If you want tons of spectators and glossy pics of your achievement, this is not the marathon for you. Nor if you want water & ice every mile marker. Support available every 4 miles. Be advised of the usual trail hazards  turned ankles, falls, lots and lots of mud. Beautiful scenery, a challenging course and great post-race dinner make this a run I'll try again.

I enjoyed this trail race. It was challenging and I won't recommended for a 1st marathon. The course consisted of running a 8.5mile loop 3 times. The loop itself was a single-track trail with a long downhill that had a switchback, a flat section along a river, and a long uphill. There were logs, roots, sand, stones, rocks, etc. This year, it rained and the trail got muddy. It was my first trail marathon, and I appreciated the familiarity with the trail after the 1st loop. Ran with my road shoes (Brooks Adrenalin) and I had reasonably good traction. Saw others with trail shoes, but they seems to have similar traction issues that I had (it got quite muddy). Nonethless, if you have trail shoes, I'd recommend it. The race was chip-timed, and your time would be slow.

It was obvious that the organizers, Cynthia and Todd have been doing this for a while. The trail was extremely well-marked. There were 2 aid stations with assorted foods, Heed drink and water, located at start and at mid-point of the loop. (I had a water-bottle.) Warning about fan support: don't do this race if you need them. The post-race food and drinks were diverse and plentiful. They had a tent and a fire to keep warm. The medal was a wooden Christmas ornament, which now hangs proudly on my tree. Stayed at Golden Manor Inn, which I recommend. Overall, a fun race.

This trail marathon was awesome! There was a ton of breakfast food & drink before the race with a nice bonfire to keep the hands warm, all in a very nice park setting. There was a short stretch of road to thin the crowd out before heading into the woods. After a pleasant start the rain came and the trails proved to be very slippery indeed. Lots of runners went down, especially the ones who ran in road shoes. At one point I was going way too fast down a hill, slid out of control. Nearly kissed a tree. Brushed it off and slowed down a bit after that! Seemed that most runners elected to run the 8 or 16 mile distance, which was 1 or two loops, respectively. There was excellent support from the two aid stations which were spaced out along the 8 mile loop. Lots of options for fuel. Best part came at the end. The FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE! I couldn't stop eating the chili and the soup. Couldn't have made it better myself. Had 3 bowls. Very nice touch to have the race director at the fire serving up the steaming hot chili! Would highly recommend this race to anyone who loves to run the trails. Bring your appetite!

Don't run this marathon unless you are a very expereinced trail runner! The website described it as 'very runnable' - but that is NOT TRUE. The line of runners backed up whenever there was an obstacle on the trail (e.g. huge tree trunks to crawl over, fallen limbs that were too high to jump, 1-foot wide path along a 30-ft drop into the river, steep ascents that people walked up, etc.), so we stood and/or walked in several parts. You definitely cannot run your own pace - you are at the mercy of the other runners and the narrow trail. I'm normally a 3:35-4:05 marathoner, but this course took me 5:10. I chose it because I'm a 50-stater and wanted to cross KY off my list. I'd recommend ANY OTHER race in KY over this one!!

Cons:
* Very tough trail with several steep ascents and plenty of rocks/roots etc. to trip over
* Only 2 water stations on this loop course - 1 ran out of food and the other closed before I got there!!
* The website provides no info on the course elevation
* No marathoners stuck around post-race. Everyone got in their cars and drove away (I wonder if everyone else was thinking 'good riddance' to this course the same way I was.)
* There are plenty of roots etc. to trip over on this course. I fell hard on my final loop and when I crossed the finish line and asked for medical help, I was told the woman working the grill was an RN and could help me when she was done cooking. (Seriously?!)
* All in all, it's a dangerous trail. If you got hurt on the trail, I think it would be a LONG time before you got any help
* I saw people run off trail because it wasn't clearly marked
* The medal was a wooden circle that didn't list the distance (probably because they used the same one for the 8 and 16 mile races). Same with the shirt.
* I'm wondering what my $70 entry fee paid for?!

Pros:
* pretty scenery (if you can take your eyes off the trail)

This marathon was truly one of the most difficult things that I have ever done! I gave the course 5 stars because it is beautiful and well marked, but it is VERY challenging. Narrow, muddy trails... rocks... roots, but spectacular views. I had to really watch the trail... yes, I fell in the mud... so I missed a lot of the scenery! The organization is outstanding. Thanks to the very dedicated race directors! There is no place for spectators, but the volunteers at the two aid stations are wonderful! A great and friendly group, a beautiful place, but a most difficult marathon! I'm glad that I took the challenge!

Wow, this was most likely the last year for this event and the park. That is very sad.

Ok, so there really aren't ANY spectators, but that really isn't what you should be looking for on a trail marathon.

The course was the most brutal thing I have ever done to myself. But also the most rewarding. Finishing that last loop and crossing the finish line was sublime. You know you earned that one.

I wouldn't have made it without my new friend Deb. Her determination kept me going. Nor would I have made it without Tim. When the water stop was abandoned by the youngsters, Tim was able to meet us at the top of the last cliff with water. I am truly blessed to know such great people.

Thank you, Cynthia and Todd.

I love this race. I've run two years, and plan to make 2008 year #3. Cindy and Todd put on a nice trail race. It is a trail race, so it is not for the meek. If you don't know trails, then you might find your footing loose. But, those experienced on trails should have a blast. The advantage of a trail marathon is that your legs are not as sore in the morning. In 2007 they had a wonderful downpour. I loved it. It just made the experience that much more exhilarating and challenging. It's not often that you get a chance to finish 26.2 miles with 12-inch-deep water running down the course. :)

I am almost two months out from this race and I look back on it as one of the most physically and mentally challenging things that I have ever done. I also feel that it was one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. I wear my ugly shirt as a badge of honor. I would recommend this race to anyone who wants to be challenged. It was a beautiful course and the hard driving rain made it all the better becasue you really felt that you took on everything that Mother Nature could throw at you. It was tough but it was really fun.

I walked/jogged this with a new friend and we came in last place after 9:25. (I usually run a 5 to 5:30 marathon). I love the fact that we finished this challenging course, but was miserable often times during the race. Had it not been for my new buddy I would not have made it to the finish.

This was only my 20th marathon and by far the toughest one yet. I have done a few rails to trails marathons in West Virginia and Maryland but this is NOT that kind of trail run!

The trail was already muddy from the previous day's rain. Then the rain, thunder and lightning during the marathon added to our adventures.

You will love this marathon if you like running or hiking in deep sticky mud where you slip and slide or your shoes get sucked off with nearly every step. If you enjoy rocky often time narrow trails like the ones where you risk ankle twisting with most foot strikes, you will have a blast. And if rapid running streams or steep rocky hills interest you, then this is the marathon for you.

I gave 4 stars for the course because it was very well marked, and a beautiful trail. Just keep in mind this truly is a trail marathon. Loved the view but hated it most of the time I was out there.

I gave organization and spectators a 5 because Cynthia and Todd did such a wonderful job. Todd gave us a flashlight after the second lap because he knew it would be dark before we finished. He also was really the only spectator because he came out on the course on our last lap to remove markers and walked in with us. They stayed until we finished, and we even had hot soup and other homemade goodies waiting for us! Thank you Cynthia and Todd.

If you like true trail marathoning, then this is an experience you don't want to miss. Just know this is a tough course.

Ps. My husband and I stayed in the cutest cabin at Otter Creek the night before the race. We had a beautiful but foggy view of the Ohio River. On our way home Monday we went to Mammoth Cave National Park, which is about 1 hour south of Otter Creek.

I thought the trail was beautiful - plenty to look at when you had the chance - and given conditions, it was in good shape. The mud in the first 2 loops was tough to get footing on. It was actually easier on the 3rd loop when the trail became a fast-moving creek. Could have done without the lightning, but overall a lot of fun. Very small race, but great organization, and good people all around.