David Hatfield and his volunteers did a great job at hosting the Half & Full Marathon. It was so well organized -- and the volunteers were so friendly! The locals made the race a lot of fun! We were able to stay in the cabins in Mantwane - normally for ATV'ers. They went out of their way to make sure every thing was nice for us! I would recommend this race to any one intersted in a half or full marathon!

I could not give higher praise for the course, or the volunteers for this marathon. The race route is beautiful and lived up to my expectations for the mountains of West Virginia and Kentucky. There are plenty of water stops, well stocked with hospitable volunteers, water, power aid, bananas, as well as ice sponges and ice-hands to keep us cool in the later miles. The weather was great this year. I do have a few criticisms. The pasta dinner needs to be better organized to move the crowd of people through the buffet lines faster-either control when people can get in line, or move the event outside. It also appeared that seating was not adequate. Runners were asked to show up at the start almost two hours before the gun, which is far too early for a small marathon. Because chip timing was used, there should be no delay or problems with getting the results posted. As of the writing of this, four days after the race, there are still no results posted. The chip timing should be used to figure out overall and age group winners, rather than two people trying to keep track of this by hand as runners come across the finish. This method was disorganized, and led to numerous mistakes with awarding the overall and age group trophies. These small problems aside, I definately recommend this marathon to runners who don't need to have spectators along the entire course, and are able to run a marathon where there are portions where you may be without other runners. This race ranks among the top of my marathon experiences.

Overall: Good race for a small town community!

Pros:
Volunteers #1
Great weather
Challenging course
Pasta buffet (plenty to eat)
Finishers Medal
Matewan community
Low $$ Entry Fee
Sponges
Finish line spirit

Cons:
Trash along the roads took away from the scenic streams
Water stations needed between 14 and 18

Suggestions:
1. Start the half marathon course in Matewan --- the Matewan community could provide a 'shoot-out' for the start.

2. Have two seatings for the pre-race meal, 4pm and 6pm, to eliminate the lack of seating at the restaurant.

3. Recruit cheerleaders from local HS, church choirs, etc. to provide encouragement at various locations; a few cheers at 7, 16 and 23 would be great.

4. Provide volunteers at the unmanned road crossings.

5. Evaluate the awards; plastic trophies are a dime a dozen, what about an item that represents the area? wood carving?

6. Provide an alternate to the after-race pork BBQ for the vegetarians that run the race.

Literally, the early entry fee was just $35 and you get a great pasta dinner, nice t-shirt, aid stations galore, a hot barbeque post race meal and an incredible trophy if you are fortunate enough to win your age group.

The Race Director is a saint and the whole atmosphere, including the volunteers, reflect that attitude. You will not find a more welcoming event anywhere in the world of marathoning (this was 118 for me BTW).

Yes the course is fairly challenging but not a 'killer' and it is beautiful! We did luck out with cooler than normal weather which helped. You can do this for either a WV or KY on your 50 States quest and I plan to go back in 2007 to do it as KY, finishing my second time around.

If there is any downside, it's the lack of hotel accomodations but they can be found in nearby communities.

As I told David Hatfield after the marathon, I have run 19 marathons, many in the big cities and would make the Hatfield-McCoy Marathon one that I would come back to rather then most of the big city glamour and glitz, check-off-on-the-life-to-do-list-I-ran-a-marathon, style marathons. This is a marathoner's marathon with a challenging course both mentally and physically but as I told David, quite fair to the runner. Mentally it gets tough because at some points you see no runners in front nor behind you. It is you and the marathon hugged by the embraces of the mountains. It never felt so good to see the next volunteer water stop, primarily because these were people who were gracious enough to stand out in front of their homes for hours on end to hand our water, powerade and frozen hands. Yes, you read that right, frozen hands. At many of the aid stations, due to runners being spaced out, they asked you if you wanted water or powerade but at one, a guy asked me if I wanted a frozen hand. OK, I had to stop for this one because this was the first marathon out of my 19 where I have been asked that question. The frozen hand was a surgical glove filled partially with water and frozen. He told me that I could wear it in my hat. What a great idea for my summer runs!

I had a wonderful experience at this marathon. It is not the easiest place to get to (I drove 10 hours from NJ)and hotel rooms are a bit scarce (so book early) but it was well worth the trip.

David, thanks to you and the hospitality of all of your volunteers and the people of the area.

I consider every aspect of this year's Hatfield-McCoy Marathon to have been a success. Starting with the pre-race meal (which was excellent, I must say), which was served by the Brass Tree restaurant, to the educational sketch of the fued sequence of events performed after the meal, to the 'shotgun start' fired off by Devil Anse himself, I think a great time was had by all, even if the Timex said otherwise.

As David Hatfield said in his pre-start remarks, 'Throw this thing away'. He was pointing to his watch. The thing to do at this race course is absorb as much of the scenery and history as you can. Participating in the Hatfield-McCoy marathon is an experience not to be forgotten.

Weather conditions were the best this race has seen yet. Cool temps, light breeze, thin overcast. We were very fortunate, compared to previous years.

I wish to express a special thanks to Dave Hatfield for granting me a deferral last year. Ingrown toenail surgery. Common enough, but sets back the training. I came back healthy, ran a good run, met some great folks (Dane 'Fiddy two' from DC, Shinin' Shawn from Indiana, and USMC SSGT Marlin Mullins from KY). Really enjoyed running with you guys, and I expect we'll meet again. Lets make it happen.

Loose dogs on the course was a minor issue. Marlin and I had a pack of 5 little ankel-nippers greet us where the black top ends and the gravel begins. We all know where that is!!!! That's where the course gets really interesting. Plan your foot placement well, and you will have no problems here.

I think it is cool that both the T-shirt and the finisher's medallion depict the 'Swingin' Bridge'. Another fascinating aspect of this run. Karen Thibodeaux, the photographer, was on board the bridge when Marlin and I hammered across. I can only imagine what that would feel like with 20 people running across at the same time.

The race route is predominantly through rural areas, but the folks who did come out were friendly and supportive. And where people weren't, it was easy to concentrate on the simple task of running.

I will most likely be back again. I repeated to get credit for WV this year, but the 'FEEL' of this event warrants the return trip. Friendlier folk, you won't find.

Davil Anse and Ol' Ranel themselves were at the finish line. Got them both to sign my Team McCoy hat, as did David Hatfield himself. As hectic as a finish line can get, these folks were happy to accomodate.

Chalk up state #15 in the quest for 50.

This was my 11th marathon and definitely one of my favorites. The course is very scenic and rural. One monster of a hill at mile 6 and another 'little' monster hill at 23 miles, but mostly flat to rolling. The course takes you through small towns of Ky. and WV. The last mile is partially ran on sidewalks and across business driveways so be careful here. However that didn't damper my enthusiasm for the race.

The race volunteers are first-class! Everyone, and I mean everyone, who staffs the race gives you the royal treatment. It is obvious that the locals here love their marathon. Spectators are sparse (there's more barking dogs than spectators), but those who are there are incredibly happy to see you. At the finish I received an ice cold towel and wet sponges to cool off. RD David Hatfield was at the finish to personally congratulate every runner. I've ran Boston, Chicago, and other bigger sized marathons, and none of them top the race volunteers at Hatfield McCoy. The 5 stars for spectators is deserved not for quantity but for enthusiasm.

The pasta dinner is one of the best and is free to all participants. Also, there is free barbque sandwiches, hotdogs, etc. to all runners at the finish.

One negative is there is no shuttle service back to the starting line to get your vehicle. The finish is about 1.25 miles from the start so if you drive to the start then you may have to walk back to the start for your car. However, as I was walking back to the start the Pike Co. Sheriff volunteered to give me a ride. That just proves the community support of the locals. You won't meet nicer folks anywhere at any marathon.

Make sure you book a room EARLY. Hotels fill fast.

The course is quite challenging, but not as tough as some of the comments would lead you to believe. Of course, we had far cooler weather than the past couple of years.

The pre-race meal is held at a local restaurant and is followed by a skit that familiarizes you with the Hatfield-McCoy feud. The locals are very friendly and make you feel quite welcome.

The first 6 miles are mostly flat with a few small rollers. From 6 to 8 miles is the biggest challenge. It consists of about 1.25 miles of switchbacks that seem to get steeper at each turn. This is followed by about 3/4 of a mile of screaming downhill. After this, there are many rollers, but the only remaining significant climb is at 23.

The only negative comments I have on the course is the vehicular traffic in some spots (especially over the last mile where there are many driveways and several unmanned road crossings).

There are plenty of aid stations, each well stocked and manned by enthusiastic volunteers. This really helps, because outside of this there is virtually no crowd support.

Overall, it is a fun and well organized event. If I ever go for a second time around the 50 states, I would not hesitate to put this one back on my list.

A small-town race. I did not know what to expect of Williamson, WV, but expected more.

Pros:
Dave provided good weather for us this year.
Pasta buffet was great.
The race website forwarned us about the hills.
The back road leading to the golf course and the swinging bridge.

Cons:
The hills kicked my butt.
Trash along the roads took away from the scenic run along the streams.
Too few hotels near the race start.

David Hatfield is a high-quality person and runs a picture-perfect marathon. Shirts, medals, aid stations, dinner, shuttles from hotels, and wonderful residences that help out in all facets of the organization is beyond terrific! This marathon can only be described as, "It just doesn't get any better than this!"

The people are the most kind, considerate and friendly that I have ever met at a marathon. Sometimes you forget that there are still good solid people with a smile and handshake. It was great.

I would recommend that anyone needing WV or KY for their 50 states, this marathon is a must.

The course is moderately difficulty but that just makes you appreciate the accomplishment more.

Thanks, Dave - you're a quality guy.