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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 171 to 181]
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D. Q. from New York
(5/28/2010)
 "I like the blue" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon of the year and I loved it. The race was well organized, the ridges were blue, and I was happy I didn't fall. The running community in Roanoke was fantastic; great crowd support, though sparse in places. Did not matter. Lots of bananas, which came in handy. Minimal cramping! Overall, I was thoroughly impressed and look forward to limping around next year post-run. The good people of Virginia know how to put on a running event. Incidentally, there are some hills. But remember that there are also free bananas. They offset each other. - Deeron | |
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P. J. from Virginia
(5/4/2010)
 "Challenging and a lot of fun" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon; it was my fifth half. I don't want to repeat what has already been said, but I can echo all of the praises I have read. I found that the course was tough, but I only came within 10 minutes of my PR. I think you use different muscles going up, coming down , and then returning to somewhat flat ground. By the time I came off of the mountain, I wanted to stretch my legs out and had plenty left at the end. So that said, it was tough but not as bad as I thought it would be. The organization was outstanding for a first-year race. Plenty of water stations and more importantly there were porta-johns on the course (an often overlooked necessity). The shirt was OK, but the medal was one of the best I have ever gotten, so maybe that is the trade off. Great job; I plan on being there next year and doing the full! | |
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P. B. from Ellicott City, MD
(5/3/2010)
"A marathon for everyone's bucket list" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a beautiful but challenging course. It was one of my favorite marathons of the 24 I have run. I loved the mountain scenery, greenway paths, and great community support. Race organization was outstanding. | |
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B. G. from Newport News, VA
(4/28/2010)
"Awesome event - in every respect. Loved it!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although this was only my second half-marathon race (lots of 10-milers and shorter under my belt), this race was by far the BEST I've ever experienced. Everything - the pre-race communication, event coordination, course support/care, volunteers, community support - was excellent. I trained as best I could in flat, southeastern VA, and I'm so glad I did. The course was challenging and beautiful. I can't wait for next year, and will definitely work harded on hill training to improve my time. If there is any way you can make it to Roanoke (an awesome city, by the way), DO NOT MISS the 2011 run! | |
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S. H. from Hillsville, VA
(4/28/2010)
"Shirts in Women's Sizes, Please!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We want the technical shirt with the great design in women's sizes. Thanks! Super first race. Already planning to run again next year. Want to tackle that beast. | |
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T. L. from Roanoke VA
(4/28/2010)
"Superbly Done, Star City!" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The most difficult half marathon I've ever done. Well organized, fantastic volunteers, and a lot of fun. Two recommendations: 1. In addition to the technical shirt, a quality long-sleeve tee (like those from the Marine Corp Marathon) would be welcome. As a previous comment stated, the nicer the shirt, the more it's going to be worn and seen. 2. Disposable chips. Definitely plan to do the full in 2011. Kudos to all involved for a phenomenal inaugural event! | |
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D. L. from Charlotte, NC
(4/27/2010)
"Top quality - I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!!!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon was my 37th overall and my 19th in just over four months. I can easily say that, although this was, by far, the most difficult course I've run, it was one of the best marathons I have ever run and I will be back many, many times! First off, I didn't know it was possible for an inaugural race to go so smoothly. The RD always screws something up. This one didn't. I am amazed at how good a job they did. The communication via their Facebook page was fantastic too. Pros: * Course - this should get 6 stars. While challenging, it was so beautiful! My iPod stayed in my SPI belt the entire time. It was like watching the best nature movie ever - the time just flew by. * Location - Roanoke, VA is the friendliest place I have been to in a long while. All I have to say is wow, the locations supported this thing like they were all running it. * Spectators - OMG. There were many, many, many out there and they all must have gone to cheering school. They were so enthusiastic and loud that I felt like a rock star. I've never seen so many spectators - and at a marathon with fewer than 1,000 people, I don't think I ever will. * The finish line was a memory to last a lifetime! * Medal - WOW! Look carefully and there is some unbelievable detail in it. I love it! And it has a fantastic ribbon too. * Half marathon option - The half marathoners were great! A lot of the time they just get in the way of marathoners due to their inexperience but they were awesome - we all cheered for each other. Nothing to worry about here. * Awesome staging area at the museum! * Great finish area - bagels, fruit, Coke and Diet Coke, pretzels. Yum, perfect! * I really liked the fact that they had Hammer HEED instead of Gatorade. For a marathon this hard, the higher quality electrolyte beverages are great. Aid stations were plentiful! I think I will do this marathon every year. I live within a 3.5-hour drive and will come back as long as I live in the area. | |
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David Hurley from Roanoke, VA
(4/27/2010)
"Beast of the Blue Ridge" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It takes a lot of planning and a lot of people to pull off a successful marathon. Having run 59 marathons, I am happy to rate it in the top 20 that I have run. The course was difficult - but proper training and the magnificent view along the way made it worthwhile. Everything about the marathon except the shirt was high-class. The shirt has a lot of potential with our Star and the Blue Ridge Mountains and possibly a Beast. One runner commented, "At least it feels good." As we ran through South Roanoke, our spirits were lifted by the people who live there and other spectators. In running 58 marathons, I had always been envious of runners who had friends cheering for them. This was my first time to have friends who were fantastic cheerleaders along the way. The one element that impressed me the most - among many elements - was that the times were online within a few hours after the marathon. Thanks for putting Roanoke on the map for sponsoring a Beast of the Blue Ridge Marathon that we will never forget. | |
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B. F. from Charlotte, NC
(4/27/2010)
"Great Race" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Blue Ridge Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful but brutal sums it up. It is the kind of marathon that you definitely will be back for or definitely will NOT be back for. The course is terrific but there are some serious climbs in the first half and plenty more shorter, but steep hills to deal with after that. It was exteremely well organized with plenty of aid stations and wonderful volunteers. Crowd support is sparse, but there were plenty of enthusiatic spectators. I am already looking forward to next year. | |
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D. H. from Bedford, Va.
(4/27/2010)
"Fantastic first-time event" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the half - great course, great location. Lots of water and lots of support along what I thought would be a lonely course. My only "complaint" is the old-school timing chip. This a must-do race if you're looking for a new challenge. I will definitely be back in 2011. |
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