Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon - Race Reviews

I was very disappointed in the lack of support at the aid stations as well as at the finish. I feel they need to do a better job at stressing the 6 hour cut-off at registration time. At the aid stations there was only water and gu and sports drink. I finished in 6:15 and they were packing up which meant warm water for finishers and no food. I was really disappointed at the support, especially because it was hot. I love racing in Oregon because usually the treatment is the opposite of what is provided for this race. I'm glad I did it and finished but that's about it.

I just wanted to add my comments as a recent and more 'average' runner since there aren't that many current reviews. Be aware this course is TOUGH for an average runner. The cutoff is 6 hours and that is not as easy as it sounds to make. I normally do a 4:15-4:40 marathon depending on conditions and came in at 5:50. There is not quite enough water on the course due to the terrain. There were runners that were dehydrated that dropped out. We were successful by drinking at each water stop AND bringing a bottle for in between the stops. Just recognize if you are normally a big city type runner, this course is hard with the elevation (~5,550 ft), the sandy dirt, the switchbacks, the roots, the rocks and the trail nature of it. Train on trails, wear running gators to prevent rocks from getting in your shoes, bring water, wear dark clothing since it will be caked with dirt afterward (white stains). Great experience, well managed race but just tough. It tends to attract a small field of athletic runners.

This was a 20 mile race followed by 6 frustrating miles of trying to get by very slow 1/2 marathoners. Most of which had headphones on with the music so loud they could not hear the marathoners asking to get by on their left. The main problem is that the the 1/2 and the full merged at the 1/2 6 mile point and their race started 1 hour after the marathon. So this meant when the leaders of the marathon got to the 20 mile point they were greeted by runners going about 7 minutes per mile slower. the trails are very narrow at this point with no way to gently get by. I emailed the race director about this problem two weeks ahead of time and got no response. Also the people that marked the course did not know the course and it did not match the published course. They changed the starting line and several sections were run in the opposite direction as mapped and they added two brutal hills that were not even on the map. Who knows how far we actually ran.

Great race. Well organized. There was a solid three miles of 'forest road' on the way up...it was made up of large gravel and small rocks that were hard on the feet. But, it was a small section sandwiched between narrow one track through the pine trees. AWESOME RACE. GREAT POST RACE EVENT TOO!

A few things you need to know before running this marathon: 1) Pay attention to the number of aid stations. It gets hot and you'll want fluid. Bring your own. You'll be glad you did. 2) You're not running this for the medal (very small, very cheap), the shirt (you get a very nice running hat, instead), the mile markers which are non-existent (C'MON MAN!), or the spectators (very few). 3) You are running this because it is challenging and beautiful. 4) Bend is a great town and Central Oregon was very pleasant to visit. You really have to pick your poison and decide what you value in a marathon. If I had run this in a town other than Bend I may give an overall lower rating, but the town and Pisano's Pizza made-up for the marathon's shortcomings. Not sure I'd run it again, but I'd definitely visit the area.

This was my first trail marathon. The course was challenging but well laid-out. The race directors do a good job of organizing this one. I highly recommend it!

An excellent race! Footing was soft dirt and some gravel. "The hill" was a fire road, straight up in one go; view from the top is magnificent. The rest of the race was pretty easy. Lots of pine trees providing shade through most of the course. Weather was awesome - dry, with some clouds, and while the sun felt hot, there were cooling breezes. Post-race pasta and goodies went far beyond my expectations. Spectators were few and far between - very enthusiastic!

I ran the 1/2 marathon and I thought that this race was a blast and the course was perfect. I generally run on mountain bike trails and wilderness trails around Klamath Falls, OR and this was my first time on any of the trails around Bend. My conclusion is that the Bend trails are much more broken in and better maintained. What I mean is that the surface was super smooth and much easier and safer than the rocky trails I am used to (I love our trails - don't get me wrong). The trees along the course seemed to be exquisitely trimmed with trees adjacent to the trail for a fast feel but no branches to whack my head on. Some of the corners even had banked turns - I've never been on a trail like this! The course was almost too well marked - there were little orange flags everywhere. I don't understand how anybody could say it wasn't well marked. There were a few very technical climbs and descents that seem like they would be very challenging on a mountain bike but not bad at all on foot. Be advised, though, that this is real trail running and plenty of people ended up taking unexpected soil samples (with their knees, for example). The 1/2 marathon course consisted of moderate uphill for the first half of the course and similar descent for the second half. This isn't a fast course and I was 10 minutes slower than my last 1/2 in spite of having lost significant weight and being in better shape - so don't expect a PR. Do it because it is a fun race. There was no water (just beer) when I finished but thankfully more water showed up after awhile. The food was excellent. If you run the 1/2 marathon and are a (big) slow runner (like me), expect to be passed by a lot of the marathoners on the descent - the two races share the same course for the last six miles or so and the marathoners have an hour and a half head start. But as usual in a trail run, people were polite and friendly - no problems. I brought my camera and took photos during the race. This site doesn't allow me to post a URL in my review but if you go to Flickr and search for "Haulin Aspen," you'll see the seven mediocre photos I posted.

I ran this race in my quest for the 50 states and loved it. I had heard about Bend in all of the various outdoorsy magazines and finally talked my wife into going. Bend is a great place for a race. From the surrounding volcanoes, to the High Desert Museum, lava tube, Deschutes River float trips, great restaurants and golf courses, Bend has it all. Not to mention the weather - mid 40's to low 70's with no humidity. Being from the South, I loved it. Ah, to the race. The race was very well done. Great organization all the way through, from packet pick-up, to race shuttles. Everything went off on time, and there were plenty of water stops, with more GU and similar products than I have seen at races 5 times as big. Almost every stop had some there. Each stop was well stocked with fluids, volunteers. The post-race spread was great, and in a fantastic park. The race course itself was tough, but not unbearably so, even for a flat-lander like me. The first half is straight up, gradually so for the first 10 miles, and then it really turns up. About the halfway point, though, you turn into the woods and run back downhill on fun, soft, single track until almost mile 25. You finish with a little loop around the park. Overall, this is an extremely well organized, great destination race, surrounded by gorgeous scenery, with fun for the entire family.

I love the new half-marathon course. Plenty of parking, very well organized race, and a challenging course. I loved all of the markers and all of the mileage signs. Perfect! Thank you to everybody who organized and volunteered to make it so enjoyable for all of the runners.

Great community; great views; challenging course. This a real quad killer for those not prepared for the downhills.

A great race overall!! It really is a two-part race - uphill and then downhill. The last 11 miles of the race were by far the most fun of the course with the technical single track. The only thing that could have made this race any better would have been a river/creek crossing! Only suggestions: stock the aid stations for a trial marathon, not a road marathon; inform the 1/2 marathoners not to blare their music to where they can't hear people behind/around them; increase packet pick-up hours (2-6 cuts right into the middle of the day). Post-race food, drinks, etc. were the best/second best I've seen (tied with Flying Monkey). Worth every penny - one to do again, definitely.

I ran this one because there aren't many August marathons to choose from. I was not disappointed! During the first 16 miles of jeep trails, there is some modest climbing and a few steep areas. You also go by a crystal-clear stream, and get to enjoy a view of snowy Mt. Bachelor. Then, hold onto your hat as you cruise down 10 miles of well-surfaced single track. Be careful while you have fun; I saw quite a few people with trail rash from falls. The as-promised 9 aid stations were all well stocked with water and sports drink, and most had goo shots and sports chews. They were staffed buy fun, outdoor enthusiasts (most were parents/students associated with local cross country team). After the race we were all served a full lunch of roast pork, mixed green salad, bow-tie pasta salad, bread and brownies. Flying to Bend (Redmond RDM airport) isn't that tough, with flights from SEA, Portland, LA, SF, DEN, SLC, Los Vegas and the Phoenix area.

The trail is essentially up a forest road and down a single track trail. It starts out so cold but ends up being good weather for running.

I've done several trail runs and did the half marathon portion of this run. The trail wasn't terribly challenging nor was it very pretty. The race packet said half-marathoners would encounter 5 aid stations. There were only 3 and the last one was at 7.8 miles or so. Luckily I had my own water and gels, but the girl I entered with did not and was hurting by mile 11. The race organizers, spectators, and other runners were GREAT!!! I would do this race again because it was somewhat challenging, but the people made the race fun. The end-of-race medals were cool, and it was nice to get a finisher's hat rather than another t-shirt.

The first half of the course is up dirt jeep trails and gravel logging roads. The race moves up a big ridge that offers great views of the Cascades. Most of miles 2-14 were uphill. Most of the remainder was downhill on mountain bike single-track trail. While there were a few technical elements, most of the terrain was pretty fast. The event was run by some of the nicest volunteers and race managers I've ever met. It supports a local high school cross country program. Great food and drink at the finish line. I highly recommend this race for runners wanting to move from road racing to trails. It is great. I will run it again without question.

This was by far my favorite race to date! It's definitely not a race to run for a new PR though! The course was challenging and fun, and the scenic views were the best. Well-stocked aid stations had ripe bananas, which were wonderful on the go. The people at the stations were so nice and encouraging. This was a well-marked and organized race.

This course is for a younger and more agile group. I tripped numerous times and fell hard once. It is beautiful and provides a great challenge. Rather like being in the service - "glad I did it but will NEVER do it again." Very nice race director and crew.

This was one of tens of half marathons I've raced, and by far the most memorable. Bend, OR, is beautiful. Tall, tall pine trees, air so fresh it invigorates, and ample but not too much sunshine made this Californian totally want to return next year. While the race is definitely not for beginners (miles of inclines in both the half and full races), it is awesome for those who have done their homework. It truly was a real treat to race. I would totally recommend this to long-time runners/racers who are looking for serious challenge. The inclines are what let you do well; the steep declines were like skiing without the snow. Race directors did their homework with excellent course markings, and the food afterwards was the most abundant, and of the best variety for sure, of any race I've ever been to, including Chicago. Kudos to the guy who started us off; he and his wife did a great job organizing this beautiful, tough, challenging race. But don't enter unless you've trained!

This was the smallest field of marathoners for me yet, but by far the friendliest. The weather was perfect and the trail had scenic vistas and technical, forested single track. The aid stations were expertly spaced and adequately stocked with fluids, GU, and bananas. There was some light congestion with marathoners joining the half-marathon participants; however there was tremendous courtesy and respect for all racers, including those donning frilly tutus. There was an excellent blend of novice and veteran runners from all ages that offered insightful perspectives on training and marathoning. Excellent post-race food and beer encouraged runners to hang out creekside, as if attending a family reunion picnic. I had a blast!

I was really anxious going into this marathon because it was the first one I have ever run, and everyone told me it was a terrible first marathon! Because of the enormous and steep 7-mile climb, I suppose. That being said, I was very satisfied with the marathon and stepped up to the challenge. If it's your first, I think that the same rule applies as to seasoned marathon runners: training pays off, and quality training pays off even more. As long as you enter this marathon prepared (i.e you have trained both distance and hills), you can have an amazing experience. The course is spectacular, with amazing views, and the terrain was soft and nice on your legs (aside from the hills). I would recommend doing some light weight training for your legs because a lot of people pooped out and walked sections of the hill, which really slows you down. After the race, the food spread was awesome, with plenty to go around and all the right foods.

One appealing aspect of this marathon is the very liberal late entry fee-only $45 until 2 days before the event; and only a $10 increase the after that. Also, the race director generally permits day of race packet pick up, depending on the circumstances. This is an extremely challenging trail marathon, with a lot of climbing and challenging terrain-rocks (boulders), roots, tight turns, and steep decents (I found it almost impossible to 'run' these frequent portions). (Also a covered bridge and several narrow footbridge crossings). I would recommend against it as your first marathon event. That being said it is also an immensely scenic course with beautiful vistas of the surrounding forest - esp. at the top of the steepest climb. The course was generally well marked with yellow or red flags (yellow marked the accompanying half, red the full). The flags were mounted on small wire posts. Pay close attention if you are in the small (100 runner or so) marathon field, as there aren't any course marshals at any turns-you are on your own (myself and another runner overlooked some flag markings and ran about 1/2 mile extra). On the other hand I found the aid stations appropriately stocked and manned with a surprising assortment of Gu, bananas and Gatorade at the most critical junctures. (Early stations had Gatorade and water only.) I very much enjoyed the unique trail marking system of distances that weren't on "exact" miles as road marathons, and usually about 3 miles apart. It seemed like the race passed quicker in this manner, considering the scenery in between. A good deal of food, mainly "health" style at the end - much more food than similar marathons in size. Chicken and vegetarian pasta, ceaser salad, rye crackers and peanut butter, fruit, and more. Also beer water and sports drink. I didn't find the cowbell as unique a finisher's award as others thought it to be. As much as I appreciated the nice young and amicable cadets that worked the finish line, I would rather have been draped by a medal (primarly because it may have been the toughest marathon I feel I have probably ever run) - rather than the remark the cadet made: "Would you like a cow bell, sir?" (Incidentally marathon and half marathon finishers earned the EXACT same cowbell). No T-shirt is included with entry fee. A high-priced $25 technical T was available the day of the event, but the cotton t-shirts sold out at the expo the day before. Buy it then if you want one.

This is a well-organized trail marathon with good support from various organizations in the Bend community. It was well worth the seven-hour drive from Sacramento. The first approximately 4 miles take place in Shevlin Park with beautiful trails, a covered bridge, the sound of a rushing creek and young cadets standing at attention guiding the way at the turns. Miles 5-14 miles are mostly on a wide jeep/fire road. Miles 7-14 are going uphill and approximately miles 11.5 - 14.7 are a climb (2500 ft net gain). But as soon as I hit the aid station at 14.7, an absolutely beautiful single-track trail took me to the end (gradually descending with lots of fun, quick turns). Not technical, but plenty of roots/rocks to keep one focused. There were good aid stations with helpful volunteers who even filled my bottles for me. Course was well-marked with hundreds of flags and no chance of taking a wrong turn (well, a couple guys did but they had run the Crater Lake Marathon the day before and a nice runner went to collect them before they got too far). Great food from Johnny Carrino's at the end. But the best was the ice cold beer from Cascade Lakes Brewery waiting for me at the finish. In fact, after mile 24 it was my entire focus. Well, that and seeing my family at the end. We'll be coming back for next year's Haulin' Aspen.

This was my first trail marathon and I loved it, although I did discover how clumsy I really am. -Packet pick-up was a breeze, had no issues with shuttles and post-race party was great! Johnny Carino's did a great job, and having a beer while cooling your feet in the river was awesome! Great small race, friendly people and would recommend it for all. Only one major long hill - the rest was enjoyable. You don't need spectators on a trail run... but those that watched were very enthusiastic!

The hill was steep and LONG... but very worth getting to the top to get to make that turn into the woods and the long awaited descent! Beautiful run! Loved the cowbell finisher's medal and water bottle with the Haulin Aspen logo. Great food and free massages!! I will be back next year!!

The only thing I'm unsure about is the lack of mile markers. I don't like seeing them every mile but none for the whole corse? I don't know what's better.

The inaugural Haulin Aspen event proved to be an exciting first trail marathon; however, their is some room for improvement. Course - primarily was made up of two components (4X4 trails and single track). I found the hill/small mountain starting around Mile 10 or so to be very challenging. I believe the elevation gain was about 1840 feet over a distance of about 3-3.5 miles. Once the hill was behind you, it was all basically downhill. Aid Stations - Too infrequent. Need to be better supplied with water/drink/cups. At a minimum, I think they should also have the mileage covered noted. Volunteers were very nice - especially those working the hill (filled my water bottle - while I took a breather). Post-Party - One of the best (except for running out of beer - which was good). The food sponsors were nice, friendly, polite (lots of choices). The massage was a great way to relax.

I must say that this was my first 'trail marathon.' Being from Indiana, I was not sure what to expect with the altitude, hills, terain, etc., but it was a great event. I knew it was going to be challenging, but my biggest fear of getting lost was quickly put to rest by the hundreds of little orange flags that marked this course... no problems finding my way. The race director was very thorough, and what a nice group of people running the event. Even the local competitors that passed me during the event took time to ask me where I was from, what kind of day I was having and really felt like I was on a 26-mile training run with my buddies back home... kudos to the front-runners. Even when I finished, I heard...'Hey INDIANA, how'd you do?' As for the course, yeah it was challenging... the 3-mile hill at midway was a definite memory, but man do I love a challenge. The winding course home made me feel like a sports car on a slalom and the volunteers made all of us feel like winners. The volunteer young military people stood at perfect attention at the turns and I am sure that took some fortitude to stand there that long. The food at the finish from Outback Steakhouse was the pips, and thanks for the cool finisher's medal. I would highly recommend this race to someone looking for a 'real' challenge. Keep up the good work and I wish you the race director's continued success.

With 34 races under my belt, I can safely say this is the best organized race I've seen. Beautiful course, excellent shirt and medal, excellent support (though still a good idea to bring your own fast-draw bottle) and fantastic finish line chow. Grilled chicken and caesar salad, wow, that did hit the spot. Doing this race the day after Crater Lake, I actually enjoyed it more. Major kudos, I recommend it. (Disclaimer: Yes, I'm a local, but I am in no way affiliated with the race.)

This was my most fun marathon of 16. The marathon's debut was outstanding. Kudos for pre-race, course and post-race support. Being a forest trail run, spectators are not expected or necessary. The extensively-marked course was mostly on soft dirt roads and trails. The first half had an elevation climb of 2,500 feet. I ran the first half until the last half-mile, where I walked and enjoyed the awesome high mountain scenery. Then at 6000-ft elevation and the halfway point, the course turned downhill for over mostly shaded meandering single track. I relaxed with arms down and allowed gravity to do the work. Due to the dry air, I drank water at every stop, increasing to one cup per mile. A banner across a main street in downtown Grant's Pass, Oregon says: IT'S THE CLIMATE. That can also be said for Bend, a great place to go for an August marathon. The day started at a chilly 39 with 65 percent humidity and warmed to 78 with 15 percent humidity by noon. Suggested improvements for next year are clearly marked mileage at all aid stations and posting FULL MARATHON STRAIGHT AHEAD and HALF MARATHON TURN RIGHT just before the separation point.