I signed up for this marathon to get more trail running experience, and I was pleasantly surprised at the single-track trail segments on this course. I expected the paved bike path sections, and I didn't realize that 3-4 miles of the course were going to be single tracks in the woods and along the lakefront. It was great views and fun terrain.

I signed up for the race and drove up from Chicago the morning of the race. I didn't know the area and I was somewhat disappointed at the lack of signage or helpers around at 5:15 am when the website posted that packet pick-up would start at 5 am. I parked where the instruction said to park, only to find that others who have run the race before knew you could park much closer to where the start, finish and packet pick up takes place. I was there early enough to move my car, but it could have been more clear.

There were plenty of porta-pottys at the start-line. There was a place to stash a bag that I had access to twice as I passed it on the course. The race started on time at 6:30 am which was nice because it got warm throughout the day.

The aid stations were great; helpful volunteers with water and some bananas every 2-2.5 miles. They happily refilled my handheld water bottle. There were also porta-pottys at each aid station which was great. One aid station had Cliff Shots and many had some kind of other food.

The course markings were mostly good. There were volunteers along the course to help be sure you stayed on the route and made the turns. The course was marked with spray paint on the ground that did get worn after many runners had been by. There were also small flags that another runner told me to look for as I ran through the woods, that was really helpful.

I got confused once late in the race when I was by myself and it wasn't clear whether to stay on the road or turn on a path, so I had to backtrack about 1/10th of a mile before I found another runner. One of the dangers (and benefits) of a smaller race that I was out of sight of another runner for portions of the run. Otherwise, the course was marked fine.

The trail portions were a good surprise for me, but I could imagine if you didn't expect to be on single track trail or go up and down stairs you might be bummed out. The marathon course loops into the trails twice, once in the first 10 miles and then in the last five miles. Taking on the trails and stairs in mile 23 makes the finish tough. There were also non-runners on the trails, and I encountered hikers and bikers at least a couple times during the run.

The finish had music and an announcer that blasted your name and town which I found nice. Crossing the line you get a medal and a warm bottle of water. Only a minute later did I realize there was a table set up with chips and a voucher for a cold Gatorade or beer 100 yards away. It would have been nice to have the finish-line volunteer tell me that information rather than chance finding it on my own.

Overall, a good low-key community run. A fun option to try out trail running, and the variety in distances (there is also a half-marathon and a 50k) gives good options for all runners. The views of the lake were beautiful even if running along the bluffs made you feel like there should be a fence or something.

Advice to organizers, post a schematic of the Sheridan Park where key things will be (like packet pick-up, start, finish, porta-pottys) so that someone who isn't familiar with the area will know where the key stuff will be. It would also be nice to guide finishers to the food & cold drinks so they don't miss out.