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WhistleStop Marathon Runner Comments
Back to WhistleStop Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 77 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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P. H. from US
(10/17/2010)
"Nice scenic race with great support" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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K. C. from Fort Wayne , Indiana
(10/12/2010)
"Soft, Tough, Slow Course" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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. | |
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M. K. from River Falls, WI
(10/12/2010)
"A wonderful experience" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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J. B. from Madison, WI
(10/12/2010)
"This is a beautiful, small-town atmoshpere run!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 WhistleStop Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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. | |
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K. T. from Royal oak, mi
(10/11/2010)
"Need to work on trail surface" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 WhistleStop Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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Mushroom Dan from Michigan
(10/11/2010)
"Great race, but..." (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
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J. H. from Iowa
(10/10/2010)
"Excellent Choice for First Marathon" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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! | |
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L. G. from Lake City, MN
(10/10/2010)
"Flat but rough" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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. | |
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E. G. from Rochester, MN
(10/22/2009)
"My 4th marathon and the best one yet!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 WhistleStop Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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W. Y. from Kentucky
(10/13/2009)
"Beautiful "Trail Marathon"" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. |
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