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May 15, 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 71 to 81]

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Bill Bowman from Elizabeth City, NC (6/15/2011) "Marathon (Hillbilly) Heaven" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Hatfield-McCoy Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon ia as close to perfect as one can be. David Hatfield and his volunteers are as friendly as they come. For a bargain price you get a nice pasta dinner with a nicely performed skit which chronicles the most storied family feud in US history, a nice t-shirt,very nice medal, and a unique mason jar trophy indicating your overall finishing place in the race. However, the greatest thing you get is a wonderfully uncommon race course that includes uphills, downhills, flats, asphalt, trail, golf course, swinging bridge, dogs, beautiful scenery, etc. The course, combined with the warm, humid weather is challenging. I would ask that the individual who ran the half and commented that the course was flat except for Blackberry Mountain come back next year and run the second 13.1. I believe their story might be a little different. This race is not really about time or PR's but go for it if you like. In my opinion, this course is the way marathons were meant to be run (for the joy of running and not having to dodge people every 2 feet). Don't expect throngs of spectators. They aren't there. There are scattered nice folks in their yards and on their porches who will tell you good morning and good job and dogs will bark in unison with your strides. There are friendly volunteers about every mile handing out water and Gatorade. That is a must on this course and David Hatfield, being the great director he is, recognized that. At the finish in Williamson you will be greeted by Hatfield and McCoy. Have your medal placed around your neck by the sweetest little old woman in the world, get an icewater soaked towel, enjoy some watermelon, grapes, bananas, barbeque, water, soft drinks, gatorade and then listen to some live music at the Festival. This is more than a race, it's an experience and it has quickly become my favorite marathon. This was my 4th staight year and I'll be back every year. I can't say enough good things about this marathon.
B. B. from KY (6/15/2011) "Great race, with southern hospitality!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Tha majority of the course was flat, with only one steep elevation change (I ran the half). Most everyone, including the runners were very friendly. It's nice that they take a little piece of history and let it blossom into the race and festival. The waterstations were wonderful and offered gels and bananas after about an hour of running as well as water and powerade. At the end of the half they offered fruits, gels, water, powerade, cold, wet towels, and live music. I also went down-town for some BBQ & the festival. This is not big city race, nor should anyone expect that from this lovely little town. I hope to come back next year!! Happy Running!
D. S. from Michigan (6/15/2011) "OK. Perhaps a little overhyped." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had heard lots of great things over the years about H-M so maybe I was expecting too much. Overall a basic event. Bib pickup was a couple tables in a grocery store. Convenient to pick up supplies. Who needs an Expo? Volunteers however didn't seem too informed about what was going on, especially regarding the buses. I stayed in Williamson which seemed empty and I had a bus to myself to the start (did everyone stay at the Super 8 or commute to H-M?). The official start was someone yelling 'GO' in the Food City parking lot. The course was not closed and there should have been better control at the beginning when we crossed the highway, around the 1/2 finish in Matawan and the full finish into Williamson. Policemen just sat in their cruisers or patrolled the first 1/2 of the course and I didn't see any actually step out to direct traffic. You will never run by so many trailer homes. Trailers fenced in and posted with 'no trespassing' signs while dawgs howled from the porch. Very few people were actually out and about. The cumulative hill effect is tough but you are running mostly asphalt and shaded until later in the race when the sun is high. I read a lot of how scenic the course is proclaimed to be, but honestly, probably the most trash strewn course I've ever run despite the rural setting. Water stations every mile were well planned/stocked (and needed) although there were a couple later in the race left unmanned with everything left out on the table in the hot sun. I will mention though, other stations were manned with volunteers who kept the water and Powerade on ice (thanks!). Running into Williamson was a nice finish stretch with a Hatfield and a McCoy to high-five the runners at the finish. Loved the cold wet wash cloth too! I'm a little selfish with my finisher medals though, don't like sharing them with the halfers. It didn't seem that many runners stayed around long in town despite the H-M festival and that was too bad!
W. B. from Georgia (6/14/2011) "Very well organized race, great volunteers" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A challenging course but softened by the best aide stations I have ever seen. There 25 stations along the course and the people were the best.
John Matthew from The United States (6/12/2011) "Great Race" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Good: Everyone including race volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and runners was super positive and helpful. Speghetti dinner was fun. Shuttles were plentiful and timely. Wooden plaque with finishing place was a nice touch. Could Use Improvements: T shirts were a plain cotton. Overall a very fun race surrounded by great people.
J. C. from Sherrills Ford,NC (6/12/2011) "HEE HAW GONE WILD" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Great for 50 staters. Tough yet endearing with the scenery and fellow runners. Unique finishers medal given both to half and full participants. where else do you feel like you stepped right onto the set of HEE-HAW. David does a good job but needs support from more core people. With the right amount of devoted and seasoned staff, this race will grow into one of the best in the south. A much needed Thank You to the Waterstop Volunteers, Fire Department EMS, Police Department and all of the porch Yellers. The enduring heat that many volunteers stood through shows what efforts this group is making in stepping up the participation in this race. Nice touch with the Mason Jar award to all finishers and How Bout that BBQ at the finish. WHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY DO YOU GET TO RUN ON A SWINGING WOODEN BRIDGE AND RUN ON SOME NICE TRAILS WITH THE ADDED TOUCH OF INDIVIDUAL SIGNS WELCOMING BACK EACH OF THE PREVIOUS YEARS RUNNERS WITH NAME AND HOMETOWN. The skit about the Hatfield- McCoy Feud provided at the Hit The Spot Spaghetti Dinner was enjoyed by a full house (What a Deal) was an unexpected treat. Fellow Marathoners were some of FRIENDLIEST I have ever been with, and they were from everywhere. Ran with folks with unfathomable amounts of marathons that they had completed from 1st to 47th, 48th, 98th 163rd, 187th and 198th. The big HEE-HAW SALUTE to all participants. David, Thank You. A couple of Dropped balls though. Please set up better safer crossings when crossing roads. With vehicles on the same roads as runners this was dangerous especially on the last turn down the Home Stretch going into town (Need a well adorned crossing guard at the crossover before the bridge. Finish line Chute needs to be extended a little and the volunteers need to tell you where to go for refreshments,medical,Mason Jar pickup and the Great BBQ. Loved the Iced down towels, Plenty of cold drinks and did I mention the a-Kicking BBQ. Alot of Fun and will be back.
Art Walker from United States (6/12/2011) "You won't get a PR, but you will have fun." (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For a small, very well organized race in the country, you can't beat this. The course was challenging, winding through culturally and historically interesting villages and neighborhoods. Courtesy and hospitality abounded with 300 volunteers for the 500 runners. A home stay program or air mattresses at the firehouse were unique features. Yes, the weather can be interesting as well, with a 66 degree start, a morning thundershower and a 90 degree finish. The spaghetti feed was graced with a well done dialog between the major protagonists in the Hatfield-McCoy feud. And a weekend festival can keep the non-runners busy as well.
C. P. from Lexington, KY (6/11/2011) "Fun, beautiful scenary, friendly race" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the half marathon, not the full. This was my 3rd half. Very friendly organizers, volunteers, locals and other participants. Beautiful scenery, very enjoyable run. Mostly flat, other than Blackberry Mountain, which wasn't quite as bad as the elevation profile suggests.
D. I. from Gainesville, FL (7/8/2010) "VERY well done!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Hatfield-McCoy Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time to do this race, and I was not disappointed. David and his crew did a great job... even better than I remembered! The course is tough, and the rain didn't make it any easier... but a race director can only control so much! The entire town was out and supportive. The hospitality was outstanding! Thanks so much for an outstanding marathon experience!
B. D. from Pacific NW, USA (6/29/2010) "Hospitality abounds!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Hatfield-McCoy Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with previous comments from other runners about all of the postive aspects of this event! Ever wonder how the elites feel at the "big races?" Well, I can only imagine it's a lot like the feeling we "average Joe's" experienced at Hatfield-McCoy. Bottom line: This is more than a race; this is an EVENT - a memory to cherish.

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