Tecumseh Trail Marathon Reviews

  Challenging but fun

By DA about 2014

Review

I ran this both times in 2014. Originally registered for Dec 2013, race was cancelled due to snowstorm. Ran the makeup date in January, which still had snow. Flooding forced them to alter the course to run backwards from the finish to do a 6 mile loop 3 times. The muddiest mess I've every experienced. Finished pretty clean though after ending up waist deep in a creek a mile before the finish. I'm not sure refreshing is the proper word when it is 37F.

My friends decided to defer instead of running the makeup date, so I went back out with them. They moved the date from Dec to late Oct. Weather was great, if not a little warm. Able to run the full course this time. Outside of some decent food at the finish, don't expect anything else from the race. If you want a finisher medal you have to order it. The mail it to you with you finish time on it, but it is easily the worst medal of my 25 marathons. Received an ill-fitted tech shirt in January and a sweatshirt in October.

Race Tips

Race starts on pavement before entering the trail. There are a few short sections of pavement and gravel roads, but it is primarily technical single-track. There is a massive hill midway through the race. I advise just walking it. The people trying to run it didn't get very much ahead of me and I passed them on the backside anyways. If wet, there will be creek crossings on the last 4 miles, otherwise you won't even realize they are there. Also note that my Garmin only logged 25.27 and 25.58 for this race (they never pick up switchbacks very well). Know once you get onto the gravel road, after what would be the last creek, you only have a mile to go. Also be careful on those 3 miles after the last aid station (mile 21). There are a lot of roots that can trip you up, especially on tired legs.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Bus service was awful. Both times the driver didn't know the directions to the start. Runners had to direct him where to go. Also had an hour long wait to leave in January. In October we had a friend to pick us up from the finish, which is your best bet if possible.