It was great to get back to Virginia. The foothills, the people, and the course all made the drive from Ohio worthwhile. Thanks to the race director, who organized extremely well and who seemed like a genuinely nice guy. In fact, all of the volunteers were great.

While I enjoyed the views from the course, I can't give an out-and-back-and-out-and-back a full five stars. The footing was good for most of the distance (the trail is more like a packed-dirt bike path than a hiking trail). There was a long uphill section that was very subtle--you won't even realize it's a hill when you're running down it, but you'll notice it on your way back.

There really weren't spectators, which is just fine for most people. The volunteers doubled as fans, and they provided good support at the start/finish line.

I wouldn't stay in the host hotel again. The Days Inn was very, very dirty (floors, bathroom, bed). In fact, I'm not sure our bed linens had been changed since the last occupants. While the Days Inn does provide a late checkout and an easy way to pick up your packet, it really doesn't offer any great location advantage. You have to drive to the race anyway, so I would look for a cleaner hotel and just stay an extra day. There's a musical theater in town that would provide great post-race entertainment.

One more advantage to the Virginia Creeper--it's geographically closer to most of us than other Virginia marathons. So if time and gas money are short for you (and you don't live on the east coast), give this run serious consideration.

I ran the Virginia Creeper as a birthday present to myself and as a long training run in preparation for the Boston Marathon. My goal was to have an enjoyable race on a soft trail and to finish without an injury.

As advertised, the race is a small event that begins with a rolling out-and-back on a secondary country road before continuing on the Creeper Trail at mile 2. From there, it is a gradual ascent along the trail to mile 5.5 before turning for a downhill segment of about 8 miles. At the 13.5-mile mark, it is another turnabout and a retracing of the 8 miles you just completed ? however, this time the run is a gradual ascent. Upon reaching mile 21.5, you will do another turnabout and follow the course to the finish.

While this may all sound monotonous, the beauty of the trail and the wonder of traversing rivers and valleys on the restored railroad trestles make the run unique and enjoyable. The long uphill and downhill segments make the course a bit more challenging than expected and I was briefly delayed by an unusual obstacle ? cows (holy cow!) on the trail just past mile 14. Still the enthusiastic race director, energetic race supporters and freshly baked treats at the finish make this an event to remember.

As if the race needed more to garner my recommendation, I received a ?happy birthday? from the race director at the finish line ? that certainly ?iced the cake.? Thanks, Frank, for a wonderful event.

1) Director terrific, accommodating, helpful, fun. Cohorts equally helpful and pleasant. Zero complaints, zero suggestions. 2) 154 runners, not that many spectators, but everyone happy. Much of run is in the quiet woods. 3) Trail itself well manicured and even. Course rarely flat, but no hill was severe. Much of miles 2-5 and 13.5-21 are the uphill inclines, which was exhausting for this untalented runner, but a good challenge and clearly different from running the seashore marathons. 4) Scenery was gentle, quiet woods, a modest canyon with a stream and a river below, well kept area. The season though is still dormant wintertime, so the woods are all brown still. All in all a pleasant run, worthwhile if the commute isn't unreasonable to get there. Town of Abingdon, a modest county seat, represents pleasant Americana. Much thanks to the organizer and volunteers.

Honestly, if you are playing the 'run a marathon in all 50 states' game (as were most of the folks that I talked to after the race), this has to be your Virginia race.

The scenery was the most beautiful of any race that I have run. Absolutely spectacular. It was on a cinder and dirt trail and passed through rolling hills dotted with cows and horses. All of the wooden bridges were new (think railroad tressels) and carried you over the river down below. The beautiful outdoors, all trail, one with nature. Since the field is small, though, you have to like to run alone.

The course was 'relatively' flat -- but with a slight uphill grade that did not really seem like much as you looked at it but you could certainly feel it as it ran from mile 8 - 21. The course was all trail except for 2 miles on a road -- the soft footing was great because you were not pounding but you certainly did not have really good traction which caused somewhat slower times.

Also, the race director has to be commended for putting on an organized, fun race -- all for a $10 entry fee!

This is a must do race.

This was my first marathon and definitely won't be my last. I will return to the Creeper for its intimate quality, natural appeal and of course to improve my time. The aid stations were well placed and a welcome sight every time. The best $10 I've ever spent. Frank knows how to organize a marathon.

I run far fewer marathons than I did back in the 70's in 80's. The Virginia Creeper is one I'll probably return to, having done it twice so far. The only less-than-five-star rating is in the 'Spectators' category -- and this is only because the majority of the run is through the woods. The experience tends to be very quiet, very scenic and rather solitary, so there are no crowds of people except for the several times the runners cross the start/finish area. And this is fine by me. First-timers might want to look for someone to help pace them because the small field gets spread out. Solitary runners will love it! The trail is easy on the legs, although the long slightly uphill sections will get your attention. As noted by several others, the Virginia Creeper Marathon probably isn't the event for those who prefer, and I have no idea why they do, large-field marathons on pavement in front of thousands of spectators.

My 13th marathon, and definitely in my top three for favorites. Tried to finish it in the snow on dead legs coming off a fast run at Napa last year, and stopped at 18m, so had to come back. So glad I did. Some of the nicest runners and organizers you will ever meet, great course support, beautiful scenery, a ridiculously low entry fee, and last but certainly not least, an amazing assortment of homemade baked goodies at the finish line. I have little interest in repeating marathons, but this is the one I might just have to come back for.

Seriously, how can you NOT run this one?

The race was well organized and is great for a first time marathoner. The soft trail is easy on the joints, the volunteers are a never-ending pool of support, and the other runners are so encouraging to one another! It was wonderful...I'm ready to sign up for next year's event now! :)

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a beautiful place to run and a great place for spectators to enjoy the race. The race is well organized, the volunteers are very friendly, and the home baked goodies at the finish were great. The late checkout at the host hotel is a nice feature. The course is scenic, and after the initial two miles of rolling hills, is relatively flat. It is advertised as low frills, but the hospitality, the paperweight with race logo, and the course make it a first class marathon.

This is a great race! It was my first marathon, but I've run in plenty of shorter races (big and small), and this was one of the best I've ever done.

Frank and the volunteers get all of the details right. I even found my race packet waiting for me when I checked in at the race hotel.

The course is excellent, and surprisingly challenging. Make sure to save something for the second half. Miles 13.5 to 21.5 are all uphill, and I think a slightly positive split is a reasonable way to pace it.

I liked running on the soft surface. It is as much dirt as gravel -- dry for us on race day but maybe could be a little muddy in the wet. The wooden trestles (bridges) were a lot of fun to run on, and the lower part of the course toward Alvarado is perched high above the river. Very scenic.

The paperweight instead of a t-shirt is a terrific idea. Come on, doesn't every runner have about a million t-shirts already? Love the paperweight! And $10 entry fee? It's a better race than 90% of the marathons that cost $75 or more!

This is not a race for people who are looking for big crowds of cheering spectators. I plan to do one of those some day too, but I doubt I will like it any more than the VC.

Also, with a small field, you have to rely on your own ability to set a pace with the mile markers. So in this respect it is a race made for runners, not for those looking for a fireworks show or rock bands or Disney characters in costume (blech).

Great job, Frank!