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☰
Blue Ridge Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Blue Ridge Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 5.0 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.7
Number of comments: 187 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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B. B. from Roanoke, VA
(4/22/2012)
 "My First Half Marathon!" (about: 2012)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One word...AMAZING!! Amazing course, Amazing Organizers, Amazing Volunteers...all made for an Amazing Experience for me as I finished my First Half Marathon. Yes, I chose quite a tough one to tackle, but if it hadn't been for all the hard work the organizers and volunteers put in - it would have been much tougher. Everyone should run this course & there is no shame in walking - it really was the best strategy! Thanks again for an amazing day!! | |
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B. C. from DC
(4/22/2012)
"Great atmosphere and coordination!" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is truly a fabulous race. For being in such a small place, you really feel like the whole town comes out to cheer you on (I think they do, actually). It is very well organized and is better resourced (water, gels, snacks) than some of the very large races I've done. The mountains are brutal, but the scenery can't be beat. Definitely do this one. | |
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T. J. from Huntersville, North Carolina
(4/22/2012)
"Exceeds the hype as America's Toughest Marathon!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the best organized, well run, and challenging course you will ever run. The volunteers and spectators were simply amazing. The mountains are beautifully brutal, as are the screaming descents. The aid stations had everything you could want - bananas, oranges, pretzels, gummi bears, and the best support staff you can find. The post race drinks and food were plentiful and the live music just put it over the top. It was a beautiful day and the best experience. I will be back next year and am bringing a large group of friends to enjoy this wonderful marathon. | |
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Ralph Barton from Virginia, USA
(4/22/2012)
 "very well organized, Great staff and volunteers!" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm 53 yrs old and ran the Blue Ridge 1/2 marathon last year. It was my first race of any kind in my life!!! I loved the excitement of the crowd and the atmosphere of the event! So I ran the 1/2 marathon again this year and was 6 minutes faster than last time so I was very happy..... my goal was to finish the race at least as fast as my last run. It was a great race! I don't have much experience at these type events but I can say without a doubt that this race is VERY well organized. The course is wonderful and the staff nad volunteers are absolutely fantastic. I plan on being there again and again as long as my old Grandpa Butt can make the run!!! | |
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Tim Cigelske from Wisconsin
(4/22/2012)
"A one-of-a-kind destination race" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon, and have nothing but good things to say about this race and the organizers. It's just the right size - not too big, not too small. The hills were a huge challenge but not impossible. The course was incredibly well supported and the volunteers with enthusiastic. The scenery was beautiful. I need to come back again to challenge myself to the marathon. | |
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K. F. from Hardy,Virginia
(4/22/2012)
"Push you to your limit!" (about: 2012)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half-marathon. What made me do this one? It was on home territory. Was I crazy? Yes! This course is tough and beautiful in one package. But the support of fellow racers, volunteers and spectators was unbelievable! Every step of the way was encouragement, water, energy drinks and port-a-potties! The feeling of accomplishment to finish this course was beyond comparison! | |
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Jane Timmins from Niles, Ohio
(4/22/2012)
"MUST DO" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What an amazing race! The course was awesome, the volunteers were great, and the runners were amazing! All of these things contributed to helping Americas Toughest Road Race seem easy!!! Props to all the organizers, volunteers, and runners! Now I know I can conquer any race!! | |
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A. J. from Lake Monticello, VA
(4/22/2012)
"Amazing All Around" (about: 2012)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I cannot stop reflecting on my experience from yesterday. It was just awesome. I do not agree with the person who said it isn't as hard as they say! It was tough. Physically and mentally, but it was BEAUTIFUL. The only part I didn't like was that it was 26 miles long. Ha. :) Great course, great spectators, excellent volunteers. I loved it. | |
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M. B. from Washington, DC
(4/22/2012)
 "The views are worth it" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was second time I've run Roanoke. 2011 was a wet foggy blur...2012 was beautiful with temps in the 60s (rising a bit too high for me by the 4 hour mark), partly cludy skies, dry conditions, and long mountain valley views. This race is tough, very tough: the climbs are unlike anything you have experienced. But as others have said, just approach Roanoke with a different mindset and it can be done. I stuck to 10min pace and I was militant about sticking to that as my baseline, for the steeper sections I was down to a crawl but still running. I was thrilled to keep running throughout the entire course, past mile 20 and to mile 22 before I started walking the water stops and then alternating 1 min walk breaks. This is a small marathon with excellent and very friendly organizers. No expo just a small packet pickup. Plenty of aid stations on course with no shortages of fluid and snacks. Lots of open porta johns along the way. This is a quiet run, not too many people out but the neighboorhood on Mile 16-20 has some very enthusiastic people out. Roanoke: A wonderful little city, clean, charming, easily navigated. I will be back for year 3. | |
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Michael Thomas from Terrell, NC
(5/3/2011)
"Toughest Marathon I have ever run" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Blue Ridge Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did this run last year to prepare for Grandfather Mountain Marathon, but as it turned out, this race makes Grandfather Mountain look easy. The addition of the extra mountain climb at mile 18 and the wind and rain made this year's event one to remember. Best course volunteers I have ever been around. All marathoners should experience this event! |
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