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Otter Creek Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Otter Creek Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 29 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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Rob Runkle from Cincinnati, OH
(11/6/2008)
 "Great Race - Beautiful" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Otter Creek Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I love this race. I've run two years, and plan to make 2008 year #3. Cindy and Todd put on a nice trail race. It is a trail race, so it is not for the meek. If you don't know trails, then you might find your footing loose. But, those experienced on trails should have a blast. The advantage of a trail marathon is that your legs are not as sore in the morning. In 2007 they had a wonderful downpour. I loved it. It just made the experience that much more exhilarating and challenging. It's not often that you get a chance to finish 26.2 miles with 12-inch-deep water running down the course. :) | |
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S. K. from Louisville
(2/1/2008)
 "The hardest and coolest thing I have ever done!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I am almost two months out from this race and I look back on it as one of the most physically and mentally challenging things that I have ever done. I also feel that it was one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. I wear my ugly shirt as a badge of honor. I would recommend this race to anyone who wants to be challenged. It was a beautiful course and the hard driving rain made it all the better becasue you really felt that you took on everything that Mother Nature could throw at you. It was tough but it was really fun. | |
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C. S. from Georgia
(12/28/2007)
"Tough marathon!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I walked/jogged this with a new friend and we came in last place after 9:25. (I usually run a 5 to 5:30 marathon). I love the fact that we finished this challenging course, but was miserable often times during the race. Had it not been for my new buddy I would not have made it to the finish. This was only my 20th marathon and by far the toughest one yet. I have done a few rails to trails marathons in West Virginia and Maryland but this is NOT that kind of trail run! The trail was already muddy from the previous day's rain. Then the rain, thunder and lightning during the marathon added to our adventures. You will love this marathon if you like running or hiking in deep sticky mud where you slip and slide or your shoes get sucked off with nearly every step. If you enjoy rocky often time narrow trails like the ones where you risk ankle twisting with most foot strikes, you will have a blast. And if rapid running streams or steep rocky hills interest you, then this is the marathon for you. I gave 4 stars for the course because it was very well marked, and a beautiful trail. Just keep in mind this truly is a trail marathon. Loved the view but hated it most of the time I was out there. I gave organization and spectators a 5 because Cynthia and Todd did such a wonderful job. Todd gave us a flashlight after the second lap because he knew it would be dark before we finished. He also was really the only spectator because he came out on the course on our last lap to remove markers and walked in with us. They stayed until we finished, and we even had hot soup and other homemade goodies waiting for us! Thank you Cynthia and Todd. If you like true trail marathoning, then this is an experience you don't want to miss. Just know this is a tough course. Ps. My husband and I stayed in the cutest cabin at Otter Creek the night before the race. We had a beautiful but foggy view of the Ohio River. On our way home Monday we went to Mammoth Cave National Park, which is about 1 hour south of Otter Creek. | |
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J. H. from Fishers, IN
(12/15/2007)
 "great course, tough conditions" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I thought the trail was beautiful - plenty to look at when you had the chance - and given conditions, it was in good shape. The mud in the first 2 loops was tough to get footing on. It was actually easier on the 3rd loop when the trail became a fast-moving creek. Could have done without the lightning, but overall a lot of fun. Very small race, but great organization, and good people all around. | |
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P. P. from Oklahoma
(12/14/2007)
 "The most miserable experience I have ever had!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This marathon is ONLY for experienced trail runners and or crazy people! Anyone who said they enjoyed running 26.5 miles in the cold, Kentucky, pouring rain is nuts! It was slippery, dangerous, muddy, wet, foggy and cold! I would never have signed up for this race if it had not been for Cynthia telling me it was a great first trail marathon. IT IS NOT!! See my first sentence!! I only finished (came in last) because I met a new friend and she really wanted to finish, so we stayed together through the misery and dark. This was not a marathon to do alone (too dangerous). Todd and Cynthia were very nice and Todd even came out on the course to walk in with us the last 3.5 miles. He had given us a flashlight so that we could find our way back. Cynthia said it is great when it is dry. Not true! Still a very tough course - steep inclines and declines, and cliffs by the Ohio River. It might have been beautiful but it was too foggy, rainy and then dark to see much of the beauty. I won't be back and I won't recommend this run to anyone other than experienced trail runners. | |
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Tracy DenBleyker from Fennville, MI
(12/13/2007)
"Wild, crazy and awesome!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my eighth marathon and second trail marathon. I loved every minute of it - ESPECIALLY the last loop, which consisted of a downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning, and which led to running the last four or five miles in what amounted to a river! This was great because it cleaned off all of the muddy clay that had been building up on my shoes from the first 20 miles. I have always said I would never run the same marathon twice.... I may have to eat those words. | |
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j. m. from detroit rock city
(12/12/2007)
"What running should be about" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was a chance for me to pat myself on the back. The course was challenging, and with the 3 loops you could mentally prepare yourself for what was in your future. But that doesn't mean you don't have your work cut out for you. The trail was enough work alone, but the mud and the thunderstorm made it a little slice of heaven that you earned. What more can one ask for? The race director was so full of energy that it was contagious. The other runners were all friendly and always throwing out words of encouragement. The trail was a trail, full of roots, rocks and slippery mud. The rain only made me smile more. That is why we all came out to run on a trail. The food at the end was a nice change from cold cookies and bland bagels. Hot soup is yummy in the tummy. I just wish they didn't run out of coffee. Tsk... tsk.... | |
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j. C. from NEWPORT KY. 41071
(12/12/2007)
"muddy" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Slip sliding away - very challenging. Really enjoyed the challenge and the rain made it very pleasant. Will be back next year - don't want to miss the fun. Excellent post-race meal. | |
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A. L. from Massachusetts
(12/12/2007)
"A great race put on by great people!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are a road marathoner, you should have this race on your "try something new and fun" list. Starting with the pasta dinner then night before, you are welcomed in to a wonderful community of Kentucky and people who love to run and share their love of running. Cynthia and friends go out of their way to make you feel like family. In 2007 this was more of an event than a race. It had rained during the week, and poured the night before, so the trail was muddy to start, there were places were walking - much less running - was a challenge. Three and a half hours after we started, the skies opened and the trail became a creek. I now will not fear running a road marathon in the rain. The course starts out on one trail; then after 2.5 miles, you run three counter-clockwise loops - primarily, on the Otter Creek Trail. The route is all well marked. I enjoyed doing loops because knowing the trail makes it go faster, and you can also stash a bag of extra clothes or food at the start. There is one aid station at mile 4 and one at the start. If you are not familiar with the sport drink Heed, you may want to bring your own supply. I found the taste of Heed too different to experiment with. The main trail loop start by the Otter Creek Nature Center. Is relatively flat for 1.75 miles, and then heads down to Otter Creek, were you run right along the creek for about 2.25 miles. It is beautiful if you can take your eyes off the trail; rumor has it that it is always muddy there. After the aid station at mile four, you are treated to a bit of double-track, before shifting back to the trails and a set of rolls and climbs back to the higher ground. The trail is a little easier to run once you get back to the high ground and roll up and down back to the Nature Center. None of the hills were too steep or long; luck for you, you'll have three chances to decide for yourself I only did one 12-mile trail run in preparation for this run, so it is enjoyable for the rookie trail runner. With the mud turning to flowing water on the trail, it took me 2 hours longer than 3:48 at the Marine Marathon six weeks ago. I think about 100 people took part in the marathon and another 140 for the 8- and 16-mile races. The Haven Hill cabin is a good deal at $10, but you may want to bring earplugs if you turn in before midnight. Traveling alone to the race it was great to stay at the Haven Hill cabin to enjoy the camaraderie and the superb pasta dinner. Again, a great race put on by great people. Gooooooooo Otter Creek! | |
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p. a. from Louisville, ky
(12/12/2007)
 "dangerous" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Otter Creek Trail Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I've run 10 marathons, never on trails, but this experience was dangerous. the trails were so slick that I fell 5 times, and I almost fell I don't know how many times. This race should have been called off. |
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