Berryman doesn’t care about your road marathon PR

Going into the Berryman Marathon, I had a lot running through my mind.

I was nervous about the terrain. I knew the Ozark singletrack was going to be rocky, rooty, rolling, and unforgiving if I got careless. I was thinking about the heat, too — not just direct sun, but that thick Missouri humidity that gets trapped under the tree canopy and makes the forest feel like it is holding its breath. And then there was the distance between aid stations, which made me think hard about pacing, hydration, nutrition, and how much I needed to carry.

So if you are considering running the Berryman Marathon, here are a few thoughts I wish I had fully understood before stepping onto that trail.

1. This is not a road marathon with dirt sprinkled on top.
Berryman is a true trail marathon. The course is roughly a 26.4-mile singletrack loop through Mark Twain National Forest, and it demands patience, footwork, and respect.

2. The hills never really stop.
You are looking at about 2,500 feet of gain and 2,500 feet of loss in one loop. It may not look brutal on paper compared to mountain races, but the constant rolling Ozark terrain slowly eats at your legs.

3. The trail is runnable, but not easy.
Berryman has roots, rocks, narrow singletrack, creek bottoms, switchbacks, and fast descents. You can run a lot of it, but only if you stay composed and do not cook yourself early.

4. Your road marathon pace does not matter here.
Throw that ego in the truck before the race starts. Trail pace at Berryman will be slower, especially with the hills, footing, creek crossings, and aid station timing. Run by effort, not by watch pace.

5. The forest gives you shade, but it can also trap humidity.
The course is heavily forested, which helps with direct sun, but Missouri humidity can still make the day feel heavy. Hydrate early, take salt seriously, and do not wait until mile 18 to start caring.

6. Brazil Creek is part of the experience.
Runners typically cross Brazil Creek before and after the aid station around mile 16. It is often shin-deep, and there are other stream beds that may or may not be wet depending on recent rain.

7. Your feet may get wet. Plan for it.
Wear shoes and socks you trust when wet. Do not debut new gear here. If you blister easily, use lube, tape, or whatever system you already know works.

8. The first half should feel almost too controlled.
If you feel like a hero in the first 8–10 miles, you are probably overspending. Berryman rewards the runner who stays calm early and starts passing people late.

9. Power-hiking is not failure. It is strategy.
There are sections where hiking efficiently is smarter than forcing an ugly run. Hike the steeper climbs with purpose, run the runnable terrain, and protect your quads for the back half.

10. Aid stations matter, but self-sufficiency matters too.
Do not assume you can wing it. Know what you are carrying, how many calories you need per hour, and how much fluid you need between stops. The start/finish is at primitive Berryman Campground, which has no water or electricity, so plan your pre-race logistics accordingly.

11. The mental low point may come before the physical one.
Berryman is quiet, wooded, and repetitive in the way only deep trail races can be. When your brain starts negotiating, keep it simple: eat, drink, move, breathe, repeat.

12. Respect the course and you can have a great day.
Berryman is not flashy. It is old-school Missouri trail running: hills, woods, rocks, water, and honest miles. Show up fit, patient, fueled, and humble, and it can be one of the most rewarding marathon days in the Midwest.

This race is absolutely doable — but it deserves respect before it rewards you. Hopefully this helps lighten the burden of this monster! Good luck!