New River Marathon is just wonderful. The organizers and volunteers clearly work very hard to cover all the bases and provide runners a special, memorable experience. The course is truly beautiful and has a good variety of terrain. It's tough, no doubt about that, but I was able to run the entire thing and the climbs and descents aren't ridiculously difficult. I have nothing but praise for this race and hope to return and get around the course a little faster next time!

I wanted to really challenge myself and run a beautiful course. That's exactly what you will get. You cant train for a course like this, unless you live in the mountains. I live at the beach so challenging is an understatement. Very hilly, the down hills were harder on my body than up. The scenery is beautiful and I was never board. No frills, very few people cheering, I did run alone most of the race. I did end up qualifying for Boston but this is not a course for a PR. This is a course to enjoy running in the mountains. I highly recomend this marathon, this was my 9th and one of my favorites.

I ran the half marathon in 2013. As expected the course was hilly and challenging. There were few spectators, but the course itself was nice. There seemed to be an adequate number of water stations offering Gatorade and water. The course was not closed to traffic, but I felt perfectly safe, since I saw only a handful of cars and they kept their speed slow. At the end, they had a local band playing, which was a nice touch. The t-shirt was nice. However, the 'medal' was disappointing, since it was a magnet.

Wow, what a tough course. The elevation map really doesn't do it justice. I had to walk up two hills. Saw tons of marathoners go out the first half too hard and paid dearly in the end.

Amenities are limited with this race. The finisher's medal was a magnet attached to a lanyard. Only food at the finish line were bagels, oranges, and bananas.

I enjoyed this race very much although I believe that the staff could have done a better job with providing more pre-race activities and giving out 'real' medals. That being said, I would still enjoy running this race again. The hills are challenging, especially around miles 13 to 20. The course has an elevation gain of 1700 ft. Be sure that you are prepared for it. Read my full review here
http://www.forkstofeet.com/2013/05/new-river-marathon-review.html .

This was my fourth marathon. The course was beautiful but it was a very difficult run for me. I am from Florida so it was hard to find many hilly places to train. I read some reviews that said it was mostly flat. I did not find this to be true. Most of the run was up a mountain. The last 6 miles where along the river and that was flat. The hills around mile 17 were the most difficult but you were rewarded with a amazing view at the top. There were plenty of water stops along the way and everyone was super friendly. Even though this marathon was hard for me to do I would do it again, just with some more hill training.

Plenty of hotels about 10 miles away in Boone but some runners camped in the field behind the start/ finish (Riverside Restaurant). Don't count on your Garmin to find the venue though! You are seemingly out in the middle of nowhere, but that is part of the fun. It's a scenic route spent mostly along the New River. If you take away the one significant 'up and down' feature in each half of the course, it's a fairly relaxing, rolling and pastoral jaunt.

Very good organization throughout the race (portapotties, water/Gatorade, mile markers). Volunteers filled up my water bottle and I saw what few people who lived along the course step out and assist the stations! I was a little disappointed at the finish line though.

A tired volunteer sat off to the side, next to a box, and handed me a piece of wood on a ribbon (the same piece of wood/ ribbon that the 5K and 1/2'ers received). There certainly wasn't the post race food and 'festivities' that was advertised either (or maybe I missed it? water and bananas was all I saw). I enjoyed the camaraderie of the eclectic group of racers that this run enticed. I do recommend this run, but that downhill pounding in the first half really takes it's toll later on!

This is my 3rd marathon and I had run the half last year (2011). I knew what I was in for with the hills and came back anyway. Great race, well organized, very friendly spectators. Yes - the hills will hurt you if you're not prepared (and even if you are). The rain at the beginning? Well - nothing the RD could do about that but smile. Would I run it again? Yes, someday, but probably not next year.

This has got to be one of the prettiest courses on the east coast. Great scenery everywhere. Friendly, caring people who take care of all your needs. Some of the best volunteers anywhere. Top-notch organization; no detail overlooked. Easy parking at the start/finish line. GREAT tee-shirt; not a technical one but a really pretty one. The only negative is hills hills hills. But the thing is in the mountains; what do you expect...Some of the hills are not runable, so be prepared to walk and enjoy it. Overall this is the 2nd slowest marathon I have done (out of 100+) but one of the most memorable. My sincere thanks go to Ken the Race Director and to the volunteers for all their hard work.

If you are not an experienced and elite runner, then I would not recommend this race. The course was difficult to me and I've ran 13 marathons, however, the scenery was beautiful and the spectators were supportive and very friendly. If you decide to run this marathon be prepared to run up a mountain (literally). Good luck!!