calendar icon Apr 18, 2024

Marathon Details - Greenway Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MD > Gaithersburg > Greenway Trail Marathon

MCRRC Greenway Trail Marathon & 50K

location icon Gaithersburg, MD USA    calendar icon  March 9, 2024    calendar icon http://www.senecacreekgreenwayrace.com




Name: Paul & Mary Foster
Address:
Phone Number:  301-525-7984
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.1 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.1 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 1.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 10


 

J. D. from Maryland (3/3/2018)
"Seneca Lameway or Noway" (about: 2018)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


4am raceday email saying race was cancelled due to 'continued high winds.' Yes there were high winds on Friday but anyone watching the evening news knew that the winds would diminish on Saturday. I went out for a training run not far from the race site -- not a lot of wind. I know you want to be cautious, but really? Seneca Lameway/Noway
 

F. G. from Gaithersburg, Maryland, US (3/2/2015)
"Used to be good but not any more" (about: 2014)

4-5 previous marathons | 4-5 Greenway Trail Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


2014 race was a disaster. Partly blame on mother nature: ice and mud throughout - but what do you expect for early March? But partly blame on personnel. A critical aid station was missing entirely. Another aid station ran out of water - obviously, the people running it didn't know the first thing. Despite promises of a post-race picnic, the only food was cold junk snacks. Same thing the year before, too. For 2015, they've raised the price (huh?) and are giving a neck-warmer. I'd prefer going back to the way it used to be: reliable aid stations and hot food at the end.
 

T. R. from Virginia (3/3/2013)
"Great Local Race" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Greenway Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


If you are looking for a race with crowds, pavement, and parking problems, then avoid this race. For a race with great volunteers and a fun and challenging course at a terrific price, this is it.

For $25, the course is very well marked, and practically foolproof, with plenty of hills to climb and streams to cross. Plus, there are volunteers all along the course with Gatorade, water, cookies, sandwiches, potatoes, and anything else you could need.

Well done, I will be back.
 

E. I. from Barstow, California (7/18/2011)
"Great Trail, Military Friendly, remote" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Greenway Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I have run both the Trail Marathon and 50K version of this race. The Marathon is long, my GPS had it at over 28 miles, but it is well worth it. It is hard for spectators to find their way to the aid stations to see their runner but there is plenty for them to do at the finish to entertain themselves. Great Race. Free entry for active duty Military.
 

d. b. from MD, USA (3/6/2011)
"excellent trail race" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Greenway Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A truely nice trail race. This is an old school race. Minimum entry fee, no frills, no big hoopla, no bands, no tee shirts & no finishers medals - just a couple of hundred runners needing a minimum of support to finish. Course is point to point, much of it along the Seneca Creek & ends at the edge of the Potomac River. A fun course with a couple of stream crossings and some possible muck, a few hills, lots of little elevation changes and plenty of roots, stumps and some rocks maybe even some snow (not in 2011). Great volunteers and sufficient aid stations and solid post finish food & beverages. Ed & the MCRRC do a great job. 5 stars for the few enthusiastic spectators. Highly recommended.
 

Max Power from NoVa. (12/26/2008)
"feels like an ultra..." (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Greenway Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Outstanding aid stations (lots to choose from), and the field spreads out rather quickly and is not crowded at all. There are ample opportunities for spectators/family/crew to support you; there just aren't very many people out watching. Great BBQ after the race. Good job.
 

s. s. from NC (3/3/2008)
"Nice trail" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Greenway Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Friendly volunteers, and good spirits for the race. The course, as stated, is veeerrry long. Nowhere near 26 miles....
 

L. J. from Germantown, MD (5/1/2007)
"Flawlessly Organized Trail Marathon and 50K" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Greenway Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Race Director Ed Schultze and his MCRRC team does a fantastic job conducting this point-to-point trail marathon and 50K. Highly recommended.

The 2007 edition experienced solid ice over most of the first 12 miles of trail. If there are similar conditions again, wear Yatrax, Orienteering spikes, or install screws in the soles of your running shoes.

On-course support is outstanding.
 

P. P. from Fairfax, Virginia (3/22/2007)
"Highly Recommended Trail Run" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Greenway Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I have run this race three times and I plan to do it again. Mr. Schultze does a fantastic job as the race director. The volunteers are great. The entrance fee is low, the quality of support is high, and the course is challenging.
 

B. S. from Silver Spring, MD (3/8/2007)
"Beautiful trail; well-organized; tough conditions" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Greenway Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I volunteered for this race last year and was so impressed with the organization, friendly approach, and great scenery that I knew I had to do it myself. I found the race tough, but I wasn't disappointed in the least. There's an excellent experience offered here for the trail running novice (such as myself) and old hand alike. It's a rolling scenic run along the drainage of Seneca Creek in suburban Montgomery County, MD, outside Washington, DC. The trail is already pretty well-blazed, and several volunteers go out the day before and add flagging to potential trouble spots, so there is almost no chance of getting turned around during the race. The time cut-offs are generous. The rolling hills add plenty of challenge on a good day, and race day this year followed two snows and heavy rain, providing the added challenges of miles of ice, and lots of mud and standing water. Who knows what the conditions will be next year - maybe easier, maybe not!

The volunteers made it much more doable, from those watching for cars at the few road crossings, down to the guy in waders offering help during the first cold stream crossing. The 50K option is a nice plus, where those up to it and meeting the designated cut-off can add 4 miles or so with a lap around the lake at the 15-mile point. Otherwise, you'll be doing something in the 28-mile range. The course organizers provided practice runs in the weeks before the race, an added bonus to those who live nearby and don't yet know the trail. The race advertises minimal aid, but there were still several aid stations, with lots of carbs (boiled potatoes, cookies, candy, pretzels) to fuel you up.

Spectators? This isn't the race to go looking for big crowds, but the volunteers, hikers, and other runners will cheer you on if you need it. PR course? You've got to be kidding.

Buses take you from the finish up to the start, and you return to the finish with a barbecue and picnic near the C & O Canal tow path off the Potomac River. A race sponsor (REI) provides a pair of good quality running shorts to the finishers. I wouldn't say this is a race for everybody, but neither is it just for the elites or hardcore trail runners.

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