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Apr 30, 2024

Ridge Runner Races Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.3

Spectators 1.8

Number of comments: 45 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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scott smith from fremont ,ohio (1/3/2010) "marathon for a marathoner" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 if you want to do a marathon for yourself, then this is the one to do. You can't get more spectacular views of WV, and the people were great. Stay at the lodge; it's just a short walk to the start from there.
Nick Karem from Louisville, KY (6/23/2009) "Great" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is a really good "training" marathon. There's not much company in the back, as is the case at most small marathons. I enjoyed the course, the challenge of the HILLS, and the great folks who put on the event. One NEGATIVE: no results posted have been posted 18 days after the event. I completed my 50th state with this event, and results are still unavailable.
C. A. from P.A. (6/20/2009) "Did you know that WV has hills? BIG HILLS!!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I ran this race to get WV for one of my 50 states. It was neat to meet quite a few others who were doing the same thing. One fellow was doing his 82nd, and his 50th state. If you read the reviews, you will quickly get the idea that this race has some pretty significant hills. I train on some pretty steep hills, but these were a challenge, especially the ones from 15-16.5 and 24-25 miles. If you have time, drive the course the night before. It will be marked out on the road, but there were some turns that will catch you by surprise. It is also helpful to see the hills because they definitely go on longer than you think they will. There is no fan support at all. My family and friends actually were about the only ones who knew there was a race besides the other runners. The worst part of the entire race was that the last mile was all downhill, down a steep hill. After your quads were so tight, climbing all those hills to go down such a steep hill was almost cruel. I would have climbed another hill rather than do that again. If you can, stay at the lodge; it was cheap and clean. They also had a great pool, mini-golf, and a tennis court for the kids. This is not a race that I will be back for, but I would recommend it for those looking for a challenge.
M. F. from Indiana (6/15/2009) "Loved it" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I loved the challenge of the race. The first hill in the first mile set the tone. I started out conservative and it really paid off later. I think 72 people started and about 59 finished. That was the first small marathon for me. If the scenery weren't so captivating, I think running alone could have been more of a factor... but in the end I ran better than expected. My family went with and we stayed in the cabins in the park. They were very nice and clean, and we really enjoyed staying in them. We spent the day at the pool after the race, which was a good fit. If you want a small marathon that is on a very challenging course, do this. It is very casually run, so don't expect a fancy shirt, an expo, or a big closing event. It is running in God's beautiful creation.
D. H. from Pittsburgh, PA (6/9/2009) "Test Yourself - Newbies Need Not Apply." (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Ridge Runner Racess COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my second time running this race, and I had somehow forgotten how very difficult it is. That's not a bad thing; while most races try to give runners a fairly flat course, this one isn't afraid to throw some major hills at you. The elevation profile looks like an EKG of a heart attack patient, with 4 climbs of a mile or longer. Don't run this one if you have not trained on hills, or at least some serious step work; or if you need spectators (I counted 12 - that was 3 spectators at 4 different spots on the course). Do run this race if you want to be able to say that you ran one of the toughest road marathons in the country; if you like easy race-day logistics; if you enjoy a bargain ($35, including a continental breakfast!); and if you appreciate or can tolerate running alone for much or most of the race.
c. r. from Dayton, OH (6/8/2009) "Thanks for a great event!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 We really had a great time at this event! The hills were certainly a challenge, but the rails to trails were there just when you needed them. (The tunnels were awesome!) It was wonderful to run from town to town, and there were plenty of aid stations. A few porta-johns would have been a good thing, but overall I really enjoyed this race. The people were friendly. The course was scenic. I could not believe we had such wonderful temps. I highly recommend this one!
D. P. from Milwaukee, WI (6/7/2009) "Trail Race on Pavement" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Pleasant race, even though you have to climb hills the equivalent of a 30-story building 3 times. Lots of shaded scenery on this large loop around North Bend State Park, and how many marathons include going through 3 train tunnels? Best thing: due to size and casualness of this marathon, they let my wife take her mountain bike and accompany me on the run. The optional 6 a.m. start time (1 hour early) was nice, though with it staying overcast and 60 degrees, it was perfect running weather and heat was never an issue.
g. a. from Pittsburgh, PA (6/10/2008) "tough but beautiful" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I ran the marathon this past weekend and was not disappointed. It was as tough as all the previous runners said it would be but it was also beautiful. The views from the ridges were amazing and the early morning fog in the valleys was breathtaking. The aide stations were all staffed and had plenty of water and sports drink. The volunteers were very friendly and encouraging. There were no spectators except the random family member out there cheering for everyone (few and far between). Stay at the lodge right in the park. The rooms were reasonable and clean and the staff was friendly. My only complaint is that is it several days after the race and there are still no results online. I was told they would be posted by Saturday night but they are not up yet. The race doesn't have its own website, so you have to use the park website and it doesn't give you much info. The medals are small and very generic but it was a small, no-frills marathon. I strongly recommend this race but be prepared for long, never-ending climbs (especially at mile 24). The trail section toward the end is flat and mostly shaded, so that helps. The temps were in the low 90's and humid, but the shade at the end on the trial and in the park made it bearable. There is a short meeting Friday night at the lodge for questions and some of the veterans can give you valuable tips. Stay an extra day and enjoy the state park. There are miles of trials and a lake with boat rentals. Don't expect a PR. Carry a camera and enjoy the views and wildlife!!
S. W. from Delaware, Ohio (6/8/2008) "Who needs humbled?" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was a strange race because although I had my slowest time out of ten total marathons, I probably had the most personal satisfaction after this race. An unspeakably difficult course for me. Climbs that never ended. Downhills that pounded your body. Ninety-degree temperatures. Fortunately, this was balanced out by the incredible beauty of the course and a very forgiving rails-to-trails section from 18-25. Volunteers were friendly, and the staff were very well-organized. This is a very casual race for people who are very serious about distance running. I can't really rate the crowd support, as there weren't any people. Do yourself a favor and get a room at the North Bend State Park Lodge, and you'll be steps from the start line.
J. O. from California (6/8/2008) "tough course, hot weather" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just ran the Ridge Runner yesterday. I was going to run the early start, but was told to run the regular one if I was actually going to finish in my self-predicted time (I got a big trophy, which was a pleasant surprise). The regular start at 7 a.m. had about 20 people on the line, and I planned to start more conservatively than I did and I kept telling myself to run my own race - it's definitely a mental game when you're running by yourself for so many miles. The water stop people were very nice (they only have PowerAde/H2O, so if you want food/gels, carry them with you! I was really glad I had one gel I used at mile 15 and I drank PowerAde at every stop until mile 21 because it was so hot/humid) and the people who were cheering (mostly relatives/spouses of other runners) were great. The big hill at 24 was intense and from mile 25 to the end seemed to go on forever. The pasta dinner at the lodge was a little over $10, not including tip. I slept in my car, which was fine for me (and another lady from PA, who slept in her car next to mine). Overall, I really enjoyed the Ridge Runner and I PR'd by 20 minutes (first time I've run a marathon without being really sick!... and hopefully not the last). I recommend it if you're up for a challenge, because it's not easy, but once you're done, you feel like (and know) you've accomplished something great. It was also fun to meet more fellow aspiring 50-Staters. :)

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