Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

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 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

C. C. from SC (3/3/2020) "Challenging but worth it" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've been trying to get to run this race for years, but couldn't ever fit it in my schedule. Or maybe I was intimidated by how hilly I heard it was. Glad I finally did. Yes it was hilly, but it's a great 'little' race with a big heart. The organizers are very passionate about running and the volunteers are sooo helpful and nice. It's a great warm up race if you want to try the more challenging Boogie 50 in the summer. Please try to get to this one !
T. W. from NC (3/3/2020) "Wonderful Saturday" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Admit - I only ran the half - but for the full you run the same 13 again. The community is what makes this race. The course is a very beautiful country side run with hills. (yes, hills) But they are doable. I have never ran Ellerbe before, but have many friends who have have. I can honestly say this was one of my favorite races. I have ran the big ones (Boston/Disney) and small local ones. But this is by far one of the best. The field of runners were all like family and knew each other, yet very welcoming to us newcomers. There were two girls who were doing their first half, and the experienced runners were so comforting and encouraging before the race. The course was challenging. First part was rolling hills that seemed to go down more than up, and the middle was let's just say up, and the end was more flat and a good way to finish. There was no pressure - I ran a good portion with a group and talked , met people and just chatted. Then because I was only doing the half, I could speed up. So the end portion of the run I was alone. (Peaceful) Every single person that I passed, told me I was looking good! When I got close to the finish the marathoners were going back out on the second loop and they looked strong. Even though they were on mile 14, they all said hi and had encouraging comments. The volunteers at the end of the race were fantastic. We received the medal and a wonderful pottery wine cup. I picked a white color and another runner commented how pretty it was but there were no more out. The volunteer (on her own) went digging through boxes to find another white one. Can you say awesome customer service. Soup at the end - can't beat that! Also final note, as I was running I saw the race director driving by - he was checking with the volunteers. There must be a dog on the course that may cause a little mischief, but he had a volunteer stationed by the house to ensure the runners safety. You cannot ask for more care....
V. H. from Encinitas, CA (3/3/2020) "Little Town, Great Course, Lots of Fun!" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you like smaller scenic races, this is a race for you. It's an out and back 'keyhole' race and its nothing but country logging and farm road after road. The race is not flat by any stretch, it's lots of rolling NC hills but I had a blast. Strongly encourage this race for anyone looking for something memorable.
M. L. from North Carolina (3/3/2020) "Very rewarding!" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Ellerbe Springs Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I prefer small town marathons and small town hospitality. You will get both from the Ellerbe Marathon in Ellerbe, North Carolina. This year was the 29th annual and I hope to make the 30th annual next year. The staff and volunteers are all friendly and very accommodating. The course is all rural and on beautiful back-roads in their county. Plenty of hills to challenge you and just enough runners to keep you company. Finisher medals and shirts are very nice and the vegetarian soup along with quesadillas at the local fire station were top notch. Ellerbe Marathon is unquestionably a feel good event that I highly recommend to all runners.
S. M. from USA (3/2/2020) "Ellerbee Marathon" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Ellerbe Springs Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 A very challenging course and very rewarding when you finish and receive your awesome finishing medal and pottery. I have ran the marathon 10 times and the race director and support personnel are top notch. I would recommend this race to everyone that wants to have a great time with a low key race.
J. H. from California (2/26/2017) "hills heat and beauti" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The heat came early in the marathon. 81 degrees! The course was up big hills up small hills. The lead runners look very strong. Two 13 mile loops. Very good marathon. I only ran 13 and had to leave after that. I have to come back next year. I believe there is a night 50 miler in July at this location.
P. B. from Charlotte, NC (4/20/2016) "Great, Low-key Event" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great early spring race! The course is definitely very hilly and runs through some beautiful country. It's a small race, so no corrals, expo or any of that junk - just get out there and run. The people who put this race on obviously care a great deal about putting on an enjoyable event.
P. K. from Cincinnati, Ohio (3/27/2014) "Scenery, Hills...and More Hills" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Ellerbe was one of the most peaceful and scenic marathons I've run, with lots of nature and several beautiful vistas. But the sword is double-edged. It's a loop course, all road, graced with peaceful farms and green, piney forests (the late pro wrestler Andre the Giant owned a farm here). Other than race volunteers scooting between aid stations, traffic was almost non-existent. But as beautiful as these hills are, they're a bitch to run for 26.2 miles. THE PROS: scenic; affordable; friendly; laid-back; bib pickup on race morning; chicken-and-dumplings post-race food (despite the chopped chicken bone); pottery awards. THE CONS: website had no directions to race start (had to ask directions from the Duck Dynasty guy in town); cheap medal and t-shirt; few aid stations; KILLER HILLS the second half of course. I know it's difficult to tamper with tradition, but the race organizers may want to consider reversing the direction of this race. This would eliminate the worst hills early on, and finish with a fairly flat, gentle stroll through town to the finish line (and maybe encourage the Duck Dynasty guy to get out and cheer the runners). Maybe they like the grueling nature of this run. But you can still have grueling without exhaustion and dehydration. Nonetheless, I recommend this quaint little race. It's a nice alternative to the pompous, expensive city marathons so prevalent nowadays.
G. S. from North Carolina (4/2/2013) "Great Grass Roots Marathon" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Magnum Track Club does a superb job organizing the race. This is a quaint race with charming simplicity. No chips, not crowded and you can sign up the night before the race (i did). The course is accurately described as hilly with 1,750 feet of elevation gain (per my gps). The course is exceptionally well marked and despite being on open roads is very safe. About 15 cars passed during the race. Despite the cold and rain the committed volunteers were in full force at each aid station. If you are looking for a major city marathon to run with 10,000 of your closest friends this race is not for you. If you are looking for a perfectly organized race, with reasonable cost accommodations 10 miles away and the best chicken and dumplings as your post race meal THIS IS YOUR MARATHON.
D. M. from Trinity, North Carolina (3/26/2013) "Wonderful small-town race" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ellerbe Springs Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great time with this one. The course is difficult but beautiful and well-marked. The spectators were great...both of them. The finishers medal was HUGE and the post-race meal was delicious. Yummy chicken & dumplings!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use