Beautiful course. Great location -Ellerbe Springs Inn. Well organized, with every detail covered. The pasta feed, the aid stations, the support along the course, and of course the after party with those wonderful awards. The people there are some of the nicest folks you would meet anywhere. I would love to do this one again. It was truly a fun event and a GREAT WEEKEND!

This was my ninth and, by far, my most difficult marathon. Beautiful but extremely demanding course (the hill known as Hannibal is aptly named) that should be undertaken by those who appreciate the purest elements of running without all of the fanfare and corporate claptrap of the larger races. Crowd support was pretty much relegated to the wonderful locals who manned the aid stations and the race officials themselves, who attended to the needs of the runners in a very personable way. The only real adjustment I had to make was watching my hydration more carefully due to the spacing of the aid stations (every couple of miles as opposed to every mile in most races) but they advertise this on the website so there are no excuses not to be prepared. The chicken and dumpling post-race meal was quite unique as was the down-home congratulations you receive when you cross the finish line. I recommend bringing a friend to run with unless you enjoy stretches where it seems you are the last man on earth, except for the occasional eighteen wheeler whizzing by. All in all, a very satisfying adventure that will introduce, or re-introduce, you to the undulating majesty of the North Carolina countryside and the indescribable feeling of accomplishment.

Tough, but you know you have really done something when you finish. Scenic course, great aid stations, very good race director. He covers everything, even love notes to his wife!Y ou have to do this race. It's a down home event.

What a great race!!! I can't say enough nice things about the super people involved with the Ellerbe Springs marathon. The course is hilly and woody and some of the hills seem to stretch on for quite a while!! Very little traffic (mainly race staff and supporters) and be aware that the great outdoors is your port-a-pottie!! Stay at the Inn the night before and enjoy the pasta buffet. The post-race meal features home-made chicken and dumplings. Low-key, down home, but very well organized. If you are looking for a smaller marathon to add to your race experiences-consider Ellerbe.

I completed this marathon for the first time this year. It was FANTASTIC! The course was very hilly and very challenging. The race is conducted by runners for runners. I plan to return every year from now on. They give beautiful pottery awards. The people at the aid stations are very pumped up and excited to be there. You should have an Ellerbe Springs Marathon on your list of races to run.

This was a low key home town marathon. The support and organization were second to none. It started at the 150 year old Ellerbe Springs Inn. The inn only has 14 rooms, so call early for a room. The course is a loop course over beautiful country roads. It is a very hilly course, with very low traffic. The post race meal was great. If you're looking for a small hospitable event then run the Ellerbe Springs Marathon. You will love it!

(Ran this in 2000.) Small-scale race, but basics are covered. Hilly loop course on scenic, woodsy backroads. Paved except for first/last 0.2 miles.) No spectators other than volunteers and some family/friends of participants. Start & finish at Ellerbe Springs Inn (Ellerbe, NC); pasta feed also held there. If you can, reserve a room there early for easy pre-race logistics. Early start for walkers available. Majority of lodging is in Rockingham, NC, about a 15 min. drive. I'd recommend touring the course... you can get a map from race staff at the ES Inn after appx. 5 pm or send a map request/SASE with your mail entry. Finish is grueling, with both an uphill and the last 0.2 mile downhill on a rutted gravel road. (It's safer to make your move/kick before the mile 26 marker.) Handmade pottery awards 3 deep in age groups. Post-race resting area in a pavillion with beer, iced tea, and biscuits with chicken or veggie gravies. Race director and staff personable.