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Virginia Creeper Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Virginia Creeper Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 95 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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p. d. from Winston-Salem, NC
(3/19/2006)
"Really fun first marathon" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A really pretty course on a very gently sloping trail. Runners must share the trail with other users,(day hikers, equestrians, dog walkers, bicyclists).It was unseasonably warm on race day, so I suspect that there were a lot of people on the trail for the date. But there was no problem at all having non-race folks there. In fact everyone seemed interested in the race and very supportive of the runners and the race. Even with the out-and-back-and-a-half nature of the course, I still give it a 5. There are plenty of opportunities to bail however, so be mentally tough! As a beginner, if you get in at least one 20-miler in training, you will have gone past the last bail point in the race so you should have no problem. As a slow runner, I spent a lot of time in miles 11-17 virtually alone in the beautiful scenery and I enjoyed the peaceful bucolic setting. Then it was back to two-way traffic and lots of encouragement. The race is perfectly organized. My packet was at the host hotel the night before the race at check-in. Frank, the race director, had a room at the inn to meet, greet and assist runners as well. Late check-out at the host hotel was a boon! Aid stations were well placed and the volunteers were great. I especially enjoyed the folks at the "Oasis" who provided all sorts of goodies and a smile just before meeting the cows.... Having read the reviews of the course here I feel I should clarify something. Many folks say it is more hilly than they thought it would be. And on race day my wife said that was the feeling of some of the earlier finishers. If you are trying for a PB and are really pushing the envelope, I suppose the long VERY gentle upslope from about miles 14-22 must be a challenge. But as a first-timer and a slow runner, the grade was almost imperceptible. The course seemed almost totally flat to this 45-year-old, 5'10", 205-lb. first-timer, and I would highly recommend this to others if you are not looking for crowds. | |
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Eric McGlinchey from Fairfax, VA
(3/14/2006)
"Excellent Race, Great Organization" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The Creeper is an excellent race. Others have commented on the beauty of the course - an observation with which I fully agree. What is equally impressive is the race organization. Frank and the Creeper volunteers are wonderful. The aid stations were well placed and well stocked with water, Gatorade and cookies. The miles and turn-arounds were clearly marked. And pictures and results were posted within 24 hours. All this for $10! When can I sign up for next year?! | |
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C. S. from Cantrall, Illinois
(3/14/2006)
"Great Low-Key Race" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race organizer (Frank) is excellent, combining competence with a great sense of humor. The course is a bit harder than I expected, with only one runner getting under 3 hours. The weather was warm, which probably contributed to that. First time I've ever run a race through a field that actually has cows in it!! Water stops were well-manned. This is a mellow race, where many runners actually stop at the water stops to pick up drinks, food, etc., and visit a little with the workers. | |
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steve scott from Jonesville,Va.
(3/13/2006)
"First-Class Marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Small in registration (there's a limit). Large for the effort to make this race a success. Thanks Frank, volunteers, and spectators. P.s. Appreciated the late checkout at the Days Inn. | |
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Bob Ring from Harrisonburg, VA
(3/13/2006)
"A taste of the trail in this marathon" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Virginia Creeper Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This course is a rails-to-trails course made from an old railroad line. It is the perfect off-road running surface. The scenery changes from close-in woods to open fields and wooden bridges that cross the river. This year's race had unusually high temps, near 80 by 1:00 p.m. But, this is as good as it gets for a pure running experience. Once you've done one (I have 3 under my belt) it is almost assured that it will become your favorite. However, better send in your nominal $10.00 fee early because returning runners are guaranteed a spot until about a month before the race. The race director and his staff deserve accolades aplenty for this race. It is a keeper. | |
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c. b. from Redding, California
(1/18/2006)
"Awesome price!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The price cannot be beat, the course is pretty, your fellow runners supportive and the weather was great in 2005 despite a dismal forecast. The out-and-back-and-a-half is a bummer, but it gives family an easy way to cheer you on a relatively spectatorless course. I would love to run this race again, if only to support the idea that a quality race can be organized without asking a king's ransom. Kudos to the State of Franklin Running Club. | |
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E. M. from Ohio
(3/31/2005)
"Very high quality experience." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was great to get back to Virginia. The foothills, the people, and the course all made the drive from Ohio worthwhile. Thanks to the race director, who organized extremely well and who seemed like a genuinely nice guy. In fact, all of the volunteers were great. While I enjoyed the views from the course, I can't give an out-and-back-and-out-and-back a full five stars. The footing was good for most of the distance (the trail is more like a packed-dirt bike path than a hiking trail). There was a long uphill section that was very subtle--you won't even realize it's a hill when you're running down it, but you'll notice it on your way back. There really weren't spectators, which is just fine for most people. The volunteers doubled as fans, and they provided good support at the start/finish line. I wouldn't stay in the host hotel again. The Days Inn was very, very dirty (floors, bathroom, bed). In fact, I'm not sure our bed linens had been changed since the last occupants. While the Days Inn does provide a late checkout and an easy way to pick up your packet, it really doesn't offer any great location advantage. You have to drive to the race anyway, so I would look for a cleaner hotel and just stay an extra day. There's a musical theater in town that would provide great post-race entertainment. One more advantage to the Virginia Creeper--it's geographically closer to most of us than other Virginia marathons. So if time and gas money are short for you (and you don't live on the east coast), give this run serious consideration. | |
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J. P. from Glen Carbon, IL
(3/15/2005)
"Beautiful Course, Fabulous Support" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Virginia Creeper as a birthday present to myself and as a long training run in preparation for the Boston Marathon. My goal was to have an enjoyable race on a soft trail and to finish without an injury. As advertised, the race is a small event that begins with a rolling out-and-back on a secondary country road before continuing on the Creeper Trail at mile 2. From there, it is a gradual ascent along the trail to mile 5.5 before turning for a downhill segment of about 8 miles. At the 13.5-mile mark, it is another turnabout and a retracing of the 8 miles you just completed ? however, this time the run is a gradual ascent. Upon reaching mile 21.5, you will do another turnabout and follow the course to the finish. While this may all sound monotonous, the beauty of the trail and the wonder of traversing rivers and valleys on the restored railroad trestles make the run unique and enjoyable. The long uphill and downhill segments make the course a bit more challenging than expected and I was briefly delayed by an unusual obstacle ? cows (holy cow!) on the trail just past mile 14. Still the enthusiastic race director, energetic race supporters and freshly baked treats at the finish make this an event to remember. As if the race needed more to garner my recommendation, I received a ?happy birthday? from the race director at the finish line ? that certainly ?iced the cake.? Thanks, Frank, for a wonderful event. | |
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Donald Kienz from Pennsylvania
(3/15/2005)
"Quiet, Blue Ridge Trail, Low-key, Pleasant" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 1) Director terrific, accommodating, helpful, fun. Cohorts equally helpful and pleasant. Zero complaints, zero suggestions. 2) 154 runners, not that many spectators, but everyone happy. Much of run is in the quiet woods. 3) Trail itself well manicured and even. Course rarely flat, but no hill was severe. Much of miles 2-5 and 13.5-21 are the uphill inclines, which was exhausting for this untalented runner, but a good challenge and clearly different from running the seashore marathons. 4) Scenery was gentle, quiet woods, a modest canyon with a stream and a river below, well kept area. The season though is still dormant wintertime, so the woods are all brown still. All in all a pleasant run, worthwhile if the commute isn't unreasonable to get there. Town of Abingdon, a modest county seat, represents pleasant Americana. Much thanks to the organizer and volunteers. | |
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M A Komanecky from Cincinnati, OH
(3/14/2005)
"This is THE race to do in Virginia!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Honestly, if you are playing the 'run a marathon in all 50 states' game (as were most of the folks that I talked to after the race), this has to be your Virginia race. The scenery was the most beautiful of any race that I have run. Absolutely spectacular. It was on a cinder and dirt trail and passed through rolling hills dotted with cows and horses. All of the wooden bridges were new (think railroad tressels) and carried you over the river down below. The beautiful outdoors, all trail, one with nature. Since the field is small, though, you have to like to run alone. The course was 'relatively' flat -- but with a slight uphill grade that did not really seem like much as you looked at it but you could certainly feel it as it ran from mile 8 - 21. The course was all trail except for 2 miles on a road -- the soft footing was great because you were not pounding but you certainly did not have really good traction which caused somewhat slower times. Also, the race director has to be commended for putting on an organized, fun race -- all for a $10 entry fee! This is a must do race. |
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