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Apr 27, 2024

Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) Runner Comments

Back to Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 88 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

M. H. from VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (10/30/2012) "BEAUTIFUL AND BRUTAL" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I would to start this review by saying this course for me was beautiful and brutal at the same time. I had read previous years reviews that said the course was hard on the legs with the long downhill, but what I didn't take into account was the hard packed surface with rocks and dirt which really beat my body down. I trained on downhills by running Sams Gap on the NC/TN border which helped but didnt simulate the course conditions. The course itself was absolutely beautiful with the different color leaves that were still on the trees and the flowing creeks. It really helped in taking the mind off the pain my legs were feeling. I was on course for a 3:30 time but had to walk most of the last 6 miles with multiple cramps in the calf and quads. Logistics wise the race director was absolutely fantastic with his flow of emails about the race. Didnt get to meet him personally but he did a fantastic job with the organization. The post race food was great with hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, chocolate milk, beer, etc. I could smell the food for the last half mile of the race. The volunteers were awesome!!! Every aid station was full of enthusiastic people who wanted to be there to help. Race hotel (Quality Inn) was also good with an easy check-in and an early bag breakfast. I didnt get an late checkout with them but they made up for it with quality care! The bus transport from the finish to the start was also first class with nice coach buses with bathrooms. One thing I wish that could be changed was the flow of vehicles on the course. Had no problem with the locals going back and forth but one SUV in particular was following one women on the course and was constantly going by throwing rocks and dirt up causing a lot of runners to breath dirt for about 3 miles of the course. The race director had asked us in his emails not to 'crew' for any runner but there are always a few who don't listen. Some suggestions for runners of future races: Stay in Morgantown at any of the hotels but try to ride together or follow each other. It is about 25-30 minutes to the finish line to catch the buses. Definitely ride the buses from the finish up the mountain to the start. Great way of meeting other runners and it is a long ride to the top. If at all possible, run the course before the race to get a feel of what you are in for on race day. It wasnt enough for me to train on the downhill on pavement. Keep you pace under control going downhill. You will thank yourself at the end. Sit or stand in the creek at the end of the course!!! After your heart starts beating again it will help in the soreness in your legs. I sat on a rock for about 20 minutes and it helped in my 6 hour drive back to the beach. In summary, As a I am near the beginning of the 50 State project, I am glad I ran this one for the North Carolina Marathon. If you train right for this race and use caution on this trail marathon, you can come away with a BQ for this race!
K. M. from Georgia (7/14/2012) "Love this race!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I don't typically like to run the same marathon twice, but I hope to come back and do Ridge to Bridge again. The beautiful scenery really helped the miles fly by. I listened to the race director's warnings about playing it smart on the downhill portion of the course. It paid off and I came away with a new PR!
A. B. from Louisa, Ky (11/7/2011) "Great Experience" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was my first marathon ever so I don't have any races to compare it to but it was very well organized and maintained. The aid stations were located very close together with a wide selection to choose from refreshments to energy boosting snacks. The course itself is primarily flat to downhill with a few rises here and there. The only complaint that could be made would be the amount of traffic that was passing through on these narrow backroads. I understand it was mostly family and friends taking pictures along the way but it actually got so congested at one point that myself and a group of runners had to stop behind a couple vehicles due to no room to pass. This is a minor complaint and they ultimately controlled the traffic the best they probably could. The weather was perfect and they provided great food and drinks at the finish line. I would strongly recmommend this race to any first timer or someone searching for a new PR. I will be back next year and hopefully for years to come.
J. S. from Kansas City (10/28/2011) "Unbelievably beautiful!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a wonderful, unique marathon. The scenery is beautiful, and the solitude makes for such a peacful run. An all-around pleasant experience. The race itself is also efficiently organized and easy to navigate. Packet pickup was quick and the logistics simple. The finish area was also fantastic. It was in a pretty location and not congested at all - you could just relax, mill around, and eat when you wanted - something that is not possible in the big races. My only caution for others would be on the course surface. If you are an asphalt road runner like me, the dirt road course was more challenging than I had anticipated. My issue though - not the course's. I just underestimated the unique challenge of a marathon on a dirt road.
M. K. from Kernersville, NC (10/28/2011) "Great Race... Hard on the legs" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Perfect day for a marathon and the Ridge to Bridge is a very, very, well organized event. Great get away from the larger events with thousands of people crowded at the start and running on top of each other during the race. Had some great conversations during the race with folks that were running at the same pace as me. The run on paper looks easy (at least for a marathon). Rolling hills, long downhill, and then relatively flat. Be warned, the downhill was a killer on me. I was on pace for a 4 hour time and heeded past runners advice on not taking the long downhill too fast. On mile ~20 my left quad locked up. From then on, it was run a little and walk. Even with my disappoint in the last 6 miles. I consider the race a success. Great scenery, the volunteers and race organization is outstanding. Good food (peach cobbler) at the end.
M. D. from Harvest, AL (10/26/2011) "Awesome Marathon" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran both the 2007 and 2011 R2B marathon courses and came away very impressed. The new couse is faster and has more shade. David and Rhonda and the support staff are first rate. I hope to have chance to come back and run this race again.
R. S. from Atlanta (10/23/2011) "Great race, but don't underestimate" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a great race and David and Rhonda do an outstanding job. There is no doubt that you can get a fast time, but most of the race is on gravel roads, which can take a real toll on your feet. Unfortunately I picked up the wrong shoes and suffered with blisters from mile 10, and still finished in just over 4 hours. Also, you really have to train for prolong downhill sections.
DC Lucchesi from Charlotte, NC (10/23/2011) "Incredible!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 David and Rhonda Lee put on a first-class, down-home, intimate event in one of the most beautiful places on earth! Who needs rock bands, cheerleaders, tens of thousands of participants and all that crap! They can't compare to the natural beauty and wonder of this course, the well organized transport, flawless start and finish and the peach cobbler. My five stars for 'spectators' are really for the volunteers - they ROCKED!
K. M. from Asheville, North Carolina, USA (11/13/2010) "fabulous, well-run race" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running a full marathon, and I am so glad that I chose Ridge to Bridge for my first 26.2. The course starts in Jonas Ridge, NC, and begins with about five rolling miles on paved roads. Then the descent begins: about ten miles of running downhill on a hardpacked dirt surface, through a beautiful forest. Next, there is a flattish (but still slightly downhill) stretch of eleven miles or so to the finish. All along the route, the volunteers at the water stations are cheering. There are plenty of water stations, and they also provide Gatorade and GU along the course. The spread at the end is fabulous, and the awards are unique, handmade items. This was a perfect race for my first marathon because I didn't have to worry about anything - not directions, not parking, not water stations, not the weather, not traffic. All I had to do was move my feet. I would definitely do this race again.
R. W. from Georgia (11/11/2010) "Fast, downhill race." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Peak to Creek Marathon (formerly Ridge to Bridge Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This course can offer a runner an opportunity to blow the doors of their personal record time. It is a nice small race, approximately 250 runners, set in the Pisgah National Forest. The course has rolling asphalt terrain for the first four miles as it is does an out-and-back from Jonas Ridge to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At mile six, the fun begins with a nine-mile descent that measures a cumulative 2,200 feet on dirt road. One can really open up on the speed, but do it with care, because overexertion can do your calves and quads in on the last six miles, where the terrain is primarily flat. The course runs through beautiful forest land, and upon reaching the base of the descent, along a tranquil creek. The leaves are changing colors with the season and it is breathtaking. Traffic is allowed on the course, but the volume is so low and speeds so slow that you won't be bothered by it. Great race to run! David and Rhonda Lee do an excellent job with organizing this small race.

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