This was my first trail race, and it was a good thing I didn't know what I was getting into. It is about 16 miles on GPS a little longer than the 25K marker. The bus system was great and take you to the finish of the full if you would like to go there. The bus system is fast, easy, and free for participants.

The crystal prize was awesome and the view even more breathtaking. There was a time limit on the first 10K but feasible because it helps you finish on time.

Great organization, though at the end, energy gel and bars were missing. There should be another way to organize it and keep the actual difficulties. People also have to return to the start. (You have to take two buses to get to your car, because you need to take your car to the start, as it is 10KM outside Vaduz. Maybe something could be done there!!!!!)

Otherwise it was magic but extremely cold and freezing, though the organization has nothing to do with it. Nice people! There was a technical problem, nevertheless, after 21 KM, at the first summit. There was a steep descending slope, very slippery; maybe they could find an easier road to descend, thus reducing the overall time to run this marathon. Still, great nevertheless.

This course was beyond challenging. The first 10K were flat, run on dirt roads and paved walking paths. The next 10K rose a grueling 4,300 feet. Much of the trail during this portion was on a single-lane path of switch-backs, which caused a lot of congestion. Once one person decided to walk, everyone else was pretty much forced to walk too. In fact there were many portions where you could walk the climbs faster than you could run them. After the midway point the crowds picked up. Many people lining the course were waiting for half-marathon finishers, but it was nice to see that many people. When you pop out of the woods at the 38KM-mark you are practically next to the finishing area, so the atmosphere is electric. The course at 38KM resembled the mountain peaks during the Tour de France with people clogging the road, managing to barely get out of your way while they yell encouragement at you - usually in the form of, "Hop! Hop! Hop!" The slog around the mountain basin (38KM to the finish) felt a little like a death march, but the crowd at the finish was great again.

Overall this was a great marathon. I ran my slowest time (by a long shot), but after it was all over, I really felt like I'd done and seen something special. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a summer marathon that won't leave them with heat stroke.

The only two items that concerned me were the lack of facilities during the run and the bus system afterwards. There are no porta-potties along the route. I've had intestinal issues during one other marathon and if I'd been stricken during this one, I'd have been in trouble. Also the buses run participants from the finish to the nearest major town, but this isn't where the race started from - so just be aware that you'll have to navigate the bus system after the race. The buses are free and frequent, so it's not a big deal.