Walker/North Country Races - Race Reviews

Started with hassle free parking at the high school across the street. Easy race day packet pickup and you can wait before the race inside in the school. A real nice shirt was given for the race. Everyone was really friendly and it was laid back like most ultra races are. Course was on roads 20%, asphalt trails, dirt trails and grass trails. The trails were well marked. We did have trouble with a volunteer telling us to go the wrong direction at mile 2. Runners corrected us and the race director was at mile 12 to ask each runner how much farther they had run. He then tried to adjust the course for that runner to get back to 26.2. A first class move by the director and he was at the finish line to talk to all runners. A great person. The aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were great. There wasn't a lot of places for spectators being mostly paths through the Chippewa National Forest. A real nice medal when you finished and you could go inside the school and take a shower before your drive home. They also have a 10K and half marathon distance as well. For a challenging course with great scenery you can't beat it. Low entry cost as well. Only 46 finishers so please run this race so I can at a later date. Hope they can economically keep running it. Thanks again to the race director and all the volunteers for a great running experience.

Not sure how much longer this marathon will last. But the town of Walker and race organizers put on a nice event. The shorter companion races are more popular. But the veteran marathon runner  the 50 to 70 year old codger set  enjoys this romp in the woods. The advanced ages of the marathon finishers and leaders are atypical. The trail is scenic and runnable, not technical, and the forest is full of fall colors. It doesn't get much easier than this  park near the starting line/finishing line of the race, sign up race day, and shower at the finish. If you need noise, music, cowbells and a lot of spectators hollering undeserved praise at you this is not the race for you. If you enjoy the peace of the outdoors, it's a great race. The spectators here are the volunteers who simply help runners. Nice.

I agree with the other comments on this site - this was 1/3 rough woods, 1/3 gravel road/trail and 1/3 road. It is much harder than a road marathon - my time was 4:48 instead of 4:25 I would've had on roads. I wish the medal had more details printed on it, but otherwise everything delivered as advertised. The scenery in the woods was awesome.

This was my first half-marathon (course is 2nd half of full course) and my first trail run. The distance wasn't a problem but the up-and-downs and the finish on the hill were very challenging. No potty stops along the way of the half, which I didn't like. But plenty of woods to use when no one's looking. If you're up for a trail run with a whopper of a finish, this is the one for you.

This was my 7th full marathon in 8 days, so the 7am early start was very appreciated. There were about 8 of us who took advantage of that start, and I'm glad I did, I needed all the time. The worst part was I took a wrong turn at mile 3. We were to follow the orange '26' arrows. The set I saw curved to the left, so that is the way I went. That took me right back to the start. The RD was great and got me back on course, but I ran a little more than 2 extra miles. It could have been marked better, but I'm not too upset about it. What is 2 extra miles after 182 for the week? This course had a little of everything: pavement, rail trails, dirt roads, wooded trails and grassy fields. It was a beautiful and fun course, and I found it to be only a little challenging. There was a lot of up and down in the woods, but not horrible. The aid stations were well stocked and were very friendly staffed. I'm from a rural area, so this didn't bother me, but it did bother some of my friends from bigger cities. There were multiple hunters in the woods, with dogs and Guns. About every two or three minutes you heard gun shots. I just hoped the hunters knew what they were aiming at. I had to stop once when a big dog stopped me on the trail and bared his teeth and wait for his owner to get to him. Again, I wasn't scared, but I knew some were. The end was pretty nice, you finish on the high school track. The medal was all right, simple but nice. I would recommend this marathon if you are ever in northern MN and want a beautiful fall run. One bit of advice, carry your own water bottle, some of the stops are not very close.

My wife and I did the marathon this year and had a blast. I started running road races in the mid 70s and this had that nice friendly retro feel to it. It is a great small town marathon. Since it is small you will spend a lot of time by yourself in the woods which we enjoyed greatly. I can't say enough about how enjoyable this race was. It features rough trails; plenty of roots, rocks and hills but that is more than compensated for by the beautiful scenery. As far as the extras go the aid stations had the essentials, the non technical long sleeve shirt was great, would have liked to have a medal that was specific to the marathon but something's you give up for a small marathon like this. If you are tired of large marathons and are looking for a well run race in beautiful country I would check this one out.

Walker Marathon is hidden jem. Small town, well organized, established. challenging course of road and trails thru the woods. Enjoy the beauty of woods.

This is Northern Minnesota at its best! I have run Big Sur and the beauty of the natural scenery here is a very close second. I am not a trail runner but the trails were challenging and fun. It took a bit more concentration to plant your foot on level ground. The miles went by fast because of the varied terrain. One moment roads, then paved bike trails, off onto woodland trails, etc. The variety kept the run interesting and made the miles fly by. The water stop fans were great and cheerful. The small nature of this run allowed my wife and kids to occasionally meet me and even drive with me for a short distance - unlike the large races like Twin Cities where one can't even get close to the finish line. I get tired or technical running shirts many races now hand out so the cotton long-sleeve shirt was a treat and the showers provided a blessing. In short the solitude, beauty, variety and great heart of the people who make this race happen means that this should be on every runner's life list to do once - if not every year!

This is an absolutely beautiful course. The fall foliage and lake vistas were breathtaking. The course/trail was well marked. Plenty of water stops. All of the volunteers, police, and EMTs provided an invaluable service to the runners. The shirts and medals were nice too. Overall, this was a very well organized event.

Beautiful scenery... beautiful scenery... friendly, helpful staff and volunteers... a well done marathon! The trail is rugged, but beautiful and well marked. The race director is committed to this marathon and most accommodating of the participants. There aren't a lot of spectators because of the isolated trails, but those at the aid stations make up for it! I really enjoyed this marathon and recommend it to anyone. Thanks to all who made this a great experience!

As others have said, this is a tough course through a beautiful area. The second half is tougher than the first, so be careful. Plenty of aid stations, even out in the middle of the woods. The organizers are great. Nice wind shirts - and ice cream bars at the finish. We even had a wine and cheese party afterwards.

I cannot say anything bad about this race. The organization and amenities are first-rate. The course has a little bit of everything, paved bike paths, city streets, rural roads, and about 13 miles on a heavily wooded convoluted rustic nature trail. The trail and hazards are well marked. Expect to slow down during trail portion. For those looking for less of a challenge, I would recommend the two-person relay or half marathon.

Special thanks for allowing an early (7 a.m.) start for a few of us! The course was well marked and the volunteers were terrific. There was no chance of getting lost. I am not a fan of hills or trails, but I knew that this had both going in. This is definitely the race for those who love that terrain and the solitude! Beautiful finisher's medal, and quality, embroidered wind-shirt.

The course mixes hiking trails, bike paths, unpaved country roads, and a few miles around Lake May and Leech Lake in Walker itself. The mix and the rolling terrain in lake country keep things scenic, interesting and quite challenging. The marathon organizers do a super job. They did their very best to make this both fun and very special with embroidered windshirts, door prize giveaways (of trolls), and warm showers at the finish. In addition, they painstakingly marked the hazards on the trail sections and had traffic stops for the road crossings even with a relatively small field. It almost goes without saying but the cheering section at a trail marathon is few and far between. You will find fans though where you need them as you climb that last hill to the finish.

Mostly trails, new course in 2003. Was quite chilly (42 degrees F). Nice wind-shirts instead of t-shirts. Trolls will soon become your friends in Walker.

... unless you like the challenge of a trail run. This is a great course in beautiful country. The organizers have worked hard to make sure that there are adequate aid stations and that the route avoids most of the busy highways (course was changed this year). While there aren't many (any?) spectators in the middle of the course, the volunteers at the aid stations and the police stopping traffic are all encouraging you. This was my first, and although the trail portion (about 10 miles) was very challenging, it was a great run.

A delightful, north country run surrounded by woods, great volunteers (aid stations served water and XLR8) who stand out there in downpours and simple fun. Having rolling trail for the middle of the marathon was wonderful.

This is a marvelous run in beautiful country. The trails are a test especially in the rain this year and the inclines leave you breathless. The hill at the end can be a heartbreaker but if you just keep your head down and your legs moving its surprising how quickly you get up it. The people are very friendly and hospitable. This year was special as we remembered the events of September 11th at the start. Canada and the world is with you neighbours. For those who want a challenge, are not expecting a PR and who find enjoyment in testing themselves on an unforgettable course this run is for them.

The course was very well organized, supported and the lower number of runners was a welcome change!

Not a lot of runners in this - perhaps 120 individuals and maybe 80 or so 2-person relays. What makes this race is the run through the woods. The race starts with a serious drop the first 1/4 mile, then another 7 miles till you bang a right into the woods on a well marked trail. The trail is up and down with not much flat. The footing is very uneven so be carefull not to turn an ankle. Don't go out too hard as the second half of the trail gets way harder with a couple long steep climbs. At 16.6 you hit a paved rail road bed which is basically flat but slightly inclined up for 2 miles and then the big, long climb to the high point at about 20 miles. Another mile through the woods and then take the paved trail into town. The last half mile is a real bugger that climbs big with the finish on the high school track. All in all a real treat of a marathon. As for fans...there were none except at the start, relay hand off, and finish...which doesn't really matter. A fantastic day in the woods running!

This is what long distance running is about. A lone battle with yourself in a beautiful setting. Lots of small hills and different kinds of surfaces like asphalt, sand, grass and dirt. Not a course to break your record. Well organized start/finish and enough aid stations. Especially the 9 miles through Chippewa National Forest are a reason to come back in 2001.

(Ran this in '97.) Run along with a 2-person relay in crisp fall weather. Most in woods of northern Minnesota. Loop course includes several surfaces: streets, highway shoulders, dirt and grass hiking trails, and asphalt bike trail. Lots of little ups/downs on hiking trail portion that take much energy and attention. There's a sharp uphill just before the finish on the high school track. Organization/amenities were sufficient. Artfully designed finishers' medals. Not a PR/BQ-type course, but rather a fun northwoods getaway.