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Apr 28, 2024

Asheville Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Asheville Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.5

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 58 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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K. M. from Dallas, TX (3/17/2016) "Gorgeous and challenging" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Asheville was fantasticthe race and the town. Lots of great restaurants and microbreweries everywhere. This is the first year they have the half on Saturday and full on Sunday which give people the opportunity to do both - called the Backyard to Vineyard Challenge. Doing that gives you a cool finishers jacket and third medal. My husband did the challenge and I did the full. Staying at the Village Hotel is key in my opinion - although as the other reviewer mentioned they don't give late checkout past 12pm - ok for us since we were staying Sunday night anyway. Gorgeous course on paved and gravel/dirt paths. Challenging hills for sure but all worth it. It rained the entire marathon which added a 'mud' factor but the event is so great that it didn't matter. The Biltmore estate and grounds are spectacular. The water stops and volunteers were first class (they had to be out there for hours in the rain.....not running) and each one had various drink, gel and food choices. Since you are on private land, there is no traffic to deal with. The course has a few short out and backs which enables you to see lots of fellow runners. The post race food, beer and massages (both days) were excellent too. The only slight negative I could come up with is that you have to pass the finish line at mile 20.5 while doing the last out and back......it's a flat section so it's more mentally tough at that point. Lots of spectators there though. Can't recommend this one enough.
T. K. from Cincinnati, OH (3/16/2016) "Top 10 Reasons to Run the Asheville Marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 10) Although the on-property hotels are quite stingy about allowing late check-out, there is a very accommodating YMCA in downtown Asheville (on Woodfin St) that provides access to their showers free of charge. 9) Just the right size of race - no problem getting into your groove pace from the outset. 8) A few of the people that cheered us on the course - A Santa shouting Merry Marathon, an elegant lady in a 19th century ball gown exclaiming, Excellent run, My Lord! Both doing so in the drenching rain! 7) Every runners name and home town are announced while crossing the Finish Line. 6) Running right past the front door of the Biltmore House with nobody else there except fellow runners 5) Unique race medal - embossed wood 4) Nice fleece blanket for all finishers 3) For the volunteers to support runners for hours in the weather that we all experienced that day was extraordinary 2) Running up the beautiful roadway, created by landscape architect Frederick Olmstead, to the House; an experience that mimics more closely the experience that he wanted to create compared to driving it, which most visitors are forced to experience. 1) The beautiful Smokey Mountains on the horizon
M. P. from North Carolina (6/15/2015) "GORGEOUS!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was amazing from start to finish. The rooster started crowing right before the start and added to the atmosphere that this is a one-of-a-kind race. While there are hills, the whole race takes place on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. In fact, mile seven you run right up the driveway and can stop for pictures in front of the famous house. The fuel stations were WELL stocked and the crowd support was always right around the corner. At one point, while running in the field you could look up and see the house overlooking the course. For the most part the course had hills but there was enough downhill to help with the uphills. The end of the half marathon finished on mostly flat ground, except for a small blip at the end. The blankets that came with the medals were a nice touch. I highly recommend this race.
C. S. from Black Mountain< NC (6/14/2015) "Great event!" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful location. Great site. Wonderful opportunity for a runcation. I ran the half 2 years in a row! Teams/sponsors cheer you on!
K. Z. from NC (3/30/2015) "Scenic run through nature" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Race features beauty of nature. You will run all around the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in the beginning miles and right in front of the house at the 10k mark. Not the race for you if you're looking for bands and crowd parties because it's run on the privately owned grounds but it's neat to run where no one else is ever allowed to go! Volunteers were amazing and at water stops they had Gu and Girl Scout cookies! Nice blanket for finishers and free beer. Medal is very unique- wooden and engraved. Convenient shuttle to and from start line. Pace groups available. Would run this one again.
S. C. from Boca Raton, FL (3/24/2015) "Fantastic, scenic marathon with great swag!" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was extremely organized with insanely great aid stations. The course is beautiful, ran all on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate - with road and trail & hills and flats. It was not crowded with 1300 for both the full and half marathon. We got a goody bag with long sleeve technical t-shirt, gloves, buff and a finisher's medal and blanket. I am definitely doing it again!!! The post race party was at Antler Hill with all the shops and restaurants, so awesome!
E. H. from Greenville, SC, USA (3/22/2015) "Great venue + organization!" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed this race. I did the full in 2014 and the half in 2015. It's challenging, but not as hilly as you might think from the fact that it's in Asheville. The course is beautiful and the race director does an awesome job. The swag (shirt, gloves, buff, finisher fleece blanket, finisher medal) and post-race food are excellent.
Silvia Henry from Sevierville, TN (3/18/2015) "DEFINITELY a BUCKET-LIST Marathon" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course is one of a kind! As an ambassador to this event, I have ran the marathon 3 years in a row. The weather and elements really tested the runners, mentally and physically the last 2 years. However, this year the weather was AWESOME. (all runners know we can't control mother nature!) This course is the perfect mix of trail and road, scenery and solitude, as well as spectator support and camaraderie! Organization at its best and awesome SWAG, pre and post run! I believe this is a fast half and a challenging full! Come see what it's all about in 2016!
Richard Albanese from Illinois (3/17/2015) "Great 50 State Race, but be prepared for hills" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 LOGISTICS: This was my 13th State and I highly recommend it. I am writing this review to hopefully inform people about a few things I overlooked. First, when you register, get a $10 shuttle ticket. It was needed to get to the race unless you have a car and choose to drive to the start area a few uphill miles onto the Estate. They were sold out but I bought a pass from a guy at the Expo who didn't need his. The shuttle was smooth and easy before and after race from the Doubletree Hilton near the Biltmore entrance. The town of Asheville is about 15 miles from the airport. This town is a craft beer mecca! Stop at Sierra Nevada's new restaurant/brewery right near the airport, truly remarkable. I also recommend Barley's Pizza, made to order NY style slices. THE RACE: There was a lot of elevation changes I didn't really notice many comments being made on by previous reviewers. Much of the race was on a soft almost spongy packed dirt road. the weather this year was fairly ideal, 50's throughout. I would advise some hill training for this one as my quads got pretty shot by mile 18. The hills and inclines were pretty much up to mile 20 and the finish was a .2 uphill as well. I did not hear a lot of people ringing the PR bell. This race offered a serene pastoral forest setting throughout and covered a lot of natural areas. At some points you were 5 feet away from cattle herds and horses on the farms. Aid stations were the best I've seen in any race bar none. Every aid station throughout the course had GU, GU chomps, cereal bars, Cut bananas and oranges. I am used to seeing this at one or two but never all stations. OVERALL: Great swag, gloves, shirt, fleece blanket, head-wrap. Tough but really enjoyable scenic course, pricey race, due in part to $29 per person fee ticket to enter the grounds of the Biltmore, $130 early registration and race sold out by December. It is going to be split across 2 days next year so the field may be bigger half on Saturday and full on Sunday.
Chuck in Cincinnati from Milford, OH (3/16/2015) "Asheville was Awsome" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Marathon 33 for me. Wonderful marathon in my books. Well organized, Very peaceful and beautiful course! The town of Asheville is a beautiful town to spend the day to walk around and enjoy the sights. Or if you choose, you can pay and tour the Biltmore House, or should I say Mansion? Time for nuts and bolts logistics through my eyes: Mostly half marathon participants. About 1100 ? Since my last name starts with a W, and my bib was 463, Im guessing 500 marathoners? But I see there will be a Format change for 2016, with Half on Saturday and Full on Sunday, so you can take the two day challenge if you choose? Shirt was nice, and the medal was Wood made from trees on the estate which was very nice. Weather: I dont really talk about it, because it is what it is, and we all have to deal with it. But this year was the best since this marathon started, So that was a real plus. Spectators: Not many, But since I dont train with them On the side of the road, I dont need them in the race. But since there were some? They were awesome! Packet pick-up went great, no complaints there. Expo: Smaller than I figured for a 1500 person event, BUT they had everything needed if you forgot anything for your run. Organization: I thought they did a great job. Transportation to and from the Start/Finish went well. But did cost 10 dollars for the shuttle. Since we did not drive to the estate, I do not know if there was a vehicle charge to get in? As for spectator friendly? Not very many spots at all to see loved ones, and it cost to get them onto the Estate too. Since 4 of us traveled, and were all in the run, we did not have to worry about that. As for the course? Volunteers were top notch, and we can't do these marathons without them. Thank you very much guys and gals! Aid stations: about 2 miles apart, but the best stocked I've ever seen out of 33 marathons! Every single station had Gels, water, electrolyte drinks. Most had protein bars, shot blocks, Coke, oranges, you name it! Port-O-lets: I think they needed more for the first 10 miles where the full and half ran together. There were (2) per water station. I lost a good chunk of time waiting in line, but since Im a marathon finisher, and not a racer, that was fine with me. (yes I did go multiple times before the start.) At the marathon split port-O-let count was fine. For the course itself? Beautiful! A real nice mix of up, down and flat. Most uphill running was in the mile range per hill but not killer steep. Touraine: I liked it. There was pavement, dirt roadways, that was easy on the legs, and some dirt/gravel roadway. Since there arent many spectators its a very quiet peaceful marathon, but the horses and cows cheered us one once or twice. The only cruel part for the marathon was looking straight at and being within 100 yards of the finish line, and having to turn right for a 6 mile loop, just to come back to the finish. That loop was brutal for me, but flat. Ha-Ha-Ha! As a whole, I enjoyed this race very much, and Im glad I picked this marathon for North Carolina! Great job Asheville! I highly recommend this marathon for all!!!!

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