Quite simply, this is one of the most stunning marathons to run scenery-wise in the world, from start to finish (even up there with some of the Swiss mountain marathons). I guess I had heard of the Blue Ridge Mountains where this is run, but I had no idea... and in fall colors, look out. The first six miles of paved gently rolling hills is a good warm-up if paced responsibly. The next nine miles of downhill were on a sandy dirt (but absolutely firm) surface with much better footing than I expected. The last 11 miles was again on a well packed dirt surface that is flat to downhill run alongside a rambling river under a canopy of fall color. Training for hills is a must, and when running the race relax your pace through the first 15 or the flatter later miles could be more challenging than you would expect (I found out the hard way).

And how about the food feast at the end? There were pizzas everywhere and different kinds of food simmering in those hot pans you see in restaurants at Sunday brunch. Finally, in the 100+ marathons I've run, I've never seen organization like this. Starting with welcoming information e-mails and bloggers updates, there is nothing about the hundreds of aspects of a marathon that these organizers (David and Rhonda Lee) leave unmentioned. And even now, a week after the race, they are following up with post-race e-mails and re-uniting the runners with lost and found items. Bottom line is that if you are looking for prize money, skyscrapers, and crowds, there is plenty out there. But this marathon experience will take you to places very few others can touch.

Most of the race winds through a national forest. The leaves were turning and the second half of the course parallels a large creek that you listen to while you run. It is gorgeous. David Lee and the BMRC do a fantastic organizing job. The food at the end is great and there is a place to soak your legs in the creek. I'll be back next year.

Spectacular fall scenery, great course and a wonderful marathon. Almost all on a sandy/hard-packed dirt surface, and a killer nine-mile downhill, but just a few short hills otherwise. Small-town, friendly organization makes you feel very welcome and special. Well stocked aid stations with smiling faces and lots of goodies to go. No large crowds due to being in a remote forested area, but ultra great volunteers. Bountiful after-race meal. Unique handmade finisher's medal. My first official marathon experience was the best!!

This marathon was hands down the most beautiful course I have ever run - from the start at Jonas Ridge to the finish at Brown's Mountain Resort by the river. If you enjoy nature, the mountains and a quiet, small-town environment, then you will LOVE this marathon. The organization of this marathon was an A+ as well. The logistics were a lot of work but the race directors, the friendly courteous volunteers and even the spectating animals on the course were great. The aid stations were stocked with everything we needed and there was even a biker going back and forth on the course asking us if we were okay... amazing.

Now if you can't train in the hills then you better be prepared to run this one for fun. The rolling hills in the beginning, downhills in the middle, and the few hills you will encounter at the end make for a difficult day if you can't really put the time into hill training. UP and DOWN. Plain and simple.

Give this marathon a go if you want to experience a truly gorgeous, well run, friendly environment with some great food afterward.

Taking a great event and making it even greater: That is the 2009 Ridge to Bridge Marathon. The course is still downhill, but it is now less punishing on the legs because the descent is primarily on a softer, hard-packed dirt road instead of pavement. The race begins at 8 a.m. instead of 7 a.m., allowing runners to view the fall colors during the early miles instead of running in darkness. And last but not least, the route along Wilson's Creek during the final miles provides runners gorgeous scenery and an opportunity to see kayakers running Class IV+ rapids. I consider this marathon to be one of the most scenic in the Southeast.

However, nothing was compromised in the course change. The aid stations were plentiful and staffed by friendly volunteers, the organization and communication by the race director was top-notch, and stacks of pizzas were still waiting for runners at the finish line. The fast finish times are just one of many great reasons to run this race.

I really thought this was a super race from top to bottom. The course was challenging but very fair, the race directors were great, the scenery was super and the volunteers at the aid stations were also super.

Two thumbs up.

This was my first R2BM. The excessive downhill running was very tough on my body and I truly expected that part to be easy. However, the entire course was very easy on the eyes. I truly love the beautiful views of the Pisgah National Forest, Wilson's Creek and the other surrounding areas. Passing by some of the Christmas tree farms you could actually smell the trees from the course. The directors, David and Rhonda Lee, obviously put a great deal of work into the event, from the bus ride to the start, down to the fantastic food at the end. The custom pottery finishers' medal was great. I would highly recommend this race. I know timing is everything, but the fall colors up there were spectacular. To David and Rhonda, thank you for a job well done!

David and Rhonda did an outstanding job with this race. The course is new this year, and the reviews have been positive. I just got back from Morganton, NC, the town nearest the start, and I wanted to share a few thoughts.

(1) The scenery is spectacular. It goes through a wooded area with beautiful fall foliage. The course has some rolling hills for five miles, followed by a nine-mile downhill stretch, then ending with the last 12 miles along a gentle slope following a small river to the finish. The ground is soft and there are a few locals but not much traffic.

(2) Many fun people with a lot of experience run this race. It's a small marathon that is big on things that marathon runners like: great support, excellent logistics (including economical host hotel with easy packet pick-up), and friendly fellow runners.

(3) Work on some hills for this course. The nine-mile downhill takes getting used to, but I've found that hill work helps in both directions. The course spares the pounding you get with pavement marathons since it is on soft dirt. However, the quads take a bit of a beating during the downhill sections (but this is do-able).

(4) Plenty of food at the end of the run with cool awards (which I didn't win) and a great finisher's medal (which I did get). You can soak in the cool river afterward to soothe your aging joints if need be. As I've gotten older, that's increasingly important.

For those of you considering a small, well-run and fast marathon, this would be a good choice. Less bustle and no crowds make this run good for folks that enjoy running in a scenic environment with friendly, helpful staff. If you need huge crowds and high school bands blaring at you to help you along, you may be disappointed. However, if you like a quieter run with the occasional conversation with good folks, this is the course for you.

As others have said, the race directors are one of a kind. David Lee does his best to prepare you for this race through his detailed, descriptive e-mails, but unless you live in the area and can run these hills, there is no way to truly prepare for this race. I had the same experience as M.R. (the good, the bad, the ugly). The elevation has changed for '09, but for me this course is too much of an unknown and nontraditional. I had hoped to qualify for Boston with this race, but did not. I would return to run this race for fun, for the personal experience, and with no goal in mind.

R2B 2008 represents my sixth marathon over the past 3 years, and it was my favorite race, no question about it.

The previous posts about this race cover the information pretty well. I'll only add my salient comments regarding specifics of the major items below:

1. Course topography: The first half of the course descends from Jonas Ridge, and is a pretty fast downhill line. For the beginners and less-trained veterans please take note. This section of the course is not to be taken lightly. It bears very heavily on your legs (quads and calves) and can leave you ill-prepared to face the hills that await you beyond mile 14. Hill training is your friend. Don't doubt me on this one.

2. Traffic: I did not consider traffic to be an issue in this race. While running on the side of the road is generally less than optimal, I found the oncoming vehicles to be very accommodating and cautious when near me. I never once felt unsafe. The previous concerns about traffic may simply reflect one's personal acceptance/avoidance of the inherent risk of running 4 feet from 3,000-pound pieces of metal driving at 50 mph.

3. Hills past mile 14: Yes, there are. Large and long they are. Train for them. I would consider them to be "rolling" if I lived in Morganton, NC. "Rolling" is a relative term, but they aren't something that you can't prepare for.

4. Organization: David and Rhonda have made this experience one that really pulls you in and makes you feel as though you have lived amongst these fellow runners and friends. It is unlike any race experience I have ever felt. The entire atmosphere is something that every runner should experience at least once. Once you do, you'll be back again.

5. Fellow runners: Great, great friends to be made here. From all over the country there are people that you can instantly feel comfortable around, and comfortable being around. Unlike anything I've ever witnessed before.

In summary, I cannot recommend R2B highly enough. Do yourself a favor and experience this event. You will surely come back to do so again.

But you cannot have MY spot. I will be there again in 2009.

Chris