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Pine Line Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Pine Line Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 2.9
Number of comments: 40 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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Kathryn Waldron from Green Bay, WI
(4/27/2019)
"Absolutely Wonderful!" (about: 2019)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Pine Line Trail Marathon, and I definitely hope to run it again! I can't express how much I appreciate the race day registration option as well as packet pickup! And the sport of running can become quite expensive, so I SO much appreciate the affordability of this race. The volunteers and everyone involved in this charming, small town race are second to none! Thank you all so much for this most awesome marathon! God Bless You All! | |
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Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan
(4/26/2016)
"Small Town Marathon With Lots to Offer" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Pine Line Marathon is a small town marathon, and unfortunately, it was not well known outside the area. I found out about Pine Line only a couple of weeks ahead of time. The reviews I read were not glamorous, and one person I talked to, who previously participated in it even said it was boring . In any case, I was looking for an upper mid-west April marathon to participate in, and Pine Line was it. One of the factors in getting race information was that the website was a Facebook page (which I could not access). But on the Medford Chamber of Commerce calendar, for the date of the race, information was available. I just needed to know where to look for the information. I had to drive 3 1/2 hours through the Wisconsin back-roads to get to Medford, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It seems that the race director, Andrea, also ran the Chamber of Commerce, and I registered with a volunteer over the phone. The other alternative was to mail in a paper copy registration form. Anyway, St. Pauls Church was the focal point for pre- and post-race activity. Check in was Friday evening or early Saturday morning. Pasta dinner was served by the church Friday evening too. It was great food, and lots to eat. There were local motels and camping options too. The campground was not officially open until May 1st, so they let us camp for free! The race started right around the corner from the church in the city park & campground, along the pond , where the river through town was dammed. The race started at 8:00 am, and a volunteer and runner named Tim sang the National Anthem for us and he did an awesome job! The announcer coordinated with the timing organization, and at the sound of the siren, we were off. About a mile along the pond, we turned on to an arterial road, over a bridge, and then on the trail. The trail was really a mixture of several different running surfaces. It started as a mixture of gravel and sand, then part of it was like clay that had tracks and footprints in it that was kind of baked in by the sun (it was the most uneven part of the course, with potential for tripping). Some very short segments actually had raised crushed gravel, usually where repairs had been made by work crews. Then some was like thin mud, which had not dried out completely from snow melt-off. And a lot of it was just two track with grass in the middle and on both sides too. But there was no standing water, and there was no muck or thick mud to track through. The conditions were probably a bit slower than if running on pavement, but it was a manicured trail, and was probably easier on the runners. There were volunteers stationed at places the trail crossed busier roads, and there were aid stations about every two to three miles, and strategically placed port-a-potties too. The turn-around was a barrel placed on the trail. The aid stations had water & Gatorade; fruit & cookies but none had gels. And, as with any out-and-back, you do see the same things coming back. But it was a mix: A couple of small towns, farms and farmland, swamp and streams, and woods too. Still, it was a small event. I think there were only 29 marathoners. The shorter races (1/2 marathon and 10K probably drew many more participants). And after reaching the half marathon turn-around point, marathon runners seemed to be pretty spread out, and several runners were then running alone. The staff kept track of the runners in the course and the sweeper spent a few miles following me (yeah, I finished last, but still inside 6 hours). When I got back, the time-keeper was pretty much packed up and ready to go. He gave me my finish time & place, and said good-bye. Post-race was at St. Pauls. I got the last couple of pieces of pizza, a finishers medal, and had some fruit too. I also had a chance to chat with Andrea and her staff. Again, the race was small, but was well staffed. They took care of the runners, they were cordial and friendly, and the weather mostly cooperated (it was in the low 30s overnight and warmed into the 60s). Lots of sun early on, then overcast later in the morning. The wind was variable, but definitely a factor on the way back. Otherwise, it was great weather for running. And instead of the typical T-shirt, this race gave out hooded sweatshirts with a front pocket - with logo on the front and sponsors on the back. They did a great job. | |
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H. O. from Central WI
(5/12/2013)
"Nice enough course, poor organization" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 'I ran the half marathon in 2013. I wanted to rate this race higher, but the lack of organization was really a downer. When they were announcing the winners, they got both the male and female winners wrong. It got sorted out, but everyone was wondering how accurate the results really were. the course is fine. It is an out and back on a dirt trail. Basically, a gravel road. Some spots still had snow on them and were pretty slippery. There is basically no crowd support, but the volunteers at the water stations are enthusiastic. No finishers medals. Hooded sweatshirt for the Half/full marathoners. I should have taken my own water on the course because the aid stations were pretty far spaced (6 on the half marathon course). I don't know if I would do this again, but they also offer a marathon relay, which could be a nice options for some of my friends who don't want to tackle a longer distance.' | |
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M. A. from Madison, WI
(4/30/2013)
"Loved the course" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I love small races. The people at the aid stations were super. I love running on dirt so this course was perfect. I put the fans at 4 eventhough no one was really on the course but the aid station workers made up for that. | |
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E. V. from Evanston, IL
(4/29/2013)
"A Great Small Race" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just completed my first Pine Line Marathon this past weekend. We lucked out with fantastic weather! Though it was such a small race, the volunteers and organizers did a fantastic job day-of. The organization of the website and registration information left something to be desired, but they were very good at answering questions and concerns via email. There were 6 waterstops, and since it's out-and-back, you hit each one twice. The stops all had bananas and oranges and some had fig newtons too. My favorite part was since there were so few runners, the volunteers would see me coming while unscrewing my handheld water bottle top and they had pitchers ready to refill me! I've never seen that before and it was so appreciated. It would probably not have been necessary to carry water if it had been cooler, but that sun got hot by the end of the race. The surface varied from dry gravel, to soupy mud to snow and slush. I would recommend this race to anyone, but be prepared for solitude. This would probably not be a good choice if you've never run one before, but as long as you know what you're getting into, this is an inexpensive, well-run, and beautiful trail race. | |
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C. R. from ARIZONA
(1/11/2013)
"Outstanding" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Pine Line Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You will not find a better marathon for the money. Amazing organizers, volunteers, schwag and awards. You get a hooded sweatshirt and, if you place in your age group, the coveted bronze, silver or gold railroad spike! Home of Tombstone pizza so if you get done in time, there's pizza! | |
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claudia roedl from Arizona
(11/4/2011)
"Do Not Miss This Marathon" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Pine Line Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 One of the best marathons I have done of the 50+ I've done so far. Everything is great, the flat out and back course, the volunteers, the aid, the organization AND I come all the way from AZ because I love that hooded sweatshirt and mug AND the pizza and chocolate milk at the finish! Oh, and it's taken me a long time but I finally secured the much sought after railroad spike in my age group. Way to go Medford; you never disappoint! | |
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W. T. from People's Republic of Wisconsin
(4/25/2011)
"Not a Fast Course" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I did the Pine Line thinking it was going to be a fast course because it was flat . The trail is more of a grassy dirt mix and it isn't flat . It basically has 231 feet of gain to the turnaround point. You do get it back when you head back, but that is not flat . The elevation gain is slight and gradual, but is noticeable, especially when it is wet and your footing is not sure. I personally would rather run up 3 steep 100-foot hills, then have it dragged out of 3 miles or so. There is some gravel, but not enough to make the surface hard enough for good traction when it is wet. The course does get muddy in some spots. There is a lot of slipping and sliding. I spent so much time concentrating on my footing that I didn't really get the opportunity to take in the scenery. On the way back I tripped over an iron rod that was sticking about 3 inches of the ground dead smack in the middle of the trail! Needless to say, I was not happy. Luckily I did not get injured and I continued. I saw another one a few miles later. Things like this should not happen. If you are going to run this race, make sure you train on some trails. If you are not used to running on uneven surfaces, it can really pound your body. My lower back really took the worst of it. My back never hurts when I run. The race is a great value at $45.00. I thought the after-race food (pizza) was fine. The sweatshirt is nice and the volunteers were great. Registration was well organized. They do need some more bathrooms at the start/finish line. They also need to start providing GU or gel at the aid stations. I would rather pay $5 and not have to carry GU. | |
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L. W. from Muskego, WI
(5/1/2009)
"Great Experience" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I could not have asked for a better experience. The event was extremely well organized, the support was plentiful and the trail was flat and fast. Thank you, Medford! | |
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claudia roedl from Scottsdale, AZ
(4/30/2009)
"No Whining About This Marathon!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Pine Line Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 1. You come to Wisconsin in April... don't complain about the weather. And I came all the way from Arizona! Don't complain about the lack of spectators either; do you really need a pat on the back? Be a big boy/girl and buck up; you're in northern Wisconsin. 2. I've run 30+ marathons and have never had food at every single aid station. Nice job, Medford. 3. They had pizza for post-race food - a welcome change from all of that tree-hugger fruit and bagel stuff most races have. 4. Awesome awards: rail road ties! And yet I can never win one! 5. Great shirt: a hooded sweatshirt! Never do away with the sweatshirt. We all have more t-shirts than we can stand. 6. Volunteers were standing out there for hours in the cold, snow, and rain; again, runners, you have nothing to complain about. |
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