If you enjoy the camaraderie of running marathons above all else, this race is for you. Because you've got 150 laps, moments shared with other participants increase exponentially & leaving you knowing EVERYONE by first name and quirky story (after all, anyone doing an indoor marathon HAS a quirky story, right?!).

Other things I loved: my lap counter (bringing a small gift for him/her is a nice touch!), Dick- the enthusiastic RD, access to race photos at no cost, informal post race lunch with RD and participants, the town of Northfield itself.

Decide how you want to pace this thing beforehand- mentally, it's more challenging to breakdown. Unless you are a math genius, it's tough to calculate splits and time targets by traditional targets (5K, 10K, 20 mile) or mile markers (5.7 laps = 1 mile). I asked my counter to let me know how many I had run after 1 hour, and to cue me when I was at number 75 (halfway) as well as 140 (Counting down from 50+ laps, no way. 10 laps, I can do). For me, the best strategy was to simply dissociate, listen to my body on pace, and have FUN!

If you're traveling in for this one, make time to visit the Lululemon outlet and Mall of America.

OK, it's not a scenic race - except for the inspirational presence of the St. Olaf women's track and cross country teams who count the 150 laps the runners must complete. But the event is first-class from the good organization by RD Dick Daymont and The Band of 10,000 Aches Running Club to the great camaraderie among the runners, the perfect temperatures and the best pre-race meal in marathoning.

The buffet at host school, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., the night before the marathon is all-world. All the turns make the race a little more challenging than one might expect. Train for it. There aren't many people running it on a lark.

At the pre-race dinner, Dick Daymont, ZYY race director, asked me what drew me to ZYY. I like to schedule a winter marathon to provide training motivation during a quiet racing season (at least in the Northeast), but I realized the primary reason I chose ZYY in particular was the favorable comments from other runners. Fortunately for me, these rave reviews were accurate!

If you're looking for a PR, this is probably not the course, for a few reasons: 1) the turns, 2) if you're passing runners, you will run in lane 2 or 3, and end up running longer than 26.2 miles, 3) you carry your fluids or stop briefly at tables to get them.

HOWEVER, what you lose in time is far outweighed by what you gain in the experience of this marathon.

A few standouts worth mentioning in particular:

1) The race director and volunteers: Dick and team do a wonderful job, and the small field allows a level of personal attention you can't get at a mega-thon.

2) St. Olaf's women's cross-country and track and field teams- yes, I mentioned volunteers under #1, but I repeat here for a reason. These girls go above and beyond, getting up before 6 on a Sunday morning to record the lap times of each of the marathon participants. They were also the best cheering section at the start/finish of each lap. My counter, Julia, made a handwritten sign that was very sweet, completely unexpected, and a first for me in 21 marathons.

3) The other runners- the unique race format ensures that you'll have multiple opportunities both to encourage and be encouraged by the entire field.

4) The finishers' certificate- I rank this #1 of my marathon souvenirs, above any medal or plaque. The lap times recorded by your personal counter becomes your marathon finisher's certificate, a simple but personal and unique record of your 150 laps.

Yes, I'll return to do it all over again some year! Thank you Dick, Dennis, Rob, St. Olaf's women's cross-country and track and field, and everyone behind this marathon!

Wonderful event. Dick Daymont's infectious enthusiasm and hospitality make this a very special and unique event. The St. Olaf Women's Cross Country Team and local Land of 10,000 Aches running club make this a marathon not to be missed by going above and beyond with voluteer support. Excellent pre race meal as well.

Accomplished running a marathon in Minnesota in January by going indoors for 150 laps and 600 turns! Great pre-race meal buffet at the St. Olaf College cafeteria. Everyone was very friendly and you got your own lap counter - kudos to my timekeeper Jeff for keeping me on track as after about 140 laps I couldn't do the math in my head anymore!

In looking for a winter marathon, I happened upon the ZYY (thanks, marathonguide.com). The enthusiastic comments prompted me to do this run. I agree with the positives previously mentioned in other comments. It is nice to eliminate all concerns about weather, hills, and fluids/fuel availability. I enjoyed encouraging and being encouraged by all the other runners. Why settle for passing strangers once with headphones on (one possible outdoor marathon experience) when you can share the music, excitement, and cheers with a crowd and fellow runners of all levels who have been with you for the entire race?

I was a little apprehensive about going around in circles on an indoor track but to my surprise I liked it as much or more than outside running. The scorers/spectators were energetic and fun and kept you going with their enthusiasm and cheering. Kudos to the St Olaf Track Team. The pre race dinner was fun and delicious. I would definitely do it again.
N Marino Venice Fl

When I first heard of the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor Marathon, I thought, 'The folks who came up with this race must be nuts!' Turns out I was right, but that's a good thing! I could not stop smiling all race weekend, from Dan's hilarious weather forecast during the pre-race meal (incredible food, by the way) to sharing stories with fellow runners at the post-race pub gathering downtowh. Never have I experienced such camaraderie! Each runner has his or her own personal timer/lap counter, which collectively make up a very enthusiastic cheer zone and keeps you motivated throughout the race. And when you finish, you get a great shirt, medal, and race certificate. The race directors, Dick and Dennis, thought of everything and have truly created a race worth repeating. Most of all, it was a joy to run with and cheer on such a fun and friendly group of runners! I will definitely be back!

I know it sounds crazy - 150 laps on an indoor track? But it really is a lot of fun: with great organization, a water stop always less than a minute away and someone cheering you on every lap, what's not to like? Hopefully, my schedule will permit me to run this race again sometime.

A big congrats to the RD and the Olaf women's x-country team for their efforts to make this a fun and memorable race!

Note: I didn't know how to grade the course, so I gave it 3stars. The track is nice, absolutely no problems, but it is a track and not a run through Northfield's beautiful countryside.

FWIW, I found running on a track worked my calves more and my hamstrings less than a typical long run. YMMV, but maybe something to consider while training.

If you think running 150 laps on an indoor track for 26.2 miles would be boringTHINK AGAIN! This race is the most fun, exciting event ever. It is truly a run from the heart. Race Directors Dick & Dennis have pulled out the stops when it comes to caring for the runners from pre-race dinner to post-race party! Conditions and course support are the best and leave the headphones home because music is played the entire time. Do ZYY and Feel the Love! (But save room for me to go back :-)