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.

Where else on earth can you make history as you run along the famous Hatfield & McCoy feuding grounds? And have the most fabulous relatives of both families cheer for you the entire 26.2 miles??? At the Hatfield-McCoy Marathon, that's where. Amazing. From running through all the history, to the friendliest volunteers, a race director that you can contact day or night and he will get back to you - as his website promotes - this race was just charming. I was the last finisher of the marathon last year and let me tell you: they took care of me AS IF I WAS A KENYAN. I have been running, walking, crawling a marathon a month in honor of a friend that passed away and I'M SLOW... at every water stop the volunteers would say, "We'll see ya at the finish!" and THEY KEPT THEIR WORD! They were all waiting for me at the finish. I even got an official time (which I wasn't expecting). They made sure I got back to my vehicle across the state line and that I was well-fed and taken care of... they were angels... all of them. This race gives me hope that if the Hatfields and McCoys can find peace, maybe there's hope for the rest of our wacky world.

Thank you David Hatfield and all for putting on this great race... it saddens me I can't be there to run it again this year... although I will be back another time for this fun run!

Sincerely,

Elisa - "The Singing Telegram Girl from Chicago," AKA "Shiggy Piggy" - Suehs

I echo many of the comments - the race is incredibly hilly, has a stretch road that's gravel and a bit hard on the legs, and the weather was quite warm/humid. But the people and scenery make this race special. The local volunteers were the friendliest I've seen (after 20 marathons), and while there were not a whole lot of volunteers, those that were out more than made up for the low quantity. The aid stations amazed me as well. Some of the most well-equipped aid stations, at every mile. Makes me wonder why some larger races can't (or don't want to) do it. This area was pretty rural, but each aid station was equipped with everything you'd need and smiles and encouragement to keep you going. The race was so well organized. You can tell David Hatfield didn't miss a beat - everything from registration to finish was executed flawlessly and in a runner-friendly manner. Host hotel, pasta feed, post-race party, start-line festivities... everything was great. Truly a world-class marathon worth experiencing, even if it's on a tricky course.

By far the marathon with the nicest set of people that you will meet anywhere. I knew that I wasn't going to have a PR on this race due to the heat, humidity and insufficient hill training, so I thought I would enjoy the scenery. Liked the idea of the swinging bridge, but I got a little freaked out when I was about two-thirds of the way across seeing it swinging while I was on it. But I made it ok because I wasn't going to stop. The ice, wash-clothes and sponges were excellent, I kept my washclothe filled with ice and put it around my neck

Volunteers were excellent, cheerful and helpful. There are so many examples of how nice these folks were?.I jokingly asked someone at the 1/2 marathon point if the next portion of the race was the 'sprinkler' portion and he replied by spraying me with a water bottle. One guy finished the race, but had parked at the start, and the race director handed the keys to his truck to a volunteer and asked him to give the guy a ride back. People driving by were courteous, waving and asking people if they were doing OK. Residents along the route came out to see if people needed water or anything. I saw someone run across the road to give a marathoner a bandaid for their blister. You can't find this kind of neighborly support in other marathons.

This was my first marathon and it was amazing. There's water stations at every mile and a lot of organization. But I could've done without the miles through a dirt road covered in rocks, too bad on the ankles.

Excellent race! Made possible by all the wonderful people that volunteered to help with this race. Lots of heat, hills, and humidity, but lots of shade to keep the sun at bay. Leave the garmin home. Tough course with character, beautiful as well. For $30.00 you get a marathon with water every mile, gels 3 times on the course,enthusiastic volunteers at every water stop. Also every mile was marked well, never missed a split! Pasta dinner included, which was very good, a skit about the Hatfield and McCoy fued during your meal and one of the best T- shirts I have recieved in quite some time. Also a very nice medal and your name, age and home town called out upon finishing!! Too much for just $30. David Hatfield, the race directer works tirelessly to make this race a fun race to be a part of and I sure plan on coming back for more. I have seen many big city races that pale to the Hatfield/McCoy marathon in many ways.

This was the toughest race I have done--no PR here--but I'm glad I did it. Although the course was brutal, I gave it 4 stars because it was well-marked with hillbilly footprints, so even when you were out there by yourself in the boonies you will not get lost. David Hatfield, the running club and the community do a fantastic job of organization for this race. I can't add anything more about the race events than has been posted already, because I agree with all the positive things that have been said already. I only gave 3 stars for the spectators because they are few in number, not because they are not enthusiastic and supporting. I believe that the number of spectators is due to the rural area, not due to their lack of interest. The people that come out mainly are the residents along the route; it is also the residents that man the water stations. After the long climb up Blackberry Mountain I was given water by a little 2-year old; what a cutie. You must do this race so that you can experience the hospitality of the people, and for the privilege of running through the scenic hills of Kentucky and West Virginia.

'Why do you come back?' the shuttle bus driver asked me after he found out I did this the year before. He continued,'Did you forget about the 1 mile up the mountain?' Thoughts went through my mind. I did remember last year, it was hot(mid-80's)/sunny/humid with occasional downpour. It also took me 10 minutes more than normal and I missed my qualifying time for Boston. Answer came from the race director at the start of the race: 'It is all about fun.'
Hotel: There are only 2 hotels in town, need to make reservation early if you do not want to stay 30 minutes away. Super 8 cost was reasonable at $44. But this year, no late check out. Since check out time is at 11am, you have to finish under 4 hours to be able to get back to take a shower in time for check out. Heard that you can take a shower at the community pool.
Pre-race pasta dinner: Start at 6pm, I got in late (after 8pm), still able to get my meal in, even though stuff had been put away, nice lady at the resturant brought out dessert for me.
Parking at finish: Downtown, lots of free metered parking on street and parking lot within one/two block.
Starting line: About 2 miles from finish line at a food city store, has shuttle running constantly early morning from finish line (and local hotels) to start. Food: City provided bottle water, energy gel, donuts, banana, grapes, strawberry, soda. No shotgun start this year.
Course: Open, part on country road, part on trail. No problem with traffic, which comes in slow and gives you lots of space. Pretty country, with views of hills and stream/river. Steep climb around 6/7 miles, with even steeper downhill. After the mid-point, there are quite a few short steep rolling spots on the trail. Section of the trail, you have to watch your footing on loose rocks/stones. Also have a bad hill around 23/24, which I ended up walking (I am not the only one walking that either).
Finish line: Trophy was handed out as you cross the line this year. Medal, sponge, wet towel, high suger food for everyone. Post race meal available at the resturant.
People: They make you feel welcome here. Festival atmosphere. Volunteers at the 25 aid station range from very young to very old. all friendly. Must have one of the highest volunteers to runners ratio of any race. I would like to thank each and everyone of them for coming out. Especially the girl in the car who handed me a cup of ice water at mile 24 after I missed the water stop.
Even with the better weather (low 80's) this year (not as hot/humid, no rain), I still missed my Boston qualifying time by 2 minutes. That will give me another reason to come back next year if I stay healthy.