I've biked the Wobegon Trail many times and thought, 'this is so boring, I don't know how anyone could ever run a marathon on it', but surprisingly I actually enjoyed the serenity of the trail. This was my first Marathon, so I can't compare it to any others. As a FIRST time Marathoner, you are given a ROSE when you finish. :-) This year there were just over 300 finishers, and 150 volunteers, as a 5+ hour finisher, I saw more volunteers than runners, and almost no spectators. The 'bike Support' kept me company off and on and even brought me water. Most of the volunteers are local runners, who take great care of you. The race director is very organized and keeps the cost low. She doesn't take a pay check from the race and 'breaks even' on race income/expenses. This race is organized and put on by runners and is for the runner, not for profit. There are amazing cookies at the finish, so make sure you find them! Great swag: nice long sleeve shirt, mesh bag, high quality medal (next year 2014, the medal will have Lady Slippers on it, its BEAUTIFUL and I might do the race again, to have one of my own).

For those who enjoy a small but well-organized race, this is definately the one for you! Low entry fee but runners are treated amazingly well! From the gym and short bathroom lines at the start, to the scenic flat course, with wonderful volunteers at all the water stops! If you need the motivation of lots of spectators, this is not the race for you. But if you want a flat, fast, beautiful course, this needs to be on your must-do list!!

Despite the wind gusts I loved this course! It is a tar trail except for the first mile. The rural setting is peaceful and I especially enjoyed the cute baby lambs. If you need thousands of runners and spectators to keep you motivated this is not the course for you. I qualified for Boston and hope to go back to Lake Wobegone where all the runners are good looking and faster than average!

This is a beautiful and peaceful run for those who appreciate a chance to test themselves on a fast course where you are able to run your on pace or push yourself against some very serious MN club competition. The club organization of the race was superb with all the most important elements covered - i.e. accurate mile markers, access to large gym immediately before start, bag drop, plenty of food and hot fluid at finish. Fans at the many trail intersections were wonderful with signs, cowbells, and loud/knowledgable shouts for every competitor. The low entry fee is a tremendous bargain for quality of volunteers/stations, beautiful medal and soft tech t-shirt for finishers only.

This is a small marathon (308 finishers in 2013) that is organized better than most large marathons. Other than the cold & windy weather, I have only 100% positive things to say about the race. Best features: pre-race communications, friendly pasta dinner and great medal.

Let me start off with my only ridiculously small complaint-no cream and sugar was available for my coffee at the start :) Other than that, WOW, what a great event! After running all big marathons (NY, Boston, Houston,etc) I was looking for a small, flat, PR/BQ marathon and this was it. Sharon Hobbs was very hands-on and was organized from start to finish. Because of the location of the race, spectators were few but those that were present were great. There were stretches during the race I did not see one other person, including another runner but I actually thought that was pretty cool. I came from Austin, TX and this was my first trip to Minnesota and it was worth it. I met some very friendly people and I did not mind when I crossed the finish line that they erroneously announced I was from Austin, 'Minnesota.' I did not even know it existed :) I hope this event stays small and outsiders like myself don't learn about this hidden gem. I hope to be back soon!

This was my first marathon and couldn't have gone better. Very well organized and a great group of runners, through a real covered bridge, over creeks, pastures, through forests. A long ways from the big city and as a person from a small town this is a slice of running heaven! (Did I mention no hills!)

This is a great little marathon. If you love to run this is the race for you. The race director is very hands on and visible from start to finish and cares about all 26.2 miles of this gem. The weather is usually on the cool side and with a favorable breeze you may just run a PB. The course has very little elevation change and one left turn, it is very simple, you lace up your shoes and run. The spectators are few but enthusiastic. The race stuff and shirts are great also, I have actually used the bags that I received from this race for years. The post race food is tasty and plentiful and any race that plays Iron Maiden at the finish line kicks butt in my book.

Whether this is my first or 999th marathon, I come from a world where one creates his/her own reality and dreams. There could be a million screaming fans along the course or no one at all and I would still be in heaven running this course. If you only see a flat course, that is what you will remember and believe! If you truely experience this course, you will experience a run in Heaven! With every course, you can find a devil along the way and allow it to destroy and crush your spirit as well as your physical being. With The Lake Wobegon Trail, you have angels guiding you through trees, fields, towns, lakes, covered bridges, wonderful friendly aid stations, fantastic views, over streams, past several Lake Wobegon characters cheering you on, cows grazing in the pasture, wildlife waking up, pure country air, and a fantastic finish line! All you have to do is remain sane if you are in pain and allow the course to work it's magic. Each time I run this course, I'm reminded why I run - not to burn off whatever, but to truely experience running in Heaven! I could run anywhere in the world but no way would I miss this run in and to Heaven!

I have run this marathon every year since it's birth and it only gets better every year. The meticulous organization and professional attitudes of everyone involved is beyond words. Among the 10 marathons I run each year, I look forward to this one the most. The spectators are charged up and full of energy and the refreshments at the end are awesome (love the pizza and fresh baked cookies).