I am working on doing all 50 states and this is #20. By far this has been my favorite race so far!! Great course, great people, great yet demented race director, Great fun!! A must do marathon!!

Despite the gorgeousness of the course, the brutality of the hills and the awesomeness of the volunteers (and RD) the Flying Monkeys are also real and vicious! They flew ominously overhead throughout the race, disguising themsleves as colorful leaves when they landed, and menaced you along the course, though often restrained by a leash. They also flew overhead, and were caught by fearless Monkey wranglers positioned at the side of the road. Due to pure luck in avoiding attacks and the loveliness of the aid station workers and everyone at the finish line make this the best marathon ever and one everyone should strive to survive.

I've had the misfortune to run this race every year. Some of us are dumber than others! I LOVE it! Trent has kept the integrity of the race and I appreciate that. It remains low key, top notch, difficult and FUN! Can't wait for next year!

This race should be on every marathoners 'bucket list'. The race director, Trent, markets this race as a rinky dink event, but it is far from that in every aspect. Each runners experience starts after they are accepted into the event. From that point we were receiving regular informational emails that also reminded us how tough the course might be by calling us fools for entering the event. The course is a beast, but awesome at the same time with switchback butt-kicking climbs and magnificent views of Nashville. Participants range from marathon virgins to 150+ marathons under their belts. Every runner is greeted at the finish with rousing cheers of 'Monkey! Monkey! Monkey!', an awesome wooden medal, a Monkey cup waiting to be filled with a local ale and a buffet of food brought by the runners and volunteers. This race should not be missed!

My wife and I are 'streakers' and have vowed to continue running this one as long as we can run. Due to injuries we came unprepared this time (taking Trent at his word that 'you can't train for the Monkey') and we paid the price but the price was worth it. Can't wait to come back!

I have run over 30 marathons. Yes, this one is difficult but great views and a great course. One of my favorites because it was a friendly race. Ran with several people throughout the course and everyone was friendly. The organizers were outstanding. The email updates were a source of entertainment for my running group as I forwarded the emails due to the humor and wit. Loved it and would run it again. Beautiful course. Trent you are awesome.

The reason I keep running this marathon is the course words can't really describe just how beautiful this course is. It needs to seen with your own eyes. As you can tell by I think ALL THE RUNNERS COMMENTS..this is a very special marathon. It gets in your blood. The finish line is like a family reunion nothing like those big impersonable marathons with thousands of runners. Did I hurt during the run, was I ready for it to be done and over, plus was I getting tired of yet another hill...The answer is YES. Will I try and get in again, the answer to that is YES!!!

I had put off doing this 'little run in the park' for years, because of its reputation for brutal elevation changes and slow times. But the challenges, though true, are a small (well...) price to pay for the benefits of the race. The course is beautiful beyond description. The race director is friendly, funny, approachable and perfectly compulsive for the position. The course is loaded with signage reinforcing every doubt you might have about your sanity and your ability to complete the race. Other signs emphatically insult the race director for holding such a race.

This race had many more water/Gatorade/Gu/bananas/oranges stops on the course than any race I have done. There must have been dozens of volunteers throughout the 26.2 miles directing runners to avoid a wrong turn. All of the volunteers were smiling and suppostive.

After the race, the enthusiastic finish area pulsed with activity and cheers for hours and hours with the last finishers receiving more cheers than the race winners (because all of the previous finishers remained in the area to enjoy the plentiful home made food, massages and free beer).

This race was very painful and difficult. The hills were huge and just kept on coming. But the Flying Monkey Marathon has quickly become my favorite race and I don't plan on missing another - if I can win (lose) the lottery to get in. Love the Monkey!

Hills, a beautiful day, great organization, unique potluck after race meal. Add it up and the results are an outstanding marathon with very congenial volunteers. One should visit the Holocaust Memorial when picking up your race package at the JCC. It is very moving.

I just ran my first Flying Monkey and am already looking forward to a rematch next year. The course is stunning, the volunteers are all very supportive (in a non-annoying way), everything is organized perfectly, and the swag is great. More awesome things about this race are the friendliness of the other runners and the food - everything is brought in by runners and volunteers. Seriously, I can't say enough great things about this race. Oh yeah, the hills... My legs disagree with my 5-star review. Stairs won't be your friend in the days after this race. Did I mention there's beer at the end too?