I have done 5 "Dances," and every one was a great experience.

You like hills? They have a "dirt ladder" for you (exactly what it sounds like).
You like mud? they have swampfuls of it (N.B.: duct tape your running shoes to your ankles if you are chosen by your team to run "Where's the Bridge?" - and bring an extra pair. Of everything).
You like running in rivers? You'll love Hell Creek. (Had a tetanus shot recently?)

OK, I'm exaggerating: you won't see anyone leaving by ambulance, and you certainly won't get lost for hours, and have to run an extra 6 miles to finish your relay leg. Of course not. (Heh, heh.)

Course is unbelievably fun. This isn't Columbus Drive in Chicago. The course challenges you with hills, rivers, marches, wooden bridges and trails only big enough for a rabbit. There was one hill so steep that I used my hands to help climb it. After a few hundred yards of running in a river, you have to climb a hill to get to Hell, where Satan greets you. What does it say when you have to climb a hill to get to Hell? A great course!

I just ran this race as part of a relay team. The event was very organized, all the information was available on line and e-mail updates were timely and informative.

All but one on the team this year were "Dirt Virgins" (including me). We were all thrilled with the tailgate-type atmosphere prior to the race, with creative team costumes and vehicle decorations. The participants were friendly and the excitement was contagious! The trails were challenging, and in parts, you didn't just dance in the dirt, but actually wallowed in the mud. There were rivers to run through and mud pits to drag yourself through. My entire front was covered in black mud at one point! Don't wear anything you can't bear to throw away, and save your old shoes to run this one; you might lose a shoe in the mud (or not want to keep them after the race!).

Having done this race 11 of the 12 years, I can speak for the completely delightful insanity of it.... Eight years of relay teams and three years of 50 KM races have convinced me it's the best one-day race ever. Come join the madness.

I can honestly call anyone a wimp after running dances with dirt. Crazy hills. Mud up to the armpits. Rivers. Climbing. A lot of runners just having fun killing the elements.

The course was extremely challenging thanks to the numerous hills, river crossings, briars, etc. It was fun and the enthusiasm of all the runners was contagious. I will definitely be running this one again.

The Race T-shirt says it all, and it is NOT an exaggeration: ' I understand my participation in this event may lead to injury or even DEATH>'

My third trail marathon, seventh maraton or greater. Interesting, moderately challenging trail (6 river crossings, mud, Satan, that sort of thing). The organization was flawless for all of us 50k, 50M, 100K relay. Very little problem with fresh relay-runners having to pass us sluggish ultras because the course organizers planned this very carefully.

Do this one! You will love it!

I've competed in this race for 3 years and have experienced all types of weather and course conditions. The constant, regardless of weather, is the poison ivy and extreme black, deep muck - the parts of the course I like the most! Most participants come back year after year because of the awesome organization and challenging running.

I have run the relay for 5 years, and every year after the first leg, I say that I will never run it again! This is one tough, messy race, but so fun that I still come back. The team spirit, great runner attitudes, and insanity of the course seem to keep you coming back.