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☰
Ellerbe Springs Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Ellerbe Springs Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 82 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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L. N. from Greenville SC
(4/3/2008)
"Lots of hills and lots of fun" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Great time with my running friends. Beautiful course and support. Had to do the Galloway method due to illness a few weeks back, and PRed - 49:06 faster than my first marathon. Go figure. | |
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Daisy Aburto Martinez from Valparaiso, Indiana
(4/2/2008)
"Southern hospitality gets you through it!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Here to see my twins run at an NCU track meet, I wanted to take advantage and run a marathon in NC. Little did I know what I was getting into. First, I got lost going there at 4 a.m. from Raleigh (thanks to Donna guiding me by phone, I made it after my GPS couldn't detect Future 73). Then they started the race with a hill, and it was followed by another, and another (including a 1 and a 1/2-mile hill to the halfway point), only letting up for about 3 miles. This was the most challenging marathon I have ever encountered. That said, I have to say I am very glad to have run it. To finish this marathon was very rewarding. I couldn't have done it without the support unit given by water station people, the people driving the course asking if we needed anything (thanks for the Pepto pill) and the friends I made during the marathon, especially Melody! Even though there were no spectators the whole marathon, I felt the support I needed to keep going by fellow runners and the volunteers. Thank you from Indiana for your Southern hospitality! | |
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P. E. from Charlotte, NC
(3/31/2008)
"Quality, Old-School Marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a very well run, no-frills marathon. Course is very challenging but fair and scenic. Aid stations are appropriately spaced and well stocked. Volunteers were great and cheerful. Almost no spectator support, but I didn't expect any based on previous comments. I was a little surprised that traffic wasn't blocked off, but traffic wasn't an issue given the rural nature of the course. Not recommended if you're looking for a BQ, but a great race if you want a small, challenging marathon. Would recommend staying at the inn if you're coming from out of town, since the race starts and ends right there and they were accommodating with checkout times, allowing runners to shower after the race before checking out. | |
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M. E. from Rockfish, NC
(3/30/2008)
"Got HILLS? Truly Awesome!!!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The course is very rural. No traffic but also not that much cheering - some folks drive ahead to mile markers to cheer so you see the same few people, but bless them for their diligence. Awesome organization, with 11 aid stations, a breakfast buffet, homemade chicken/dumplings and peach cobbler. You have a true sense of accomplishment when finished. My first time at Ellerbee with the goal of my own permanent number - only 9 more to go. | |
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d. l. from charlotte, nc
(3/30/2008)
"The greatest small race! Did you say, "hills?"" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For my first time in Ellerbe (20th marathon, 4th for 2008), I appreciated the no-nonsense atmosphere, the organizing team (one of the nicest - especially compared to bigger events), and the really great volunteers. Not looking for a PR, I enjoyed the course very much; sure, there are hills, but nothing like Grandfather Mountain, and you run a loop so you get rewarded for your efforts :-). Running on country roads (very well marked and watched) you enjoy the scenery and the air. Great, friendly organization; I will definitely be back next year! | |
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joe mcverry from raleigh
(3/30/2008)
"I found all of the hills" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Ellerbe Springs Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Thank you to Mark, Doug and all of the volunteers for making the 2008 marathon a great time. And the chicken and dumplings weren't too bad either. | |
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A. R. from Raleigh, North Carolina
(3/29/2008)
"My second Ellerbe - and I'll be back for three!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Ellerbe Springs Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Ellerbe Marathon is a well-run, small-town race. If you want crowds and chaos, go elsewhere. This was my second year, and the cool temperatures (as opposed to last year's 80 degrees) made this a whole different race for me. The aid stations, T-shirt, post-race meal, atmosphere at the Inn, and breakfast for runners all met my high expectations from last year. I ran with some great folks - a gentleman celebrating his 53rd birthday by running his first marathon and a young lady who placed first in her age group! If you are considering Ellerbe, plan on it - you will not be disappointed. I only wish every marathon had such dedicated volunteers and race directors and well-stocked aid stations. Also, for the second year in a row, my husband and young one had a great time as my support crew. I'll be back in 2009. | |
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F. L. from Littleton, NC
(3/29/2008)
"A great small marathon... but there are hills!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Race organizers have this race down pat! The big races could learn a trick or two here! Run the race 5 years and you get a special shirt; 10 years and you get a permanent race number! Well... this was only #1 for me, but I'll be back. Great but hard course, and terrific race organization. Given the rural course, the "crowd support" never gets a chance. But is is a really, really good marathon. | |
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L. M. from VIrginia Beach, VA
(4/4/2007)
"Difficult but a Tremendous Experience" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Ellerbe Springs Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is truly a race to experience. It combines superb local running club management; Southern small town hospitality, charm and friendliness; with a beautiful but demanding course. Of particular note was how well each aid station was stocked with not only water and sports drink but also saltines, pretzels and necessary first aid items. Though on-course spectators are few, those that do come out are very friendly and enthusiastic and often leap-frog the course so you get to see them several times over the course of the race. Staying at the Inn is a must as other local accommodations are sparse and you must travel from either Pinehurst/Southern Pines or Rockingham. Jim and Donna (owners of the Inn) are fabulous hosts and the Pasta Dinner and Runner's Breakfast were fabulous and much improved from three years ago. The only drawback to this year's experience was the heat (low 80's). Overall, this is a fabulous and challenging race experience and I highly recommend it. | |
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T. B. from Maryland
(4/1/2007)
"Highly recommended!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow, great job to Doug (RD) and to the rest of the Mangum TC. I just love these races that are put on by running clubs. Nobody understands better than other runners who have "walked the walk" - all the details were spot on. Mile markers, aid stations, course marking, etc. Someone said below that it was a record high temp. OK, that part was rough. (It actually hit 86 that day, but later in the afternoon.) I know I suffered like a dog, but squeaked out a PR by a few seconds somehow. One thing I did for this race was to drive the course, after I arrived Friday from out of town. It helped prepare me for the very long hill at the halfway mark. I'd say this course is tough but fair. For anyone comparing to Grandfather Mtn., another NC toughie, my personal opinion is that Ellerbe is quite a bit "easier" - not to say that it's actually "easy" because it surely is not! Here are a couple of strategy tips: (1) Let all the young guys go by on the very steep dirt road in the first 1/4 mile; you will reel them in soon enough. (2) The second half is much easier, so don't despair after the huge hill at mile 13. |
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