What a great race. This was my first marathon. The course was harder than I anticipated... but that made it more fun! My main goal was to finish, so it was a success. The volunteers were very helpful and encouraging, and the aid stations were well stocked. The scenery was incredible, and it was interesting how many different types of trail we faced - up, down, rocks, pine needles, dirt, stairs, bridges, roots(!). The weather was nice and cool. At various points, I felt elation, despair, resignation... and at the end, quiet satisfaction. Thanks for making this a great experience. I am hooked.

This was my second year doing the 10-mile. I enjoyed this year even more. Trails were well marked. I liked this course more than last year's. I will be back next year!!! Thanks to Halifax County Tourism as well for great goodies before and after the race. I loved the hat last year and can't wait to wear this year's!

This was my fifth overall and first trail marathon. I signed up because it sounded like so much fun, and it didn't disappoint one bit!

At some point during my four previous road marathons, I hit the wall... the point at which I just wanted to stop running. To never sign up for another marathon again. During Medoc, I kept waiting for the wall, but it never came! Even during the hilly, sometimes solitary sections of the final loop, I was still actually having FUN! That, in and of itself, earns Medoc a special place in my running history.

This race was well-organized from start to finish. The trail was in great condition and was very well-marked. The fallen leaves and pine needles made a lovely cushion for tired feet. The gorgeous fall scenery kept things interesting, as did the occasional appearance of Medoc himself.

The volunteers were GREAT. It's hard to place support along a trail race, but every few miles, there were smiling faces and loud cheers (along with great fuel, too). I was surprisingly grateful for the three loops, since I got to pass the same volunteer crews and interact with them as the race went on. They kept me smiling!

Excellent race goodies - the long-sleeve tech shirt is GORGEOUS, and the "finisher's surprise" technical hat is very nice and will come in handy for this winter's runs.

Major kudos and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in putting on this race. Keeping it small is perfect - quality over quantity makes a great event. Look out, Medoc - I'm already psyched to run it again in 2010!

Yes - a gem, as in a hidden jewel.

I love trail marathons. I love marathons where the race organizers are runners and know what runners want. I love volunteers who pull for every runner, from the leaders to those of us in the back of the pack. AND... I LOVE this marathon.

We had a picture-perfect fall day - 46 at the start, overcast for most of the race, and a light breeze filtering through the reds and yellows and greens of the fall foliage. The course is three repeats of the same loop but it never got boring. As the sun rose, the view changed and each time we noticed something new.

Volunteers were wonderful; they cheered and refilled water bottles and had all kinds of goodies. Other race officials/volunteers (everyone here is a volunteer) were along the course taking pictures of runners, encouraging, and letting us know what was ahead (like warning us not to go too fast around the next curve because the trail drops off on a set of steps!).

There is a campground at the park where friends camped (and had a great time); we used the spotless campground bath house for showers after the race. We stayed in Rocky Mount, an easy 30-minute drive in on race morning.

I was one of the last few finishers and was treated all along the course as if I were a real runner!

This was marathon #81 for me, so I have a lot to compare it against. It's right up there on the top of the list.

Bring your conch shell and come to Medoc next October. You'll have a great time.

I enjoyed this race very much. My wife and son ran the 10-mile race, I ran the marathon, and two of my children volunteered to help out. All of us had a great experience. The race was well organized. The aid stations were well stocked and spaced at appropriate distances. The course was well marked. Everyone involved had a positive, supportive attitude. The tech tee, cap, and medal were great. My wife wants to make sure I point out that she especially enjoyed the fact that the porta-potties at the start of the race were single-gender. The only negative comment any of us had was that one of the small foot bridges on the trail had a hole in it. I definitely recommend this race to anyone wanting to run a trail marathon.

This year's start was two weeks and an hour later than last year. Weather was better (cooler), leaves had more color and I could see where I was going (that is, the start was in daylight). The slight course changes made for a better race. Organization was equally good as last year and there seemed to be more spectating Medocs this year. I thought one actually gave a yell of support, but it was just a runner behind me tripping over a root.

This was my first Medoc Trail Marathon. The entire experience was great. Medoc State Park is a great place for a foot race. The food was perfect, the swag was perfect, and I received one of the best finisher medals I now own. Many thanks to the state park for the hot showers afterward. The volunteers and all of the people with the Rocky Mount Endurance Club did a superb job of hosting the event. I'm already planning my calendar for next year to include this event.

My husband and I traveled from the Chicago area to do this race. It's a small race - only 95 people finished the marathon this year - but it's really a great time. The course is absolutely beautiful, but don't be fooled - it's a difficult course. Throughout the loop, which you do three times, you get to see Medoc several times.

If you are looking for a race with lots of spectators, this is not for you. Since you are running on a trail in the middle of this small state park, the only place for spectators is at the aid stations. There aren't a lot of them, which you are told about in advance, but the volunteers there were just great. This year it was a great day to run, but it would have been cold to be a volunteer. Thank you to all of you!!! I would definitely recommend this race to anyone looking to do a small, well-organized, out-of-the-way race. Thanks, Michael, for a job well done.

This was my first "competitive" trail race, and it was set up perfectly. Obviously, you can't have a boatload of crowd support on single and double track trails, but every time there was a bit of a clearing, there was someone cheering for you. The course was clearly marked and again, if there was a site of possible confusion, someone was directing you to the proper path.

After the race there were some festivities and most importantly, coffee. It was probably around mid-40's at the beginning and possible 50's at the end. I thought the weather was perfect.

Overall, it was a fantastic race and I can't wait for next year to do it again!

*I ran the 10-miler.

A beautiful trail run on a three-loop course. However, the trail is rocky with MANY roots and a lot, if not most, of the runners tripped and fell on the roots/rocks/stumps. I tripped and fell three times; and I have never tripped in a race before, and have run many trails! Some hills, but they're not too steep/hard. Not many spectators, but it is a small trail marathon. I prefer the peaceful woods over spectators. The volunteers were wonderful and very encouraging though!! Good organization, although not much food at finish unless you actually eat hot dogs. Nice finisher medals and beanie caps for finishers. Small but nice marathon overall, but don't run it if you're afraid of falling/injury. A very rough trail.