I run only trail marathons. City marathons on paved streets are for the birds !
Once you've run this challenging 26.2 climb you'll never go back to distance on city streets.
I thought the Pikes Peak marathon course was a supreme challenge but the trail up to Pikes peak and down is almost 'manicured' compared to the Black Mt 26.2. Can't wait till next Feb's Black Mt run.

This marathon was so well organized. The race director gave plenty of communication in advance of the winter weather, and the logistics were all wonderfully executed. Aid stations and support personnel were terrific (thank you, volunteers). While running through Montreat College, I appreciated the encouragement from Montreat College students. Black Mountain is a terrific community and the shops/locals were so supportive of the race. The B&B we stayed at even had the chef come out to ask me what pasta I wanted for my pasta dinner, so I basically had a custom-built pasta dinner. This year they gave a very nice North Face fleece jacket, which was great - much more useful than yet another medal to sit in a box. Big kudos to the race director, volunteers and terrific community of Black Mountain!

This is a great and challenging marathon, run alongside of the heartier 40-miler. Everything about it was phenomenal, but the absence of a finisher's medal irked me. It may very well be a petty complaint, but so be it.

I ran the marathon in '09 and have to say that although I posted my slowest race time ever, it will be a run I will never forget. If the course wasn't challenging enough, Mother Nature, with her elements, truly helped it to be a race that I will not soon forget! Awesome organization!

This is a fantastic run. The course is difficult, but mostly runnable. Organization is nearly flawless, aid stations were well stocked, and there were amazing volunteers. Save something for the declines, or the steep slants will pound your body into submission before the finish. Anyone looking for a mountain trail marathon will love this one. Best goodies for finishers that I've ever seen.

If you're looking for a challenge and a scenic course, the Black Mountain Marathon is an excellent choice. With 3,000 feet worth of elevation gain before the 15-mile mark, a sometimes rocky trail, the risk of snow and ice, and a final descent that includes a 1-mile section with a nearly 20% grade, the race is tough. However, it's also beautiful and rewarding. Easily my favorite of the three marathons I've run.

What a race! My only disappointment was that I only signed up for the marathon instead of the ultra (guess I was a little bit scared). The scenery was awesome - the course was challenging, but fun - the aid stations were the best. Very nice awards dinner & I cannot thank the volunteers enough. Can't wait for next year!

This is the most difficult race I've ever been involved with. It's set in a beautiful mountain town in North Carolina. It's got a great feel with wonderful post-race food. My wife wants me to run it again next year because she fell in love with the community. I ran the Mount Mitchell Challenge which was the ultra portion of the event. I can guarantee you'll see almost no cars, it's primarily single track trails and it's amazing. The view from the top is worth an 8-hour run. This is my favorite race of all time.

Hard as hell! Had a blast though.