If you're looking for a fast course and spectators, you won't find that here.

The course is amazing. I was glad I had arrived a few days early (from FL) to acclimatize and learn how to breathe at 8,000 feet! I believe that if I hadn't seen Crater Lake before the race, I simply would have stopped running to stare at the beauty all around me. The hills were challenging for this flatlander - there were virtually no flats; it was all ups and downs. The volunteers were attentive and helpful at the aid stations and throughout the race. Mile markers seemed to be off a bit, which didn't bother me until I reached mile 26. I swear it was a half mile to do that last .2, but maybe that was just me! The 3 big hills were killer (put Heartbreak to shame). The 2-mile, off-road, 500' elevation gain beginning at mile 22 made me dig deep. It was the 2 miles back down though that were even more remarkable - as my quads reminded me a day or two after the marathon... (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat).

This is a great marathon due to the course. The volunteers are also extremely pleasant. Some updating would be nice, such as energy gels at the aid stations, a better post-race spread (only watermelon and bagels) and post-race transportation plan. If you finish near the top, you have to wait an hour or two before the bus hauls you back to your car. If you care about T-shirts, medals and awards, you will likely be disappointed. It's a great small-town marathon and one I'd do again.

Crater Lake Rim Runs is the most challenging, most difficult marathon course I've attempted. From the perspective of a Floridian, there is no flat; it's all sharply up or sharply down. But two things more than make up for that. First, this course is as scenic as I've had the privilege to drink in. The course allows numerous views of Crater Lake, which is uncommonly beautiful. Second, the race staff and volunteers showed me the ultimate in patience, encouragement, and care. (I must insert here that I finished last, and nearly 30 minutes behind the next to last person.)

My thanks go to race director Bob Freirich; the courteous paramedics who gave me supplies on the course; the man at about mile 21 who walked with me with a second cup of water; the couple in the sag wagon who never rushed me; the lady in the straw hat at mile 22 who also walked with me with a second cup of water, and offered encouragement in the face of my big lag behind the next participant; the gentleman who patiently waited at the mile 24.3(?) turnaround for me and cheerfully reported that I was on my way back down to the finish; and, last but not least, the volunteers at the finish who treated me as if I had won. I've never received such generosity of spirit from a race team.

With all the great trail runs out there these days, it takes something special to get me to do a road marathon. This one is something special. The scenery is gorgeous - truly spectacular - and the course is closed to vehicular traffic (except for race vehicles) so you can actually enjoy the scenery without worrying about your safety or having to breathe car fumes. The race organization was, admittedly, awful, and there was no food or gel at any of the aid stations. But for me, the scenery more than made up for it. If you want a fast, flat well-organized run with lots of spectators, this is not the race for you. But if you want a challenging road run with spectacular scenery, you won't do better than this one.

Well, after saying this is a crappy race, I have to say I'm very pleased with the race organizer taking the time to look for my lost sweatshirt. He not only found it but mailed it back! I'm very happy & will do this race again!!!!

Considering the potential this race has, the organizers can do so much more to make it a destination race. I was not running with blinders on...for the most part, it felt like I was on a regular training run & I couldn't tell there was a majestic lake on the other side of the hill. Of course, the hill can't be moved. It's better to visit that to race it. Also, as a die-hard runner/racer, get the mile markers right!