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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 51 to 61]
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S. C. from Fort Collins, Colorado
(3/27/2007)
"A terrific laid back but well organized marathon." (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Although given the opportunity to sleep in later than usual with an 8am start, the drawback at least this year was that the course heated up significantly for those on it longer. Informed that all the runs previously were started with the pop from a blown paper sack, I thought I would miss out but enjoyed the air pop gun probably just as much. As advertised, you encounter one long hill after another, but at least what goes up does come down. The country roads were mostly quiet and pleasant with beautiful scenery. The well spaced aid stations and volunteers were absolutely great. I cannot think of anything lacking from the stations, other than energy gel, and I knew that beforehand. The paper towels, aspirin and pretzels not often provided elsewhere were appreciated. A very reasonable entry fee for all that is included with very tasty chicken and dumplings, sweet tea, and peach cobbler available after the finish. I appreciated the bath house being made available for a shower, although icy cold I am not going to complain. It felt good afterwards. I, unfortunately, missed out on not being able to linger to enjoy the great atmosphere. I would highly recommend this laid back run that is very well organized. | |
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P. P. from Tulsa, OK
(3/27/2007)
"Beautiful, Challenging Course; Great Organizers!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I knew the course was hilly but that is an understatement. It was beautiful though! Even though I was alone for a lot of the race, I knew that the organizers were always driving by checking on us! I will recommend this marathon to all of my friends! My only regret was that I did not get to stay at the inn, which would have made the race even better! | |
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Reavis Eubanks, Jr. from Asheville, NC
(3/25/2007)
"Impressed" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I chose Ellerbe Springs because of its reputation. I wasn't disappointed. The course is very hard. If you're looking for an easy Southern qualifier, this isn't the one. The training necessary to qualify at Ellerbe will put you in the elite field. | |
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Gerald Clark from Bear Creek, North Carolina
(3/25/2007)
"Where did they find all those hills?!?!?!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the most well organized marathons I've ever run. This is a small race and has only a few spectators when compared to the large ones, but the ones that were there were outstanding! They also had the most helpful volunteers and there were plenty of them! All aid stations had plenty of everything. Maybe there could have been a few more, but it was about 80 degrees that day, which set a record high. The stations they had would have been adequate on a normal March day in NC. The course was exceptionally well marked - and even while in oxygen debt I had no problems finding my way. (And there were times when I could not see a runner in front of me.) I often met paramedics riding the course looking for distressed runners. If this race had a downside, it had to be the hills, but the beautiful rural scenery more than compensated for this. The chicken and dumplings offered at the end were also a nice touch. I'd recommend this for anyone who's tired of the unorganized chaos associated with some of the mega marathons. Marine Corps 2006 was all I could take! Hats off to Doug Dawkins, Richmond City Rescue Squad, the Mangum Track Club, and all of the volunteers that made this a fantastic marathon!! | |
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A. R. from Raleigh, North Carolina
(3/24/2007)
"A challenging marathon and well-kept secret" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I entered with four marathons under my belt, but not much recent training. In fact, I decided to run on Thursday, drove in on Saturday morning, paid the late registration fee, had a cheap runner's buffet at the Inn, and took off. Honestly, I had not run over 13 miles since November 2006, but had my eyes on Grandfather in July of 2007. I thought this would give me a good idea of what a hilly, challenging marathon course would entail. Wow! Awesome scenery on the first half and rolling hills throughout. I have done D.C, Richmond, and Raleigh (and a couple of half-marathons) and never met friendlier people on the course or more hospitable folks at aid stations. (A big thanks to S. Cooper who ran with me most of the race and helped me finish the final two miles when I was wondering why this seemed like a good idea :) .) Also, around 21, had a veteran Ellerbe Marathoner (this was his eleventh) offer to help me PR. The hills and heat didn't seem to be getting to either of them. To top it off, I went home with some pottery. Hey... and the race volunteers were super nice to my hubby and 5 year-old, who trailed me all morning. I'll be back to Ellerbe - for the course, the hospitality, the runners, cold Cokes at the finish, yummy peach cobbler, cool pottery, and incredibly perky aid station workers. Well done! | |
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F. W. from Melbourne, Florida
(6/19/2006)
"Southern Hospitality" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a delightful small-town marathon. We stayed at the Ellerbe Springs Inn which was the host facility for the event. Being at the inn made the whole exerience all the more worthwhile. These folks define the term "SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY." The course was quite challenging with lots of hills. However, having run a couple of marathons in the Rockies, I found these hills very "runable." Being a rural area, there wasn't huge crowd support. However, the local people who came out to support the race were charming, helpful and encouraging. The after-party was fun. The packet pick-up and the award ceremony were both very easy going and informal. If you're looking for a serving of small-town informality with a big dollop of Southern Hospitality, then Ellerbe Springs is the marathon to run - just don't expect to PR. | |
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Katrina Fontanet from Melbourne, Florida
(4/1/2006)
"Great way to do a Saturday" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Since I wished there were more comments from previous years, I'm putting some in for 2006 and hope more people will also give feedback. Time and weather (40s-50s) were ideal. Early start is always a nice touch it seems. Same-day registration was very smooth. Scenery was awesome. Aid stations and volunteers were very nice!! When they say, "NO port-o-lets," they mean none, but then there's toilet paper at the aid stations, so I can't complain! I lost time debating whether to make a pit stop after Mile 17.... Sweet finish. Chicken and dumplings - yummy - but they ran short for about a dozen or more marathoners, and a young waiter told me the cobbler ran out "a long while ago" (I ate about 5-1/2 hours after the start). Oh well! Cozy post area. I didn't find it as hilly as expected (imagine what I expected!). Some hills looked tough from a distance, but once I put them under my feet, I didn't feel the effort much (until the next couple days!). Numbers on ground and the Mangum Track Club were top-notch. Always love the people factor, so I don't go as fast as I could've, perhaps. Terry (S.F.), Pam (Carey), Rick (Ultra), et. al. really made it a terrific time. | |
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L. G. from Charlotte, NC
(3/27/2006)
"best little secret in the southeast" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had heard about this race for years (no, the chicken and dumplings aren't really worth running the race) and decided to do it a month after I had done Tampa, with a very sore hamstring. Even so, I had a great time, the volunteers were wonderful, and the course was very tough, though scenic. Everyone involved was super; the local track club does a great job. Only improvement would be coffee (good coffee) after the race, and somewhere you could get warm and stretch. | |
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d. m. from Asheboro, NC
(3/31/2005)
"Small turnout hometown race with lots of prizes!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Ellerbe Springs Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is not flat; it rolls down to 11 and then it seems like 12-14 is all uphill. Miles 15 to 18 roll up and down and the end is flat until the last mile. The age group awards are well worth the run, with over 70 pottery awards and only 150 runners. There are 11 aid stations (I'd like more). The scenery is beautiful and there's very little traffic. Great small-town race. The course challenges you and makes you want to come back and do better. | |
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John Hutchinson from North Carolina
(3/30/2005)
"A great experience..." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Over its 14 year history, Ellerbe Springs Marathon has developed a cult following in the Carolinas. The race has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most challenging, best-organized marathons around. With that in mind, I was ready to run Ellerbe Springs after all the hype and huge crowds at big races like Marine Corps, Disney World, and Myrtle Beach. Ellerbe Springs lived up to its reputation. The two races directors have run more than 200 races themselves. They know a quality event includes a challenging, scenic course, good volunteers, and good organization. This race has it all. The course really got my attention. Ellerbe Springs is designed to be a dramatic, ?thinking athlete?s? run. It may be more subtle than Washington?s Marine Corps Marathon, but running Ellerbe Springs is every bit as exciting as running past national landmarks. It also requires much more strategy. The Ellerbe route carries runners over 26.2 miles of quiet country roads. Hills keep coming mile after mile and, on occasion, open up scenic views of the ?River Hills.? Many hills roll on for a half-mile or more ? and they do not come at random points. Consider the satisfaction of reaching the half-marathon point (and an enthusiastic group of volunteers) at the exact top of a steep, winding 1.5-mile climb. Just past the halfway point, runners face a two-mile downhill stretch that forces them to choose to either bank time or recover before the final miles. Then, not coincidentally, the straightest, flattest stretches (?flat? is relative at Ellerbe Springs) come towards the end, setting the stage for late-race speed duels among strong competitors. Try to find course designs half as exciting in a marathon for the masses. Whether you are fast or slow, finishing Ellerbe Springs gives a certain satisfaction you do not find in big-city races. You will work at Ellerbe. Your will power will be tested, especially since you may be alone for some of the run. Then, when you finally reach the small, cheering crowd at the end to claim your medal and shirt, you will feel real accomplishment. The few who actually qualify for Boston at Ellerbe Springs are stars among marathoners. It actually gets better. Runners gather for a free post-race pasta meal. Ellerbe Springs regulars are a friendly cross-section of Southeastern runners. They stick around for several hours swapping stories over chicken and dumplings and beer. You will not find friendlier folks anywhere. Egos are checked at the door. I guess anyone who finishes Ellerbe Springs respects the heck out of anyone else who does the same, regardless of how long it takes them. If you enjoy running and if you are searching for a satisfying race, this is it. The whole Ellerbe Springs experience leaves me wishing I?d started long-distance running years ago. |
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