Nutmeg State Marathon - Race Reviews

This race, like other multiple loop races I've run, is a labor of love. I'm running a marathon in 50 states to experience different things whether it be races, scenery, people and parts of the country. This 12 lapper added to the depth of those experiences. 12 times down the hill, 12 times on the flat and 12 times up the hill. The repetition is a different kind of mental challenge. I knew it would be so I trained on a 2.5 mile loop at home to prepare me for the repetition. I'm glad I did and would recommend that to anyone running this race. Also the hill gets to be a big deal. It's only about 100' climb but since you do it 12 times it's 1200'. That takes a toll on you. Beautiful setting, great experience, wonderful race director, low key event.

This was a great small field Marathon. The race is well organized and the course is well marked. The race director and his crew make everyone feel like they are family.

I also thought the 12 loops would get boring. They did not bother me at all. As you ran each loop you saw the park wake up. From everyday walkers to landscapers to then golfers I didn't mind the loops at all. Kept my food and drink by my car so carried nothing extra. Safe and well run. No crowds a handful spectators, which I enjoyed. Only complaint is that the port a potty was 1/2 a mile from the start....delivered in the wrong place. Maybe do it again and bring friends next time!

Here's what you need to know about the Nutmeg State Race and the New England Challenge series as a whole:  it's as close as many of us will ever come to having a personalized support team, one that treats EVERYBODY as an elite athlete. Need something specific at the aid station? Let them know ahead of time and they'll do their best to have it ready for you as you do a loop. Fast runner, slow runner - doesn't matter. Because Savage Racing and its volunteers treat all runners with much deserved and earned respect for getting out there and running. Yes, these are loop courses and that can be mentally tough, but the support from the aid station and organizers more than makes up for it. This race is around a golf course with plenty of shade but a deceptive hill/incline that you'll surmount 12 times. It's just an incline but it does take a toll on you  hence, the joy of that aid station. It's a small race so the spectators are few but mighty! The lower spectator star rating above is only because this isn't a race for people who need big-city block party supporters. This is a race for folks who love running and who love supporting others as they run. While one day is fine, it's best to try and do as many of the race days in the series as possible - there's something magical about running with the same group of people in different places over several days.

This is a race draws the Ultra crowd because it is 1 in a series of 5 marathons in 5 days. In 2015 it was about 100 runners in a quiet park outside Hartford, CT. It is a nice, quiet, well supported event with a nice, supportive staff. It is a loop race on a 2.1 mile paved loop so its excellent for pacing practice. There is one 90 foot, half mile hill in the loop that you climb 12 times.

I thought doing 12+ loops would be boring, but it was a really pretty, green loop around a nice golf course with trees and shade. The support was great, always a lot of food at the table we passed every loop, and friendly people. It was a great marathon to do if one needed a lot of support; I had an injury and had no idea how I would feel, and just knowing that every 2 miles I could stop and get whatever I needed from my car or the race crew got me through it. It was such fun, and I liked this race a lot.

I needed CT and thought it would be boring to do 12 plus loops, but had a great time instead! The course was a nice, green loop with trees around a golf course, and at the end of every 2 mile loop, there was lots of food, drink, support, and friendly interaction. I had an injury so it was great to run past my car for whatever I needed every loop. I had such a good time, I thought it was very well organized. The course was a little long, though, 27.6 according to GPS. I recommend this if you want a fun, laid back experience.

This race was well organized and super friendly! The course was a beautiful park/golf course asphalt trail. There was a great variety of food and drink like in an Ultra. The absence of time limit made it comfortable for those of us who are slower. Incredibly convenient parking & port-a-potties. Would do this again, and will join Chuck Savage next year for another in the NE Challenge!

If you're into small town laid back races this is the marathon for you! Ran this race as part of the full 5 day New England challenge. Super friendly RD, beautiful course, fully stacked aid stations, highly recommend !!!