Marathon Details - Veterans Marathon (PA)

North America Marathons > USA > PA > Black Lick > Veterans Marathon (PA)

InFirst Bank Veterans Marathon (PA) & Half Marathon, Marathon Relay

Black Lick, PA USA

November 3, 2024

http://www.veterans-marathon.com

Results:

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Tom Fetterman, Sr
Address:
Phone Number:	724-349-7402
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.0

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Number of comments: 26 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

J. H. from PA (11/13/2023) "Good Value for Race w/ a good cause" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Well organized race where mental discipline will be needed. Out and back course with minimal spectators, minus aid stations and near the turn around point. Conditions were ideal (mid to upper 40s to start and mid 50s at the finish). Course is shaded but not 100%. You park within .25 miles of the race start and support crew is friendly and welcoming. Chocolate milk tasted excellent!! Would recommend carrying a water source and refill at aid stations. You would be hard pressed to find a local race for this price. Plan to run again.
D. H. from Pittsburgh (11/12/2023) "What just happened?" (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is a pretty straightforward course. You run out 13.1 on a rail trail, and back 13.1. And then another 300+ yards to the finish line. What? Yes, the stopwatch doesn't lie. And this may not seem like a big deal, but it is when you bust butt the entire 2nd half to meet your time goal, and you do, but then have to run a bit further and miss your goal as a result. On the plus side, this was a super affordable race, for a good cause, on an enjoyable course that's easy on the body, with good weather. Fix the course and I'll be back.
Don Cuddy from Massachusetts (11/7/2022) "Excellent small race on a fast course" (about: 2022) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 As others have noted here this is a well organized low key event that is inexpensive and raises money to support area vets. Veterans who enter pay $26.20 and get a free shirt. The pasta dinner was great and cost only $10. There were only 70 finishers in the full marathon so by mile 14 I was pretty much on my own. It was also 74 degrees which I hadn't expected but the course along the river was very peaceful and the aid stations were good. An excellent side trip to the nearby Johnstown Flood national park visitor center was a highlight also. Highly recommended.
K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO (11/6/2022) "Beautiful Race Honoring Veterans" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a well-organized race that honors veterans. The race directors and sponsors are friendly, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented. The course is a gentle incline (2% grade) for the first half and downhill for the return. Support is every couple miles. Unfortunately, this year was way too warm and humid across the northeast, so it was a struggle for sure. Probably could have used some more water stations, but EMS four wheelers and bicycle mounted course marshals kept good track of people. Despite this, I really enjoyed the purity of this small event (about 100 marathoners) and the great area that hosts it. We stayed in Blairsville at an Airbnb above a bakery, which was a dream. And getting to visit the Jimmy Stewart museum is just so fun if you're a fan of this movie star who was also a war hero. Bottom line, a great race for those who do not need much spectator support, preferring a mostly solitary run in nature.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (5/3/2022) "As pure as it gets" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As simple a marathon as you will find&park within yards of the start/finish, pick up your packet, run a pretty out and back course and drive home. All for a small donation to a great cause. Perfect. Don't forget to patronize Levity and Noble Stein Brewing in nearby Indiana PA.
C. W. from Pottstown, PA (12/8/2021) "Fantastic low-key race" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For those of us who enjoy a nice relaxing run on a packed dirt trail with no roots or rocks to worry about and want to avoid large crowds and high race fees, this is the race for you. It is a nice out and back on a level trail along a river with support stations about every 2 miles and with lots of food and beer at the end. I definitely will return next year.
S. U. from East Lansing Michigan (11/4/2019) "A beautiful course, super support fast out and bac" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 2019 was great weather, excellent course support, a good cause, fun tour of the Jimmy Stewart Museum, good postrace food, thanks so much to the organizers.
J. A. from PA (11/4/2019) "Old School" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run this marathon twice and have loved it both times. The course is a scenic out-and-back on a crushed limestone trail. It's organized by a local running club and the volunteers are friendly and enthusiastic. There are water/Gatorade/food stations every two-ish miles. My favorite things about the race are that it's small, it's inexpensive, it is totally low tech. You start when the gun (a cannon!) goes off and when you cross the finish line a volunteer registers your time and grabs the tag off of your bib. The results board is a piece of plywood with sticky tape where they hang that tag. I love it! This race is what I imagine marathoning was like back in the 1960's and 1970's.
Connie Miranda from Baldwinsville, NY (11/9/2018) "Must do PA marathon!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was one of my favorite marathons for several reasons. One, the Ghost Town Trail was absolutely beautiful; the gurgling Blacklick Creek, the waterfalls, and the colorful leaves were amazing. Two, it was flawlessly executed, from packet pickup through the post race food. Three, everyone was so friendly and supportive. Four, it honors those who serve(d) our country and supports local veterans. Five, the price was unbeatable. The weather was perfect (not controllable, but obviously a plus). The enthusiastic volunteers at the numerous aid stations were very helpful and encouraging. I am extremely happy I chose this as my PA marathon, it really exceeded my expectations.
J. C. from Homer City Pa (11/7/2018) "Home course" (about: 2018) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is very local for me. I have done the 1/2 several times, and train on this trail on a regular basis. I would consider it as my home course so it was a natural choice for my first Marathon. Love the trail and the low impact on the joints. I am only 5'8.5' and weigh 190+ lbs so as a heavier guy the surface is also very helpful. One warning would be the high probability of getting small rock in your shoe. Can not beat the price or the cause it benefits. As a Vet myself I received a free T-Shirt recognizing my service. Neutral score for fans because they have little opportunity. Great race for solitary runners. If you feed off the crowds it may not be your race. It is about perfect for me.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

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J. H. from PA (11/13/2023) "Good Value for Race w/ a good cause" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Well organized race where mental discipline will be needed. Out and back course with minimal spectators, minus aid stations and near the turn around point. Conditions were ideal (mid to upper 40s to start and mid 50s at the finish). Course is shaded but not 100%. You park within .25 miles of the race start and support crew is friendly and welcoming. Chocolate milk tasted excellent!! Would recommend carrying a water source and refill at aid stations. You would be hard pressed to find a local race for this price. Plan to run again.
D. H. from Pittsburgh (11/12/2023) "What just happened?" (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is a pretty straightforward course. You run out 13.1 on a rail trail, and back 13.1. And then another 300+ yards to the finish line. What? Yes, the stopwatch doesn't lie. And this may not seem like a big deal, but it is when you bust butt the entire 2nd half to meet your time goal, and you do, but then have to run a bit further and miss your goal as a result. On the plus side, this was a super affordable race, for a good cause, on an enjoyable course that's easy on the body, with good weather. Fix the course and I'll be back.
Don Cuddy from Massachusetts (11/7/2022) "Excellent small race on a fast course" (about: 2022) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 As others have noted here this is a well organized low key event that is inexpensive and raises money to support area vets. Veterans who enter pay $26.20 and get a free shirt. The pasta dinner was great and cost only $10. There were only 70 finishers in the full marathon so by mile 14 I was pretty much on my own. It was also 74 degrees which I hadn't expected but the course along the river was very peaceful and the aid stations were good. An excellent side trip to the nearby Johnstown Flood national park visitor center was a highlight also. Highly recommended.
K. B. from Colorado Springs, CO (11/6/2022) "Beautiful Race Honoring Veterans" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a well-organized race that honors veterans. The race directors and sponsors are friendly, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented. The course is a gentle incline (2% grade) for the first half and downhill for the return. Support is every couple miles. Unfortunately, this year was way too warm and humid across the northeast, so it was a struggle for sure. Probably could have used some more water stations, but EMS four wheelers and bicycle mounted course marshals kept good track of people. Despite this, I really enjoyed the purity of this small event (about 100 marathoners) and the great area that hosts it. We stayed in Blairsville at an Airbnb above a bakery, which was a dream. And getting to visit the Jimmy Stewart museum is just so fun if you're a fan of this movie star who was also a war hero. Bottom line, a great race for those who do not need much spectator support, preferring a mostly solitary run in nature.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (5/3/2022) "As pure as it gets" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As simple a marathon as you will find&park within yards of the start/finish, pick up your packet, run a pretty out and back course and drive home. All for a small donation to a great cause. Perfect. Don't forget to patronize Levity and Noble Stein Brewing in nearby Indiana PA.
C. W. from Pottstown, PA (12/8/2021) "Fantastic low-key race" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For those of us who enjoy a nice relaxing run on a packed dirt trail with no roots or rocks to worry about and want to avoid large crowds and high race fees, this is the race for you. It is a nice out and back on a level trail along a river with support stations about every 2 miles and with lots of food and beer at the end. I definitely will return next year.
S. U. from East Lansing Michigan (11/4/2019) "A beautiful course, super support fast out and bac" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 2019 was great weather, excellent course support, a good cause, fun tour of the Jimmy Stewart Museum, good postrace food, thanks so much to the organizers.
J. A. from PA (11/4/2019) "Old School" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Veterans Marathon (PA)s COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run this marathon twice and have loved it both times. The course is a scenic out-and-back on a crushed limestone trail. It's organized by a local running club and the volunteers are friendly and enthusiastic. There are water/Gatorade/food stations every two-ish miles. My favorite things about the race are that it's small, it's inexpensive, it is totally low tech. You start when the gun (a cannon!) goes off and when you cross the finish line a volunteer registers your time and grabs the tag off of your bib. The results board is a piece of plywood with sticky tape where they hang that tag. I love it! This race is what I imagine marathoning was like back in the 1960's and 1970's.
Connie Miranda from Baldwinsville, NY (11/9/2018) "Must do PA marathon!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Veterans Marathon (PA) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was one of my favorite marathons for several reasons. One, the Ghost Town Trail was absolutely beautiful; the gurgling Blacklick Creek, the waterfalls, and the colorful leaves were amazing. Two, it was flawlessly executed, from packet pickup through the post race food. Three, everyone was so friendly and supportive. Four, it honors those who serve(d) our country and supports local veterans. Five, the price was unbeatable. The weather was perfect (not controllable, but obviously a plus). The enthusiastic volunteers at the numerous aid stations were very helpful and encouraging. I am extremely happy I chose this as my PA marathon, it really exceeded my expectations.
J. C. from Homer City Pa (11/7/2018) "Home course" (about: 2018) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is very local for me. I have done the 1/2 several times, and train on this trail on a regular basis. I would consider it as my home course so it was a natural choice for my first Marathon. Love the trail and the low impact on the joints. I am only 5'8.5' and weigh 190+ lbs so as a heavier guy the surface is also very helpful. One warning would be the high probability of getting small rock in your shoe. Can not beat the price or the cause it benefits. As a Vet myself I received a free T-Shirt recognizing my service. Neutral score for fans because they have little opportunity. Great race for solitary runners. If you feed off the crowds it may not be your race. It is about perfect for me.

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Marathon Details - Veterans Marathon (PA)