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Apr 27, 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 21 to 31]

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K. O. from Helena, AL (5/9/2014) "Can't beat the view, swag and after-race goodies" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'd never been to the Biltmore Estate prior to the race and found it to be a real 'wow' moment when we rounded a corner and the house finally came into view after the first 6 miles of climbing. The fact that this was followed by a nice level area for a couple of miles made the reveal of the house an even more enjoyable moment! Aid stations had a wide variety of options and the volunteers were great. The rain and logistics of the grounds kept most other spectators away this year. Toughest part of the race psychologically was looping past the finish line at mile 20. But it was well worth going that last 10K to get to come back and receive a unique (huge!) medal made of local wood, an embroidered fleece blanket, beer, hot chocolate and a wide selection of food items. The (indoor!) bathroom facilities near the post-race area were also a welcome sight. The course is a mix of paved roads and fairly well-groomed, non-technical trail. My road shoes were just fine and I didn't regret leaving my trail shoes at home. A few weather issues the past two years, so here's hoping the 3rd time is the charm. The expo was held at the Doubletree, which made for a very convenient place to stay. The shuttle bus to/from the race was most helpful. Fun packet pick-up included a bingo card. Once runners visited all vendors, who marked off their section of the card, they were able to enter a drawing. A great way to motivate us to visit every exhibitor. Speaking of the expo, I loved the printed-on-site t-shirts and the 26.2 & 13.1 specialty labeled wines from the Biltmore. We received a great swag bag with cotton gloves and a multi-use buff. Sierra Nevada let you choose from several giveaways I love my pint glass, but might have been afraid of breakage if I was flying home. It's great to have options! The tech shirt fits well but (minor disappointment) was the same for the half and the full runners. Since the marathon medal is much larger than the half medal, I'm willing to let that slide. ;)
C. L. from Hendersonville, NC (5/9/2014) "Beautiful course and a well organized event!" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is by far one of the most scenic road marathons that you could do. The course is mixed road and well maintained fire roads and offers the runner a chance to run up to the famed Biltmore Estate and through the rest of the private grounds. The organization is fantastic and the smaller field size makes everything feel a little more intimate. A special thank you goes out to the volunteers who are always the absolute very best and have amazed me the past two years with their energy and enthusiasm.
T. M. from Pittsburgh, PA (5/8/2014) "Stunning, one-of-a-kind race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a fantastic race! The entire race takes place on the grounds of the famous Biltmore Estate. Runners get to experience parts of the estate that aren't made available to the general public. The course is a mix of asphalt, gravel, packed dirt, and crushed limestone. It's a very runnable course with some rolling hills and long flat sections. The swag is top notch. Finisher medals are carved/etched wood, unlike any I've received elsewhere. Finishers also receive a blanket embroidered with the event logo. It's so nice I felt bad using it after the race. There is plenty of post-race food and drink for all. Be sure to ring the PR bell at the finish line! On-course support is great. Many of the aid stations are set up more like those at ultra races rather than street races. Cookies, pretzels, Coke, water, electrolyte drinks, and other items were available. In fact, this race had three different brands of gels available. Some other posts have complained about the weather. While it's true it rained in the 2014 race, that certainly isn't something any RD can control. Certain parts of the course were muddy, but that's only because it rained the entire race. When it's dry, the course is very runnable. Because of the mixed terrain, I'd suggest using something other than a minimal shoe. The expo is small, but it has everything a runner would need. There are plenty of giveaway items and unique items such as custom-printed shirts and souvenir wines. Race ambassadors and volunteers were excellent. They were very adept at helping runners from out of town and they had the answers to general race questions as well as specific questions about the unique aspects of the Biltmore Estate. The pre-race pasta dinner was very enjoyable. The food was tasty and plentiful, and the two meal times ensured everyone could eat whenever they preferred. Run this race. You'll be very glad you did. Be sure to bring a camera because mile 6 is truly an experience not to be missed.
T. B. from Asheville nc (5/8/2014) "The only marathon in Asheville!" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is by far one of my favorite marathons! This is the second year that I've ran the marathon. Even though it rained this year I had a blast! The course changes this year made this race one to remember. The race was very well laid out and organized. The volunteers were awesome throughout the race and at the finish line. The scenery can't be beat at the Biltmore estate with lots of awesome views of the house,vineyards, and the lake. I would recommend this marathon to anyone who wants to experience Asheville for what it really is!
T. P. from Columbus, OH (3/30/2014) "Exceptionally well-run race" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Asheville Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is very scenic and the organization is fantastic. Run entirely on the beautiful Biltmore Estate, the marathon consists of some paved roads/paths and some unpaved. A couple hills early on, plus a couple in the middle, but a large part is flat, including the last several miles. The expo was small, but nice, with lots of helpful volunteers. Very nice race shirt, nice cotton gloves and neck buff. Nice selection of race memorabilia to purchase. Shuttle from hotel was fine. Pre-race area in Antler Village (Biltmore) was fabulous, with real restrooms and a coffee shop. Unfortunately rain started falling right before the start, and rained the whole race. A warm thanks to the fantastic volunteers along the course. An exceptional fleece blanket welcomed runners at the finish. The medal, made of local wood, is awesome, one of the very best I've ever gotten. Post-race food was great, too. A very cool extra is that clothing disposed during the race is collected and can be picked up later. Two minor things that I'm sure will be improved on: One is that gels were handed out at water stops, not before, and, two, the marathon and half shared part of a small out-and-back, where marathon runners clashed with walking half'ers. The Doubletree hotel (right outside the estate) was wonderful. Decent rate, nice breakfast included for days around the race (including a box breakfast on race day). The free coffee stand welcoming returning runners was a very nice touch. The race director does her very best to put on the best race possible, making several improvements over a very fine race last year. This is a truly lovely race, and should be on every marathoners must-do list.
J. W. from Kansas City, KS (3/18/2014) "Well run smaller event" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Mid 40s and rain were not ideal conditions, but holy cow the volunteers and race staff stuck with it and did a great job. I had the benefit of being able to move the whole time. I don't know how the folks working this race endured standing around in those conditions. Bless them for doing that to make sure we runners were cared for. Had the conditions been better this would have just been splendid. It's not an easy race, but it sure is worth it to get to run around the Biltmore Estate in many places folks don't normally get to see. The west loop with the hills and dirt roads are the most challenging. If you take it easy starting out you can get through the west section okay. The last six miles, for me, were the most challenging of all since you run past the finish line to head out for the final six. If the Biltmore would be open to it I think April would be a fantastic time to run this event. The flowers would be in bloom and it would be a visual treat.
P. L. from Raleigh, NC (12/29/2013) "One of a kind destination race" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was so excited to run this event. My first time at the Biltmore Estate. What a great idea to have a marathon that is run exclusively on the grounds of the Estate. Asheville is a hip, foodie mountain town, just a perfect place to spend a long weekend, and run a race! The temperatures on race day were unusually cold, but the views of the Estate made it totally worth it. The course is challenging with some rolling hills, but nothing too severe. Let's face it, you're in the mountains of NC. Expect some elevation change. This marathon touts itself as civilized and primitive, and that it is. It has paved parts and trail parts, challenging each runner with a little bit of everything. The cheering aid stations were energetic and stocked with necessities. A great destination race overall. The 'woodalion' finisher medal was awesome, in my opinion. The wood used to make the medals was taken from a fallen tree from the Estate property. Unique and themed, which is what I enjoy about it. I will surely return. Make a weekend out of it, as Asheville has a lot to offer, and if you've never been to the Biltmore Estate, what a great reason to make the trip.
W. W. from Hendersonville , North Carolina (10/8/2013) "Only makes you tougher!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have to say for me it is the adventure of a marathon that matters most, not the shirt style. And the Asheville/ Biltmore Marathon was a true adventure! The course was challegling, yet there was plenty of flat miles to enjoy. The lakes and hillsides were awesome to view. The cold & wind 'only made you tougher'. The volunteers at the water stations were truly amazing! This race really captures the essence of running in WNC, trails and raw beauty surrounds you. I plan to run again this coming March, and I am looking forward to another great adventure, not just a shirt or medal!
C. W. from Boone, NC (6/13/2013) "Inaugural race with hiccups, but potential" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Asheville was my third marathon. I balked at the price for a while but finally chose it out of curiosity and relative proximity to where I live. The expo was okay, but I was more interested in getting to my hotel and finding dinner so I didn't spend much time there. Race morning started with a long, slow-moving line of cars to get into the Estate as they were checking multiple tickets and wristbands to make sure you were part of the race. Parking went smoothly, as well as the shuttle transport to the start line. Long bathroom lines. Race start was delayed about 15 minutes- some people were irritated by this, but I was glad I had the opportunity to use the bathroom and get myself situated rather than being rushed. Course was alright.. paying over $100 to loop past the estate for half a mile is a disappointment. TONS of rocks and gravel- all runners were moving up to the grass instead of risking a rolled ankle. This could be improved. Some hills, nothing too extreme. The day was COLD and windy.. I felt fortunate to have spent my time training in Boone's winter- conditions much mimicked what I encountered on race day. Ended up running a minute slower than my PR, which I was very pleased with considering I wasn't in the shape I had hoped to be in and hadnt expected the weather. Very, very upset they expected us to pay for coffee at the end. A hot beverage was all I wanted, especially after drinking water/Gatorade slushies for the past 3 hours.. Would run this race again if the price wasn't as steep and some improvements were made to the course.
G. S. from Indianapolis, IN (4/2/2013) "fun challenging race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Asheville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this race despite the cold windy temps. Race temp was 23 and wind chill was 9 and wind was blowing hard! Expo was really nice for a small race. Good vendors and a great atmosphere. I drove to race and getting there was very easy. Course was very scenic and most challenging I've run. Running by Biltmore House was fantastic as was running by horses and all over the estate. I've done SF & Knoxville, which are both hilly, but this seemed harder. Think it was weather combined with the uneven trails. There was one loop that was kind of confusing, thought I missed a turn as there were not a lot of people running in front of me at the time. Volunteer was there to tell me I was all good. Volunteers at water stations were superb. Just do not put ice in water next year if its cold again. Didn't matter half way in as water was ice anyway because it was so cold. Overall, I liked this race a lot and would recommend it. I've only previously run road races so really enjoyed doing something different. Blanket at end was awesome!

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