This was truly one of the best races I have ever run, from the course with all its beauty to the volunteers with all their hospitality. I felt so welcomed. Everyone was very helpful. The course was breathtaking with its panoramic views.

I stuck around for the end of the race and there were volunteers everywhere to welcome every runner as they came in, including this older gentlemen, the last racer. It was a very emotional ending to a beautiful day.

Before the event I had no idea that Charlottesville was awarding ALL finishers of both the marathon and half a handmade ceramic finisher's medallion. I ran the Big Sur Marathon a few years back and received one at that race. Apparently the race director from Charlottesville contacted the artist who makes the Big Sur medallion and she agreed to make theirs. This is so unique in the running world and really makes for an award that you want to display!

Good job and I just hope I don't break mine. ;)

The course was very scenic with spectacular views of the moutains. It gave you a little taste of all that Charlottesville has to offer: university town, mountains, horse country, and a beautiful historic downtown. However, with most of the course run on roads that were open to traffic with no sidewalks or shoulders to use, runners had to be very cautious. The volunteers from the YMCA did a great job staffing the table and the had enough water stops and supplies. The crowds were very thin until you reached the downtown mall area -- not much effort was made by organizers to keep spectators from walking on the course in front of the runners as they finished their last mile.

I have run many many marathons and don't usually write comments after a race, but this time I just felt moved to share my WONDERFUL experience at the Charlottesville Marathon with others.

I feel that Charlottesville has all the components to become America's favorite race. This town is so fortunate to be located in one of the most scenic areas of the country. I had the experience of running past the historic parts of the city and then through the beautiful foothills of the Shenandoah National Park. The color of the Blue Ridge Mountains with all the dogwoods and azaleas in bloom was breathtaking.

It seems that the race organization is keeping tight control on the number of participants and I predict it will soon fill earlier and earlier to capacity. I know I'm getting my application in the mail for next year as soon as the Race Director opens entries!

I ran the half marathon and it is one of the races I will most remember. The hilly course is very tough but scenic and the last half-mile through the downtown mall was a real boost! I missed my target time by some way, but dealing with a tough course like that has its own satisfaction.

I agree with some of the critical comments but they didn't detract from my experience. The half marathon will be one of my 'must do' races each year. Charlottesville is a great place to spend a weekend.

I believe the organizers changed a lot of stuff based on last year's inaugural feedback and I'm confident it will be even better next year.

I'm a UVA student and this was my first marathon ever. I loved the course because it was so scenic, but didn't like that there were major hills during later stages at mile 19, 21, and 23. My biggest concern and what made me want to cry after mile 15 was that water stops were way too infrequent given the challenging nature of this course and the heat of the day.

Now the positives: I think it will be hard to find a marathon that rivals the beauty of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The course was absolutely gorgeous. The race was well-organized for a small marathon, and all event staff and volunteers were friendly and encouraging.

One final note: If you're looking for huge fan support, a major race expo, lots of stuff in your goodie bag, and other extraneous frills, please find yourself a big city marathon and do that one. The Charlottesville marathon is smaller, more intimate, and not for the hardcore runner looking to qualify for Boston or achieve a PR. If you are laid-back, simply love to run without ardent regard for your final time, and enjoy the beauty of nature, this is the race for you.

This was certainly one of the best races I have ever run. Not only for the beauty of the area, but also for one of the greatest finish lines I have ever seen. Charlottesville is in a hilly area, so people should just stop complaining about the hills. If you want to run a flat course, run in LA, and enjoy the scenery there!

This is only the second year for this marathon, and they have done a TREMENDOUS job with the organization. The traffic was superbly controlled, and many drivers were cheering the runners on. The cone lane was very, very safe and well defined. The port-a-potties on the course were plentiful, and runners can not expect them to be at every mile. If you need one with 2 miles to go, just hold it.

Despite the extreme heat, all the water stops were excellenty stocked, and the volunteers were exceptional.

The finish line was one of the best features! The race finishes on the Downtown Mall, which is pedestrian area and one of the architecturally most beautiful areas I have ever run through. People were lining the runners lane, and everyone was cheering: what a finish! Bands were playing at the finish line, and I hung around for a while to listen to a great swing band.

The medallion I received was truly THE most beautiful I have ever received. It is handmade out of ceramic: not just beautiful, but also unique. I read a complaint on this site about the medallion: maybe they should send a boring and ugly metal medallion just to that person!

I believe most people who leave their comments here would complain about the Superbowl: it was simply an awesome race, and I recommend it to everyone! One last thing: they had packet pickup the morning of the race, so don't complain about that either :).

The course was indeed VERY challenging! Hills everywhere, but when I finished I really knew I had accomplished something! The scenery was amazing at times with views of horse farms along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Overall organization seemed good. Very friendly volunteers. Yes, drink cups were small but you could always take more than one. I would agree that more porta-potties are needed especially at the start (there was only one). Traffic was kind of scary at times with runners left to dodge cars since there wasn't an area allocated for them in certain areas. Race-day pick-up is not available and is needed. Very tough and very hilly but I loved it and would certainly do it again given the opportunity!

I was very impressed with this event.

I have run over 30 marathons and Charlottesville has now become my official favorite! The course is so scenic that you forget about the hills. The volunteers were great and the organizers did a great job of making everyone feel special. I really like the finish along the old downtown mall area, very cool. I will be back again...

The organizers of the Charlottesville Marathon have a gem of a city to to host this type of event. The city was most recently ranked as the 'Number One Place to Live in the United States' and I now know why. Charlottesville is just gorgeous!

The race was terrific, great course, enthusatic volunteers from the YMCA and plenty of fans to cheer you on along the cities historic downtown mall. Make sure you get this race on your calendar, as I predict it will sky rocket in years to come.