Tecumseh Trail Marathon - Race Reviews

I'm not a trail marathoner & I do this because it's a local run...this year I got caught up in trying to push the first half...BIG MISTAKE...cramps at 10 and no will to go on. It was quite cool but as I said I was pushing & some gu and coke and Aleve given to us at the registration tent got me through & I believe as good of a finish as I could have imagine with a surprise in store at 25. GREAT FUN AND A WONDERFUL FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT...this one is tough for a road guy.

I have had my eye on this race for some 10 years now and finally this year I was able to participate. Right up front, with a proclaimed 3,500-foot gain in elevation and a 7.5 hour time limit, it is (or can be) intimidating. And of course no one wants to travel several hundred miles to participate and then get a DNF. And this marathon is well off the beaten path. They used to run this race in December, and sometimes with snow on the ground. But now in late October, this year I took the challenge. About half way between Bloomington and the quaint little town Nashville is a road that meanders up into the forest and runs alongside a lake/reservoir. That was where you have to get to. It is the staging area for check-in, the finish-line, and where you catch a bus to the start-line. The bus-ride seemed excessively long, but it was probably because the roads took a roundabout way of reaching the starting-line area. Once there, we were allowed to stay on the bus until near the starting time. By 10 minutes before the start time, runners were gathering behind the start-line and drop bags with warm-up clothes were being tossed into the back of a pickup truck there for that purpose. The race was a few minutes late in starting for some reason. And it was cold. Forecast high for the day was about 45 degrees, and it must have been 10 degrees colder as we started. I still saw several runners in only a tank-top and running shorts. I don't know how they stayed warm. I was more substantially dressed and I was shivering. So we were off and running. The first three miles or so were on a gravel road. It was that gravel that is 1 to 2 inches and with sharp corners on it. It was not pleasant running on it, but it was short lived. This was not the crushed gravel that typically makes an excellent running surface. Then we entered the trail. And for most of the way, we were on trails - single or two-track. Occasionally there were more defined and refined roads that we were on for brief distances, either paved, blacktop, or gravel. But we always went back to the trails. And from looking at published data for this course, I anticipated aggressive hills. They were not that steep; and I have done marathons where they had ropes so the runners could get up the hills. Still, there were significant hills and you spent a lot of time going up-slope. Some guys on the bus who were repeat runners of this marathon said that the course flattened out after mile post 18. I did not see it that way. We still had a lot of up-slope conditions after that. In fact, at MP 19.5 there was a hydration station, and there was still lots of uphill even after that. That water station was a guy and a gal, in the middle of the woods, with a table, and all the refreshments. I don't know how they got the stuff out there, but there they were serving us! True servants to the runners! This trail from start to finish was marked with pink flags or pink nylon tape, to keep us on course. So the course was extremely well marked. And there were volunteers present everywhere we came out of the woods on to the road, and they all did a great job. The only place where it was lacking was after we had a stretch on the road, turned on to a side road, crossed a railroad track, turned another corner and crossed a partially submerged bridge. Right then, I could see nothing pink, wondering if I had missed a turn. But around one more corner, and we were back on the trail again. This course did not have mile-markers; some of them don't. And the volunteers generally did not know the mileage of the course where they were stationed. It would have been easy to have mile-markers, since the whole course had to be flagged. Even if they just did every 3 or every 5 miles. It gives mental peace of mind to know where I am on the course - especially when there it a time limit, and when it is a course more difficult than typical. Hopefully the race organization will make some positive changes in this area for next year. Around mile post 20 there was an aid station, and after that we came near the shore of a lake (probably Yellowwood Lake) and we followed the shore of the lake for a few miles. And it was not a straight shot. Everywhere the lake had fingers that reached back into the woods, the trail meandered to get around the water. Eventually we came to another hydration station then had to pass across the end of the dam. The spill-way was dry, but the drainage channel still had standing water in it - maybe a foot deep and 10 feet wide. We were compelled to get wet feet at that point - with still a couple of miles to go. We pretty much stayed in the woods until the end, but from a boat launch area we followed that access road out to a main road (probably Yellowwood Lake Road) and after crossing the road, we were in the woods again paralleling the road, but meandering along the trail until close to the end. We emerged from the woods for the last time, joined Yellowwood Lake Road for a brief span to get us back to the campground area. We made a big loop around the campground area, then down the stretch to the finish line. Waiting there for us was hot soup, mini-sub sandwiches, chips, cookies, and things to drink. And someone had a fire going in one of the fire pits. It felt so good. This one was tough, challenging, and worthwhile.

Great course, not as hilly as I expected. Not a crisis, but 2 of the first 3 aid stations only had water. I was not that far back, so was a bit surprised.

This was my first trail marathon and it totally exceeded my expectations. Everything about it was top notch - even with the last minute course change due to bad weather (January 2014). I'm going to do this one again!!!

I love this marathon; the trail, the aid stations, the glitches, the warnings, the weather, the twisted ankles, the wet feet, the muddy legs, the scenery, the other runners and, oh yes, the soup at the end. Do it.

I've run this race twice. Once in 18 degree temps with an inch of snow and this year in upper 50s and a muddy trail. The weather keeps it interesting, but the race itself is truly one of the hardest (yet most rewarding) things you can put yourself through in 26.2 miles.

Great day TTM! Course was wonderful and well marked. Aid stations perfectly placed and well stocked. Weather was delightful, sunny and warm, which is a bit unusual for early December in Indiana. Thanks again for a wonderful day.

Wow. I heard this course was a challenge and it was. My first trail marathon on other than flat courses. The organization was great and the volunteers were super. Crowd support was not there but it's a point to point in the woods so no big deal. If you want a challenging race, this is it for you. I know I will be back. This is a must do.

The weather was GORGEOUS for the first week of December: 40-50's. All the leaves had fallen allowing us to really see the topography and the innumerable switchbacks and valleys. The trails were 95% single trek covered with either leaves, pine needles or creek crossings! The water was low but rocks were planted for your footing. If there's rain before the race, prepare to get wet feet and leap across banks. Roots abound so don't get lazy or too tired or else you'll end up all four on the ground. 5% of the trail is on gravel roads (granite size chunks) or paved roads. Aid stations were every 2-3 miles, and the volunteers knew the EXACT mileage. The trail was well-marked every 10-15 feet with orange ribbons the entire way; perfect for the tired and weary runner whose senses were numb and delirious at the end. I did Big Sur and cramped but I didn't cramp on this one. I'm thinking it was because of the compression gear that I wore. I wore long-sleeved CW-X tights/top and felt great even when it got up to 50 degrees toward the end. If you're a spectator, my husband did not have difficulty meeting me at every aid station past 10 miles. They provided good maps and a GPS in the car is a must. I love that the race start was at 10 a.m. It allowed us to get breakfast at the Cozy Table, and wake up and allow the sun to warm the trail a bit before we set off. I really enjoyed this race and I'm so glad I chose Tecumseh to be my marathon for Indiana. The University at Bloomington is stately! The Yellowwood State Forest is a hidden gem, and the cabins at Lutheran Hills Campground had a-mazing accomodations (warm showers) for winter at great prices!

Top-notch trail race. Well organized, very well-marked course, and challenging terrain. Not many spectators, but the few that were there were great and there was plenty of encouragement from other runners and aid station volunteers.

The race director had to make a last-minute change due to 4" of snow. Course was changed from point-to-point to out-and-back. I was glad that the race wasn't canceled and started on time. The volunteers on the course and at water stops were great. This was my first trail marathon, 3rd marathon in 90 days, and 2nd in 2 weeks. I would like to do it again with fresh legs.

This was my 7th marathon. I knew it was going to be hard, but it was beyond what I thought. Snow the night before caused last-minute course changes, but hats-off to the director for making it work. Now when I hear road marathoners talk about hills I just laugh.... You seriously don't know what hills and a hard course are! I had cramps in quads, hamstrings, and calfs! I've never had cramps like that before (and they started at mile 12)! I added over an hour to my previous worst marathon time, and yet this event is the one I would have to say I'm most proud of. The aid stations were great! They were little oasis in the middle of the woods. I do wish there were more aid stations with porta-johns, but the last-minute course change (because of snow) probably affected that.

Overnight snow made this more challenging than expected and turned a point-to-point into an out-and-back. Hilly, but great fun.

My favorite race of the year! Extra challenging due to weather this year. Normally a point-to-point race, it was forced to be an out-and-back due to heavy snow and lack of bus transportation. Props to the race director and volunteers for pushing through and not canceling the event. Although different from years past, it's still a great event. Hills were extra difficult due to the slippery conditions. Still in love with the TTM!

This year, the buses refused to run due to the weather - 4-5 inches of snow. So, the RD had to make a tough call, and made the race an out-and-back for the first time ever. This made for a bit of congestion during most of the first half, but still enjoyable race. Prefer the wind-shirts over the sweatshirts.

This marathon was very hard; the hills just keep coming. I suggest running it with someone who can pick you up when you're down, and you can do the same for them. Everyone - volunteers and runners - was kind and helpful, the course was very well marked, and the hot soup at the finish line hit the spot. This is not a PR run; do it for fun. Bloomington is great, but for a family fun on the days before or after the race, check out Nashville just down the road.

The Tecumseh Trail Marathon is a perfect event and an unmatched experience. The race director and DINO team were helpful throughout (even on emails prior to race day). The course is serene and - at once - both brutal and inspiring. The volunteers were the best I've ever met, with Hoosier friendliness, words of encouragement and humor at each stop. And the post-run meal - inside a state park stone picnic shelter with fireplaces roaring - was a tremendous experience with runners chatting, laughing and sharing trail tales (plus, the soup is remarkably good!). The trail itself is hard. It's at least 19 miles of single-file running on terrain that you'd never expect upon hearing the word "Indiana." The elevation changes, frequent stream crossings and slippery passages will affect your "normal" marathon time dramatically, but even if it's your all-time slowest marathon (sure was mine!), the event will also, surely, be your favorite. Several days later, I'm still sore, but I haven't yet stopped smiling at the great memories.

This was only second marathon (my first was Akron in September!), and my first trail marathon. I'm from the area, so I'm glad I was able to train these hills, but it didn't make it a ton easier. Expect at least an hour added to your road marathon time. The spectators (generally those few brave souls running the aid stations) were great - especially the folks with the speakers in the trees playing, "Run, Run Rudolph!" The food was great, and the people too; and we couldn't have asked for a better day this year. I'll definitely make this a permanent part of my race calendar!

I have done 25 marathons including running Africa, the Inca Trail, and the Great Wall. The only thing that compares in difficulty to this was the Great Wall. This was the second hardest and hilliest marathon I have ever done. If you think you are in decent shape, give this marathon a shot. It will humble you. Everything about it is first rate. Be prepared to climb, slip, fall and eat dirt. Loved it. The windbreakers are a really nice touch. And just as a p.s.: when they tell you to wear bright colors because the deer hunters are in the woods on the course, they are serious.

What an adventure! My 20th and most difficult run to date. I share the sentiment with many runners who can declare with a grin on their face that this was their absolutely worst time ever! But who cares? It was a blast! It was 15-20 degrees at the start, but for trail runs it always seems to come out that the weather was always worse the year before. They bused us all out into the backwoods where we shivered on a grassy knoll until someone said, "Mark, Set, GO" and we proceeded to track pink ribbons through the woods for 26 miles. There is a better sense of humor and camaraderie among trail runners as we pulled and dragged each other across the 21+ stream crossings (I lost count), over and under logs, and up and down muddy and icy slopes in a collective effort. As the obstacles thinned the line of runners, you got to know your little cliques pretty well, following them for miles on end zigzagging through the trees, tripping over rocks and roots together and trading the point position like migrating geese. The aid stations were little social breaks, with plenty of snacks and hot chocolate (and tissues for perpetual running noses), where we made jokes about the hunters back on the trail who were part of the devious rigid course management system (no stragglers!). Then they kept promising beer at the NEXT aid station (liars!). By late in the course, most runners simply resorted to walking every incline, slogging up the hills like muddy zombies. The path was obviously prepared by someone "directionally challenged" who managed to capture every hidden nook, cranny, ravine and hill in the region. I'm sure more than a few of us wondered if the course was measured from A to B or if all the incessant switchbacks were taken into account. At the finish, we were met with sandwiches, soup, a heated cabin, and a sense of accomplishment beyond the normal road-pounding marathon experience. Don't be afraid to come over to the "dark side" and give trail running a try. Your quads will hate you, but it's a great new perspective into the running experience!

This was my second Tecumseh, and my 21st marathon. It was a beautiful experience, once again. The organization is fantastic and the people treat you like relatives. The course is the most challenging I have ever run, and that's why I'll be back. The hill at mile 13 must be man-made, because God would not do that to us. Thanks, DINO guys!

I only have two comments about this race; 1. Tecumseh must have been one tough SOB. This is a beast of a course. We were lucky it was dry with sunshine. 2. This is a humbling course. You think you're well trained... but this course is the ultimate test. "Challenging course" is pure modesty.

What a great day! Perfect December weather: a cold, clear, sunny day. The course was well marked; I had no problems following the pink markers. Creeks were running with water, requiring many crossings - loved it! Organization was spot on. Aid stations were well stocked with water, Gatorade and goodies. Great job! Little spectator support, but very enthusiastic. I don't expect or want much for a trail marathon. If you haven't run this one, put it on your list of things to do, but you better make sure to be well conditioned. This is not a flat road course! Loved it and will be back next year.

This was my first trail marathon, and it was both beautiful and brutal! I loved it! Though my time was 2 hours slower than my road marathon PR, I had an incredible sense of achievement after successfully navigating the huge hills, dozens of stream crossings and rocky, rooted trails. Great food and atmosphere at the end, and the best aid stations I've ever encountered. Definitely a must-run!

Great course, organization, and post-race food. This was my 5th Tecumseh Marathon and it never disappoints. This year's additions of festive signs and music were a great touch. I'm still smiling about the garland on one of the footbridges. Nice touch! It's true that some people need to be more aware of if they are slowing others down and not littering on the trail. The course is challenging and you never know about the weather. Sometimes even the bus drivers need help from the runners on how to get to the start but it's all part of the charm that makes Tecumseh one great marathon adventure.

This was my 5th full marathon and one of my favorites. It's not comparable to any other race that I've run in. The scenery was beautiful! It snowed for more than half of the race, but it added to the beauty and adventure of the experience. This is the first marathon that I've run that did not feel like 26.2 miles. I was so focused on weaving in, out, up and down the trail and trying not to slip (which I did several times) that I didn't really think about the miles. At times, I felt like I was on an obstacle course, dodging branches, leaping over logs and climbing snow-covered hills. I thought the volunteers and the aid stations were great. I was thrilled to be served a cup of hot chocolate at mile 18. Also, at the finish line, they served vegetable soup, which delighted me since I'm a vegetarian. I will return!

This was my first trail marathon and it was without a doubt the best marathon I have ever run! The scenery was beautiful and the course was packed full of fun. While there were some minor problems, like buses being late, it all added to the charm of running in the snow on a trail. I cannot wait for December 2009!

This was my first Tecumseh and my 6th marathon. What a fun race. The snow/ice made it all the more exciting. Tough course! Good aid stations. I'll be back!

Not easy, hilly, intense - loved it! Amazing.... I fell back in love with running all over again!

I've run a lot of trail races and this one was impressive! It was beautiful because of the snow, but tricky because of the snow. Everyone from newbies to the experienced will find this a treat. Come prepared and over pack. Even if you don't think you'll need it, bring it!

This was my 11th marathon and one of my favorites. Tough course? You bet; that's what makes this race stand out from so many other marathons. I will be back in 2009 to run the race with the group from Rockford, IL.

What a wonderful first marathon! The aid stations were packed with food and very nice people. My thanks to all of you that stood out in the cold/windy weather just to help out. This race was very organized! See everyone next year!

First and most important, the volunteers were really excellent and stood out in some pretty nasty weather to take care of us runners. A lot to ask of them and they were there to cheer us on. Also, cheers to the spectators - all three of them. Don't do this one for the rush of the crowd, as there is none. But that is not the point on a trail marathon. Great trail, tough, and a real challenge. By all means do this one if you can and want to run a trail. Organization is really top-notch. Unless you are one of the leaders, be ready to walk up many of the hills. Unfortunately you can get stuck in a pack and can't pass people on the terrain (not that I was always looking to do so). Plus, with the snow we had, you can't put your foot into the snow not knowing what you are stepping on or into such as a root or hole. While I hate to critique a sponsor of the race, the Summerhouse Inn was a bit of a disappointment. I was an out-of-towner, so I stayed for two nights. While the staff is very accommodating, the room I had was a bit tough. All in all, it did the job and was basically clean, but check out your other options, too. Otherwise, do this race, enjoy it, and try to look up once in a while to enjoy the surroundings.

I have been running for 30 years now and this race was without question the most enjoyable race that I have ever run. In the same breath I can tell you that it was the most physically demanding thing that I have ever done. The organization, course, and volunteers were all fantastic and made it well worth the 6-hour drive I made to get there. I will definitely be back.

This was my fourth marathon and first one on a trail, and it was by far the most fun! This is why I run: to be part of the elements and the challenges they give you! The aid stations were great, the other runners were great, and I hope to be back next year a little more surefooted!

Fantastic. The course is beautiful, and the snow/ice this made it spectacular. It's hard and will kick your ass, but if you like trail running and aren't afraid of a challenge this could be a race for you. Just remember - pain is weakness leaving the body. The organization is very good - my only comment is that the food at the finish line was limited and there was not enough hot stuff. Buses to the start were late as well, which could not be helped because of the weather; but the early arrivals were shuttled off the buses and out to the start, where we had to wait 20 or so minutes (it was in the teens) before the start, which was late. Volunteers were fantastic, and aid stations throughout the course were plentiful and more typical of what you'd see at an ultra, not a marathon. Very impressive. Crowds were sparse, but in my opinion that is preferable - you get to enjoy your running and appreciate surroundings in a way that is not possible in one of the big road marathons. I also disagree about a prior posters comment that you need to run with a buddy. Sure, you could slip and need help getting out, but that's true for ANY trail run. There are so many people running this race that if you do go down and hurt yourself, it won't be long (I'd say less than 1 minute) until someone else happens by. And the organizers did a nice job of putting up some rope pulls at a couple of the really icy parts. This is going to be annual event for me. It really is the best non-ultra I've ever run.

This was my sixth marathon and first Tecumseh Trail Marathon. I had heard a lot about this race, particularly how tough it was, and it certainly lived up to what I had heard. For a flat-lander like myself, the hills were certainly challenging and the snow/ice didn't help. However, there were several long stretches running on more level ground that were absolutely wonderful to run. The course is beautiful, the organization is excellent, and the water/food stations and volunteers were fantastic.