This was my first marathon, and while I agree with the negative comments about the buses and trouble negotiating to the final track, I thought it was great. Being my first, if the food at the end was subpar, I was unaware! An apple and a banana after THAT run was Heaven!

I had to train with modest hills in Grensboro, and was pretty intimidated by the thought of Boone terrain. I won't minimize that, but it was doable and a very pretty run, despite the fog and rain. I am more of a solitary runner, so the absence of crowds was frankly welcome. I'll be back!

On a personal note, I trained for this to run with my son Keith, but he had a leg injury and could not do it. He came from Boston, his sister Tracey from NY, and what a great weekend! He did run back from the finish to run me in the last 5 miles, and that really made this a special day. Thanks to both of them! Allan Williams

This was my first time running this race and what a great running experience!!!

However, I was real disappointed and concerned with the transportation to and from the Highland Games.

First, I had seven family members there to support me. I bought seven round trip tickets for them at ASU while picking up my packet. The guy selling the tickets questioned my intentions with the purchase. He informed me these tickets include free admission into the Highland Games. He interrogated me of my intentions and said 'We have a good relationship with the Highland Games Organizers and don't want to see marathon people abuse this privilege.'

Basically, he was accusing me of trying to re-sell Highland Game passes and make a $12.00 profit for each one. How ignorant and offensive that was. I was there to run a marathon. Not become a ticket scalper.

Second, the transportation bus up to the Highland Games jeopardized the safety of my family and others. The driver got lost and the bus broke down with a brake line problem. No excuse to have an inexperienced bus driver and a bus having brake failures on a mountain. My family and others had to hike through the woods to get to the Highland Games because they were concerned for their safety. They left at 7:15am and finally got to the games at 10:15am.

After the race, the lines waiting for the bus in the cold rain were terrible. I saw one bus sitting there near the pickup line for over 45 minutes. I asked one of the organizers about it and was informed they did not have a driver and trying to find one.

I will do the race again but will not bring spectators with me.

I loved this race and I was hurting for several days. I was disappointed to see some of the complaints however, as the organizers must work very hard to pull this one off. It is a small race and you cannot expect the amenities that a big race offers.
I expected a small selection of food at the end and had brought a few Power Bars to snack on. There was also plenty of food available at the games so it shouldn't have been an issue.

As for the busses, yes I waited for a long time; but it seems that there was a lot of spectators heading back because of the weather, so there was some bad luck on that one.
The crews at the water stops were great and I laughed (and cried) when I heard the theme from Hawaii Five O.
Anyway, thanks to the organizers, I'll see you next year in Boone.

The marathon course was absolutely beautiful! The hills were challenging and difficult, but you have to pay for the scenery in the mountains. Since this is not a PR course, having water stops every 2-3 miles is adequate and the volunteers were enthusiastic.

The organizers keep the number of participants at a managable number, ~350. The course was great all the way, and finishing in front of 10,000 Scottish fans and a mass bagpipe band was very special. The food afterward was limited, but no big deal. I asked a couple volunteers for directions after I finished and they cheerfully pointed me where I needed to go.

I have run this race for the past 14 years and plan to run every year from this point on. Grandfather is one of those special marathons that keep you coming back year after year. As a race director of two events(marathon & 5 miler) I know first hand what it takes to conduct races. I think the Grandfather people do a fantastic job with the race. To them, I say thank you for a job well done.

The 2002 race had ideal conditions for the hardcore runners. Cloudy, cool, and light rain over the last 5 miles kept one fresh. The hills are still there, however, regardless of the weather. They are formidable. But the course is one that is both beautiful and one that helps the runners focus on the race. There are no distractions, including spectators. This was my third time, and by far my best effort. I improved my previous best here by 17 minutes. You have to prepare specifically for the hills, or you will struggle, and mightily. At the risk of sounding like carping, the finish of the race could use some improvement. There is no place to change, and the refreshments are barely okay. There is a long walk to the bus that takes you back to the high school. You also lose some time coming in to the finish to get on the track. Lots of people get in your way there. It would suit me just fine if they had this race a week later, so that the Highland Games are long gone, and all of that traffic and mess is out of the way. Despite that, this race is a classic.

An otherwise great marathon course was marred by inattention to small details. Hundreds of runners and family members were forced to wait from 1-2 hours in a cold drizzle for a return shuttle to town. Post-race food was worst I have encountered. For gosh sakes, they couldn't even spring for peanut butter with their jelly sandwiches (which you had to make yourself).

I knew this was going to be a challenging marathon. I also expected that there would be a little bit better organization, especially at the end. The runners had no clue where they were supposed to be going once they went past GM entrance. Coming off of the track, there wasn't anyone to direct you back to the 'refreshment' area; and I do use that term loosely. I've never been offered bread and jelly after completeing a marathon, and would've been happier with crackers and peanut butter minus the brown apples and bananas.I would definitely NOT do this marathon again. :(

It's been seven months since I finished the race for the first time, and I'm still in awe of this marathon. You can run any big city race you want, but this course keeps it real. No fancy water stations, no bands, no frills, no crowds, no one to stop traffic. It's you and the road. A true test of strength and determination. To drive the course the night before or not? A good question. I drove it...wow...but honestly, a drive along the course just doesn't paint the true picture.

I was especially impressed by the number of returners. I found a fun, laid-back group and hung in there till the finish. Those bagpipes in the distance are such a sweet sound!

Go try it...I dare you!

It is a great race to get in touch with the runner within. Plenty of scenic views and vistas. Well run from beginning to end.