calendar icon Apr 24, 2024

Marathon Details - Stumpy's Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > DE > Newark > Stumpy's Marathon

Trail Dawgs Stumpy's Marathon

location icon Newark, DE USA    calendar icon  September 11, 2016    calendar icon http://www.traildawgs.org




Name: Stewart Dotts
Address: 812 Branch Rd.
Newark, DE 19711
Phone Number:  302-234-1192
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.9 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 21 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

 

L. K. from Delaware, USA (7/22/2015)
"Good people, good race, good fun!" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Stumpy's Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is a phenomenal race, and you certainly can't beat the friendliness of the race organizers... or the price! You will get muddy, very tired, knee-depth wet (once in a creek crossing), and probably will stumble on a rock or root, BUT you will have a great time. Not race finish time, of course, as it will not be fast. Not having to worry about the clock is a relief, honestly. You run to finish and to have fun. I've done this race twice and found it very well marked. It was good weather each year I ran, so it was not hard to see the flags and ribbons that the volunteers put out. You will run some hills, so be prepared, and bring some water if it's a hot day, too.
 

F. L. from New Jersey (5/30/2014)
"A diamond in the rough, in the Diamond State" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Stumpy's Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon in 2002 and I have run all of them since. The race director and his group of volunteers are wonderful. They are all good people and experienced runners to boot. It is a volunteer event which they put on for the benefit of the running community. The course is well laid out with 26.2 miles more or less of park trails in the heart of a busy metropolitan area. This is not a road marathon so if you like smooth level even tracks or are looking for a PR you probably should look elsewhere.
 

A. K. from Detroit (9/9/2013)
"like losing one's virginity" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


Stumpy's was a lot like manys first sexual experience... most people are excited at the beginning, a few nervous, some scared. It was fun for the first hour, then it was painful and I found myself wishing it was over well before the end. We got to fjord some rivers, run a lot of hills. By the end, I was wishing for my death.

With all that said, it was a great race for those that are like Special Forces: The sh*ttier, the better. This race hurt, and like many who run the trails, it was right up the alley of so many folks. Be ready to get muddy, bloody, and all around cruddy if you come for this one.

The people working this very low-key event were classy and friendly. They made us feel like family. If you're a masochist, this race will put you in good company. Be ready to run your slowest marathon ever.
 

Art Walker from Portland, OR (9/9/2012)
"Challenging, well organized trail race" (about: 2012)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


I have been humbled by Stumpy's Trail Marathon in DE. Beautiful, but very difficult course. Lots of roots and rocks to snag the foot of the unwary runner, deciduous trees shielding us from the hot summer sun, open fields with single track and no track, several miles on an abandoned rail bed along side a wide rushing creek, crossing that same creek knee deep, run splashing thru a culvert under a highway, visit the start point for the Mason-Dixon line, 70 runners, no crowds, great support, whew!
 

paula williams from Binghamton, NY (9/13/2011)
"This was my first trail marathon and a great time." (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Stumpy's is a great race to run in Delaware for the fifty state runners and an awesome over all experience. This was my first trail marathon and a difficult one but alot of fun. Stumpy, his wife Ellen and all of their volunteers made for a wonderful experience. The course and race organization was great and i love my rock. Thanks Stumpy and the Trail Dawgs.
 

jeff branin from wake forest, nc (9/18/2010)
"running biscuits" (about: 2010)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


I was feeling a bit fatigued at some point after the second stream crossing. As I arrived at the next aid station, I sought out something that might re-energize me. On the table there was a container of something that looked like mini dog biscuits. I grabbed a few and chomped them down. Don't know if they were real dog biscuits or what was in them, but they did the trick. Finished the course with no further problems other than trying to squeeze through the fence a mile or so before the end.

That was my first Stumpy's. I'll be back for more. Magna-magnificent course. I enjoyed the day, the volunteers, and the other runners, and I even got my rock past TSA at the airport.
 

D. P. from Brookfield, WI (9/13/2010)
"Good one to run in Delaware" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 1


This was the 9th running of Stumpy's Marathon, which was originally started to celebrate Stumpy's birthday. Considering there is no registration fee, it was pretty well organized. There was even a free pasta feed at one of the Traildawgs' homes.

This was the first time it ever rained during this marathon, but it was a relatively light rain with temperatures in the 60's and mostly covered by trees. The predominantly hard-packed dirt trail was not really affected. It was actually a beautiful day for a run and the rain kept the mountain bikers away from the course. If you enjoy trail running, this is a wonderful course featuring everything you would expect in a 50K ultra, and some years it has "measured out" closer to a 50K than a marathon.

Flour arrows are used to mark the trail, and these marks held up pretty well despite the rain. A few intersections required a more careful inspection for directions, but basically anyone getting lost just wasn't paying attention. Orange flags were used in the open field sections.

There were 6 aid stations fairly well-stocked, with one visited twice. Good home-made cookies at the covered bridge (mile 17) where Stumpy's wife was stationed. Don't blink: the aid station volunteers are your only spectators. You also cross a river twice, though it looks like a bridge will be finished on the second crossing for next year. The water was only mid-calf-deep and not difficult to traverse.

It was a little disconcerting not knowing the actual distance, which everyone knew would be more than 26.2 miles. At one aid station I was told I was somewhere around 20-21 miles. The next aid station told me 20-22 miles! I must have been on a treadmill and didn't know it.

There are no official race results at the end. No bib either. Traditionally all you get is a lacquered rock that say's, "Stumpy's Marathon" on it. However, this year some people went all out and donated coffee mugs that say, "Stumpy's Marathon: dawg gone proud finisher" and a woman from Texas made up gifts with a Stumpy's Marathon tag ribboned to a plastic compass.
 

Bill Scargill from South Jersey (9/13/2010)
"You have got to try this race! Fun and different!" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


This was my 40th marathon and it was certainly memorable! This was a great race to run in the rain, as most of it was run in tree-covered woods. I had never run any trail race before; now I wish I hadn't waited so long. In a word: freedom. Freedom from trying to set a time or PR. Freedom from roads and people. Freedom from civilization! PURE RUNNING, you vs. the course. Very primeval. Very well run and great support, but don't forget to bring your water bottles, as the support is only about every 5-6 miles. The other runners were very friendly and supportive. Take your time and enjoy. I'm a 4:30 marathon runner who finished at 5:15, and I'm happy with it!!
 

M. J. from Alpena, MI (9/12/2008)
"Trail Dawgs are first-class!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Thanks to Hurricane Hanna (and some not-so-friendly neighbors?), this was truly a race I won't forget. This is the first time I've ever got lost during a race (3-4 times). I figure that I ran at least an additional hour plus. But "if you don't get lost, it's not a real trail marathon." Stumpy and the Trail Dawgs are what running is all about. They are why I run the trails!
 

Etienne Jaulin from Washington, DC. (9/9/2008)
"Loads of fun and a gorgeous setting" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Stumpy's Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


"It's not a trail run if nobody gets lost." That's right, this year it was me... and Stumpy waited 7.5 hours to give me my award: a stone. That was my first trail marathon.... I'm hooked!
 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

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