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Grizzly Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Grizzly Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 43 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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A. B. from Kansas City, MO
(8/30/2005)
"A nice, small-town event" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a very nice small marathon. Everyone involved, from packet pick-up to the pasta dinner to the aid stations, were friendly and supportive. The course is fairly tough, exacerbated in 2005 by a stiff headwind in the final miles. If you haven't spent much time in Montana, it's worth the trip to the wide open spaces. Also, a trip to Glacier National Park (80 miles north) is a must. Don't expect spectators or large groups of runners, especially in the later miles. | |
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David Harrell from Chevy Chase, MD
(8/30/2005)
"Exceptionally well-managed and friendly marathon." (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was an extremely well organized and well-managed marathon on a beautiful and challenging back-country course in the foothills of the Rockies. There were ample aid stations, friendly volunteers, and more portable toilets than most marathons ten times the size. And generous mini-meal refreshments were provided after the race. I was happy to take home a unique first-in-age-group prize: appropriately, it was a locally hand-crafted walking cane. | |
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Mike Rosner from Huntsville, Utah
(8/24/2005)
"Well organized" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The pre-race dinner was very good. Lots of pasta and tasty spaghetti sauce. They even had home-made brownies that made the run worth the effort. The organization and volunteers did a great job at the packet pick-up and getting everyone parked quickly and safely in the dark. Even though the course has about 18 miles of gravel and loose rocks, it did not beat up my legs and feet as much as I thought it would while I was running. I didn't see any wild animals as I was hoping, but maybe that's a good thing. There weren't many spectators, but everyone there was very friendly. Thanks, Choteau, for a very good experience. | |
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B. E. from Great Falls, MT, USA
(8/22/2005)
"Great race if you want a challenge" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Toughest course I've run; lots of gravel, hills. However, very beautiful scenery, great organization, outstanding support along the way. Expect a slow time, but expect a great experience. | |
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W. D. from Alpharettta/Atlanta, Georgia
(3/11/2005)
"I can only say " (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon at 'elevation' so I was taken off guard a bit by the physical demands it put on me. This was all overwhelmed by the beauty of the course and hospitality of the marathon support team. I told my Higher Power I wouldn't never try it again if I ever finished but now that it has - I want to do it again sometime. Great small marathon and a wonderful trip for a Georgia boy!! | |
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George Neil from Williamsburg, Virginia
(1/2/2005)
"A great super-friendly small marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is not a PR course (hills+ altitude) but it is absolutely beautiful and the support couldn't have been better. Aid stations tried to outdo each other in refreshments and entertainment. People in town offered up their houses when local motels got full. Take extra time and visit the parks for some breathtaking scenery. Highly recommended small marathon. | |
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Brad Thern from Appleton, WI
(10/1/2004)
"Marathon #3 was tough love." (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Grizzly Marathon was definitely a tough experience. I'm not sure if it was my interrupted training due to working in the Middle East in the weeks before the race, the altitude, the course elevation changes (read hills), or possibly a combination, but this is one marathon I won't soon forget. There's a lot of talk about rocks, but they were never a factor (just train on road shoulders and you'll be more than prepared). That hill that seemed to run through the middle third was another story. It makes Hurricane Point at Big Sur look like a speed bump. I was ducking planes at the crest. It was definitely a quiet and serene time with beautiful mountain scenery. The post-race events were very enjoyable. But the best part of the entire weekend were the people. They are 2nd to none when it comes to being the friendliest and most warm hearted people around. | |
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Shawn Collins from Boulder, Colorado
(8/26/2004)
"Great Wilderness Marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First I would like to congratulate everyone who made the pilgrimage to Choteau. Secondly I have to thank the volunteers and race organizers for being so friendly and putting on such a fine event. I met a lot of fine people/runners as well! I thought the pin for getting to the top of 'Hillus Horribillus' at mile nineteen in under three hours was a great gesture. The T-Shirt was about par for most marathons I have experienced. The only complaint I have is the finisher's 'medallion'. I know I am not alone in this sentiment when I say I was insulted by what was handed to me at the finish of what I consider one of the most grueling marathons I have run. I have enough key chains. I was promised a finisher's medallion at the finish and did not receive one. In keeping with tradition of every other marathon I do not believe this was the area to be creative. I really love my collection of finisher's medallions and unfortunately I will not have one in this instance. The key chains belong in the goodie bag at the expo. Overall a very worthwhile experience and other than the finisher's 'medallion', I would drive 1850 miles again. | |
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David Hurley from Roanoke, VA
(8/24/2004)
"Of 38 marathons, one of the most difficult courses" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grizzly Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 First, I would like to congratulate the race director and staff for pulling off a fantastic marathon in the middle of nowhere. Realizing it takes a village to succeed in the production of a marathon, add points for 20 miles from town. The medal on a key chain attached to a lanyard was a unique idea. I think what makes this race a great marathon is the friendliness of all the people including staff, volunteers, and the runners. I have never run a marathon that had more friendly people. Maybe we all bonded because we were suffering together. Having really trained for this marathon, I was disappointed in my time. I should have been at least 26 minutes faster, but considering the gravel and the latitude, I accept my time with my head held high. The bear pin that was passed out during the run will be a treasure; however, it was hard to keep up with for the remaining part of the marathon. Just as disappointing as my time was the shirt. I feel like the Grizzly Marathon has unlimited potential for a shirt. Of 38 marathon shirts, it is near the bottom of the list. I would rate the pasta dinner as fair. At least you had one. Thanks to all of you that worked so hard to make the marathon successful. | |
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Sean McCormick from Cincinnati Oh
(8/23/2004)
"Beautiful and rugged marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you are looking for an easy, flat, paved, spectator lined, PR marathon then stay home. If you want to experience the rugged beauty of Montana with the charm of a small town then this is for you. For the most part the run is on gravel back roads with some pretty major hills. It seems that every turn gives you a panoramic mountain scene which is pretty inspiring. The aid stations are a little over a mile apart and for the most part the only place you will see people but the folks working the aid stations are the nicest group you'll find working at a race and made everyone feel like they were winning the race. The terrain is great and the course is hard so expect your time to be slower than usual but then again it gives you more time to enjoy the sights. I can't say enough good things about this race and the town of Choteau. |
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