North Central Trail Marathon

Respectfully request for early start to allow time for senior & slower runners as well as the management. This year I finished last. Be so grateful & much obliged if name is included in results list; bucket list is counting full marathons completed. From a satisfied oldie marathoner.

The organization of this race was really well done and I was very impressed by the efficiency of packet pickup, bag check, and the awards ceremony. The course is ideal for fast times with the first half having a slight uphill grade and the second half then being downhill. However, there isn't much in terms of scenery change and it can get a little monotonous out there, especially once the runners thin out and you spend large sections with few others around you. I ranked the spectators a 3/5 just because there weren't a ton of them (think a handful every mile or two) but the ones out there were terrific. Since it is an out and back course there is also the chance to cheer on fellow runners you meet along the way which provided a big boost. Great swag with the quarter zip and fleece blanket. Overall, I would definitely do this race again because of the people involved and the PR I got here.

I participated in the 2017 NCR Trail marathon and really enjoyed it. I have done one other trail marathon and enjoy running out and back nature trails type marathons. I enjoy these rail trails because as you go through the old train stations you come to crowds of spectators and usually water stops. Then you return to a more secluded run where you can take in the surroundings. This marathon was well organized and the volunteers were super friendly and helpful. If you are looking for crowds, this is not the marathon to sign up for. If you want to get in a 26.2 that is flat, scenic and not crowded, then this is for you. The price was great and the swag was the best. Very nice quarter zip under armour and a gigantic cozy sweatshirt blanket at the finish. This is handy because you have a bit of a walk to the gym for your post race refreshments. The hot vegetable soup was tremendous! I would have been fine without the veggies in the broth, but still wonderful. The results were immediately available in the gym too. I would definitely do this one again. Great way to burn off the Thanksgiving calories. It was an easy morning drive from NJ to the race, but allow for holiday traffic on the drive home.