A difficult race to review. Great website and concept. All those involved were helpful. To start, the race packet pick up was a disaster. Computers were down and it took 40 minutes to pick up the race number and the beautiful race gear. There were at the most, fifteen runners ahead of me. The course was challenging, not overly hilly, but dark and cold. The cemetery was beautiful at night. Footing was difficult. Even though the race packet pickup was very frustrating, I would run it again.

Oh my, is this one is a blast! Running through a cemetery at night, in costumes, up and down all kinds of hills, without a watch, under a full moon, and the best swag ever for a marathon. This is my favorite race. The best part - by pure dumb luck I ended up winning! As a 5 hr marathoner, that will probably never happen again. I will treasure my pumpkin trophy forever.
Maniacs and 50 staters, don't miss this race.

After completing the 50 states in a big rush I decided to concentrate on some really different races, like highest altitude,hard trails, smallest etc and had missed Pumpkin last year due to Marine Corps Marathon. This is a GREAT race but I might add not for those looking for time, PR or top place finishes. It was a wee bit strange to be in a cemetery especially during Halloween time but I felt like the 78000 permanent inhabitants must have enjoyed the festivities too! Excellent swag heard from some of the race people that folks actually sign up just for the swag and don't run. I too thought the roads were pretty tricky as they were pretty beat up, they reminded me of Tupelo Miss which starts in the dark Labor Day weekend, so I knew to take it slow. The downhills made up for the some of the long uphills but all in all I did not think it was as hilly as advertised. No spectators but I think that was because of the fact that they did not want the runners to have any idea of the their pace or times. My good buddy from Nashville also a 50 State Finisher came in 2nd closest to Midnight and got a neat blinking trophy! Good food and even some soup on the course. If I weren't on the quest to find some more different races I be back every year.

I gave 5 stars simply because this is a really fun and unique marathon. It is actually strange to run through a cemetery closed to midnight. You will not do a PB there, but you will remember it for the rest of your life. It was my Illinois step for the 50-states-marathons... and I don't regret it !

Great race. You start when you're ready (chip timed) and try to finish closest to Midnight (no watches allowed). No prizes for speed; this is a prediction run, so set your pace goal and go. You run in the graveyard in the dark, quite different from the usual marathon. I usually run in the early morning in dark without a light, so, I didn't think I needed to wear one for this race. However, I would highly recommend you wear/have some kind of light.

First, because the much of the trail and roads you run on are not smooth, there is broken up pavement, gravel, potholes, bridge edges and uneven surfaces throughout the course. I did trip and fall once because I missed seeing some uneven pavement.
Second, because in many areas it is two way traffic and it was hard to see other oncoming runners who didn't have a light. Most runners were smarter than me and did have a light and the race officials did give you a glow ring to wear so you could be seen (I wore mine on my head), however, there were runners with no light at all and I had a near miss with one.
In the open areas the moon did provide light and it was fairly easy to see then, but there are many trees and it was dark under them. I did see 3 deer, obviously disturbed by runners in their graveyard at night, but alas, no ghosts. The majority of runners wore costumes and there were some great ones. Several runners wore costumes with lights, in the tutu, along the chaps, wrapped around a pumpkin costume, or draped down the back and legs, they were great! Some of the lights were so bright, that's all the runner needed to light their way!

You run 4 loops, passing the main area 4 times and there were 2 other supply stations with Gatorade/gels/water, one set up so you pass it 3 times each loop (with great volunteers there), so there is plenty of aid on the course. I also had my own preferred refreshment at the main (start/finish) area, which I got each time I passed. There were not spectators on the course but some supporters were at the main area and cheered as you ran by. The course is hilly but the hills are not huge and I like rolling hills. They had a warm tent and hot food , including vegetarian chili (I'm vegetarian so this was really appreciated) for after the race. You received a VERY nice running jacket, nice technical orange shirt (great for Halloween), running gloves, a plastic tiara/wand (if woman), and nice medal for running this race; very nice goodies!!!!! They had an area set up at the end with lights and a Screaming Pumpkins backdrop for taking pictures. What more can I say, an interesting fun race, great goodies, good food after, well organized race, and a challenging course. I highly recommend this marathon!!

Outstanding experience for a 70th birthday. Originally from this area it was like a home coming for me. Then to have it be my 70 race with a bib number of 70 was something else. To top it off with a birthday cake. Just put me right over the top. Thank you so much.