The Ontario Summit Trail Races come in two lengths, 1/2 and full marathon. If you do the full, you've been warned. If you do the 1/2, you've been warned. They make it pretty clear you will not PR on this course.

While there certainly are some technical aspects, especially roots and rocks to be aware of in places, it's just a consistently tough course, especially in the middle of the 13+ mile loop. That stretch is also the longest stretch between aid stations with nothing from 6.4 until about 11.5+/-. Much of that stretch is uphill on a course that while it had rained before during the week, still seemed dry even in the muggy air.

And then there was the inch worm infestation...they were everywhere and attempted to get everywhere on you...at all times, before, during, and after the race...

Race management was very friendly, answering an email I sent them within a few hours. That day aid station crews were very attentive, and I even had one guy around mile 9+/- give me almost a whole bottle of water as he cheered us on and I was struggling as my own hydration was very, very low.

Got a great tech shirt even though I signed up 10 days before, I just had to wait until after the race to make sure they had enough. Finishers also got a nice pint glass that you could then elect to get filled with an IPA or a Peach Wheat beer from a local brewery. Though I had some GI issues out on course, I also ended up enjoying the local hand rolled, fresh burritos that we got for our lunch. Very good and filling.

All in all, while I had a horrible run in many ways, it was still an epic day running/surviving a tough course with almost 1900 feet gain and around 1850 feet of loss, and hanging out with new friends in western NY. Some great views too, especially toward the end when we came to a clearing on the top of the hill and could see for some distance.

If you do it though, it is a tough course, one of the toughest ones I've done in almost 15 years of trailrunninng.