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Apr 29, 2024

Hatfield-McCoy Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Hatfield-McCoy Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 200 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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Jeff Newcorn from Chicago (6/16/2014) "Suprisingly great; scenery, waterstops, fans" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The folks who reviewed 2013 say it all. I must admit I was surprised at the high quality of this event, given that it was a smaller event. Loved the crazy Marathon Maniacs, of which I'm one. Also 50-staters. There were more water stops on this course than any I've ever run. Much appreciated. They even have Vaseline at some of the stops. Fruit at later stops. If you're crazy like the Maniacs, you'll stop in the DQ for a treat at 25.7 miles. Take a couple bucks since it's not free. Take the Hatfield-McCoy tour the day before! Not only does it connect you with the local history, it also traverses much of the course. So, you get to see the two big hills; one at 7 and the other at 23. Bring a towel if you plan to shower afterwards at High School.
D. H. from St Louis, MO (6/15/2014) "Hot and hills increase as race goes on" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I did like this race. Very well organized. Course was beautiful. Plenty of support. A very challenging race, as the hills became more frequent as the race progressed. I would recommend this race for anyone who wants a challening course without many spectators, and with plenty of support.
R. H. from Independence, KY (8/17/2013) "Loved this race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race because I needed West Virginia in my quest to run a half marathon in all 50 states and out of the 15 states (and roughly 20 races), I have run, this was my favorite. I am a native Easter KY girl, so the first thing I liked about this race was that it felt like a homecoming. From the hospitality of the people to the charms of the small towns, everything was perfect. I loved the pasta dinner served cafeteria style at the local high school. I ran the River road course and the scenery was great following a mostly shaded path along the river. The hills were a challenge, but so worth it!! I plan to come back and do this one again. Maybe I'll tackle Blackberry mountain next time or even attempt the full marathon. Thanks for a great race!
C. C. from Western North Carolina (7/2/2013) "First marathon a success!" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great first marathon! I had experience running halfs and had no idea what to expect for my first 26.2. This race did not disappoint. Spectators and runners alike were super friendly and it felt more like a trail run with a large group of friends than a competitive race. I have some choice words for Blackberry mtn at mile 7 and an unnamed large hill at mile 23, but you really couldnt beat how beautiful the views around you were. Aid station attendants were truly wonderful people and offered water and cheers at almost every mile. If your wearing fancy shoes, plan for a little mud. Only negative is sleeping accommodations, we had to stay in Pikesville which was an ironic 26 miles away but the hotel there was nice. Post race party was really nice with two hatfield/mccoy members dressed in colonial garb. Pulled pork feast for the runners which was delicious after I got my appetite back. fresh fruit and bottled waters were abundant. Awesome t-shirts and pretty cool medals and your very own mason jar! Icey towels at the finish meant more to me than anything else combined though! For a first time marathoner I would say this was a real challenging race but I wouldn't have wanted to run any other, the camaraderie makes this race a 5-star! Also, it doesnt hurt the ego to know its one of the 15 toughest marathons in the world!
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, PA (6/25/2013) "Very welcoming, fun challenging marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 In short I agree with the overwhelmingly positive reviews this race is recieving. The community seems to really embrace the race and all the runners and the race directors attention to detail is great. The race is run the same weekend as a Hatfield and McCoy family reunion. I came down early and took a guided tour of Hatfield and McCoy feud sites. I enjoyed this and it was fun the next day when we ran by many of these same sites. This is a small, low stress race (which I find I am running more and more). Packet pick-up is held at a high school w/ no real expo. But the pasta dinner (included in entry fee) is held right at the school and there's a Hatfield and McCoy skit during dinner. The race begins at a local grocery store. There are shuttles from area hotels but I drove there myself and just parked around back. There were plenty of port-a-potties prerace and the relaxed atmosphere is great. Here I noticed lots of marathon maniac shirts which is usually a sign of a well run race! The course (as perhaps you've heard) is tough and since its June the weather adds to the challenge. Mercifully the hardest climbing comes early. After you crest Blackberry Mountain (~7.25 miles) you mainly have short rollers (altho be ready for the hill between miles 23 and 24). The course is quite scenic. We see the mountains, run by many rivers, skirt a golf course and even cross a suspension bridge. And along with the famous feud landmarks we pass, runners also run through the town of Matewan where the famous massacre took place (you can still see the bullet holes on some of the walls). The roads are not closed but traffic was very minimal and the drivers we did encounter never seemed angry at any delays we may have caused. There is a 3 or 4 mile section along a one lane 'river road'. This section is pretty but the footing can occasionally get a little tricky w/ rocks and mud. Post race runners are treated to ice cold towels (needed and greatly appreciated) and a fun street fair type of atmosphere. You get a nice medal and a mason 'moonshine' jar w/ the race logo on it. There is a post race party later on in the day that I had to skip in order to get home on time. The area is small and the hotels fill up quickly. I signed up almost 5 months ahead of time and I had to stay in Logan WV about 30 minutes away. No big deal but if you want to be within walking distance of the race book your rooms early. There were plentiful aid stations and the volunteers are encouraged to 'theme' their stops and many of these were a lot of fun. The enthusiastic volunteers are really the only fans runners will encounter altho I did see a few folks sitting out on their front porches! My only criticism is its been over two weeks since the race and I can't find any info on race photos. I'm pretty sure I saw official photographers but so far the website has no info regarding this. At the finish line we are greeted by 'Devil Anse Hatfield and Randel McCoy' and that photo would be a fun one to keep.
M. G. from Rowlett, Texas (6/23/2013) "One of my favorite marathons!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a must-do marathon, especially for members of the 50 States Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs! It was my 40th marathon, and it was one of my favorites. The course was challenging, beautiful, and peaceful, and the volunteers and spectators were wonderful. This is one I would like to run again after I finish the 50 states. Thank you for putting on such a great event!
M. E. from Huntington, WV (6/17/2013) "This box isn't big enoughloved it!" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really cannot say anything that has not already been said. This race was my first marathon (I ran the half last year), and it was perfect for me as Williamson is my hometown. Being surrounded by the outpouring of love & encouragement from the family/friends who have known me since I was a little kid absolutely provided the most perfect of all memories for a first marathon. BUT, even if I wasn't from here, the support, hospitality, and true enthusiasm for what we do was top-notch. Many locals didn't recognize me; they treated me so well at the pasta dinner, at all the water stops, and at the end. You could honestly tell they appreciated US for running. I would always say 'thank you' to the volunteers and their response was always 'no, thank YOU!'. For what? I just kept moving. Haha, but it's such a blessing, so heartwarming, to see a community rally around a race. There were some organization missteps last year with the pasta dinner, but this year was amazing. The volunteers carried it off without a hitch. The start was very nice (I swear the last 2 minutes went by in a flash). The police officers had everything blocked off very nicely along the highway. If you are a returning runner then you get a handmade sign (my mom actually made mine as a surprise!) welcoming you back to the race. Such a nice touch and really motivating placement on Blackberry mountain. I could have used another one during the second half. Those hills almost destroyed me mentally, and there isn't a lot of crowd support (how are you supposed to get crowd support along a one-lane dirt road?), but the water stops were thankfully frequent in the late morning sun with rolling hills. I cannot say enough fantastic things about this marathon. I am so lucky to have had such a great experience for my first. I will definitely be back (for the half or the full is yet to be determined since I would like to run it with some family members next year... hopefully they'll take the plunge and go for 13.1 more!). Fantastic job to David & Ellen Hatfield and my buddy from way back, Alexis Batausa, and all the other volunteers for putting on such a great event for my hometown and the racing community.
J. R. from Alexandria, VA (6/16/2013) "One of the Toughest, But One of My Faves" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just loved this race. David Hatfield has created a true destination event for those who want a challenging course and great cameraderie. Hands down THE best support of any race I've done. You're warned up front that this is a tough race- lots of vertical climb, including the infamous Blackberry Mountain and miles of rollers. Then there's the heat and humidity. comedy you come knowing this and accept the challenge, you'll be rewarded. Here's what I loved: - Amazing community support. From the volunteers at the high school pasta dinner to the over twenty aid stations, everyone was enthusiastic. Nothing skimped on. Best goody bag in a while- every local sponsor put something in. - challenging course. I like the fact that this was rated #14 of the 15 toughest marathons in the world. But those hills are manageable, mostly shaded, and worth the great views. And yes, it was a slow race for me and many others- not a PR- actually 10 minutes slower than my average. And I still loved it. - it was a Maniac flash mob. And with over 25% of the race being Maniacs, you know you'll have a blast. - how about a carnival at the finish line? Yup. With elephant rides. Really. - places to stay? We stayed at the friendliest B&B ever- Tug Valley Inn. Yes, it's out of the way, equally far from everything, but go anyway. This is a wonderful race, well organized, and embraced by the whole community. Do it!
Elaine Doll-Dunn from Spearfish, South Dakota (6/15/2013) "Spectacular in every facet of an event!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The epitome of challenge, support, hospitality, beauty, history and humor....what better race in which to complete my 50&DC goal! I need never to run again; I have now seen and done it all...in one marathon. Runners? Do not miss this incredible adventure and inimitable people.
Mike Moak from Guilderland Center, NY (6/12/2013) "Fun event, challenging course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I chose this race as much for the whole Hatfield-McCoy experience as for the race itself. Both aspects did not disappoint. As for the race itself, rather than repeat many earlier comments, mostly positive, let me just add a couple thoughts: 1) The climb up Blackberry Mountain is challenging, but comes early in the race and the time lost is easily recovered going down the other side. 2) The hill at mile 24 was much tougher. Somewhat unexpected (it doesn't really show up on the elevation chart), it was a brutal surprise. I ended up with a hamstring cramp after coming down the other side. 3) Volunteers were wonderful and aid stations were plentiful. One small thing: after grabbing a drink and running through a later station, a worker yelled to me 'We have cold sponges too!'. Sure could have used one, but they really need to let us know they're available before we've already passed. As for enjoying the rest of your time there, let me offer a couple of recommendations: 1) The Mountaineer Hotel in Williamson, WV is a great place to stay. A beautifully remodeled hotel, you are about one mile from the start line (as close as any hotel), and one block from the finish. Edna, the manager, is a wonderful and exceedingly helpful host. Book early, it fills up fast! 2) Book a tour with Adam Warren, owner and tour guide for Hatfield & McCoy Guided Tours. His tour lasted all day, and gave us a personal and extensive view of a unique little slice of America. 3) After the race, Starters Bar cooked up pulled pork sandwiches for everyone. Later on, I highly recommend going inside for sharing post race thoughts with fellow runners over a cold beverage. Nothing better.

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