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Jul 4, 2024

Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.9

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 260 [displaying comments 111 to 121]

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K. S. from IL (11/24/2010) "hard, but amazing!!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You'll get your money's worth on this one for the number and quality of hills. As a bonus, the RD rewards you handsomely with a wonderful tech shirt, swag and medal. I've done this race for a number of years now and it never fails to disappoint, as Trent puts on a super, quality race. The organization is top notch! One of my favorite things about the race is the post-race pumpkin pie made by none other than the RD himself. I look forward to it each and every year!!
Run Kino from NYC (11/24/2010) "Best Sense of Camaraderie!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I slayed my 1st monkey this year (2010), at the 5th Annual Flying Monkey Marathon. RD Trent puts on an excellent race on one killer course (harder than New Hampshire, Yonkers, or Big Sur because it's ALL hills). Trent is a master at putting on a warm and intimate race. Even though I was a first-timer, he made us all feel quite at home. Because of its setting in the woods of Percy Warner, it had a camping/ultra feel to it. This race had the best sense of camaraderie out of any that I have run (I have run on 39 different marathon/ultra courses). Make sure to stick around after the race because Trent hosts a generous raffle whereby many participants win their pick of prize item, many of which are monkey related. The overall monkey theme for the race is great, and the annual race shirts are hilariously hysterical. He even went out of his way to create personalized long-sleeve tech shirts with monkey kill totals listed on the sleeve. This race gives birth to many monkey-related inside jokes that only monkey veterans would understand. Flying Monkey is a road marathon, despite being in the woods, so no need for trail shoes, though I would still wear gaiters. I gave 4stars for organization only because some of the 6-hour-plus runners got lost at the very end. While I was running it (sub-5), there were ample volunteers to guide us on the right path. I know 3-stars is a low rating for spectators, but the race is in a park away from downtown Nashville. So, what can you do? It's definitely, in no way, a knock on the race. I love this race and would run it year after year, if I'm able to register for it. With only 200-some-odd slots, it's a tough one to get into. I would also advise against staying at Microtel on 100 Coley Davis Court, if you can afford to. The place was motel-ish, though it was close to the start. The race allows race-day bib pick-ups. I missed the official pasta party, but I heard it was a great time.
J. D. from Tennessee (11/24/2010) "A great race!!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I highly suggest this race. It's fun, it's well-run and the course is beautiful (but a bit hilly). I wouldn't do this race as my first marathon, but otherwise, run on!
Melanie B. from Nashville, TN (11/24/2010) "One of the most fun race atmospheres available" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I live in Nashville and had heard about this race since it was started 5 years ago. After a friend ran it last year and loved it, I knew I had to do it this year. There's a very laid back feel to this event that makes it more fun than your typical marathon run. In many ways, it felt like I was out on a typical Sunday morning training run. Everyone is friendly and chatty, and you get to see the other runners a lot since the course has a few different loops that you run in both directions. It's a hilly beast, but it's manageable. I'm able to train on the course, and I'm sure that helped in some ways. All in all, this race is a blast. I had fun running and chatting with friends. Then, I had fun eating the yummy post-race potluck food and drinking the free Yazoo beer.
e. b. from ouray, co usa (11/24/2010) "fun, personal, unique" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race director takes care to make people feel special and worthwhile. The prizes, gear, and general attitude are fun. The course is hilly and through a pretty park. It is - as the site states - for those who enjoy running to run.
A. W. from IL (11/24/2010) "Everything was PERFECT" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 56th marathon, and I love running unusual ones - super huge, super small (5), lots of loops, night runs etc. So Flying Monkey sounded just right. I had been on the wait list but RD Monkey Trent managed to find some room a few weeks out and I flew in from Chicago. Monkeys and Marathon Maniacs were everywhere. Yes, it is really hilly but superb execution by staff made for a great race. Themed shirts - yes, two, and a unique finisher's medal and more potluck-style food than I have ever seen at the finish!
Marathon Junkie from Running, USA (11/24/2010) "Brutal but beautiful course." (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This small little race has developed a near cult-like atmosphere with runners getting "monkey" tattoos similar to the most hardened Ironman finishers. The course is clearly one of the top 3 most difficult road marathons in the country and even a seasoned marathon runner will question the sturdiness of his/her legs during the final few miles. The unrelenting and arduous ups and downs of the "Monkey" will tax the legs into submission with the only reprieve coming after the finish line in the form of several tapped kegs. Tread lightly on this one and bring your big-girl and big-boy britches. This ain't no walk through the park.
Koolaid Kid from Monkeyville (11/24/2010) "Best. Race. Ever." (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Homegrown race with a couple of hills, and lots of groovy monkeys. Great volunteers and the best schwag. Guaranteed fun.
S. B. from Charlotte, NC (11/24/2010) "Beautiful, tough, fair course. Very well organized" (about: 2010) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Hilly course, but very runnable. Probably about 10-12 minutes slower than a flat marathon on a similar day. The volunteers are very friendly, and aid is available a total of 18 times over the course of the marathon due to double-loop course with a couple of out-and-back spurs. Never feel lonely for running such a small race (about 200 runners).
Mr Matt from Mighty MO (11/24/2010) "Flying Monkeys are Real" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd Monkey Marathon and it never disappoints! It is a run that will beat your legs senseless and leave you feeling like you actually EARNED something. Unfortunately, a year is just long enough to forget how much suffering is involved.... The roads of Percy Warner Park are well kept and hardly used on race day. The course is mostly tree-lined and often canopied, with amazing little vistas, cliff walls, and flying monkeys. It is a most exquisite running event. The post-race festivities include LOTS of homemade foods supplied by locals and freshly tapped kegs from a local microbrewery. If you to run a real marathon, that may or may not be exactly 26.2 miles long, come to the hills of PWP in November and give it a go. I'll probably see you there. Sigh.

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