May 21, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Virginia Creeper Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Virginia Creeper Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 93 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
|
Carl Tyrie from Boone, North Carolina
(6/8/2004)
 "Nice trail run" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Virginia Creeper Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
M. W. from Cary, NC
(4/8/2004)
 "How can you NOT run this?" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Virginia Creeper Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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? | |
|
J. B. from Houston,TX
(3/24/2004)
"Absolute Bliss" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! :) | |
|
G. F. from Raleigh, NC
(3/20/2004)
"Beautiful course - well run" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
|
Tom B. from Baltimore, MD
(3/18/2004)
"A race for runners who love the outdoors" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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! | |
|
R. K. from Kentucky
(3/15/2004)
"Grrrrrreat!" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Gorgeous course, enthusiastic spectators, Frank Kibler's contageous enthusiasm, and an amazing group of volunteers, all on a course that lets you repeatedly (but not too often) see and encourage other participants, with consistently good aid stations and a bounty of post race snacks...for an unbeatable price! | |
|
Deborah McGee from Washington, DC/Fredericksburg VA
(3/15/2004)
"FANTASTIC" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Virginia Creeper Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the prettiest courses I've ever run. Beautiful scenery, friendly people (and cows!). Very well organized. Hats off to Frank and the crew for a job well done. | |
|
Scott Foxx from Charlotte, NC
(1/25/2004)
"Great Marathon Experience on a Beautiful Course." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Creeper was my first off-road marathon. At least four inches of snow fell during the race creating a true winter wonderland. I loved the wooden bridge crossings and the Race Director was fantastic. Great race which I'd recommend to anyone. Can't be beat for the cost and quad workout. | |
|
Craig Cutforth from Louisville, Colorado.
(4/9/2003)
"Awesome and beautiful, regardless of the weather!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An outstanding marathon! My wife and I chose the VCM as our first marathon and it was perfect! We would do it all over again, even with the inches of snow!!! It's true that it is a low frills marathon - but you don't need frills when you have the awesome opportunity to run along the beautiful Virginia Creeper Trail. It is truly over the river and through the woods... except you might have to shoo a cow out of the way. | |
|
Paul Chappin from Statesville, North Carolina
(3/31/2003)
"Trust me, I will never forget this VC Marathon." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I wanted my second marathon to be something memorable and unique. I got that and a lot more. A freak of weather the night before the race dumped 6' of snow on everything. Snow turned to slush, then turned to mud, then turned into a wet mix of both; I loved it. Anyone who finished this race is one bad character indeed! Support was great (thanks for waiting in the cold on us volunteers, ya'll da bomb!)and as they say in the realestate biz: location, location, location. Beautiful snow scenes, bridges, and rivers were just around every bend. It was a visual overload for me and all who braved the weather. Great job by all. All marathons can only hope to be this good. Way to go guys. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
