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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 21 to 31]

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L. M. from Dallastown/Pa (6/18/2007) "A course that brings you back to reality" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Being a heart patient with a pace maker, I treasure all of the marathons that I have completed and this was number eleven. My main goal was to keep it under four hours, which I did in a time of 3:35. The course was tough, as I thought it was going to be. So I trained in the hills of Gettsyburgh. I am currently shooting four the 50/50 club, being a 30% disabled veteran. I am slowly but surely trying to accomplish this goal. Last but not least, I'd like to thank all of the volunteers and all of the other runners who I've befriended - I hope for a lifetime.
D. T. from Frostburg, Maryland (2/13/2007) "Wild, Wonderful" (about: 2000) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Scenice, rural West Virginia at its best. Of course, there are hills. North Bend State Park is a wonderful place to camp and then run. There are trails and tunnels here that are not on the course - I camped here at other times and ran them then. One of my favorite marathon memories occurred here, many years ago now. I settled in with two other runners and we just started talking, watching the miles go past. We were all talking about how many marathons we had run. So, when we passed an early starter, we asked him and he replied with confidence, "This will be my 40th marathon." Down the road a ways, I said, "Did you notice he has more confidence than we do?" We had all been talking about how many we had run, but - unlike the runner we passed - none of us was including the Ridge Runner, yet. We all started laughing and the hills yet to come were tough (I walked them), but we all made it!
Mike Lash from Monaca, PA (6/11/2006) "Hardcore" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had read that this was a marathon that 'defines a runner'. Believe me, its much more. This is a race for people that go home and sit on seats wrapped in barb wire or sleep on beds of tacks. The two big hills (mile 15-17, and mile 24) were tough but were easier than I thought because they plateau'd every so often, but all the little hills in between really added up. Also, keep in mind that all the bends and hills make you think you're gaining more distance than you actually are and there aren't any mile markers for you. The spectators were very sparse, but when they were there (especially inside the town we ran through), they were so into it. I highly recommend this race for anyone that is serious about marathons and about hill training. Aside from that, if there could just be some form of lighting through the tunnels, that would really help. I'm pretty sure I ran through horse 'presents' in each tunnel. Maybe a traffic cop in some of the more heavily driven areas.
N. W. from Richlands, VA (6/8/2006) "Quality Down Home Event, Grass Roots Running" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I enjoyed the Ridge Runner Races. My training buddy finished this one as his first. I had to go and see it for myself. I thought it was a challenging course and could be worse on a hot day. The aid stations were stocked with water and endurance gatorade and were spread evenly 2 miles apart. The course could have been marked a little better but the directors could have had problems due the week of heavy rain and heavy rain the night before. The traffic was never a problem, motorists were nice to get over and slow down. The lodge was superbly clean. Make a weekend out of this and head to a movie or Italian restaurant post marathon in Parkersburg, 25 minutes away, the food at the lodge was well cooked and delicious. This marathon isn't for someone looking for big crowds and a festive post race party; it is running at its purest form, a grass roots race organized extremely well!
b. p. from Davison, Michigan (6/5/2006) "beautiful and challenging" (General Comments) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 A very small marathon known only to locals and those wanting to be in the 50 states club. Beautiful views but spectator support was VERY minimal. Two women cheering their relative stuck around multiple points in the race to cheer myself and a co-runner. Expect to be alone on this one unless you find another runner at a common pace. Course was poorly marked; I would suggest bringing a course map. Water stops were well placed and tasted good. Organizers were friendly and accommodating. Two starts were offered. A 6:00 a.m. start was offered to finish early and beat the heat, all other runners started at 7:00 a.m. I'm glad I ran early, because it warmed up fast. Cheesy medals but nice cotton shirt... for $35 (late entry), who can complain?
D. M. from Asheboro, NC (6/4/2006) "Very tough course but scenic" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Don't underestimate the course. There are two hills in the first mile. It is WV - they have hills. The first 18 miles is run on the road and the last 8 is run on the rail to trail part and in the park itself. In the first 13 miles there is little traffic but from 13 to 18 you are on the shoulder of a two lane mountain road and there is a fair amount of traffic. From 18 to 24 is flat and on trail and very scenic. 3 or 4 tunnels that are cool and spooky all at the same time. My preference would be to have the whole course on the trail but I don't make those decisions. Mile 24-25.5 is all up hill and to the end is all down hill. You will be sore in places you have never been sore before. There were about 50-60 runners this year. The organization was good and the T-shirt was great. I wish the medal was a little more unique but for $35 to enter the marathon I do feel that I got my money's worth. I would suggest you stay at the North Bend Lodge in the park. It is nice, clean, and relaxing. There is a restaurant at the lodge which is OK and one restaurant in the town of Cairo 3 miles away which is OK too. More inspiring restaurant selections are in Parkersburg about 20 miles west on highway 50. No real spectators except the race organizers. Reports of deer being seen and other critters. If you want a quiet laid back race in a beautiful setting with lots of hills this one is for you.
F. L. from Rocky Mount, NC (6/7/2005) "Challenging..." (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Combine a tough course and a warm humid day and you have a real challenge. Glad I did it, but... ! The hills between 15-16 and 24-25 were every bit as hard as promised. The rail-to-trail section from 18-14 was REALLY enjoyable (in spite of my personal pain!). Super nice folks, and a beautiful but challenging course.
B. K. from Ohio (6/6/2005) "A marathon for REAL marathoners!" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Ridge Runner Races COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I read some of the comments, especially the one about it being SO bad, but I was overwhelmed by the beauty, and the support is awesome. It is an easy course from mile 2 to 9. Challenging at mile 15-17. The trail is easy and fun. The final hill is just interesting. If you want easy, take up another sport. This race defines a marathoner.
G. K. from Kingsport, Tennessee (7/2/2004) "Oh my God!" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Ridge Runner Racess COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 They start you out right away with a vicious, but relatively short, ascent. Many walked. The 2+ mile descent that followed would be a lot more enjoyable if you knew you didn't have to buy it all back later. Big ups heading into Harrisville, at mile 15, and the grand daddy at mile 24. If you run this, you better have trained on hills. The tunnels on the trail were wild. It was so dark you had to walk because you couldn't see your own feet. The biggest positive was the attitude of the other runners and organizing committee. You felt like you'd walked in on a family reunion and were made welcome. The biggest negative was the street running. You were on your own and it was up to the drivers to decide if they wanted to give you a break. It was tough on the drivers, too, when there were situations where people were running on both sides of the road. A few orange cones would be a huge help.
F. B. from HUNTINGTON, WV (7/2/2004) "HEARTBREAK HILLS EVERYWHERE" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Ridge Runner Racess COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Yes I have run Boston, but this is my home state marathon and I have tried to figure it out 6 times since 1998. My best time was 3:22 and my worst was 3:42 this year. It was the first marathon I ever ran - and now the most recent. It is heartbreak hilly, flat, scenic, and can be hot, humid, cool, wet, fun or a killer. It is called the ridge runner and to get to those ridges you must run up!! At the 5 mile marker in 2004 a black lab came out of nowhere to bark and run along with me. He did this for approximately 3 miles then peeled off to chase a couple of other dogs along the course. He then picked up another runner to pace with for a while, then another & another until he actually finished the race!!!! We tried to get the race director to give him a medallion but he said he had not run the whole marathon (eliminated on a technicality)! Best fun I ever had at a marathon. I got my picture taken with the dog and it is one of my fondest mementos from a race. If you are not into shopping expos and large crowd support, but are into seeing what you are made of in a marathon - come and visit West Virginia - we will be glad to have you and your family visit!! Be sure to keep an eye out for that lab - I think he finished in less than 4 hours!!

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