This is a beautiful marathon! We drove down to Susanville by way of Crater Lake on Saturday, met my sister and brother-in-law at the Susanville Depot to pick up our race numbers (Harold was doing his first marathon, I was doing marathon #33), and went to bed early.
Sunday morning, we went to the Depot to the line of bus coaches that drove the runners to the start - nice coaches, and warm inside. Start temps were mid-30s. :) The race started at 9:00, and we got to the start at 8:30. Perfect timing for the portapotty lines. The Bizz Johnson is a rails-to-trails trail - very well maintained, and very easy grades. The trail is just over 25 miles long, so there was an out and back at the park where the start was to get the extra marathon distance.
Once on the trail, we enjoyed the beautiful Ponderosa open forests all the way. Mix of shade and sun, a light breeze, perfect running weather. Great scenery all the way!
Just after mile 19, was the only part of the trail that was not the rail grade. A bridge had been burned out, so there was a trail under the bridge, then down to the river under the highway bridge, then back up to the original grade at mile 20. I could tell I was running between 4,000 and 5,000' already, but especially after that climb to the 20 mile aid station! :)
I had been running 4/1s until that steeper trail, then did more power walking with some running breaks the last 10K. It was so pretty out there along the Susan River. A big group of bikers passed me about mile 22, they were a class, and a fun bunch of kids and staff. There were two tunnels in this section, too, very fun to run through. 
Reg met me just after mile 25. He and my sis had been hiking at Lassen Nat'l Park while Harold and I were marathoning. We were just ahead of the first major storm front of the fall/winter season-my arthritic toe was telling me-and he said there was almost no one at the park.
To the finish! My finish time was 6:11, Harold finished 4:27 (yes!), and we headed for home. I did a baby wipe bath and changed clothes in the Shell station restroom. On the way back to I-5, we stopped at an overlook where there had been a recent fire. Mt. Lassen was already being clouded over. A last pic of Mt. Shasta before we stopped for supper then hit the road again. This was a great marathon!
Sunday morning, we went to the Depot to the line of bus coaches that drove the runners to the start - nice coaches, and warm inside. Start temps were mid-30s. :) The race started at 9:00, and we got to the start at 8:30. Perfect timing for the portapotty lines. The Bizz Johnson is a rails-to-trails trail - very well maintained, and very easy grades. The trail is just over 25 miles long, so there was an out and back at the park where the start was to get the extra marathon distance. Once on the trail, we enjoyed the beautiful Ponderosa open forests all the way. Mix of shade and sun, a light breeze, perfect running weather. Great scenery all the way! Just after mile 19, was the only part of the trail that was not the rail grade. A bridge had been burned out, so there was a trail under the bridge, then down to the river under the highway bridge, then back up to the original grade at mile 20. I could tell I was running between 4,000 and 5,000' already, but especially after that climb to the 20 mile aid station! :) I had been running 4/1s until that steeper trail, then did more power walking with some running breaks the last 10K. It was so pretty out there along the Susan River. A big group of bikers passed me about mile 22, they were a class, and a fun bunch of kids and staff. There were two tunnels in this section, too, very fun to run through. Reg met me just after mile 25. He and my sis had been hiking at Lassen Nat'l Park while Harold and I were marathoning. We were just ahead of the first major storm front of the fall/winter season-my arthritic toe was telling me-and he said there was almost no one at the park. To the finish! My finish time was 6:11, Harold finished 4:27 (yes!), and we headed for home. I did a baby wipe bath and changed clothes in the Shell station restroom. On the way back to I-5, we stopped at an overlook where there had been a recent fire. Mt. Lassen was already being clouded over. A last pic of Mt. Shasta before we stopped for supper then hit the road again. This was a great marathon! 
And they're off! I followed a short ways, then did a zigzag route to meet the race on the main road:
Just past the first mile, was the first of many beautiful wheat fields. The sun was not quite up yet, when I took these pics:
I don't know a lot of Coburg history, but there are some beautiful, HUGE trees all over the place. This big leaf maple stump had burls that were almost 3' tall!
On the run now, the sun is up on the wheat field!
Some views from the Run in the Country; I tried to get all the mile markers, but #1 and #9 just were not there!
After finishing, I met Michael and Wendy at the finish. And Deborah and a friend of hers came to meet us, too. We watched the kids race -- they are fast! Then back to Wendy's for a shower and some scones/pizza then Michael brought me home. A beautiful day to see part of Oregon!
It stayed gray out, but the wind wasn’t there, so we were glad it stayed gray. I was really hoping for some of the wonderful Olympic mountain views, but learned how rare those days really are! Much of the trail was shaded, but even in the open spots it didn’t seem to get too warm.
I was starting to catch up with the slower 1/2 marathon walkers. The first marathon runner passed me at the aid station after mile 16, escorted by two bicycles. He was FAST!
The aid stations had different themes. One was a restaurant, and they offered tables, chairs, pretzels, and drinks served on a tray. Of course I sat down for a photo op!
I recommend this marathon for fun, and for how beautiful the trail is, but I don’t think it’s a PR course. There is not much net elevation change, but the little squiggles on the elevation chart were longer and steeper than they appeared! But fantastic support for everyone from the few people way out on the trail, on the hills, cheering us on. The hill after mile 20 had these two drummers. You could hear the drum rhythms from a long way before and after!
The mile 23.6 aid station was “The Trail Volunteers” for the Olympic Discovery Trail. They had Burma-shave style signs in several places on the trail, all promising wonderful refreshment at their station near the end of the marathon and half. The best part about their aid station was coming into view of the Strait, and getting some marine breeze that felt really good about then.
Coming past mile 24, I greeted a ½ marathon walker, and it turned out to be my old friend, Ginger! I’ve known Ginger since we were in college together. She and her husband, Jim, were walking the ½ marathon, and staying with a retired engineering professor of ours who lives in Port Angeles now. You never know who’ll you’ll be seeing out on the trail… That section of trail was a rough, unpaved section, where there is still a lot of trail development needed! Not very scenic…
After the race, I met up with Tonya, and we both got cleaned up and showered, then went to Luis’ house to meet everyone for the post-race party. It was so fun to meet up with Chris again, and meet her boyfriend. And finally to meet Jenny, one of my running inspirations! And the group pic – I still need some names for some of the people! 
