If you run just for the love of running, then this is your race. Trent and the Nashville Striders make you feel like royalty. The scenery is stunning. Whether my time is faster or slower, I know I had a good run! Thank you for all of your hard work to put on one of the best races in the nation.

If you want a "Rock 'N' Roll" experience, this race isn't for you. But if you want a very difficult run through one of America's largest urban parks in very gorgeous fall foliage (with 199 other people as crazy as yourself), then this is your race. I've run it twice, and both experiences were wonderful and brutal. I don't think I'll do 2009, as other people need a chance to suffer, but if I lived near Nashville, I'd volunteer or run it every year. Don't let the overly clubby message boards on the FMM website scare you off; this is a great race!

This was my first marathon and I loved it! Relaxed atmosphere, great support (water and GU or Gatorade absolutely everywhere), perfect weather, beautiful park, fun people. I put in a lot of miles and ran a lot of hills in training, but I walked the steepest hills on the course... and was happy with my sub-5 time.

I was very excited to sign up for this not flat, not fast, not certified race. As the months went by and the Monkey got closer and closer, I began to question my decision: What was I thinking? The race was everything the organizers promised plus the weather was perfect on race day. Plenty of aid on the course including chocolate-covered raisins on a silver serving tray after mile 19! All of the volunteers were enthusiastic and encouraging. The pre-race pasta dinner held at a small local restaurant was very good and the post-race feast was like no other! Homemade treats in abundance along with ample local beer. If you gain energy from hoards of cheering fans, sign up for London, but if you enjoy a quiet run through the woods, the hilly woods, go to the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon.

This is a very challenging course. It is not to be taken lightly. Rolling hills and super climbs abound. Monkeys on bikes chase you down. Water/aid is abundant and the atmosphere is light and fun. The post-race food is the best I have ever seen. Homemade goodies were brought in by the runners. Beer was great, also. No awards and no frills, except a couple of really super t-shirts.

What a fantastic and unique experience. With only 200 runners and 18 aid stations, you really feel a personal touch that you cannot get from other marathons. The course is beautiful and all of the runners are friendly and, believe it or not, cheerful (even after a challenging hill at mile 18 or 23). But the best part is the volunteers. When I would reach an aid station, I felt like I was personally taken care of. Each person would greet you by name; I was amazed they knew my name and then I realized that my name was on my race number. But with the happy faces and the great weather, it was a good time, even during the challenging uphill sections. The great potluck after the race made it an even better experience.

I run parts of this course when training, but never for 26.2. That would be crazy, right? The challenge was too good to pass up. Hats off to the organizers for a fun, challenging run. Despite the difficulty of the course, everyone I saw was having fun. The weather cooperated and the colors in the trees were spectacular.

if you're in for a hilly run through an absolutely beautiful park, run this. It's painful. There were multiple times in the race where I wondered why in the world I signed up for it, but gosh, there's no feeling like seeing the finish line in this race.

I don't really know where to start; it was a great experience from day 1!! Trent, the RD, is so amazing; he keeps you updated with some great emails for the upcoming race. The website is great, providing all you need to know, and more.

The park is beautiful!! Challenging hills, but with some nice downhills too. =) The aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were the best. Not a lot of spectators. A small race with lots of extras!! I give the Flying Monkey Marathon 10 STARS!! I had a blast!! And I will try to come back next year.

Killer course, but you can't beat it. Can't say enough good things about the organization of the race and the helpfulness of the volunteers! Definitely a marathon for true runners who don't care about the hype and the crowds.