WhistleStop Marathon - Race Reviews

About 90% of my running is on asphalt so I was a bit apprehensive after reading the reviews of the trail but I had no problems with it. I had to be a little careful to find the ideal footing in some spots but no different than dodging potholes or other runners in a big city marathon. The course feels flat but is actually a steady decline which helped me PR and BQ. The race was well organized with buses taking us to the start where there were ample portajohns and the local bar let us in to hang out and keep warm. There were aid stations every few miles and the finish was well stocked with food and volunteers checking on your condition as you recovered, something you won't find in a big marathon. I really enjoyed this marathon and hope to do it again sometime.

Trail is very flat, but remember to wear a pair of thick sole shoe cause many small stones and on the trail and the surface is not smooth. I got my PR after Chicago (that is 6 days before). The organization could be improved. I talked with race director and believe she will make changes in the future. Spectators are few, the reason I can understand. But the after race party is great, good city with good people. I booked Airbnb in the city, then make the race more convenient.

Flat scenic course, very well organized, very helpful and friendly community. I would highly highly recommend doing a good portion of your training on gravel or trail because this gravel trail will wreck you if you are not prepared for it. It was very hard to find a good hard packed line to run....mix in some very soft and sandy sections and gravel and it can be tough on your body. It's a great race if you are prepared for the instability of the running surface... I learned the hard way that this course is no joke.

This was a well organized event. The night before there was a pasta dinner and check-in - at the general location of the start and finish line. Hotels in Ashland were kind of expensive so I stayed at the Lodge on the Reservation - about 10 miles away. We were bused to Iron River for the start. There was a lodge there, and they were polite and friendly to let runners hang out there until the race started. It was slightly below 50 degrees at the start time, and it warmed to a comfortable temperature for running an autumn marathon. The first mile or so was on a paved path/road that joined us to the old railroad bed. I thought the running surface was great. Early on it was a bit loose, but overall it was a great running surface. The grade seemed to be slightly downhill heading to Ashland, and that helped. There were not a lot of spectators, but there were crossroads every mile or so, and I would keep seeing the same folks cheering as they moved along with the runners they were cheering on. Being in the right place at the right time helped. I crossed the finish line and received my medal and T-shirt, but I had a medical emergency right after finishing the course. So the medical staff had to jump into action on my behalf. They were in the right place at the right time, and performed flawlessly (I am still alive!) but I was admitted to the hospital in Duluth by the end of the day. I highly recommend this race. The organizers did a great job!

I went to Ashland looking for a new PR based on the elevation map of the course and the description which says 'The course offers a flat and fast running trail surface that is firm.....an excellent PR course'. I trained on crushed limestone trails near Madison to prepare for the surface, but it was nothing like I expected. Very soft dirt for most of the first 6 miles and then a combination of dirt and gravel until the final 2 miles on asphalt. It is used for ATVs so it takes a beating. It had been freshly graded to smooth it out in places, leaving a smooth but very soft surface. Beautiful scenery and a very supportive community made for a nice day, but not a fast one. Lodging is scarce and expensive so plan early. All the decent lodging was sold out before registration for the race opened.

Pertaining to 2014 full marathon Pros- Friendly staff, volunteers, and residents: lodge at the start line was not big enough to hold everyone in the cold, brisk weather but staff there was amazing; more than enough hands at aid stations and finish line. Well organized and small enough for future growth: everything seems well thought out with start times, mile markers, emergency responders, etc. Inexpensive race with lots of amenities / support: simple spaghetti / broiled catfish dinner included night prior; 15 well supported aid stations; plenty of food at the finish line and a nice jacket for finishers. Beautiful and relatively flat course. Never too many runners. If I wasn't working on trying to qualify for Boston -expecting to use this as a stepping stone, it would be a race I would return to again. Cons- Course had 'recently' been grated due to erosion from rainfall. For a technical trail runner or an adventure racer, I would imagine this course to be almost too easy, but for someone who runs 100% on cement, asphalt, or packed dirt/gravel it was more of a challenge than it was worth for my goals. Imagine running in 3-4 inches of loose sand on a packed ground every 10 feet for 10 feet. Throw some ankle-rolling-sized rocks in there every so often and that's how it felt for the first 11-12 miles. The overworked calves and small stabilizing muscles didnt have a chance which made for a rough finish. Very pretty trail but I spent all but a few glances scanning the trail for ATV tracks, erosion, rocks, and for a better footing. Much zig-zagging. Best time on course was 30-40min slower than any best course time of previously completed race. Should have been an indication before I signed up for my slowest race yet. Great race and I am glad to have experienced it but it was not what I expected.

If you love nature, you'll love this course. I heard great things about this race but was hesitant to run another full marathon after taking an 8-year break. I followed an awesome training plan so that I would be better prepared for this race than I had been for my previous fulls. It only makes sense that if you're going to run a trail race, you will want to train at least some of your miles on similar terrain. That's easy to do even in an urban setting. For example, if you're running the Mpls chain of lakes, just run on the dirt path next to the paved trail as much as possible. Also, get out on some of the regional trails for your long runs. I don't understand the previous reviews from runners complaining about the trail. What were they expecting? Smooth, packed dirt 4 feet wide with no rocks for 26.2 miles? This really IS a fast course because it's so flat. The starting area is great because you can huddle in the warm lodge until it gets close to starting time (huge bonus for this freeze-baby!). We had GORGEOUS weather this year (2014) which helped to make the miles just fly by. The sun was pouring down on the tall birch trees with their bright yellow leaves which lined the entire course. The many bridges we crossed over in the second half were a lot of fun and added nice variety. I brought an iPod shuffle with me in case I felt the need for a little extra motivation in the last miles, but I never turned it on. I was just soaking up the peacefulness of the day and soaking it all in... and it never got old. Whistlestop is a relatively quite marathon because of the setting, and that was refreshing. The aid stations were plentiful and nicely spaced with fantastic volunteers. Regarding the last person's comment about wooden train whistles, I don't know what they did in past years, but we did get high-quality jackets this year and a nice medal. The overall and age class winners DID get wooden train whistles too. And they're cool. A PR on this course is entirely achievable, and it happened for me. I absolutely loved this race and would recommend it to anyone.

Pros: Very pretty course. Great weather. Frequent and well supplied aid stations. Friendly volunteers. Runner pasta dinner cost included in price of marathon. Very cool tech jackets for finishers. Cons: I had heard the course was smooth firm crushed limestone. But instead it was very beat up sandy dirt with rock, ATV tracks, and very little smoothness. Red loose gravel for several pockets around bridges and road crossings. Had to keep my eyes on the trail and dart back and forth to try to find firm footing for most of the course. Very mentally fatiguing and rough on calves and shin muscles. Feet were exhausted by mile 13 due to course. I think these conditions were exceptional compared to what I have heard from years past. However, I would strongly recommend avoiding this course if you haven't trained on similar conditions or if you are hoping for a fast time.

All the amenities of a big city race with the ease and friendliness of a small local race. Unique and fun. - Organizers promptly answer stupid email questions with friendly humor. - Great course. Scenery is fantastic. I BQ-PR'd, and would go back for another PR attempt. - Trail surface. You should practice a bit on gravel so you know what to expect. Some areas were washed out this summer and had to be repaired. Not perfect, but organizers did a great job of prepping the course. Wimbledon is grass, Whistlestop is gravel; it's a good thing. - Spectators. Not a great race for ego boosting, but if trees are your favorite spectators you'll be happy. If your ego needs boosting, there's a big race in Chicago on the same weekend. - Organizer and events. Very well run and professional with all the usual amenities, but in a manageable size where you're not just a number. - Misc. Lot's of food and water, nice post race tent with music, showers, they return your cast off clothing. Organizers really put their best effort out. Big Disappointment - They gave out medals. Friends told me I'd get a train whistle. It's amazing how much this bummed me out. I'm still bummed. If you live near WI this is a 'bucket list' race.

Great race for a marathon. The spectators are great, but you do long stretches without seeing many if them. It's run in an old railroad bed of crushed limestone. That surface isn't my favorite, but I do think the course in conducive to getting you a BQ time. Great organization, great Saturday Night Beer Tent, and very welcoming town. Highly recommend.

The terrain was a bit softer than I had trained on, but I knew this going in and had't trained on the right surfaces, so I am partially responsible. There are some softer spots and it is hard to take the tangents if you are looking for the hard-packed spots. Will definitely do it again. Well organized for a small town race. It is a trail race so fans are in small pockets, but they are high energy and the water/food on course was good.

The course is suppose to be flat and fast with limestone. Well my experience was horrible with the course being very sandy, washboard, and areas of granite stone. If you want to run this race make sure to train on a gravel road. The packed areas were about a foot wide where the runners were single file. I emailed the chamber of commerce and they apologized as they were having construction installing broadband. Really??? Never again, and I looked back and there participation has dropped over the years I should've known. On a good note the volunteers were awesome with plenty of water stops with food and bathrooms.

I ran the full in 2010 and the half in 2013 and both races were PRs thanks to the flat course! The course is on a graveled recreation trail and does have some soft spots, but if you can train on unpaved surfaces that should not be an issue come race day. The fall colors make the course quite beautiful, and both years I ran the weather was nice (50s and 60s), although some years the temps have been quite cool. Spectators are limited along most of the course, but those that are there make a lot of noise, and the aid station workers are great, too. The half marathon start is an hour earlier than the full, so there is not a lot of overlap or finish line congestion between the two events. Race weekend also coincides well with the fall color show, so the area's natural beauty provides a beautiful backdrop for the race. Finishers medals and shirts are unique, although they do not specify which race you completed (not a big deal to me, but I know that is an issue for some runners.) Overall, unless you crave the big city-style marathon, I would highly recommend this race to anyone. I can't wait to run the Whistlestop again!

Loved this event! I loved the surface; yes maybe it slows you down a little but that's more than negated by two factors: 1. The course has a very gradual down hill of 500 feet spread over 16 miles. You won't even notice you're going down hill, but you do and it for sure helped. 2. The course has all of 4 turns. There's no worrying about tangents; you turn onto the trail right after the first mile and stay straight on it for the next 24 miles or so. It means that when the course gets certified it can be a lot closer to being truly 26.2 miles and not much more. The town of Ashland revolves around this marathon and a festival for the weekend; it's wonderful to be a part of it. When I rate the spectators 5 star that's with the caveat that this is a small town marathon run on a trail so of course between aid stations there are few if any spectators. But the aid stations were well manned with plenty of hydration and cheers. We stayed at the Best Western which allowed us to walk to the expo, bus pick up on race morning, and back from the finish line. It's a great old quaint hotel.

Pros: Asland is a beautiful town with very hospitable people. Great accomadations. Pre-race packet pickup is a breeze. Pre-race pasta dinner was good. Bus trip to start line was warm and efficient. Start area had lots of port-o-potties and last mimute fluids and some race needs. Lots of port-o-potties on the course. Blues and Brew Fest was great. Cons: Running surface was soft and loose. It was suppose to have been rolled, watered and brushed in some areas. I found that most runners ended up running in line to try to stay on the firmest footing one could find. It got to be tiring with the loose gravel. I found the trail to be a lot softer than I was lead to believe on the website. The tailwind was not very noticable with all the surrounding trees. The wind actually was a head wind in some places. Although the shirt and medal are very nice there is no distintion between the marathon and Half-marathon finishers. Would like more to drink at finish than water, power aid, and chocolate milk.

This was my first Whistlestop Marathon and an overall good experience Pros: Overall downhill course, beautiful countryside, Nice medal/shirt, very enthusiastic fans every 1-2 miles -awesome!, running surface was less jarring than pavement. Aid stations were better than most marathon aid stations a few had much-appreciated food (fruit, cookies, pretzels, gel). We weren't able to make it to the pasta feed/fish boil the night before, but that sounds like an inviting touch. Cons: Running surface was Soft gravel/sand, which made it a steady leg-fatiguing effort to find a decent part of the road to run on. My hip flexors were pretty shot after a while, due to lifting my knees higher than usual. It was a cold dry race with a strong tailwind, which was great, but we got pretty dehydrated and low on electrolytes and there was little electrolyte replacement at the finish - salty broth soup would have been nice. Also, heat in the civic center might have helped too. Overall, this was a fast course, especially with the strong tailwind, but probably isn't normally a PR course, but a pretty quick race. I am glad I ran it and recommend it to trail runners and nature lovers.

Well organized from start to finish. Course was sand and gravel.. Unfortunatly mostly sand! There was only about a 1 foot wide path (pounded down by the runners ahead of me) that you could really run on so it was single file follow the leader pretty much the whole way. Passing was very difficult.

The Whistlestop is a pretty fun race. There was a very limited expo, but plenty of food at the pre-race meal. There are shuttles to the race start, which was really exciting. Some people complained about the course surface, but I personally thought it was fine. It's another railroad grade race - so pretty level. Shirt was very nice. I was a little disappointed with the lack of a massage at the end (they had them available for an extra cost, but I didn't bring money with me). This was my 9th marathon and, overall, I had a good deal of fun.

I ran this race in 2007 and loved everything about it. In particular, I thought the running surface was pretty consistent and there always seemed to be enough firmness to maintain good toe-off. I ran a 3:08 that year and it was a PR for me at the time. Not this year (2010). The first 7 miles had been over-layed with road base stone, which was awfully loose and difficult to run on if you are a fast runner. Miles 7 through 17 were not much better, with many stretches of loose gravel. Lots of hunting for somewhere to run among the group I ran with. Very frustrating, but only if you are competitive and looking for a PR. If you're in it just to run it and have fun, it would probably not be that bothersome and you may find the surface forgiving, which it certainly is. I just don't think the course is fast enough for those who seek that elusive Boston qualifier or their next PR. Having said all of this, it is a very well organized race. The pre- and post-race activities are first rate, and although the crowds are sparse, they remain quite enthusiastic. It's also a great area to visit if you can find lodging. We rented a cottage in Bayfield, about 30 minutes north of Ashland. So, a well organized small-town race set against spectacular fall colors over a really crappy gravel surface - at least for those seeking speed. I will not run it again - at least until I'm old and slow and without a care in the world.

I'm a newbie runner and this was my 2nd 1/2 marathon. I was expecting a slightly faster time considering the flat surface; I can only attribute my slower time to the sandy surface. But it was still faster than my first 1/2 marathon 2 months ago, which was paved BUT HILLY. I'll take flat and sandy any day! At least the course was consistent throughout, which helped me keep a pretty steady pace, and I was able to turn it on at the end when we reached town. Add to that the beautiful scenery, friendly runners and volunteers - and a festival to boot - and you've got one swell race!

I really liked this race for the wonderful folks who came out to help - there were a good number of water stops staffed by very helpful people, some of them dressed up themselves. The shirt is great too! The course was definitely softer than I anticipated, but I enjoy running on trails.

I'm disappointed with this race. The course surface was soft and sandy, with some stones. I was constantly moving back and forth in search of a firmer surface in order to get good traction. It was like running 26.2 miles on a beach. Definitely not a race for a PR or BQ. Also, runners for the half marathon received the same finisher shirt and medal as the runners for the marathon. So most of the field just ran the half marathon. There was no additional or separate recognition for marathoners. Only 650 marathoners. Calves and feet were very sore and cramped from running the soft course. After-party celebration blues and beerfest was excellent and a lot of fun. Very few motels or hotels in the area. Rooms were very expensive: $ 145.00/night at a Super 8? The town was very supportive, and there was good turnout. But I probably will not return.

I was very happy to have chosen the Whistlestop for my first marathon. The experience was pure joy. I felt well cared for all weekend and well rewarded with my shirt and medal. The $8 fee to engrave the medal is also a nice option. The volunteer staff were amazing. There were so many adults and children helping with the Friday night dinner and offering water along the course that I could want for nothing. PowerAde, gel and bananas were also offered. Regular cheering and water stations kept my spirits up too. The course is beautiful this time of year. It is also correctly advertised as easy-on-the-knees with the gravel bed. That said, some parts of the course were pretty much on loose rock and not packed down.

This is my second Whistlestop Marathon and I have had very good experiences. The course is primarily soft and flat. The whole town gives support for this, and it is fun! If you plan on doing this, book lodging early or you will be doing a lot of shuttling. I am sure with a few more ideas they will fine-tune the shuttling, but it pays to do your lodging homework. Plenty to do after the race as well. Very scenic and romantic area. I plan on doing this race for years to come.

This is my second time running this marathon. I first ran in 2007 and always planned on coming back... not again. I really enjoy everything about this marathon except for the running surface - it has degraded since I last ran. The people, town and area are great.

My experience with this marathon was pretty good. It was my 6th one and I was shooting for a sub-3. I finished in 3:00:38, which I am happy with. I think that I could have come under three hours if the footing were better. The race is described as a flat and fast course with firm footing, but the majority of the trail was loose gravel/dirt. Just be aware of that when you sign up. Everything else about the race was superb. The water stops were plentiful. The spectators were few, but it was through the coutryside, so that was to be expected. The spaghetti dinner was great, with nice live music. The Blues and Brews party was a lot of fun. The volunteers were great, especially the ones at the finish line. I was immediately wrapped in a blanket and given water and sports drink. Lake Superior was close by for a post race ice bath. I had fun, but would have liked a little more of a firmer running surface. The medal was mediocre, but the shirt was awesome.

The 2010 Whistlestop was my first full marathon, and I don't think I could've chosen a better race to start with! The course was essentially flat (there were a few elevation inclines, but compared to training runs I wouldn't even call them small hills!), so it's excellent for a beginning marathoner. The trail was soft in spots, but pre-race announcements warned exactly where those trouble spots were and how to best avoid them. The volunteers at the start, aid stations, and finish area were all great! Of any race, no matter the length, I have never seen an overall group that was so positive, helpful, and genuine in their cheering! There weren't a whole lot of spectators, but those on the course cheered heartily for everyone who went by! The only negative I found was that, as a back-of-the-pack finisher, I didn't get the size of shirt that I ordered. (I was registered way before the early bird deadline, so it was a bit disheartening to not get the right size.) Even so, I would recommend this event to everyone! It was a great atmosphere and great location! Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers for making my first marathon a great one!

The course was flat, but the ground was very soft with lots of loose rocks. Had to watch the trail closely as not to fall. If you are looking for a race with lots of spectators and support, this is NOT it. Almost no one on the entire course. The pasta feed was simple but good and Blues and Brew fest was a MUST-attend. Overall, I liked it but will probably not run it again.

I had a great experience at WhistleStop! I didn't decide register until all of the hotels were already full, but I got on waiting lists at a few hotels in Ashland. I ended up staying at the River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, which felt like home. It was about nine blocks to the finish line from the hotel, but it wasn't a bad walk. The weather was cold on race day! But after running Twin Cities 2007 and the Minneapolis Marathon in 2009, I have had enough of running marathons in temperatures above 70 degrees! It was a little windy too, but the trees protect the trail from most of the wind. As far as I know, the marathoners didn't have any trouble getting to the start line on the shuttle buses, but I know there were issues for the half marathon and 5K runners (not enough shuttle buses). At the start line, I was able to stay in the Iron River Resort to keep warm. The owner was so gracious to let anyone in that wanted to. I came back for one of his famous Bloody Mary's the next day. :) The trail is soft in certain places, but the organizers did a great job of making the runners aware of the trail conditions. I don't like soft surfaces because it feels like you're putting more energy into each step than one you're getting out of it, but at least I knew what to expect. The runners seemed to thin out pretty quickly from the start. There weren't a ton of spectators, but the ones that were out were awesome - especially for standing out there in that cold weather! Great water stops too, and great volunteers. The scenery and fall colors were very pretty. I beat my previous PR by 20 minutes and ended up qualifying for Boston! I wasn't expecting to do that well, but I think the cold weather and flat course really helped me. The course is overall downhill, but it was so gradual that I honestly couldn't tell. The post-race Blues and Brews fest was so fun! The community seems very supportive of the whole event. I would definitely come back to run this marathon again.

This was a well-organized marathon with a small-town atmosphere. The fall colors along with snow on the course made for a unique experience. The course is soft in places, and may be easy on the joints, but it requires more effort to run on than asphalt. Sign up early if you're interested in this race; nice lodging fills up fast. Overall, an excellent race to run. Put it on your list.

It was in the low 30's and windy with some ice and snow on the ground at first, but as long as you prepare ahead of time for what could be challenging weather conditions, it's a great race to run. It's well organized and a beautiful course. If you want to run on consistent, hard surfaces, this isn't it. There were a few soft places, but overall the course was in good shape. I'd consider it a fast course, but the elevation drop wasn't as noticeable as I expected. The spectators are enthusiastic and the town of Ashland is very supportive and a great environment for a race. Good pre-race dinner too. The post-race party with a heated tent, beer and good bands was great. If you're someone who values having fun when the race is over, this is one to do.

The course is beautiful with the changing fall colors. The elevation map is a little deceptive; while the course does drop, there are some mild hills on the way. There were few spectators, which was to be expected. The people at the aid stations were all incredibly supportive, though, especially given that the race-day weather conditions were challenging (low 30s, windy, recent rain/snow). It is a trail run, so the weather can be more of a factor. The race is well-organized, and the small community is quite supportive. If you plan to go, make sure to try to get lodging arrangements secured early, as the few hotels in town book up quickly.

I really enjoyed the entire course and the scenery. The course was flat and protected from the wind. I ran a personal best and a BQ. Nice celebration at the finish. Great medal, and the windbreaker race "shirt" was also good.

If you want to run a fun and charming small-town race with the most beautiful fall leaves one could wish, then Whistlestop is your race. If you want to run a Boston qualifier, I found the soft ground gradually wore down my legs, much like running on a beach, and my hope for a good time disappeared around mile 16. Even so, this was a fun race, and it was very well organized.

We're doing 50 marathons in 50 states, and we'll be back to do this a second time - that's how good it is!! Course is a straight-shot on wide trail, completely tree-lined. The fall colors were at their peak while we were there, which was nothing short of awesome. Not a lot of room for fans, but the ones who are out are great! Some were handing out homemade chocolate chip cookies!! Post-marathon Blues and Brews was a lot of fun... who doesn't like microbrews?!?! Can't ask for a better town.

I fell in love with this race three years ago and keep coming back. It's a fast course, easy on the body, offering a chance to get lost in nature. I wish that you would have more aid stations in the first half of the race, like every two miles. It is easy to NOT get enough fluids on this course. Two aid station had at best 2 ounces in the cups only, and a third had no one handing out the PowerAde. Get the aid station problem fixed, and you have a GREAT RACE, as the party, medals, people, food, and everything else are EXCELLENT! I set a PR: 3:18.

This was by far the most beautiful course (5K to marathon) that I have ever run on. You can't beat the enthusiasm of the organizers, aid stations, and townsfolk. If you're old enough and from a small enough community, think back to your first road race and this setting will restore the moment. I was hoping for a PR, but my impression is that the rain earlier in the week wasn't kind to the course. A lot of energy was expended that didn't result in me moving forward. Nonetheless, I wouldn't trade it for Chicago. Great event, great people, great setting.