This was my very first marathon. The course is hilly. Scenic, but hilly. I knew that going into the race but thought, "The hills aren't THAT big and I live in a hilly area, so why not?" However, my legs stopped recovering after the hills. The hill from mile 10-12 killed me. Also, the really steep hill leading up to mile 25 was brutal after enduring so many ups and downs. Miles were clearly marked (mile 8 was mismarked by a quarter-mile). I was grateful for all of the aid stations and the kind volunteers working at them. Otherwise, I think there were 5 spectators cheering us on through the course. I wish they would have stopped traffic. There were a few corners with police, but as a whole I had to run on the shoulder. Thankfully the roads weren't super busy. I was disappointed with the race finish. After the race you were given a bag with some bananas and you could pick up some pizza. Otherwise, people were just milling around. It seemed a bit anticlimactic. Oh, and at the beginning of the race they made a bunch of announcements, but no one but the first few rows of people could hear anything. I guess there was a place for a bag drop but it was never announced in the program or nor were we informed when we picked up our packets. The finisher's medals were nice. The T-shirt is cool but I can't wear mine. For some reason an M fits more like an XL.

As a whole, this was a nice, small race, but not good for a first-time marathoner. Pick something flatter and better organized - where the community is less apathetic. I want to run another marathon just because I know it's got to be more fun than Charlottesville.

This marathon would definitely get you ready for spring, if you were not thinking along those lines already (I missed a foot of late Colorado snow while I was away for this race). The pictures of the landscape on the website are only a small part of what you get to see on the course, though those pictures are what made me decide that I wanted to run in this marathon - and see more of the area. Starting out, we were in the old part of downtown, and made an exit to the west, into the country. At about mile 3, we started down a long 2-mile descent, through a woodsy area with homes along the way. (We got to see it again on the way back - going uphill from mile 21 to 23.) Coming out of the woodsy area, we ran along a more heavily traveled road, though car traffic was not an issue until on the return, later in the morning. The rolling hillsides were abundantly green, the trees were starting to leaf out, and the country homes and estates were often set against trees with rolling hills to the side and in front. Along the way (in town and in the country) there were purple flowering trees, lilacs, dogwoods, and a variety of bulb plants - tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, to name a few. It was just spectacular.

About mile 10, we turned down a dirt road that must have lasted 3 miles. More huge yards and country estates while we seemed to go into and out of the woods. Eventually, we ended up on another well-traveled road. There was not an abundance of cars, but the ones coming seemed to be going fast (faster than necessary anyway). The roads did not have cones set up to help clue the drivers in. In any case, I did not ever feel that my safety was threatened. In short order we were on another dirt road for a mile or so, out and back - back to the fast road. Eventually, we were on the long hill - going uphill this time. From about mile marker 21 until the end, I thought it was pretty difficulty - even though it was not all uphill. Anyway, somewhere around mile marker 23 we entered the University of Virginia campus, and looped around the stadium, where a game was commencing. That was cool. The last couple of miles routed us toward the finish line but on a different road.

A husband/wife team directed this race, and nothing was left to chance. Everything was well organized from packet pickup at their retail running store, to bag drop/pick-up (for warm up clothes), to fluids and gels on the course, to finish line organization. This race did not have a lot of fans, but the water/aid station volunteers were always cheering us on - especially the girls decked out in pink at the halfway point. What enthusiasm!

As spring marathons go, weather can be highly variable - from snow to rain to sunny and warm. The weather for this race was probably about as good as it could have been. It was a cool start - probably in the low 50's, and warmed to the low 70's by around noon. Some of the course was shaded, some was sunny and warm - but it never got excessively hot, which is a good thing. And the green landscape, the spring growth, and blossoms were a real treat throughout the course. Later, I saw huge patches of daffodils growing in the median along Interstate 64!

By the way, the medal I received for this marathon was the smallest ever (of 38 marathons). And the T-shirt, while of the moisture-wicking type, was a rather plain design with the marathon name and a tree. Those could be improved on for next year. In spite of the hills, and a few fast cars, I would definitely recommend this race. It was pleasant and sensational.

Unbelievable scenery. Not a run to score a PR (very, very hilly). The organization was adequate - good markers, water stops, police directing traffic, etc. There needs to be more porta-pots out on the course and the community didn't seem all that involved or interested in the race (some were, but not like other marathons I've participated in).

I recommend this course for out-of-state runners. What a beautiful and historic area. Bring your family to Monticello - home and resting ground of Thomas Jefferson. Downtown Charlottesville is a great time for young people and families.

I loved the course, and it does present the challenges that many have said it does: non-stop rolling hills! I ran it well; however, I ran it with the threat of cars hitting me, being told by police that traffic has the right of way, and a lousy post-race celebration (with no Gatorade, massages, beer, etc.).

This race could be a massive event. It could and should be the best little race on the East Coast. However, the organizers in my opinion take advantage of all of the good press to continue to get people to come to it.

The course is challenging and beautiful. Everything else was sub par.

I first heard of this race through MarathonGuide and then Runner's World. I thought it would be great because of the scenery, but I was wrong. When I got into Charlottesville, I drove around in a cluster of traffic trying to find the tiny Charlottesville Running Company store. It was difficult because there was construction and the map I had received was poor. I wanted to get a PR for the half-marathon, but realized that I would not succeed due to the extreme number of hills and the congestion at the start line. I couldn't seem to get myself into the right pace because there were many slow runners at the beginning of the race area. The water spots were amazing and those few spectators were also very encouraging. If you want a challenge with hills then you should definitely run this race, but if you are coming off an injury, steer clear of this one.

This was a beautiful and scenic marathon, but very challenging due to the relentless hills. Do not expect a PR. Also, check the start time. It's 6:30 a.m.

Race shirts were dull graphically and sized for men only. Race medallion ditto. Why so many comments about the race chip? We hear you and will return it - promptly, promise. (How many exclamation points can I use to make my point?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Please, race organizers: Add porta-johns between mile 8 and mile 20. Volunteers: Thanks very much for your support, and especially to the kind soul who permitted use of the gas station bathroom at mile 18. I love you!

An added note: my friends signed up as walkers for the half. They had a sad and unpleasant time even though this race "welcomes" walkers. The organizers/police shut intersections down before they arrived (within sight of them), which was completely unfair because they had registered for this event and desired to be treated as full participants with everyone else.

Pros - Great scenery on the course, nice work by city/UVA volunteers on their parts of the course and proper mile markers that were easy to find. One also had to admire that a city this size can even attempt a proper race.

Cons - There was oncoming traffic during much of the run, and miles 18-22 were flat-out dangerous. The out-and-back on 15 was useless. Water stops were strangely placed (middle of hills?). Weak post-race food and support (cold pizza; other items were severely rationed). Lame medal/t-shirt (all said, "half marathon" regardless of the distance run.)

I liked parts of the run but would not run again. The $80 entry fee was embarrassing, considering the lack of support and obvious skimping on basic items. I can live without a medal or t-shirt. The money would be better spent on the course.

This is a great, well organized race on a challenging course of spectacular beauty. The organizers are friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and love to see all of the runners in their race. This marathon does a great job of being what it is (a challenging country marathon), and doesn't try to be something it probably can't be (Chicago).

The realities of this race seem dictated by the winding country roads (some of them dirt) in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. So if you dislike hilly courses (it's hilly, not rolling), expect to see split clocks at every mile, or demand thousands of spectators along the course and aid stations at carefully calibrated intervals, then this race might not be for you. Me? I love it just the way it is.

If there's one area that could be improved, it's probably traffic control. The nature of this area precludes total road closures on the course, but the police (who, to their credit, try hard and do their best) need to be better educated about the impact of their decisions on the traffic and on the runners.

Oh, and watch out for the golf course. In the 23rd mile I almost got beaned from behind by a duffer who hooked his shot without yelling, "Fore." The ball whizzed by literally inches from my head.

I thought the scenery was spectacular; however, I was put off by having to run on the shoulder next to traffic. I though that was pretty unprofessional of the race organizers. I did have my PR though. It seems like every race I run is hilly! I've given myself enough time to forget the long hills and the lack of food at the finish... so being the glutton for punishment that I am, I'm running it again in '09.

This was a great race - very helpful organizers and a beautiful place to run. Virginia in the spring is so nice!