A lovely little marathon through rural Tennessee. The course is 2 loops which is great because on the 1st loop you get to look at all the local scenery, then when you start getting tired on the 2nd loop, you don't have to be worried what surprises the course might hold because you've already been through it on the previous loop.

Very well organized with great gifts to all participants such as a bottle of wine and locally made relishes. If you're looking for a low-key marathon or half-marathon through rural countryside, this would be a great choice.

This was a great little race. Few people in the race and spectating, but that is what I like. The course was a little hilly - did not bother me. The water stops were serviced by excellent volunteers and they were well stocked. There were gel packs, PowerBars, Gatorade and water at every stop. The people were friendly and the organization was well put together. I do agree: the only scary part of the run was crossing the highway without a traffic cop present. This made it exciting when the little town got busy. One more comment would be to have a few more toilets at the start point. Weather this year was great and the shirt was nice with the entry. I got a bottle of wine for signing up and that was nice for the post-race party.

This is a wonderful small marathon. Enjoy the beauty of running in a valley in between the Tennessee mountains. The RD did everything possible to make sure that all racers have a great experience and congratulated everyone by name at the finish line. With five-year age groups, most everyone got an award plaque in addition to the finisher's Lucite plaque. Aid stations were as well stocked as many ultras. The course really isn't that flat; a lot of it is on a constant, small upslope or downslope,  which I find to be not only better for my legs but also faster than a flat course. And it is pretty neat to start/finish on a working farm!

Check-in was a breeze, efficient and friendly. Gifts this year were a bottle of local wine and homemade apple butter. The course was a good challenge but not too difficult. The aid stations and police assistance were adequate (nothing fancy); we were provided with the basics of hydration and fuel. There were no real spectators because it is smack in the middle of the country. It was an open course, but the traffic was not a problem as there was not much and there was a wide shoulder to run on. Would I do it again? Yes.

This was my first time running this race and I thought the course was nice (only exception was crossing the highway on your own with no course marshal there). The water-stop volunteers were also the main spectators as it is a very small race run in the country. Don't do the race if you need a lot of spectator support. Nice goody bag, but no finisher medals (little lucite things on back-order... I would have prefered standard medal).

Where else do you get a free jar of homemade pickles and a can of potted possum when you pick-up your bib? Run this race if you want a really small race experience. It's fun and you will have plenty of stories to tell your friends. The course is a moderately tough double loop. The water stops were fine. The medal was a little cheesy, and I would suggest that they upgrade that for next year. This is a good race if you don't get registered for Chickamauga before it closes.

You improved the stuff that needed improving. Great course, great aid stations. See you next year. Thanks again!

Well done! You took the comments from last year and improved the things that needed some help. Check in was quick. Loved the free preserves and fresh muffins. Aid stations were well stocked with very friendly people. Course was rolling, with a couple of little climbs. Come on, people; this is east Tennessee... you're surrounded by mountains! Plenty of police officers out on the course helping with traffic flow. Finisher's medal and age group award prizes were unique! I only gave one star for spectators because there weren't many, but if you need cheering crowds, go run a big-city race. I loved being able to park my car and walk 15 feet to the starting line!

I have run marathons in Chicago, Boston, Nashville, Memphis and will run New Orleans in February. This one cannot compare to these. However, just a few comments: one, it was not a flat course. Memphis is a flat course. You could have described it differently. The water stations were well manned and conveniently spaced. The law officers were polite and helpful. The check-in for preregistered runners was not very well manned. It was sort of chaos. Next time you need to have a better check-in plan. All and all, it was a good race. Thanks for trying.

The website advertises this marathon and half marathon as "One of the flattest in the southeast." This course is the OPPOSITE of flat. This was a VERY hilly course that had not only extremely steep hills at miles 3 and 17, but also a 4-mile incline from miles 8-12, and another one from 21-25. It was brutal if you were expecting flat or moderately flat.

Positives:
Volunteers were extremely nice. It had a very quaint small-town atmosphere. Aid stations were very well stocked. Nice, long-sleeve t-shirt.

Negatives:
Very hilly course on open streets. Race organization was a bit chaotic.