The hillbilly race director and his excellent staff make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive at the complimentary pasta party to the awards ceremony after the marathon. The course is much flatter than we had expected and the weather much cooler. Ice cold water and sports drink were available almost every mile. You will leave the race feeling like you have become a part of their families. The Hatfield-McCoy reunion festivities should not be missed. This event allows you to experience rural Americana at it's finest.

If you are willing to make the drive and suffer through the warm temps, this is a very interesting, historic course. The majority of it is along fairly flat roads considering the area. The only exceptions are a long steep hill around mile 7 and a short steep one near mile 22. However, walking these sections is your best bet.

I have never seen so many aid stations along a marathon course in the 20 marathons and 20 ultras in which I have run. There is about one every mile or less. Unfortunately, they didnt have Gatorade during the 2nd half of the course when it is needed the most.

As previous runners have stated - this is a very nice small marathon (I'd guess about 100 runners). I found the course to be moderately challenging, more a rolling course than a truly flat course, but with only 2 major hills. A really big & steep hill (by eastern US standards) near mile 8 and a slightly smaller hill at mile 22. I found the course fairly scenic (the lush green mountains were beautiful). Hearing roosters crow early in the race & reading the historical markers added to the course. In general, a nice run along country roads with light traffic. Not a lot a of fans, but those that were out were most supportive. Expect temperatures to be from 60 to 75 during the race. The organization was great, excellent pre-race meal, T-shirt, commemorative bottle of Coca-Cola, very nice medal - all for $25. One note, you may have to stop during the race to let a train go through as the course runs near the N&S line for part of the race from mile 13 to 18. Note also to book the hotel early as hotel accomodations near the start/finish are limited.

One excellent weekend with the participation in the Hatfield/McCoy family reunion festival. The course was tough but I never did expect a marathon to be easy. The fellow runners were all so nice. This might be one of the 'most friendly marathons in the US,' of course besides Richmond. I can't wait to do it again next year to enjoy the fireworks, car shows, pig races, parades, shotgun weddings, banjo concerts, hangings, etc...........:) (Okay - just kidding about the hanging) ****Go Hatfields****

This marathon has a very scenic mountain course, but only one long hill and one shorter one. It was surprisingly flat. All the beauty of the mountains and not much work. I lived and trained in flat land and did not do much hill work, and the hills were not a problem for me. The volunteers and spectators were among the most friendly I have found, and the other runners were the best. It is still a small marathon which makes the logistics so easy. Roads were not closed to traffic, and I would not run it with headphones, but the cars were very courteous to the runners and it is so rural, that there wasn't that much traffic. It is a great marathon and I recommend it highly if you love the beauty of the mountains, don't need a crowd cheering you every step of the way, and want to run with some friendly people. The pasta dinner the night before was very good, free, and they had a wonderful two man play about the Hatfield-McCoy fued that was very entertaining. This added to the greatness of this race. Hats off to race organizer David Hatfield and his track club for putting on such a fun run.

If you want a PR - Don't Come Here. If you want to see and be seen - Don't Come Here. If you want a social event and a party atmosphere stretching over 26.2 miles - Don't Come Here.

BUT . . . If you want a few hours of pleasant running, keeping your own company, enjoying nature and reflecting on the beautiful splendor that God has created in the Mountains of WV & KY . . .THEN THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!!

The course is great (OK, the 6 mile uphill grind from Mile 1 through Mile 7 was a bit much - but I've done worse). The organization and support are among the best I've seen. You couldn't find a more pleasant and friendly group than The Hatfields and The McCoys and all the others who helped organize and support this event. I really debated how many stars to give the spectators - - the ones that were there all deserved a 5+! It's just that except for the start, the finish and the halfway point in Matewan, there were so few of them - - so I only gave 3 stars.

My ONLY suggestion for next year . . . don't ice the water and Gatorade. I needed plenty of fluids but the ice cold kept knotting up my overheated stomach.

Way to go David ! ! As the word gets out this marathon is going to explode in popularity!

This was a great race. Plenty of ice water and gatorade - you almost felt bad not taking water from the friendly volunteers. The low registration fee included plenty of extras, including a wonderful pasta dinner. The course was not nearly as hilly as an Ohioian might have imagined.

this small town marathon ---had BIG town flair----all aroud best pasta dinner--with real china and crystal glasses----all you could eat--and EXCELLENT - food---water stops with ICECOLD water at each mile---thought it must be a mirage, they were so good----david hatfield--my hat is off to you---you and your staff rank WAYHIGH on my scale of organization and follow thru--by the way NO COAL TRUCKS THIS YEAR--start time an hour earlier---a definite annual marathon for me---and was personally handed a banana at mile 18 from the staff---can't get any better than this!!!!!-kudos to david and staff and volunteers

I really liked this course. It's just about as close as you can come to a flat course in West Virginia. Lots of water stops. Good volunteers.

If the inaugural Hatfield-McCoy in 2000 was beset by some first time snags to make runners fuss and feud, the 2001 event went off with hardly a hitch. The David Hatfield-led organization team brought dozens of community leaders, groups and sponsors to create a very memorable and special event. From the complimentary pre-race pasta dinner, to a decent t-shirt and finisher's medal, to bottled water and bottled Gatorade (as well as cups of water and G-ade) at 22 stations throughout the course, to truly warm and friendly volunteers, to many incredible vistas--especially from miles 19 to 22 above the Tug River, not to mention the commemorative marathon towel at the finish line, and the friendly persons who transport you the mile or two back to the race start, an excellent organizational effort was evident. Couple this new and improving, sure-to-grow marathon (80 runners in 2001, only 1 coal truck passed my way)with the family-friendly, Hatfield-McCoy reunion festival, you've got a fun and challenging marathon in early June on the Kentucky & West Virginia boarder. If there was a 'Most Improved' or 'Best Update' marathon award, the Hatfield-McCoy would beat all competitors up Blackberry Mountain (about miles 6-7). Within a few years, when word gets out about this marathon and the reunion festival, I reckon (like Grandma's in Duluth, et.al.) runners from all over will fuss and feud to gain entry into this event. Make plans to run Hatfield-McCoy. You'll be glad that you did!