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Jay Mountain Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Jay Mountain Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.6
Number of comments: 45 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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V. H. from Miami, FL
(8/3/2006)
"ONE TOUGH RACE" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was a very tough, challenging, and fun trail race. I did the half, which was really more like a 30K. The course was extremely well marked and the volunteers at all aid stations were supportive and uber friendly. They cheered us on and made sure we had plenty of food and water. If you enjoy a lot of mud and muck, your shoes getting stuck in quicksand like trails, getting bushwhacked, bees and mosquitoes, poison ivy and poison oak, crossing a couple of brooks and climbing straight up a mountain into clouds and a drop in temprature, then this race is for you! Not for the timid. But a very rewarding feeling crossing the finish line. They had a nice BBQ for the post-race meal, but make sure you bring cash with you, because water is $1.00 a bottle!!! | |
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jason marschner from detroit, michigan
(3/7/2006)
"worth every step" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first trail run of any real length, so I was a bit nervous. Even more so when I finally saw what I would be climbing. I was from Detroit, so the biggest available hill for me is in a four-story parking garage. Race day was amazing. Everyone (runners and organizers) were uber friendly. So many warm smiles and words of encouragement. The race was a highlight of my running career. I met so many interesting people just walking up the mountain; it is a nice change of pace to be able to talk so much while still in a race. The view from the top made it all worthwhile!! My only gripe is that I could not continue on to complete the entire 26 miles. I only registered for the half. 2006 will see me come back stronger and ready for all that Jay Peak can throw at me. | |
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K. K. from NH
(8/21/2005)
"Ran the 18+-miler this year; will run the 30 in '0" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the race so named 'the half marathon' (18+-miler) and had a blast. I am no stranger to toughing it out; however, I had a perfect opportunity to start small and keep my eyes wide open. I definitely liked what I saw and ran! Dan and his crew did a terrific job with getting the course put together. The stream running was not for those light of heart, as one could have slipped and tripped at a moment's notice. I like that kind of challenging element added to a tough course, as it brings out the competitor in me big time. The weather was right on and the runners were oh so friendly. We ate out, so I cannot comment on the pasta dinner, but I can say that the post-race meal was ok, not fabulous (I'm a picky eater). A huge highlight for me was that I won a pair of flyroc's in Dan's generous raffle. I absolutely love them and will wear them on the long course next year. The delayed posting of the results due to a computer glitch did not totally bum me out as it did some. I knew the results would appear as soon as humanly possible. I look forward to next year's run and will be sure to persuade a runner or two to try it out. Come on, quad pain for 4 days is enough to incite even the modestly-interested soul. | |
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j. F. from Retired----California, Maine, Indiana, etc.
(8/17/2005)
"Enjoyable race for spectator" (about: 2003)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I attended the Jay Marathon as a spectator and would like to pass along a few comments. I followed the runners along the routes, stopping at several aid stations to take pictures of the three runners in the race with whom I am acquainted. The directions (maps and discourse) were easy to follow and I easily found all locations. Volunteers at the stations were very helpful to both runners and observers---the runners were well provided with snacks and hydration at each station. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting participants, volunteers, and other interested onlookers like myself. I look forward to attending next year and hope to experience the same fine time I had this year. Who knows----at age 72 I may decide to run the half marathon instead of being merely picture taker. Keep up the good work. | |
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T. T. from Maine, USA
(8/17/2005)
"Another great year at Jay!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Jay Mountain Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second entry to the Jay Peak Marathon and it seems to only get tougher, longer... and more enjoyable! As advertised, the race is an adventure and not recommended for those who have not properly trained. Dan gives fair warning to those entering for the first time. He provides an accurate description of the course and what to expect your running time might be based on your previous marathon/trail running experiences. There should be no surprises if you have properly read the course description and participated in the forum discussions. It is true that some of the trail is difficult to actually run but this is the 'adventure' part. I have participated in hundreds of races of varying distances and difficulties both overseas and in the US. The logistics in organizing Jay Peak must be nearly as difficult as actually running the darn thing. I have yet to find a single race that is perfect but I sincerely feel Jay Peak is extremely well organized. The volunteers at the aid stations were quite willing to fill hydration systems for tired runners and the food was plentiful. All of us were warned beforehand to carry extra fluid since some of the aid stations would be far apart (not in distance but in time it takes to get there!). Again, paying attention to the forum is wise if you plan to do this next year. The course was perfectly marked, often with marking tape every 4-6 feet. It is nearly impossible to go off course. I am sure that Dan is aware of the shortcomings and will make every effort to improve the race even further next year. Happy running--see you next year. Tom | |
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a. m. from Nashville, TN
(8/11/2005)
"Beautiful scenery, great volunteers, course so-so" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having done several ultra trail races before, I found Jay to be more of an adventure hike than trail marathon. I certainly don't mind the water or mud, but I don't think all 3 of the fairly long sections of brook running were really necessary. There is a safety/comfort issue (that really does not need to be present in this type of race) particularly when there is a sign saying 'caution... danger' b/c of the wet rocks around the waterfall that required some bouldering. While the volunteers were great, the aid stations were lacking in substance. I think it is important to refuel early on in a race like this. Financially, I felt like the race was trying to cut corners: 1) Lack of food at aid stations 2) The shirt for all 3 races just said Jay Challenge 3) No medal for the 'half' 4) Not sure who was responsible for the post-race food, but they ran out of the promised beer and barbeque. Overall, I thought it was a beautiful area with great volunteers, but not a race that I would do again. | |
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D. F. from Boston, US
(8/9/2005)
"Great Day in Vermont" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I still remember that day in May when I decided to run this crazy race. It sounded so tempting and so intimidating. Particularly enticing was Dan's claim that his scare-mongering is not a marketing pitch. Then was the next step: getting ready and to try to find a partner in insanity. The former was predicated on financial commitment to the event, i.e. registering. The latter was harder and I failed to solve this one even though I knew a few potential candidates. Reading reports and recommendations proved to be extremely helpful.... The race itself, e.g. volunteers, spectators, mud, river crossing, markings, brooks, and the mountain were totally great and accept no substitution. My largest concern about the race was the brooks. I was wondering about stumbling on wet stones and getting blisters in wet shoes. Both concerns proved to be non-issues. There was a single tricky spot along the brooks (that?s where D.H., see below, got her head bump). Wet shoes were no problem either. I got no blisters or chafing at all and shoes and socks were getting dry in 15 min (Masai + WrightSock). Actually, running through the cold water was rather refreshing. But nothing was better than getting completely wet in the river. I?d pay, if I had to, not to change after that one. I ended up finishing in the same clothes I started in: dirtier bit though. Food along the race was ok. I particularly liked that volunteers were offering to refill the bottles ? that was totally awesome. At some point I had to run without liquid for 45 min. It was somewhere between 4th and 6th aid stations. It was rather painful. I should have had larger bottles. Overall, food and liquid were my largest mistakes. Last two hours (that is after 5 hours of running) my running was rather uneven. I?d be passing people for 15 minutes only to be passed by the same people a bit later, then passing them again. I attribute that spotty performance to mismanaging nutrition and lack of experience running 5+ hours. Pasta dinner kind of sucked though, and beer after the race... how should I put it... basically it wasn?t there. Or at least I haven?t seen it. The only two guys consuming beer bought their own. After-race food was better than the previous night, but not great. No bananas or other fruits, limited choice of drinks, BBQ was certainly there... no complaints. I give only three stars for organization for two reasons: first, pasta dinner and after-race food; the second reason is kind of funny. Just before the race Dan said that it would start at 8:10. At that point I realized that I needed to pee yet again. Plastic toilets were on the other side of the fence, thus half a dozen of men were taking care of their needs next to it. At that point Dan started counting 10, 9, 8.... It was still 8:08.... Oh man, should I run with my pants down or be late to the start? | |
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D. H. from US
(8/5/2005)
"Can't wait until next year!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have never been so nervous about running a marathon. I am new to trails and didn't do many trail training runs, although I did do a few mountain runs which helped. My goal was to finish. The thing I liked best about the course was that it was never boring. I loved the brook running and river crossing, the mud and sand dunes. Jay Peak was awesome and the views incredible. Because it is so long you meet wonderful people along the way and the volunteers and spectators were the best I have ever seen. Incredibly motivating. The food and drink at the water stops were perfect. I especially loved the potatoes but probably ate too many! The weather was perfect, and best of all, hardly any bugs! I did much better than I had even hoped (6:44) and now that I know how to train for it, I will be better prepared next year. Lots of runners will disagree but I found this easier than a road marathon - at least mentally. The only reason I gave it a 4 for organization was because of the delayed race results, but everything else was organized perfectly. I have never had so much fun before, during and after a race (or been so sore after one). This is my favorite race ever!!! | |
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P. C. from Waterville, ME
(8/2/2005)
"Challenging and Entertaining" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a tough trail run challenge, I would doubt that you could get much better than this. Lots of really fun technical running, some climbing (up Jay Peak), and lots of variety. It is long, but you won't be bored! The race was very well organized. I was amazed with how well-marked the course was with pink ribbons around the entire 28 mile course. The spectator access was quite good for such a remote trail race and everyone cheered enthusiastically. Also consider doing the 3-day challenge (paddling on Friday and mountain biking on Sunday) if you're looking to get really beat up! | |
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J. A. from Middlebury, CT
(8/1/2005)
"simply the best!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Jay Mountain Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is INCREDIBLE! I have only run road marathons in the past and decided that I wanted to 'get my feet wet' with my first ever trail marathon (didn't really relize I would also be getting my calves, quads, and basically everything up to my neck wet as well). The course is challenging, scenic, and beautiful. From the moment that I arrived in the tiny little town of Jay, until the moment that I left I had what has been the most memorable running expirience of my life. I have had few races that have given me such a sense of accomplishment at the finish (where Dan was waiting to shake your hands and give you your medal). Five stars all around! See you there next year! |
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