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Marathon Details - Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > TN > Chattanooga > Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon

Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon

Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon & Half Marathon

Chattanooga, TN USA

May 10, 2025

http://www.wildtrails.org/scenic-city-trail-half-marathon

Marathon Results

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Contact Information

Name:
Address:	Rock/Creek Outfitters 4250 Benton Drive, Suite D Chattanooga, TN 37406
Phone Number:	1-888-707-6708
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (8)

Course 2.8

Organization 3.0

Spectators 2.4

Write a review

Number of comments: 8

S. L. from Georgia (5/16/2019) "The locals know it no one else does" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Course is nice, on a good day. But this day was close to worst-case. Trail running is different, but I am experienced with it. Apparently there was a very tight cutoff (for trail) that the RD does not disclose on the website. This is unethical at worst, incompetent at best. I have two Pikes Peak finishes, many other trail races, and never missed a cutoff. But it's hard to make a cutoff if you don't know about it. I found out about the cutoff around mile 15 by another runner who was talking about it. That's not the place to learn about a cutoff. Given the conditions, the cutoff should have been adjusted; it wasn't. Vote with your feet, people. Avoid.
S. E. from Winter Park FL (5/12/2019) "Runner Beware! Undisclosed Cut-off Time" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This marathon was a serious disappointment. Do not register for this without being warned. Several of us were pulled from the course at 20 miles and told of the previously-unannounced cut-off time. After traveling a long distance and paying $90 it feels crappy to be prevented from finishing. Cut off times are reasonable but should be disclosed in advanced. The way this was handled is well outside the industry standard. No credit for TN, & no medal, & nothing. Nowhere in any of the advertising is there any mention of a cut-off time. It rained the entire day so times were slower than usual since there was unsure footing and lots of shoe-sucking mud. The volunteers were nice and the course was lovely but difficult. The race directors owe some of us an apology and some sort of compensation.
T. H. from Tennessee (4/2/2017) "Great Course-Not So Great RDs" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 First of all, this race is organized by Wild Trails in Chattanooga, not Rock/Creek. The course is challenging, but not too difficult and very runnable. As far as trails in Chatanooga, Raccoon Mountain is one of the easiest and very beautiful. If you are looking for a Trail PR, this is a race for it. The biggest issue I had with the race organization is that they have their aid stations labeled incorrectly. They label them as miles 13 and 18, which in actuality it is more like 15 and 22. When you mention this to the directors, they get snippy and blame it on 'GPS is unreliable on this mountain'. The mislabeled aid stations wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the strict cutoff. They will sweep people at aid stations as if they have 8 more miles to run when in actuality it's around 4. I believe this is very unethical. I have run and finished this race twice (2016 & 2017), hoping that the issues were addressed, but they were not. The overall attitude of the aid station crews and race directors were worse this year because of the 'GPS issues', and they were dismissive whenever runners would bring the topic up. I have run other races on Raccoon Mountain with other RDs, and GPS never seems to be an issue. Would I recommend this race to other runners: possibly, if you are a faster runner. Just be prepared to bring extra fuel, because you will be running an extra 2-3 miles between some aid stations.
D. R. from Georgia (6/5/2013) "A tough single track course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Besides the 5:30 cutoff, this course is very tough with lots of rocks and roots creating many trip hazards. If you need to walk some, you will be slowing other runners and there is hardly room to pass. This course has many boulders to climb over. There was only one small creek to cross, but can be very muddy and slick if it rains. I'm sure there is some great views to see, but can't look at them due to the fact that you have to watch the path the whole time. The water stations that were out there were well stocked and run by some great folks who really helped us with anything we needed.
T. W. from Georgia (5/18/2013) "Marathon has a 5:30 cutoff" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This course is pretty tough with an aggressive cutoff time (5:30). Do not attempt it unless you are an expert trail runner and have done several marathons.
Naren Schoenacher from Chattanooga, TN (5/18/2013) "Well organized, loads of fun and challenging." (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon but first trail marathon. I did a trail half earlier this year but have never done a trail full. This course was a lot of fun. It was technical but not too bad. My strong point is bombing down hill (I'm pretty slow on the uphills) and this course was not so rooty or rocky that I couldn't do that. Yes there are a few spots that are too steep and/or too rooty/rocky to do that, but overall the hills were pretty gradual and not too long. I'd say the longest hill was about 50 yds. I live in Brevard, NC and trained in Pisgah Nat'l Forest where many of the hills are miles long. I didn't do too well with my training and was worried that I wouldn'nt finish in time so I was excited to hear that we were only at 2:22 at 15 miles. Not too shabby...for me...anyway, great course, great organization and very friendly, helpful folks. I may do it again next year!
D. P. from Tennessee (5/31/2011) "Tougher than Expected! What an Adventure!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the trail half marathon as my first trail race. Advertised as 'fast and forgiving,' I was surprised at how difficult the trail actually was. (But I have nothing to compare it to.) I made the unfortunate mistake of wearing my road shoes (expecting an easy course.) My Garmin elevation profile showed that about 75% of the course was uphill, 20% steep downhill, and maybe 5% was flat. We ran over a trail with tons of large rocks and roots, scooted down boulders, climbed over a fallen tree, crossed a stream and another area of standing water, and climbed, climbed, and climbed some more. The toughest section was a steep downhilltrail shoes would have helped. I rolled both ankles twice and left the course bleeding from my shoulder from a tree branch. At the time, I knew I was in over my head (had trained on gravel and dirt paths that were not technical) and felt on the verge of getting injured most of the race. Afterwards, I was able to see the adventure of it all. I would do it again - with proper training and trails shoes!
Jerry Flippin Jr. from Douglasville, GA (5/23/2011) "Great event after reflection" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was the course from hell, but after some reflection, this was a great event. This was my first trail marathon and I'm thankful I met the challenge and FINISHED. I've learned from this experience, you have to train to trail run/race. :-)



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S. L. from Georgia (5/16/2019) "The locals know it no one else does" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Course is nice, on a good day. But this day was close to worst-case. Trail running is different, but I am experienced with it. Apparently there was a very tight cutoff (for trail) that the RD does not disclose on the website. This is unethical at worst, incompetent at best. I have two Pikes Peak finishes, many other trail races, and never missed a cutoff. But it's hard to make a cutoff if you don't know about it. I found out about the cutoff around mile 15 by another runner who was talking about it. That's not the place to learn about a cutoff. Given the conditions, the cutoff should have been adjusted; it wasn't. Vote with your feet, people. Avoid.
S. E. from Winter Park FL (5/12/2019) "Runner Beware! Undisclosed Cut-off Time" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This marathon was a serious disappointment. Do not register for this without being warned. Several of us were pulled from the course at 20 miles and told of the previously-unannounced cut-off time. After traveling a long distance and paying $90 it feels crappy to be prevented from finishing. Cut off times are reasonable but should be disclosed in advanced. The way this was handled is well outside the industry standard. No credit for TN, & no medal, & nothing. Nowhere in any of the advertising is there any mention of a cut-off time. It rained the entire day so times were slower than usual since there was unsure footing and lots of shoe-sucking mud. The volunteers were nice and the course was lovely but difficult. The race directors owe some of us an apology and some sort of compensation.
T. H. from Tennessee (4/2/2017) "Great Course-Not So Great RDs" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 First of all, this race is organized by Wild Trails in Chattanooga, not Rock/Creek. The course is challenging, but not too difficult and very runnable. As far as trails in Chatanooga, Raccoon Mountain is one of the easiest and very beautiful. If you are looking for a Trail PR, this is a race for it. The biggest issue I had with the race organization is that they have their aid stations labeled incorrectly. They label them as miles 13 and 18, which in actuality it is more like 15 and 22. When you mention this to the directors, they get snippy and blame it on 'GPS is unreliable on this mountain'. The mislabeled aid stations wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the strict cutoff. They will sweep people at aid stations as if they have 8 more miles to run when in actuality it's around 4. I believe this is very unethical. I have run and finished this race twice (2016 & 2017), hoping that the issues were addressed, but they were not. The overall attitude of the aid station crews and race directors were worse this year because of the 'GPS issues', and they were dismissive whenever runners would bring the topic up. I have run other races on Raccoon Mountain with other RDs, and GPS never seems to be an issue. Would I recommend this race to other runners: possibly, if you are a faster runner. Just be prepared to bring extra fuel, because you will be running an extra 2-3 miles between some aid stations.
D. R. from Georgia (6/5/2013) "A tough single track course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Besides the 5:30 cutoff, this course is very tough with lots of rocks and roots creating many trip hazards. If you need to walk some, you will be slowing other runners and there is hardly room to pass. This course has many boulders to climb over. There was only one small creek to cross, but can be very muddy and slick if it rains. I'm sure there is some great views to see, but can't look at them due to the fact that you have to watch the path the whole time. The water stations that were out there were well stocked and run by some great folks who really helped us with anything we needed.
T. W. from Georgia (5/18/2013) "Marathon has a 5:30 cutoff" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This course is pretty tough with an aggressive cutoff time (5:30). Do not attempt it unless you are an expert trail runner and have done several marathons.
Naren Schoenacher from Chattanooga, TN (5/18/2013) "Well organized, loads of fun and challenging." (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon but first trail marathon. I did a trail half earlier this year but have never done a trail full. This course was a lot of fun. It was technical but not too bad. My strong point is bombing down hill (I'm pretty slow on the uphills) and this course was not so rooty or rocky that I couldn't do that. Yes there are a few spots that are too steep and/or too rooty/rocky to do that, but overall the hills were pretty gradual and not too long. I'd say the longest hill was about 50 yds. I live in Brevard, NC and trained in Pisgah Nat'l Forest where many of the hills are miles long. I didn't do too well with my training and was worried that I wouldn'nt finish in time so I was excited to hear that we were only at 2:22 at 15 miles. Not too shabby...for me...anyway, great course, great organization and very friendly, helpful folks. I may do it again next year!
D. P. from Tennessee (5/31/2011) "Tougher than Expected! What an Adventure!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the trail half marathon as my first trail race. Advertised as 'fast and forgiving,' I was surprised at how difficult the trail actually was. (But I have nothing to compare it to.) I made the unfortunate mistake of wearing my road shoes (expecting an easy course.) My Garmin elevation profile showed that about 75% of the course was uphill, 20% steep downhill, and maybe 5% was flat. We ran over a trail with tons of large rocks and roots, scooted down boulders, climbed over a fallen tree, crossed a stream and another area of standing water, and climbed, climbed, and climbed some more. The toughest section was a steep downhilltrail shoes would have helped. I rolled both ankles twice and left the course bleeding from my shoulder from a tree branch. At the time, I knew I was in over my head (had trained on gravel and dirt paths that were not technical) and felt on the verge of getting injured most of the race. Afterwards, I was able to see the adventure of it all. I would do it again - with proper training and trails shoes!
Jerry Flippin Jr. from Douglasville, GA (5/23/2011) "Great event after reflection" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought this was the course from hell, but after some reflection, this was a great event. This was my first trail marathon and I'm thankful I met the challenge and FINISHED. I've learned from this experience, you have to train to trail run/race. :-)

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Marathon Details - Rock/Creek Scenic City Trail Marathon