This was a small-town race that was lots of fun and for such a great cause. The pasta dinner and post-race food was great! The folks from Mountain Home were very friendly and accommodating. One man running the 5K even loaned my friend running the marathon his sunglasses on race day because she left hers back at the hotel--you don't find that sort of thing at the big-town races.

Sure, the course was challenging and race day weather was less than ideal, but I like a challenge and believe it or not, I like hills.

The race was very well-supported and aid stations were plentiful. There weren't many spectators (other than the cows) but I enjoyed running through the countryside.

Overall, a race I will do again someday. :) The small-town, friendly atmosphere was a nice change from the large, impersonal races in which I am no more than a number.

I enjoy smaller marathons more than the mega-events, so I thoroughly enjoyed this race. The course was mostly in the country, with rolling hills and was very scenic. The cold and very windy day made the course pretty difficult. The fans and volunteers were very supportive, and there was great camaraderie among the relatively small field of marathoners. Volunteers brought homemade soups and chili for post-race food, which was excellent.

Very hilly; my first marathon, but I also live in the Ozarks and trained on hills. Miles 22 or 23 to 25 or so were rough, essentially one long hill. But the support was great. Not many spectators, given the chilly, windy, sleety conditions and rural area. Not for those who need a lot of crowd support, but okay for those who train alone in rural areas and feel comfortable with this. Running on the state highway was interesting at times, to say the least, but I felt relatively safe. The aid station folks (towards the end) crossed the road for you if you were on the wrong side (thank you!!). Great, great food... both during the course (a huge selection of fruit, pretzels, multiple kinds of cookies, Hammer Gels, PowerAde, and water at each and every aid station, and there were LOTS of aid stations) and after (homemade chillies and soups, and bread sticks from a pizza place, etc.). Great massage too. Really friendly people. It's definitely a challenge, and even for my first marathon, it was a good kind of challenge. I enjoyed it (although I wasn't saying that during that long hill towards the end)!

This was a tough course, with hills and the wind. The race volunteers and local police support were exemplary. Food was available at most of the aids stations, and even for us slowpokes at the end: Chili, beans, cookies, fruit, etc. Everyone was very supportive and friendly.

This is an extremely small, but very well organized marathon. All pre/post-race activities, as well as race start/finish, are at the local high school, so access and available parking are not issues. Aid stations were plentiful, well manned and well stocked. Course was generally well marked and there were volunteers at turns to direct you on course, as well as many law enforcers directing traffic at intersections. Course scenery is engaging - heavily wooded rural areas for the most part, and the course itself is quite challenging, with rolling hills after the first 3 miles or so, with some significant hill climbing/downhills. There were 2 out-and-back sections on the course, allowing you the opportunity to see/talk to other runners on the course, but with less than 60 marathon finishers, people were pretty spread out over the course. Food at the finish was plentiful. Overall, a really well run race - I'm only wishing I would have run it in 2007 before the course was changed to add hills in the 2nd half of the course!

This race was an excellent way to see what Mountain Home, AR is all about. Getting to the race showed a lot of the back roads and terrain the race had to offer. The people in this town were some of the friendliest we've ever encountered. The red carpet was literally rolled out, as the race support and aid stations made you feel very special. Out on the course they would come to you offering every type of drink or supplement they could carry in their arms. They were full of smiles and thank yous for coming to their community and helping the cause. You never had to go more than 1 1/2 - 2 miles before another aid station and there were many port-a-potties if anyone needed one. The race director really put extra effort into the comforts of the runners. The police in the community were out driving the course the whole race making sure us runners were safe.

The first few miles were in the neighborhoods surrounding the high school and college then headed out into the rural area that tested your endurance in 25 mph winds and many rolling hills. The scenery out in the rural area was everything I hoped for and all the cattle were a bonus. It surely wasn't my fastest run, but it was by far one of the most enjoyable.

I like that the money goes to Kenya, a worthy cause. It was the primary reason I returned this year. But the change in course to a much hillier one from last year is a deal-breaker for me. One of the toughest courses I have ever run. Not for a first-timer or someone trying to qualify for Boston. Wasn't always sure which side of the highway to run on. If I ran on the left side, the water stations were on the right; if I switched, they were on the left. Not much of any shoulder to run on, so you had to run on the highway and keep an eye on traffic.

I ran this marathon in 2007 and had an amazingly wonderful time. The scenery was beautiful, the race was extremely well organized, and the people were very supportive. There was water, Gatorade, gel, and food at every station, and each one had a unique and fun theme. This marathon was definitely worth the trip. Thanks.

The course finishes miles away from the post-race activities, requiring a shuttle to get back to the start line, which is primarily why I gave it 4 stars. It's almost like running two courses, since the second half of the course is flat (running along a river), though the pavement is rough (like compressed gravel). First half is hilly, with the decline after mile 14 being the most extreme road downhill I've ever encountered - my heels felt like they were going to burn off. Lots of scenery and variety.

Race is very well organized and the post-race massage was the best I've ever received - the therapist is not a clock-watcher and really takes time with each runner. Delicious post-race food, and the Friday night feed was excellent (bow tie pasta was very delicious).

Spectators were sparse, but enthusiastic.

Very worthy cause if you are looking to participate in a marathon to help others. Funds raised by this marathon have helped to install 20 fresh water wells for a village in Kenya. Fresh water is something we take for granted, but these people used to have to spend all day just gathering dirty water for their needs. Certainly help put things in perspective with every water stop.

This race was so much fun and so well organized that I am sure to do it again. The course featured rolling hills of beautiful scenery all the way until mile 15 where it flattened out in the White River flats. The number of spectators was low but they were so enthusiastic that they really gave runners a lift. The race support was excellent and the free massage at the end was a treat. Speaking of treats, they had home-made chili and soups, plus awesome deserts for the runners at the end. This is a marathon worth getting to and it is for a really worthwhile cause. Thanks to Race Director Laura Kassinger and the volunteers. Y'all are awesome.