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Marathon Details - Conquer the Cove Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > VA > Roanoke > Conquer the Cove Marathon

Conquer the Cove Marathon

Conquer the Cove Marathon & 25K

Roanoke, VA USA

June 1, 2025

http://www.mountainjunkies.net/site/conquer-the-cove-25k-marathon

Marathon Results

By Year:

2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Top 3 Finishers

Contact Information

Name:
Address:	Mountain Junkies L.L.C. 212 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153
Phone Number:	540-525-9452
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (4)

Course 4.5

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.5

Write a review

Number of comments: 4

K. B. from Hawaii (6/16/2016) "Shortened cut-off times from what was advertised" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 For the 2016 marathon, the run was advertised with a 7 hour time limit, and two intermediate cut-offs. The first cut off was at mile 7.93 and was at 1 hour 55 minutes. Sometime after I signed up, the cut off was covertly changed to 1 hour 45 minutes, more than a minute per mile faster than previously advertised. I know my limits. I would not have signed up for or traveled to this run with such a tight cut off. When I got to the cut off at 1:49 and was pulled, I didn't have any paperwork with me to prove the original time limits. I suggest printing all details of this race, and carrying it with you if you chose to run Conquer the Cove. The first 8 miles were beautiful. It is a shame I was not allowed to run the rest.
Tom Armstrong from Ball Ground, Ga (6/2/2014) "Exactly has stated 'CONQUER'" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first trail marathon and first trail race over 4 miles. The organizers told you what to expect and they were correct. If you have not run a trail marathon and you want to - this is the one. The organizers do a tremendous job. The race started on time with perfect directions as to what to expect. The volunteers at the aide stations were very inviting. They had sandwiches, fruit, gels, trail mix, water for refills and water and Gatorade in cups. They also had cold towels. The course had some many different terrains. It starts with a 1 mile asphalt run then makes a left that rises for about 1.5 miles. Yes I did second guess myself here and on the downhill. But after that it is a beautiful run until you make the turn at mile 18. It is uphill until mile 21. I walked. I had planned this all along. I was able to look around and enjoy the view. From the top for about 2 miles it is screaming downhill. I was on the breaks the whole way. People flew by me like I was walking. The end of the race around the lake is a memorable finish. Plenty of finish line food. We had great weather, the thanks for that go to someone else. This race is hard. But look at the webpage for the definition of conquer and take it to heart, I did. I will run another one someday.
Tom DeKornfeld from Annapolis, MD (6/2/2013) "Wonderful race in all respects!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This a a beautiful single-track and fire-road course through deep woods, up and down and around lakes and valleys. The support was terrific. The awards were creative and very generous. The race had a group-of-friends atmosphere coupled with as professional a race organization as you will find anywhere. Really well done. This was a trail marathon through a remote area, so don't expect crowds of spectators, but the spectators at the aid stations and at the finish are supportive and enthusiastic.
D. S. from Michigan (6/4/2012) "Don't feed the bears.Gu will just make them angry!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Apparently a few runners did see a bear, I wasn't so lucky as the runner in front of me wore bells on her shoes and kept scaring them away! No worries though, all runners were ultimately accounted for. It's a very challenging course through the hills, backwoods and along trails with names such as Songbird, Enchanted Forest and The Gauntlet. Other than the 1000' descent late in the race where my knees took a real pounding, I enjoyed the race. The weather was perfect, lots of shade and even up the mountain there was a nice breeze. I would warn that if you run this in wet weather, some of those rocky portions of trail will be slick! Some runners complained postrace about the directions at the 25K and marathon split, but to defend the organization, that was thoroughly covered in the pre race instructions and perhaps if so many runners weren't wearing ear buds they would have paid attention to the signs! Anyway, the finish at Loch Haven Lake was nice; there was a little beach to relax or soak your legs in the lake while cheering the other finishers (plus the cookout and doorprizes). I liked the handkerchief in the goody bag that was printed with the map and elevation of the course! I never had to reference it during the race, but it was a useful bandana. Improvement suggestions would be maybe a couple portapotties at the start (restroom facilities were limited) and I'm sure there could have been a few extra yards added in somewhere to make this a proper 26.2 distance? Calling it a marathon when the race is actually short, at 26 miles, really screws up the 'bookkeeping' for those of us who take running a marathon as being an official marathon distance. Beyond that though, I do recommend the race and kudos to the organization and volunteers!



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K. B. from Hawaii (6/16/2016) "Shortened cut-off times from what was advertised" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 For the 2016 marathon, the run was advertised with a 7 hour time limit, and two intermediate cut-offs. The first cut off was at mile 7.93 and was at 1 hour 55 minutes. Sometime after I signed up, the cut off was covertly changed to 1 hour 45 minutes, more than a minute per mile faster than previously advertised. I know my limits. I would not have signed up for or traveled to this run with such a tight cut off. When I got to the cut off at 1:49 and was pulled, I didn't have any paperwork with me to prove the original time limits. I suggest printing all details of this race, and carrying it with you if you chose to run Conquer the Cove. The first 8 miles were beautiful. It is a shame I was not allowed to run the rest.
Tom Armstrong from Ball Ground, Ga (6/2/2014) "Exactly has stated 'CONQUER'" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first trail marathon and first trail race over 4 miles. The organizers told you what to expect and they were correct. If you have not run a trail marathon and you want to - this is the one. The organizers do a tremendous job. The race started on time with perfect directions as to what to expect. The volunteers at the aide stations were very inviting. They had sandwiches, fruit, gels, trail mix, water for refills and water and Gatorade in cups. They also had cold towels. The course had some many different terrains. It starts with a 1 mile asphalt run then makes a left that rises for about 1.5 miles. Yes I did second guess myself here and on the downhill. But after that it is a beautiful run until you make the turn at mile 18. It is uphill until mile 21. I walked. I had planned this all along. I was able to look around and enjoy the view. From the top for about 2 miles it is screaming downhill. I was on the breaks the whole way. People flew by me like I was walking. The end of the race around the lake is a memorable finish. Plenty of finish line food. We had great weather, the thanks for that go to someone else. This race is hard. But look at the webpage for the definition of conquer and take it to heart, I did. I will run another one someday.
Tom DeKornfeld from Annapolis, MD (6/2/2013) "Wonderful race in all respects!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This a a beautiful single-track and fire-road course through deep woods, up and down and around lakes and valleys. The support was terrific. The awards were creative and very generous. The race had a group-of-friends atmosphere coupled with as professional a race organization as you will find anywhere. Really well done. This was a trail marathon through a remote area, so don't expect crowds of spectators, but the spectators at the aid stations and at the finish are supportive and enthusiastic.
D. S. from Michigan (6/4/2012) "Don't feed the bears.Gu will just make them angry!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Conquer the Cove Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Apparently a few runners did see a bear, I wasn't so lucky as the runner in front of me wore bells on her shoes and kept scaring them away! No worries though, all runners were ultimately accounted for. It's a very challenging course through the hills, backwoods and along trails with names such as Songbird, Enchanted Forest and The Gauntlet. Other than the 1000' descent late in the race where my knees took a real pounding, I enjoyed the race. The weather was perfect, lots of shade and even up the mountain there was a nice breeze. I would warn that if you run this in wet weather, some of those rocky portions of trail will be slick! Some runners complained postrace about the directions at the 25K and marathon split, but to defend the organization, that was thoroughly covered in the pre race instructions and perhaps if so many runners weren't wearing ear buds they would have paid attention to the signs! Anyway, the finish at Loch Haven Lake was nice; there was a little beach to relax or soak your legs in the lake while cheering the other finishers (plus the cookout and doorprizes). I liked the handkerchief in the goody bag that was printed with the map and elevation of the course! I never had to reference it during the race, but it was a useful bandana. Improvement suggestions would be maybe a couple portapotties at the start (restroom facilities were limited) and I'm sure there could have been a few extra yards added in somewhere to make this a proper 26.2 distance? Calling it a marathon when the race is actually short, at 26 miles, really screws up the 'bookkeeping' for those of us who take running a marathon as being an official marathon distance. Beyond that though, I do recommend the race and kudos to the organization and volunteers!

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Marathon Details - Conquer the Cove Marathon