This isn't an obstacle race, it's just a really difficult, super muddy, technical trail race. It's not a double loop course, but you do run on much of the race two times. Meaning that you'll run through really chopped up terrain, even if you're near the front of the pace.

Not much on organization and swag, and the prizes are all cookies. But it's a must do race if you're anywhere near New York City!!!

A very difficult course that starts and finishes in downtown Charlottesville, but brings you through the campus of UVA, and past miles of horse farms along the way.

While this is a road race, it has every other type terrain. You run on roads, bike paths, crushed stone, wood chips, and grass.

We made the trip a mini vacation. Downtown Charlottesville is really nice. With lots of amazing restaurants and shops. And we drove through the Shenendoah National Park on the way home. It was a great long weekend!!!

The hardest road marathon in the world!!! What else can I add to that?

This race starts on the desert floor in Tuscon, and rises over 6000 feet during the race. You will go through 5 different climate zones along the way. You'll get to see the desert give way into small trees, before changing to forest. As as you climb higher the trees start getting smaller again, before you finally finish above the tree line.

Difficult can't really explain this race. It's a non-stop climb that tears you apart. But beautiful the whole way! I took over 100 pictures during the race, finished in 5:17, and still won my age group. Yep, it's that hard!

Think you're tough? Prove it!

Typical Rock and Roll race -- crowded start with people seeded incorrectly, ugly view of the city, mediocre band at the post race party.

The course seemed to deliberately pass all the scenic parts of the city. It's possible they couldn't get permits to run there. But it was a bit disappointing. The condition of a lot of the roads was terrible. Pot-holes, cracks, and cobble stones.

A fast race, in spite of it being very warm. I liked the multiple out and back sections, as they gave me the opportunity to see friends at several times along the course.

A wonderfully organized race and a very fast course. The only issue is that it's almost entirely on concrete roads. My feet ached by around mile 8. It also killed my quads and calves as the terrain rarely changed.

The expo is huge, with a nice variety of vendors. And the post race breakfast was the best I've ever had.