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☰
Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail Marathon) Runner Comments
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 16 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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J. L. from Los Angeles, CA
(7/3/2020)
"Not for beginners!" (about: 2019)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail s
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is not a race you do for the medal or the shirt; they're both awful. The race itself is a cumulation of a lot of training, mindfulness, endurance and strength. You literally use every muscle of your body to get through this course. If you are more used to the flat course marathon, this will take much more time. You will, however, be very proud of yourself at the finish line. This is definitely a race where you and you alone will get you to that finish line. | |
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J. S. from Fargo, North Dakota
(8/22/2016)
"Northwoods trail adventure" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course has a lot of cool things to see along the way like a ski hill, woods, trails, rivers, bridges, climbs and descents. There is something new coming at you every step of the way so you are never bored running. You have to pay attention to what you're doing or you will trip and fall. This is a cool, adventurous, well run race set in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. | |
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R. S. from Phoenix AZ
(7/19/2016)
"Fantastic, well run trail marathon" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first trail marathon. It was scenic, beautiful and hilly. The people who run this marathon put in a lot of effort. The volunteers at the aid stations are encouraging, energetic and very friendly. The aid stations were well stocked with multiple beverages and foods even towards the end of the pack. I was towards the back and did not miss out on anything. At the end, you were given your medal around your neck and your tshirt and gift bag with a handshake and a first name greeting. This was my 7th marathon and believe the organization of the race and commitment of the volunteers were spectacular. The 3 stars for spectators is expected for a trail marathon. The volunteers deserve 5 stars. | |
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J. S. from ND
(7/15/2015)
"Great Race" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a difficult course with a lot of up and down mainly through woods on trails. It's a real adventure with ever changing sections. One minute you are on a bike path then into the woods, forge a stream, scramble up a mud bank, run up a tough power line clear cut. In another part we came off a ridge down a rope line. So it is a very cool course but not for the faint of heart. It's nice to get off the roads. Organization and volunteers were great. | |
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Lucas Heart from Wausau, WI
(3/22/2011)
"I have nothing but love for this one." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Half Voyager was my first real trail marathon (5th overall). It was incredible. Forget about time and focus instead on the beauty, challenge and wonder that exists in the world. The race was awesome. Literally, one of the most visceral experiences I've ever had. It was only my 5th marathon, but the running field was small, friendly and so supportive. Seriously, I made a bunch of friends during the run - partly because of the difficult course. Very, very hilly. | |
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S. S. from St. Cloud, MN/ Orlando, FL
(7/14/2010)
"Breathtaking" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My dad ran this race some years ago, so I had some idea what I was getting into when I decided to go for it. I didn't realize I would have the most fun race of my life. Don't get me wrong; the race wasn't a frolic through the forest. It was an arduous, rugged hill-fest that required all of the tenacity I could muster. The course starts with a relatively easy climb to the top of Spirit Mountain- about 600 feet in five miles, but with good footing and on pretty wide trails, though they can pretty much all be mucky. If you talk with people about the course, you will almost invariably hear a few of the same things: Power lines, and Jaro's (spelling?) Beach. The beach is a boulder field filled with sharp-edged rocks, but you get that out of the way by mile seven or so. The power lines are another story altogether. Imagine a 45-60 degree embankment with a swath cut through it that climbs for a couple of hundred vertical feet. Then, go up and down some of these three times or so. And did I mention that since it is under power lines you are fully exposed to the heat of the sun? And the trail surface is clay? Bad news if it rained (it hadn't for my race). But don't let any of this discourage you. Being surrounded by the forest and landscape is as motivating as cheering fans in some ways. And the support people at aid stations (every 2.5-4 miles or so) are hugely helpful and for a so-called no-frills race, it is well stocked: water and energy, plus cookies and bananas, Coke, salt, and more, especially at the later stations. If you're not from the northern Minnesota area, I think you'll be impressed by not only the beauty of the landscape but the gracious hospitality of the residents as well. A must-run race, if you're up for a challenge! | |
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C. I. from Barnesville, MN
(7/12/2010)
"Lots of fun!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running the Half Voyageur, but I have run the full 50 in previous years. I decided to run this as training for the 50 this year. The course is a lot of fun and provides a good challenge. It is a very low-key and relaxed atmosphere. The volunteers were VERY helpful and the organization was great. I would definitely run again! | |
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G. G. from Minnesota
(7/11/2010)
"The Tester" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Most gratifying test that I have ever completed. Great, low-budget, intense workout that requires both mental alertness and physical fortitude. Depending on the year/course, you will either have a faster course with hills or a slower course with hills. Loved it. Got wet, dirty, and a little bloody. Well worth the price. Only recommendation for improvement is to update the website and maps for the marathon - they are all intended for the ultra, and this can be confusing to newcomers/spectators. Good opportunity to go primal in the woods with a couple of other crazies. Bring two pairs of shoes and socks. Take your time at the water stops... replenish and recover. The power lines are best managed by slowly overcoming them... otherwise they will sap you of your own power. The final 2.5 are pretty technical and require dancing feet and "toes up" running to avoid both river rock and root... and being that you have already put down 24+ miles, that's kind of tough to do. The frontrunners are amazing and put down some incredible times - they were referred to as "goats" for their ability to scamper through technical/rocky terrain so quickly. My favorite race ever. | |
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W. B. from Esko, MN
(7/13/2009)
"LOVE IT!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 After Grandma's, this one is always a piece of cake! | |
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Kirsten Just from St Paul, MN
(7/12/2009)
"I had no idea" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly the Half Voyageur Trail
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Had I known what the course was like, I never would have signed up with as little trail-training as I did. It was only my second marathon (my first being Grandma's in June of this year), and I disregarded the warnings from past runners about its difficulty. The greatest part about the whole run was seeing these ultra-marathoners in action. (Many did this as a training run for the 50-miler there in 2 weeks.) They are so kind, and so tough, and they are the types of people I want to be like. I was surrounded by heroes. I completed the race in a few minutes under six hours. Now that I've done something I would've thought was impossible, I realize I can do more, so I signed up for a 50-miler in October. The volunteers and directors were awesome. I'm coming back next year. Thank you, Voyageurs! |
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