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Ridge Runner Races Runner Comments
Back to Ridge Runner Races Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 1.8
Number of comments: 45 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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K. T. from Tallahassee, FL
(6/11/2004)
 "This marathon had everything I want in a marathon" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ridge Runner Races
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon had everything I want in a marathon. It started on time. It had decent tasting fluids, i.e. not hose water. Good medal and friendly staff. In addition it didn?t cost an arm and a leg. The woods portion was great and the tunnels were fun. If I lived closer I?d run it every year. | |
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d. v. from Ashburn, VA
(6/7/2004)
 "Pleasant Experience" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ridge Runner Races
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A fine marathon for the money. The hills will test you, the solitary miles on the roads are safe and quiet, and the race is well-organized. Bring your own enthusiasm, as it's a loner's paradise. Shirts and medals are fine. The volunteers are wonderful. PS. Don't camp in the park. The hillbillies have no understanding of quiet hours at night and scream at each other from distances of less than a yard by day. Rent a room at the lodge or stay at a motel an hour away. Forget the PR's... it's hilly. The weather this year was perfect: 60's, damp, and cloudy. | |
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J. K. from Laurel, Maryland
(6/5/2004)
"Beautiful and Rugged" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Ridge Runner Races
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course has changed over the years, looking at past comments. However, the hills are amazing; no matter what I walked up 90% of them and was very glad I did. I had the slowest mile of the 8 marathons I've run, 24-25 is a massive uphill. It's a joke to look at your mile splits on this course however. There is good course support aid stations every two miles, all were staffed. Very long descents as well, and the rail trail is beautiful, some of the best I've ever run. The race is organized well. Post-race food is a little on the sparse side, but definitely not a big negative. Oh yeah, spectators were almost non-existent which is no suprise, since it's a trail marathon run on roads effectively. The portion of the course along the highway with the cars was the only thing I didn't like about the course. Not usually something I mention, but the medal is also very nice. | |
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Eddie Hahn from Soto Cano AB Honduras (Ft Lewis WA)
(9/28/2003)
"You Can Bear It: Downhill Finish" (about: 1998)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 'You can bear it' - that is the catchy slogan of the Cairo Ridge Runner's Marathon. The outline of a running bear with the (logo) slogan on the front of the shirt, remains one of my all-time favorite marathon shirts. That alone makes it worth the effort! The course is, as the aforementioned marathoners have stated, hilly in the extreme. Rolling hills pretty much dominate start to finish. The challenge of running the hills is off-set by the scenic beauty of the course, which cuts various swaths through roads in the Big Bend National Forest. The course is 'rolling', not 'mountainous' (I have run both, there is a difference); it's not a stretch to say that a good hill runner will not only enjoy the course, but be surprised by their finish time. The year I ran there was one section of about two miles that exited onto a paved highway and over a bridge, unprotected. There were signs that stated: 'marathon in progress', but no traffic road guards, thus a need to be extremely cautious. There's a nice downhill grade for the last mile. As you round the last corner you will find that finish line a pleasant surprise. Even if you're really exhausted, let gravity do the work for you. The finish line is well stocked with amenities and the medal also has that cool 'you can bear it' (bear) on it! If you are in it for an 'overall or age group award', be advised it's historically been a low profile/population race and they don't have them. Just enjoy that cool 'you can bear it' finishers medal! Volunteers pass out race packets the night before at the lodge. Keep in mind the area is remote, and there aren't many billeting options - I waited too late to make reservations and ended up camping in the nearby state park. Reserve your lodging early! | |
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T. M. from Kansas City, MO
(9/22/2003)
 "If you have to do West Virginia ... " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was not my favorite marathon. The early start was nice, but it was pitch black and pouring rain and the van transporting the handful of runners to the start line took off without us despite our flashing of lights and honking of horns. We then had to trot the half mile down in the dark where I stepped off the road and into ankle-deep water. Great start of the day! The course was hilly, but not more than what I expected considering the area. The portion of the trail through the three tunnels was creepy and a little dangerous, as it was very dark and hard to see where I was stepping. If you are doing the 50-state thing and have to do WV, this isn't the worst marathon I've done, but I definitely would not have gone out of my way to add this one otherwise. | |
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S. P. from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
(6/8/2003)
"A Physically and Mentally Challenging Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon. This was a very demanding course both physically and mentally, in terms of the number of hills (including the hill between mile 15-16 that just keeps going up), and the relative isolation of the course (except for the very supportive volunteers at the water stops and the camaraderie of fellow runners). It is also very scenic, especially on the unpaved trail section between miles 19-24. The organizers were very friendly and helpful, and they did a great job taking care of the runners. The lodge in North Bend State Park near the starting line (the only place to stay for out-of-towners) is clean and nice - and the pre-race pasta buffet there was good. Most of the runners in this race were 50-staters, or otherwise had a lot of marathons under their belts (you have to run this race to get West Virginia). I recommend this race, but be very prepared, and very disciplined and focused (I can't stress that enough). Unless you have some experience with other races, this race promises to be a long day. | |
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A Runner from Pensacola, FL
(6/13/2002)
 "Challenging run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my 9th marathon so far this year, my 9th state to join the 50 State Club. Of all the marathons I have run, this was the most gruelling, but I would not have given it up for a flat, fast PR. The country side was beautiful! My first time in WVA. How come no one told me there were MOUNTAINS! There are only a few negative comments I have: sharing a trail where horses had recently passed was NOT fun and the 'unpaved' trail was super hard on the feet. The top of my feet actually got bruised from running down the hill at the finish because it was so steep. On the van back to the lodge someone asked if anyone was coming back the next year...most everyone just laughed. Hey, you only live (or die) once! All and all, both my husband and I had a great time. Be sure to stop in at the bike shop in Cairo, the owner was very helpful and informative about the area. | |
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A Runner from Rockville, MD
(6/7/2002)
 "Wonderful Small Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The is my 11th marathon and the smallest field that I have ran in. Organizers for this marathon are wonderful and warm. They are very accommodating. There is even a 5:00 a.m. start for runners who expect to take more than 5 hours to finish this hilly course. For this tough course and the June weather, the optional early start was a terrific idea. I, and about a dozen other runners took advantage of the early start and enjoyed the beautiful course. At the water stops, tables stacked with bottles of sports drink and water were setup the night before. These were at about every 2 miles. The course was very hilly. No PR on this course. The only fans I encountered was a herd of cows. Still, I loved the peaceful miles in this green solitude. The best part of the course was between mile 18 and 24, which is on the flat 'Rail to Trail' path. This path had a soft surface and was shaded. There are also three very interesting rail road tunnels to run through. I only wish more of the race was on this Rail to Trail path. If you want run a small marathon, or see the beauty of West Virginia, I strongly recommend this race. | |
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Tim Whitmire from Charlotte, N.C.
(6/3/2002)
"Better watch out, better not pout ..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'll tell you why: This course will kick your butt, and you'll only have yourself to blame. I went out there figuring I was a strong hill runner, so why should I walk the hills. I'd just take 'em slow and steady, right? Guess I should have paid more attention to all those people who looked like they knew what they were doing who started walking the hills within the first few miles. I hung in there until the mile-long hill that starts around 15.5 finally forced me to walk its final section. By then, the heat and the hills had knocked the stuffing out of me and there were still 10 miles to go. I finished, but it was ugly and slow. I had to walk the final hill, another mile-long killer from 24 to 25. The bottom line is this: Don't come to this race for a PR. Don't come for big-race amenities (a fancy expo, merchandise that looks like it came from a fancy ad shop). Don't come for time splits every mile (there's one clock, and it's at the finish line). Don't come here for spectators who will cheer your name (there are none). This is a small, tough race that is well-run and well-organized for the money ($25 entry fee). There were aid stations close to every other mile and they were all staffed and had plenty of water and All Sport. The course was adequately marked. There were medals, bagels, bananas, oranges and All Sport at the finish line. While a beastly course, this part of West Virginia is pretty beautiful, so for the most part the scenery is great. But again, don't be caught off-guard: Roads are not closed, and you're sharing them with cars and trucks, so stay awake. Just two minor quibbles about the course itself if anyone out there is listening. If there's any way to do away with the section that leaves Harrisville (miles 13-15, approximately), that would be good given the high level of Saturday morning retail traffic. Second, if there's any way to keep the horseback riders off the rail trail until after the marathoners have passed, that would be appreciated. Running on dirt/gravel from miles 18-23 is tough enough without also having to dodge the gifts left behind by our equine friends. | |
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A Runner from Somerset,PA
(6/22/2001)
"A great, small marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Overall this was a great run-beautiful scenery, helpful volunteers.The roads were narrow, often with little shoulder.Luckily there wasn't much traffic except for a 3-4 mile stretch before the gravel road.The gravel road was my favorite. Very peaceful. I ran alone most of the second half. No crowd support. There were lots of hills, both up and down. I had my best time of the season. It is hard to get to. Very few close places to stay. But overall I highly recommend it. |
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