After running nearly 50 marathons throughout the Midwest, this race is in my hometown. An easy choice. The course is beautiful, flat and easy to run. Good running support. If you need spectator support, find another marathon, if you want an uncomplicated race, this is your best choice.

I have run big city and small town marathons. This marathon is in my top 5. Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, the course was very beautiful, the volunteers wonderful and very organized!!!

This is really an excellent event. The first 11 miles are through farmland on public roads, with little or no traffic. The last 15 are on a bike path, wich is paved except the last 3 miles and then becomes crushed rock. The scenery is beautiful - lots of cornfields, some occasional cattle, some big grain bins, and pretty woodland with peak fall color. There are some undulating hills in the fisrt 11 miles, but nothing too difficult. The last 15 are flat as a pancake. Race support was excellent, with frequent water stations. The post race area was fine for a small run. It began to pour, so there wasn't much reason to stick around. Specators were few, but they were vocal, and are to be commended for coming out to watch a small race on a wet day.
I expect that this race will grow as word gets out. The challenge for the organizers will be to ensure that they have the personnel to staff water stations. I definitely recommend this race.

I've run 18 previous marathons, and this ranks right up at the top. The course is fabulous, shaded, fun, flat and fast. The support is tremendous. Perfectly spaced water stations, and the medical guy on the 3 wheeler was very professional. Very positive experience, and if you want to avoid the big city, big marathon hassles, this is perfect. But stay in Rockford or Beloit. Not near the start. I'll be back many more times. Loved it. GFK

This tiny marathon features the most beautiful run, the first 11 miles feature gently rolling country roads with the last 15 miles on a tree lined asphalt covered railroad bed. Runner support was outstanding for any size marathon. Spectators were enthusiastic but limited to a couple dozen.

This was a beautiful marathon. More than half on trails covered by trees in their fall colors providing shade from the sun. It was very well organized with only 50 folks running it in only its 2nd running. This is a real diamond in the rough of a marathon. Lots of opportunities for fast times, great aid stations spaced just right, plenty of volunteers.

This is a 2nd running Marathon. Race is over a beautiful course well laid out over half of it on a beautiful tree covered asphalt or crushed rock trail. Well supported with aid stations every couple miles, sufficient portal potties, plenty of great cheerful volunteers. Few rolling hills in the first half and flat after that through tree lined trail which was beautiful with the trees changing colors. This is a diamond in the rough just waiting to be discovered. Only 50 ran it this year. I project it will grow rapidly.

This is a great small marathon. It is along country roads for the first part of the race ending on the Stone Bridge trails that give us a down hill last half of the race with the last three miles being really down hill. There is not much room for spectators along the trail, but there are cross streets where people can cheer you on. The support crew is great and the race director is top notch.