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Apr 28, 2024

Umstead Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Umstead Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 31 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

H. R. from Cary, NC, USA (3/7/2010) "Awesome, and kicked my butt" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Umstead Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the third time for me running the race. This year conditions were perfect (about 30F at the start, going up to 53F during the day - way better than last year, starting at 55F and ending at 81F). As always, the organizers put on a great race with the best aid stations/on-course roaming bike support. Umstead is a very challenging course with lots of hills, and it certainly got to me around mile 20.5, going down Cedar Ridge. I am very happy to have improved my time and gotten my coveted finisher's pint glass, this being the year of the bunny. This is still my favorite marathon and I'll definitely return next year.
Shannon Dillmore from Raleigh, NC (3/7/2010) "Absolutely great." (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Umstead Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was fantastic and the people are top-notch. Extremely well-organized, and there's great camaraderie with other runners with such a small field. The aid stations were well-stocked (thank God for the Fritos at mile 24) and they also had volunteers on bikes checking on the runners - delivering me much-needed water between stations. I really would like to thank the organizers and volunteers. This was a great experience and I hope to make this an annual event for me.
Mark Long from Hamlet, NC (3/6/2010) "Job well done!" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Umstead Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This note is to thank all of the wonderful people who make the Umstead Marathon possible. It is a classic event that should be on the running resume of all runners. It's very obvious that the many volunteers put forth a great deal of effort in the event. Plus, they have some really great swag. Thank you very much!
H. R. from Durham, NC, USA (3/23/2009) "A hilly, hot challenge - but worth it" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Umstead Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time running this race, so I knew what I was in for. Unfortunately, this year the weather was a major factor, with a starting temperature of 55F going up to 80F. Having primarily trained in the mid-30s I wasn't used to running under those conditions anymore; thus I had some problems in the later parts of the race - especially going down/back up on Cedar Ridge between miles 21.5-24, which was tough. But then again the course is described as "very hilly." ;-) Can't blame them for false advertising. This is still my favorite marathon because of a challenging course, excellent organization and outstanding volunteer support. Hopefully next year it will be a bit cooler and I'll be able to improve my time.
F. L. from Littleton, NC (3/10/2009) "Best Event... Ever!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Umstead Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Out of my 40+ marathons and ultras, this was the best... and I finished last! The story this year was the temperatures. For the last several weeks, the temperatures had stayed in the 30s and 40s for a high. But race day they hit the 80s! Add the Umstead hills and you've got a challenge! But the race committee was ready! Never have I seen such support! For the last 10 miles, I bet I saw a volunteer on a mountain bike every 10 minutes, offering water, GU and electrolytes! Everyone was asking how I was doing and if I needed anything! Never have I seen such GREAT runner support! Thank you, Godiva Track Club! Best organizing club ever! The course was definitely hard... don't bother to come if you trying to qualify for Boston - you probably won't! But this is now my favorite marathon! Good luck getting into next year's event! I just hope I make the list!
m. c. from Cary (3/10/2009) "WOW!!!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Umstead Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow! This is the best race I have ever run, ever. The race organization was second to none. I received individual messages from the race committee (thank you to Carolyn and Denise) and parking instructions. The packet pick-up at Great Outdoor Provision Company was a breeze. I was greeted by a sea of volunteers and a fun, family reunion-type atmosphere. The race was epic and the unusually warm weather just added to the challenge. There are no flat sections in this race. The heat and the full sun made the hills seem a little bigger this year. The aid stations were like little oases. The bike support was great. Those folks provided aid to runners between the stations. I have never seen better support for any event. You could tell the volunteers were all runners. They understood. I was greeted with my pint glass, water and a door prize. The food from Moe's was awesome. This is a fantastic event. I agree with a previous review; it's a good thing that Runner's World hasn't found out about this race. If you're a runner, run this one.
C. M. from Raleigh, NC (3/13/2008) "Totally Awesome" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Umstead Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a totally awesome race. The packet pick-up at Great Outdoor Provision Company was easy, with very informative volunteers. The minute you drove into the gates of Umstead State Park, you were greeted with friendly volunteers that helped you get parked and to the race start. Before the race, the race director wished me well and greeted me with a handshake at the finish. You don't get that at Chicago. The course was challenging as always. This is a really, really challenging course. The volunteers on the course were great, especially the prom queens. I was happy to have two great massage therapists at the finish. This is the best race I run each year. If you only run big marathons, you are missing out on the best organized marathon in the country. Good thing Runner's World hasn't discovered this one. It's hard enough to get in as it is.
Bill Bass from North Carolina (3/11/2008) "My first marathon... unforgettable" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I did a 16-week training plan for this race, right after finishing my first half-marathon (Raleigh City of Oaks) in November 2007. I did most of my long runs in Umstead, and felt pretty well-prepared. Four long runs of 20 miles, all in Umstead, helped me out there. I could not prepare for the rain-soaked single track at the beginning of the race however. That sucked the life out of my legs. By mile 11, I was in 31st overall. By mile 18, I was fading, and started getting passed. I did pass a few folks back, I believe, but got blown by about 200 feet from the finish line for a position. I did walk a few aid stations even though I was carrying water and Gu, but that was mainly to say hello to my family who came out to cheer at several points. By mile 18, I began doing some run-walks. My calves were cramping very badly at this point. I began run-walking 10+-minute miles. I did hit a 9:43 for mile 26, and a 1:43 for the last two-tenths. This was a wonderful race. No matter that it started in a downpour; I felt like a little kid splashing in puddles for the first hour. I hope to run it again next year.
Rachel Granzow from Durham, NC (3/8/2008) "Fantastic first marathon!" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I sure picked a challenge for my first marathon! But I enjoyed this race immensely. There are many long, gradual hills and only a few super steep spots, which I thought was manageable. It was nice to get the single track portions of the race over with at the beginning because this year was wet (poured on us right at the start) and the trail was very muddy. The rest of the course was nice to run on (save a couple miles near the end, which were a little rocky). The mile markers were helpful, as were the volunteers throughout the course, at the aid stations, and on bicycle patrol, even for those of us at the back of the pack. The runners were friendly and encouraging as well. Good registration process, especially since there were two registration periods to accommodate more runners to fill dropped spots. A nifty goody bag and finisher's pint glass were the cherries on top! Thanks for a great experience - I'll remember it always.
James Ankney from Crozet, VA (3/13/2007) "Really fine quasi-trail marathon" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Umstead Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While it is sort of a stretch to call this a trail marathon - only a few miles are single-track in the woods - it is a very well run race with top-notch administration from front to back. Packet pickup was at a local running store and was a breeze. Having plenty of toilet facility opportunites prior to the race was great, but we could have used coffee in addition to the water/sports drink offering. The course was well marked, as noted by another poster, and the aid stations were well stocked with water/Gatorade and some traditional ultra foods (bananas, Oreos, oranges, etc.). Nice variety. The volunteers were really awesome and helpful throughout the race. The few specatators on the course were enthusiastic, but I wasn't really expecting anyone to be there, so it was a bonus. The finish line amenities were great! Food was really good - veggie burritos (thanks) and chips/salsa composed a perfect post-race repast. All in all, a well-run, challenging course. Thanks for a great run in NC!

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