This is a wonderfully organized race! Shuttles to the start were prompt and fast, directions and markers throughout the race were clear, and chips for timing are provided. Even with the very small field of runners, there were ample friendly and helpful volunteers all along the course. Pre-race information stated 25 water stations along the course, but there seemed to be more, most less than a mile apart. Each water station was well-supplied with, besides water and gatorade, ice, wet sponges, bananas, gel, pretzels, and friendly, enthusiastic volunteers. This is a great race for water stations! Temperatures in the high 80s, humidity at 90%, and hills most runners aren't accustomed to made for a physically grueling run; these all, however, were well-compensated for by the scenery, camaraderie, and wonderful local hospitality. Leave the Garmin at home; satellite reception is horrible.

West Virginia is a beautiful state with some of the finest rivers in the world! This race has a clever theme and the people were all very friendly. Running by the burned out buildings and trash heaps really made me realize where I was. As far as mountain views I must not have been running the same course as anyone else. The guy with the push lawn mower with a rope tied to it was my favorite part of the scenery. The course was relatively easy if you are really used to training in mountains. The extreme humidity in June was the real obstacle. The locals were all very receptive to the event.

My only complaint is the way the race director has handled the post race follow-up. I know two people who placed in their age group but had to leave at the end of the race. Hatfield refuses to send them their awards, which, however small, are really important to most average runners. In one case he even told one of my friends to send a check for shipping of the award, so she did. The check cleared her bank several weeks ago and guess what... that's right, no award has arrived (or, I suspect, was sent, since my other friend never recieved hers either). Very professional and considerate.

If you are in pursuit of the coveted Fifty and DC accomplishment, as the majority of the runners there obviously were, then this is an option. Otherwise there would not be enough support for this race to exist. Congratulations to all runners!

The Hatfield McCoy Marathon is an ideal marathon for a runner interested in doing a non-masochistic (but still challenging) mountain marathon. The course is very scenic, with mountains visible for the entire distance. A large part of the second half of the marathon follows the Tug River. The marathon is mainly run on two lane state highways and avoids commercial/industrial areas except for the start and end. There are no steep hills on the course, but there are some long sections with a moderate ascent. It was very misty and humid during the race in 2004 but the only significant rain fell for a brief period of time around mile 18.

The crowd support was as strong as could be expected given the low population of the area. The presence of water stations every mile was much more important than the amount of roadside cheering. If a rural race with less than 300 runners can have water available at every mile, I don't know why all marathons can't have them.

My only suggestions would be to have the course map, elevation profile and directions to the race hotel and starting line available on the marathon website. I would also considered starting the marathon earlier (or at least having an early start option) because conditions could be very uncomfortable later in the morning if temperatures were higher than normal.

I hope to run marathons in all 50 states, so I don't expect to repeat a non-local race until I have achieved that goal. After I have accomplished that, the Hatfield McCoy Marathon will be high on my list of races to run a second time.

Certainly not a marathon if you're seeking a PR. However, the organization, the small town feel, the race director, David Hatfield, and the Hatfield-McCoy skit performed at the pasta party the night before were all experiences not to be missed.

After reading the comments of my partner, I thought I'd add my thoughts. Everything in David Terrill's comments were quite descriptive and accurate (not much I could add). Met wonderful people from the packet pick-up, to the volunteers on the course, and the enthusiastic spectators at the finish. Thanks to David Hatfield and all those involved in making this event happen. Depending on my recovery from Boston next year, I am looking forward to a return trip!

KUDOS AGAIN and GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

You won?t run a PR or find a glitzy pre-race expo here, so look elsewhere if those are your primary interests. But if you want a well-organized event on a demanding -- though not ridiculously difficult -- course that's a true slice of Americana, this one should not be missed. What?s ridiculous is the low entry fee, which includes a Friday evening pasta dinner (complete with a humorous Hatfield-McCoy skit, Tug Valley Road Runners Club scholarship presentations to area high school track athletes, and a Q & A session with Race Director David Hatfield) as well as a colorful t-shirt, beautiful finisher?s medal and more. Plus the marathon course crosses back-and-forth between Kentucky and West Virginia several times and the scenery is almost always beautiful.

Given the race is in mid-June in the heart of Appalachia, humidity is to be expected, but the course offers lots of shade with no long stretches in the hot sun. Starting in Goody, Kentucky, the route begins with 2 miles of gradual downhill, but just past the tiny coal town of Toler a steep uphill serves as a warning of things to come. The grade relaxes but runners continue climbing from 2.5 to 6.5 ? not too tough ? and then the final climb over Blackberry Mountain is a grind. From 7.25 to the halfway point it?s all downhill or flat but one must avoid going full-bore or there?ll be a price to pay later. Historic Matewan, West Virginia, is the half-marathon finish while full-marathoners loop through the small downtown area and head back out for several scenic miles along the Kentucky side of the Tug River. It?s pleasantly rolling from 13.1 to 18 but the one-lane road eventually changes from pavement to gravel and dirt, so if it?s wet (like this year) you?ll do some jumping around to avoid mud puddles. Right at 18 miles runners enter a golf course and cross an interesting swinging bridge into West Virginia. A mile or so later it?s across the Tug River once again and back into Kentucky. From 20 to the finish the road surface is excellent and the terrain is again moderately rolling, but there?s one painful descent followed by a final demanding uphill in mile 24; the last couple miles are thankfully flat. Runners cross the Tug into West Virginia a few blocks before the finish in downtown Williamson.

Race Director David Hatfield acknowledges he has lots of help from the Tug Valley Road Runners and other volunteers, and it?s true the frequent aid stations are staffed with helpful folks who enjoy being out there supporting the runners. But David must be among the hardest-working marathon directors in the USA and takes everything in stride. Having grown from 15 marathon finishers in 2000 (year one) to well over 200 this year, the event has been a real plus for an area that needs economic stimulation. Factor in the accompanying half-marathon and the total number of participants in 2004 was close to 400. Limited accommodations in Williamson and adjacent towns mean one must really plan ahead or settle for staying up to an hour?s drive away, and you?ll probably run 10-20 minutes slower than on a ?normal? course. But the feuding is long over and folks could not be friendlier, so by all means give Hatfield-McCoy a try!

Especially if hilly is an understatement?

Great Race Director: David Hatfield.

Great Community: All the people in Williamson, Goody and the neighboring towns knew about and appreciated the marathon.

Gorgeous Scenery.

Great Water Stops: Virtually all 24 water stops had water, PowerAde, bananas, Gu and encouraging people.

The course was in good shape in spite of all the heavy rainfall that hammered this area for the past 2 weeks. Footing got a bit 'iffy' on the gravel section between miles 16 & 18, with a lot of standing water and mud to pick your way through, compliments of the Friday evening downpours. We got the race and awards ceremony completed before the next deluge swamped the area again. But hey, it's springtime in the Appalachians, so you'll have that.

Traffic was light, but I don't like running on the right side with traffic at my back. The climb between miles 6 & 7 is for real, and it doesn't take any pity on anybody who isn't prepared. Even more punishing is the downhill after the crest. It is steep and long and will beat the quads into submission if you're not careful or well prepared. A great '1-2' punch early in the run.

The sheer beauty of the landscape makes this run really enjoyable. Hills, hollows, streams, plenty of shade along the way. Not many spectators, but the scenery made up for that as well. The 'Swingin' Bridge' river crossing on the golf course was very unique. Pretty steep approach and departure ramps. Gotta be cautious of the footing here. The last major obstacle to conquer is another punishing descent just past 23. Much shorter than the Blueberry Mountain descent, but capable of abusing muscles that are already spent.

I drove the course in the rain Friday after package pickup, and I'm glad I did. I knew when to push, hold back, how bad the gravel section footing would be, what was coming around the next bend. No surprises.

I even had company for a mile after my partner pulled away. A stray tan puppy joined me at the 19 mile water stop, and tried to trip me up about a dozen times till I shook her at the 20 mile stop. An hour after I finished, here she comes, trotting along beside runners, right across the finish line like she owned it! My wife fell in love with her, but with 3 at home, we really didn't need another.

Most of the fluid stations had folks who were into it and had cups held out. No complaints there. Drinks were cool and clean.

The roast pork and fixin's were first rate. My thanks to all the generous sponsors and to David Hatfield and his staff for organizing a fun, friendly, challenging marathon. I enjoyed this better than many 'concrete jungle' marathons I've done. The scenery on the drive from Pikeville, where we stayed, was nothing short of awesome. I'd like to see those hills and hollows in the fall. Hey Dave, how about running that course in reverse in October?

This was my second year to run this one. Yes, it is not easy, but it is so well organized from the night before with its great supper and show, the course (lots of drinks and treats), and one of the best finish line crews. Well, if you missed it -- then you missed it! Well worth the drive to get to it; make sure to call ahead early for a room!

The course is challenging, but that makes completing it all the more rewarding. I placed in my age group and the Race Director was kind enough to mail my trophy... thanks. This is one I would like to do again.