I ran the 50k in 2011 and had a blast - great course, great organization, nice shirts/medals and tasty post race food. I was signed up for the 50k again this year but due to some less than stellar training and a really hot forecast for race day I requested to drop down to the marathon (a $15 change fee was applied since it was a few days before the event). Running Fit staff were prompt and helpful with my request.

The course is very hilly (3900' ft of elevation change) and challenging but it was not as pretty or fun as last year's course. In 2011 the course ran all the way around Devil's Lake. This year the Park did not allow that (honestly can't blame them with how busy the trails are without adding hundreds of runners) and the course only briefly skirted the east shore of the lake. It also seemed that there was quite a bit less single track (fun) and a lot more fire road (ho hum) included in the course. To make up the distance lost in the State Park there was an out and back that was a long downhill one way with a turn around in a wet and overgrown marshy area followed by a long uphill on the way back. It was nowhere near as scenic as the lake loop from last year.

I noticed a lot of what I am going to call 'Warrior Dashness' in this year's event that I didn't notice last year. A lot of hooting and hollering from runners, an alarming number of headphone wearers and even one runner carrying an iPhone playing her (crappy) music. I've run 27 marathon+ distance races with most of them being on trails. Trail runs usually have a very laid back and peaceful atmosphere. People tend to sign up for them to enjoy the peace of nature. They don't want to hear someone blasting music from tinny cell phone speakers or have people yelling 'AY-OH-AY-OH-AY-OH-AYYYY!!!' every quarter mile.
The noise/headphone wearing is one thing but what really irked me this year is the amount of litter that I saw on the trail. Most trail runners are borderline fanatical about keeping the trails clean so I was surprised and disappointed to see so many gel wrappers strewn on the ground. To make it worse they were discarded far from aid stations where it is very unlikely that race organizers will clean them up. I'm hoping that this is an anomaly and not a trend.

The overall organization was good, no mismarkings, adequate aid, etc. but the results are a mess. When I crossed the finish line I was told that I was 4th in my age group (which surprised me) and handed an award. My name was taken down by a volunteer and added to a list of award winners. A few days later when results were online my name was nowhere to be found in the overall or age group standings. I checked in all the distances to see if maybe I ended up listed in the wrong race (thinking that maybe my prerace distance switch didn't 'stick). Nope, Nothing. To make things more confusing my time would not have put me in 4th place of my age group. I didn't look too thoroughly but it's more likely I was sixth or seventh. Odd.

This race is convenient for me to get to, priced reasonably and is a challenging course but the issues I experienced, albeit minor, are enough to make me look elsewhere for a more subdued trail race next year.

I ran the 50k, which was basically the marathon course + a 5 mile loop around the ski resort. Really tough course, exactly as one of the reviewers before me stated - very rocky and rooty footing at times, some parts weren't even a trail - just matted down brush or grass. The steep climb halfway through is well worth the effort...the views of Devils Lake from the top of the bluff are breathtaking. Aid stations and volunteers are amazing. Really fun race and great challenge!

Wow, what an amazing experience. For me, this was not a race, this was an endurance challenge and my goal was to finish. The trail requires concentration from start to finish. Fellow runners were all super helpful and friendly. This finisher's medal is my biggest accomplishment. One more thing, definitely read all the information they provide about the course ahead of time.

What an incredibly awesome race. I ran the half marathon and loved it. Hills/bluffs are brutal but this course lives up to its hype - bruised, battered, and bloody. Do not expect to PR but anticipate a beautiful course that is mostly shaded (I can only speak for the half). There were few spectators, do not rely on them to mentally aid you in this race.

The aid stations were great, the volunteers amazing, and the post-race food was so typically WI, I loved it all and would recommend this race to anyone looking for a thrilling cross-country/trail experience.

Only reason I give 2 for the course is it was every bit as ridiculous as the director states. I've never done a trail marathon before and maybe this was my stupidity. I knew what I was getting into but realize I'll probably never be a trail runner. Looking at my feet for 6 hours to avoid obstacles and lunging around things seems to take away the point of enjoying the race. More of an endurance challenge than a race.

That said, I had a great time and am so glad I had the experience. Very well organized, volunteers were awesome, aid stations were the best I've had (potatoes, candy, cookies, nuts, pbj's, plus the usuals), post run food included free beer, brats, burgers, fruit, pasta. Small, very well done but no frills, nice medal and shirt, low cost.

Although the only fans on the course short of the start/finish are the aid station volunteers, they were awesome and made getting to the next one worth sticking around a few minutes to talk with and gobble some more goodies. Only gripe I had other than the course was the food nazi at the station around mile 20. She was less concerned about checking in what numbers made it to the checkpoint and more concerned about ultra runners getting the food, and marathoners getting nothing more than the water and gu. Didn't know that was in the rules and if it was, she was the only one that enforced it. After running a ridiculously difficult course in heat and humidity, avoiding unwanted wildlife, and getting to the top of a mountain, taking a couple fig newtons shouldn't get you disqualified because you're a marathonerGod forbid I ran 5 less miles than those doing the 50k.

Loved the atmosphere and people associated with trail running, just not this course. Will likely never be back, but this is a must do if you want to scratch off Wisconsin, and a trail marathon off your bucket list. Train hard! Thank you to everyone at the event!

This race offers everything from half marathon to 50-mile options. It also offers steep ascents on ski slopes - steeper descents ditto - scrambles up and down stone steps; leaps from boulder to boulder following ribbons tied around trees; rooty, rocky, hummocky trails, paths through meadows that look like someone created them by riding a motorbike through the grass; trails through nice big stands of poison ivy... and I haven't even mentioned what the relay runners have to do. One of the most exhausting, most challenging, most scenic races I have ever done. And it was so much fun!

Great course, good organization, great aid stations, nice volunteers, and I love the massive mug at the end (and the free beer to put in it). Do not expect a PR. It's unlikely you will get one unless this is your first 50K or 50-miler. Bring a friend, because you will be much happier running this with someone. Bug repellent is a MUST. And the poison ivy soap for afterward is worth it.

Also bring a camera. The views from over the lake are spectacular.

Not easy to get to, and the host hotel is showing its age, but one of the nicest races I've done in a long time.