Garden Spot Village Marathon - Race Reviews

It is really unfortunate that this was the last year for the marathon, but I am glad I got to run it in its last year. This was an excellent experience put on by a small community. The Amish people were wonderful and actively participated and cheered on the runners. There were massages, showers, great food, everything you would want post-race. On the course the support was excellent. The hills were exactly what was advertised so having trained for it, I did not have issues with them. It was out-of-control hot in the 2018 race and a lot of people were burning out near the end due to that but it was still a great experience.

I loved this race It tests all parts of training Next year I will be back

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this course was a lot more difficult than I expected. Rolling hills with not much flat spots. I wish I had prepared better but it was a beautiful course.The organization was top notch; they know how to provide for runners (received a T-shirt and a Tech shirt, nice!). Volunteers were very nice and helpful. Not a lot of spectators but I think I was actually cheered on by a cow.Overall great experience and I would highly recommend it!

Just finished my 5th Garden Spot Marathon and this race continues to improve every year. The organizers do a fantastic job of taking care of the runners with swag and amenities not found at other races. The volunteers are great with plenty of water stops and a runner recovery tent at the finish serving omlets, soup and milkshakes. The weather was unusual this year with snow, wind, a temp of 32 degrees, yet was one of the most fun races I' ve done (my 63rd marathon). The course is very hilly and the two mile hill at mile 21 can be a real challenge at the end but this race is on my 'must do' list every year.

This is a really tough course that is almost never flat and has an killer uphill section lasting nearly 1 mile right at 21. It was sunny and (too) warm when I ran this, but not windy. It could be brutal with wind because you are out in the open the entire time. Well organized race with sparse, but enthusiastic spectators mostly at the start/finish. Easy to park and you can stay in your car until 20 mins before the race if you want. Not a PR course, but an enjoyable run through rolling hills and farms.

2014 event was marathon number 5 for me, and this one was definitely wothwhile. I was a walk up registrant, which was no problem as there is no limit on marathon entrants. Parking was a breeze...very close to start line and registration. The marathon starts and ends in a beautiful retirement community, so there were tons of extremely friendly and helpful volunteers all over the place ready to assist in any way. Think of your grandparents times like 200. The course is a beast...check it out on the Mapmyrun website and compare to a few others like Baltimore or Boston. The shirt, hat, and medal all say 'I conquered the hill', which is an understatement since there are 2 big ones and rolling hills throughout. Water stations every 2 miles stocked with everything including gels and bars. Post race best ever setup including acces to showers, pool, and hot tub. Food is off the charts (omelette, milkshakes, sandwiches, burgers, oatmeal, soup, chicken pot pie, and much more). Event is a bit pricey at $110 without the early entry discount. But no regrets here. This was a training run for me, with a nice flat marathon coming up in 6 weeks. But managed a BQ time on a tough course , on a gorgeous spring day, and got to hang out with a bunch of really nice people.

It was my third time on this course so I had a good idea of how I needed to train for it. The lowest elevation is at mile 14 and there is a nasty, but short, hill right at the 21 marker. Train on hills and you will do well here. The scenery is great, the volunteers are the most cheerful and helpful of any marathon I have run, where there are spectators, they are enthusiastic, and this is the best organized and run marathon I have ever been to. It gets better every year. I'm definitely planning to be back next year.

This was my first time running this race. I had an excellent time. I heard the course was hard, so I ran my own race and PR'd by a large margin. The race director was right when he said that people PR during this race. I did. The volunteers are the best. I definitely will return. The heated tent at race start was awesome.

I really think the race organizers sought out the only hills in Lancaster County to run this race over, because it was brutally hilly, and most of the county is pretty flat. This was my 7th full marathon, and I don't think I'll be back as it was too much (especially the nasty hill coming back at about mile 21-23). Also, once you pass the half marathon turn around, the roads are open to traffic and it can get a bit dicey. I had heard it was tough, but I didn't expect as hard as it was. I picked it out because I was looking for a local spring marathon, and pickings are pretty slim around Philly except for this and Delaware (which for some reason put their race on Mother's Day this year). On the positive: Organizers were great, and the community really comes out and supports you. Great pre-race and post race food. Probably one of the best I've been to. Awards go pretty deep, and the race is small, so if you post a pretty good time you've got a decent shot at bringing home a little hardware. The scenery is great, and it really is a pretty peaceful run (since most of it you will be by yourself). If you are looking for a BQ race, this isn't it. If you are looking for Spring race, and just want to get a marathon in, enjoy country scenery, don't need large crowds to cheer you on, and don't mind hills, give it a try. I think I'm done with Garden Spot though.

I have run the half marathon of this race 3 times and each time I have really been glad I did. The race is run by the Garden Spot retirement home and the residents make up most of the volunteers and they are just tremendous. Everyone is friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable. When you arrive volunteers direct you to parking which is nearby the race area. If its cold you (it was this year) you can stay warm in your car right up until a few minutes before the gun. They have a race day packet pick-up and plenty of pre-race port-a-potties. As others have said it is a tough, hilly course. I have run this race not to set a PR but to give myself a tough workout. Even with the hills I love that the last 3 miles are flat or downhill so at least a runner can end strong! The course runs through Amish farm country on quiet roads. The roads are closed early on but eventually open up to traffic but this isn't an issue (at least for the half). The race has gotten larger over the years but it still maintains a small race charm and more importantly is still a stress-free experience. You get a medal, a nice tech shirt and a decent post-race spread.

Spectacular scenery and a glimpse at a different culture make this a truly unique marathon. The cleared land and rolling hills make it possible, at times, to see a string of runners over a mile long around the next 2 turns. These same rolling hills kinda rolled over me, so take your time. It's all too easy to underestimate the effects of all those small ups and downs. The organization and logistics made the race easy to handle. The area is used to visitors and the food at the aid stations and end of the race was way better than average. I gave the spectators 5 stars because there weren't all that many of them and too many people telling me how well I'm doing gets really annoying after a while. Get your PR another day and run this race and carry a camera.

This was a small town, country marathon, but was very well organized. The course was challenging, with almost constant hills. This is not a marathon to expect times anywhere near a PR. It was hard on the legs. The course ran through pleasant farmland, and one had to stay alert for the Amish horse buggys and the manure on the road. The weather was perfect, cool and sunny. This was a small race, so one does end up running some of the race alone after the half marathon turn around. Because it was so rural, the crowds were sparse, but those who were there were pleasant. The volunteers were great and the water stops were well stocked and easy to navigate. The packet pick up on race morning was simple and the start and finish area was by far the most comfortable of any of the marathons or half marathons I have run. The parking was easy and close. The food and refreshments were really fine. I much appreciated that the race was on Saturday morning rather than Sunday morning, with a race day packet pick-up. I had traveled from New York for the race and was able to come late Friday night and spent the rest of the weekend sightseeing at Gettysburg National Military Park, an hours drive west. It was a great weekend. So if you want a challenging spring marathon, and aren't looking for a PR this time out, you might enjoy this race through the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch country.

The course is beautiful. It is hilly, but not outrageously so. The organization is flawless. Everything from packet pick-up to post-race festivities was handled perfectly. Pre-race pasta dinner was especially good. Aid stations were well run and spaced appropriately. Spectators were not numerous, but those who were out seemed appreciative of the runners. Everything about this event was outstanding. This was my first year at GSV and I will definitely be back. I highly recommend this marathon.

The organization of the marathon is very good. The volunteers are enthusiastic and helpful. The expo is not chock full of exhibitors but there was some nice local crafts available. The shirts ran like two sizes too small, but there was an exchange available race day. There is race day registration and an expo so I like that especially if you forgot something like gu or gloves. This year it was about 35F at the start. It warmed up to about 50F. The course is hilly - no joke and the farther you run - turnaround for the 1/2 marathoners and the course beyond that for the marathoners is hilly - long lead ins and deep declines. The scenery is nice - you have the cars and the buggys on the road with you. The water stations were nicely spaced. I am a walker and I felt no pressure to hurry and finish.

Hills, headwinds, horse manure, and hospitality, and lots of all 4 of those. The course is tough and most of what looks flat on the course profile actually rolls steadily. This year there were also strong winds. But the course is beautiful, the spectators appreciative (even if relatively few in number) and the organization and hospitality are simply the best. The race director is fantastic as are all the volunteers. This is not a good PR course, but you can still run a solid time and are sure to enjoy the event. Despite the way my quads feel today, I will go back to this one sometime in the future. I am tired of the corporate mega races, and this is the ideal antidote.

I have now completed 64 marathons in many cities / towns so I have a fairly good opinion of races. To begin with, this race is usually held on the first Saturday of every April , if possible. There are not a lot of good races around this time and the weather tends to be fairly good. The start of this year's race was a bit of drizzle but it was not too bad during the race. The race is small and there was not much of an expo. I like an expo since it helps me to pass some time before the race and also meet some fellow runners. I am pretty sure that the director can correct this with giving the Amish the opportunity to sell their homemade handcrafts etc. Or anyone else for that matter. The pasta was very good and enjoyable. I loved the course and enjoyed seeing the buggies and Amish and this is like stepping back in the past. A small part of it was hilly but this did not bother me. The Amish would watch the race but do not expect them to cheer which is ok. A fair amount of the marathon course is out and back and I know that there are some other roads that could be used to reduce the out and back part Hopefully the director will give some consideration to reducing this out and back part next year. I do believe that most of the volunteers are residents of the village and they are top of the line for being helpful. All volunteers are excellent but these are special. The finish line food as some runners have mentioned was extremely good and you had most of anything you could think of. It was certainly one of the best that I have experienced. This marathon caters for walkers and allows them to finish with almost no time limit. If you are a marathon walker then this is the race for you. I brought my bicycle and rode around the area day or so before the race and enjoyed the scenery with the Amish. Intercourse is a good town to visit. The race is a bit far for me but I will certainly return .

Mile 14 is the lowest elevation and then the gradual uphill, to the finish, begins.(with a notably steep, but short hill at 21). It was my 24th marathon and one of the toughest due to the constant hills. I'd recommend it for anyone who wishes to challenge themselves. It was very well organized, the volunteers were helpful and plentiful, and the food and aid tent at the finish is about the best I have yet experienced. The course is very scenic and the spectators, though scattered, were very enthusiastic. This is a great, small town marathon.

Best news first: of all marathons I've completed, Garden Spot has the best free post-race selection of food for runners. Water, gatorade, chocolate milk, juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soda, yogurt, amazing yogurt smoothies with whey protein powder, ice cream, fruit wedges, trail mix, chips, pretzels, Rice Krispie treats, and homemade oatmeal (with raisins and brown sugar). Did I mention Mylar wraps and free massages? How about access to a pool, a hot tub, and clean showers? Additionally, volunteers and organizers genuinely thanked participants, personally invited runners to return, and inquired throughout on improving the race. Folks were listening and writing down suggestions at water/aid stations and at the finish  all toward making future contests even better. And two days after the run I received an e-survey with the same intention. My primary suggestion had to do with having some sort of spreadable balm (like Ben-Gay) available at aid stations given the rollers throughout the course. I probably should have carried, having done other hilly races such as Big Sur and Mount Desert Island, but I didn't have anything and when the left quad went out at 19 miles it was a slow and painful limp to the finish. I rejected Advil/Aleve offered at the mile 20 station but ended up taking some at mile 23 that did provide a bit of relief. Even with the last six miles being all about pain/discomfort management, I was only a few minutes short of a PR so I really have no complaints. The course is full of rolling hills, with the largest of the bunch at mile 4 (that one attacks in reverse at mile 21). Scenery is classic Lancaster County, with Amish and Mennonite families watching the runners go by. Half- and full-marathoners are together for the first seven miles, then the 13.1 group turns back while the longer distance runners carry on. That split also marks the end of road closures, and one is left to navigate cars and buggies until returning to this point. Those are secondary obstacles (though the buggies are pulled along a lot faster than one thinks); the first is the organic 'Lancaster road sod' courtesy of the horses. It's everywhere. I've lived in central Pennsylvania so I wasn't as struck by the landscape as some. But for those doing their first 'Amish trip,' or others making a weekend visiting the Bird-In-Hand and Intercourse area, this run is a nice complement to quilt shops, furniture places, buffets, and train museums. But do expect to be alone for a good portion of the race, and don't expect the Amish or Mennonite families to cheer. (They will often wave, though some cowbell action would be nice.) Two more pluses: the water/aid stations are stocked. Gels, bars, pretzels, cookies, etc. And the GSV volunteers stay out forever to let everyone finish  I don't believe there is a cutoff time since I saw people who appeared to be walking the entire course. One downside: any pre-race food or drink costs money. Nothing extravagant ($1 to $3), but it would be nice to grab a last-second cup of coffee without fishing through a backpack for dollars. And the technical shirts were see-through white; not ideal. I am happy to have run this race, I am amazed that the weather held out (as we never did get the expected rain showers), and I remain awestruck at the kindness of GSV volunteers.

If you need people cheering every 10 ft then stop reading. If you need a perfectly flat course, stop reading. If you can't stand the smell of cows and horses, stop reading. If you're still here, let me tell you about a small marathon (350 finishers this year + 600 in the half) that has great scenery, some really killer (but fun) hills, and the best volunteers I've ever seen. GSV was such a great surprise and props to the volunteers who picked up all the discarded clothing (over the entire course) and brought it back to the bag check. I'm only surprised they didn't wash it first (JK) Also the post race food was amazing (hot dogs, chicken pot pie, pretzels, milk shakes, etc) Thanks for a great race and I'll be back.

This was a good smaller race. Good organization, lots of volunteers, constant rolling hills on the course. No real negatives to complain about, however, nothing stood out as being fantastic, either. I probably would choose another race in PA if I run another one in the state.

Perfect marathon. Great organization. Challenging, but rewarding course. Great volunteers! I thoroughly enjoyed this race. The hills are more challenging mentally than they are physically  except for the one at mile 21ish. Nice break from flat, fast, boring courses. Post race food options were the most I've seen at any of the last 4 races  and nothing ran out. This is a MUST DO race for any marathoner!!!

The course winds through hilly but scenic Amish country. It's not the easiest of courses but I ran it last year and plan on running it again, so it's not as bad as others make it out to be. For where its run, I think there's a nice spectator turn-out. This was my 17th marathon and it had the best after race spread I've seen. Burgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, granola bars, trail mix, apple and grape juice, chocolate milk, coffee and tons of other things I'm forgetting. That's a nice touch after 26.2 miles. Massages are provided, along with showers a hot tub and swimming pool. Altogether one of my favorite races.

This was marathon #41 and I agree with the other comments, yes there are plenty of hills, but the course is great and the views of vast unspoiled Amish farmland are what made it my favorite. Organization: this has the one thing that I wish more marathons had, which were volunteers scattered throughout the start/finish area holding signs that said 'need help?' so it was easy to find help rather than try to track down someone. Course: If your preference is the mega-marathon with thousands of people running through the city streets, this is not one of them. Once we split away from the 1/2 marathoners around mile 7, it left only about 250 of us throughout the rest of the course, where to me the scenery cannot be beat. I should have counted the Amish buggies that passed by, my guess is about 25-30, and probably about a dozen or so Amish families standing outside their farms watching us go by. As for hills, yes like everyone mentioned there are some, but for the killer uphill at mile 21 the payback is a long and strong downhill between miles 23-24. Spectators: I mentioned the Amish families, and there were also plenty of enthusiastic volunteers at the water stops, there were plenty of places where nobody was around... but if you want city streets that are lined with people, go elsewhere. If you like great scenery of the rolling farmland and the great outdoors, THIS is the one for you. I'm working on 50 states and will be back for this one just for the great course and organization.

The race is very well organized, parking is a breeze, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The post race food and care was exceptional. The specators were enthusiastic if not numerous. The scenery, with the Amish farms, horse and buggies, and some of the best manicured farmland and homes, helped take my mind off the hills. If you want to challenge yourself, this is a good one for that. I would recommend that you train hard, but don't look for a PR, come and enjoy the experience, it's well worth it.

This was my 15th marathon and by far the most challenging course due to the many rolling hills. But the course is beautiful, the support was great, and, for a small marathon, it was very well run. Great job by the GSV team for putting this together.

Great, small-town marathon. The race is extremely well organized. Course is very scenic. Aid stations well stocked and organized. It is a tough course with some significant hills. But otherwise outstanding.

Course was more challenging than I expected. The race directors did a great job of supporting all runners, even those of us who finished last. All water/food stops were kept open until the bitter end and the wellness director stayed near the back of the pack as a sweep finisher. Thanks for a great job.

This was my first 1/2 marathon - the course was hilly but that's to be expected in the area. Great amount of water, and great number of porta-potties. The spectators and people who lived along the course were so great! Well organized; glad to run a race that benefited an organization rather than a "money-maker." All of the volunteers were great, from start to finish. Would definitely run again!

Hands down, this was the hardest course for me to date! Scott did an absolutely wonderful job organizing this event along with the GSV volunteers... very warm and welcoming people! The only thing I didn't like was to hear the runners complain after the race about the lack of "free food" offered to us. I guess they fail to understand the logistics of what else goes into having the event to even allow us to run. They should be thankful for what was done for us. The free food was perfect... thank you!

This was a great race - I really like the smaller ones, and this one has a nice feel to it. People are friendlier, and things are just more relaxed, which is important. I would have given a 5 for the course if it weren't for the mammoth hill at mile 21!

It was a nice, small, well organized marathon. The supporting people were extremely friendly. Tech-shirt, food, and drinks were all well done. Unfortunately I did not expect that it would be so hilly all of the time, and it was even windier (especially in the first half, mostly from the front) with nearly no wind protection through woods or buildings. Luckily the sun was out all the time. There was traffic on the streets, but it was manageable. I was winning my age group and got a separate memory that I'll never forget! Unfortunately I was the only (or maybe one of the very few) foreigners. Also, I was running in my national colors. I could not enter my country on the form when I applied online, and it seemed to me that at least the presenter at the award ceremony (who announced the county from each US participant) had any clue where I was coming from. Anyway, I can live with that little thing but would suggest adding a country field for the registration for the future. It could at least be interesting for the spectators in the Garden Spot Village at the end to hear that foreigners are also participating Last point: There were nearly no spectators on the rest of the course. As a summary, I can say that I definitely do not regret that I've done it, but based on the not-so-easy course and relatively few spectators on the course, I'd not recommend it for someone who is running a marathon for the first time.

If you are looking for bands, chip timing, schwag and all the hoo-ha that comes with a Rock-n-Roll-style city marathon, do NOT come to this event. If you enjoy breathtaking scenery instead of crowds of spectators, don't mind running alone while you take in the sights, can handle some challenging hills, appreciate volunteers who are as cheerful and nice as they come, and don't care if the 10 seconds you lose crossing the line won't be shown in your "net time" results, then this might be just the race for you!! This marathon reminds me of how almost all races used to be. You laced up your shoes and off you went. Someone tore your bib tag off at the end and a nice volunteer walked you to the food. The water stops had everything one could want. The only thing I wished for - and it was my own fault - was for plenty of sunscreen. And consider running with a hat - it was a brilliant, cloudless day this year and there isn't a lick of shade on this course. Some folks complained of the wind, but on a sunny day, that wind really keeps the runners from overheating. An unseasonably hot day would render this course extremely difficult! I loved every minute and as long as my schedule and training allow for it, I'll be back next year.

Pros: Well organized; good support; plenty of water, cookies and pretzels on the course when needed; great scenery; nice medal and tech shirt; rolling hills, but nothing you can't manage if trained well. Cons: You must stay alert when you're on the road with traffic... sometimes it's moving pretty fast. Ps. My low score for spectators reflects the lack of them on the course. Those that I saw were great, with lots of energy.

It was the second year for the GSV Marathon and they really seem to know what they are doing. The course is difficult, especially if it is windy, which I would guess it will be every year. There are hills at the beginning and end. There are plenty of water stops, though some training needs to be done with the volunteers, as they had plenty of food and gels but no one offered it to the runners. If you're looking for an expo and lots of spectators, stay home. If you're looking for an excellent small-town race, I would highly recommend it.

What a great race. Extremely well organized. Anyone who only did the half-marathon missed out on the best scenery. It was not until after the half-marathoners turned around that I encountered many of the local Amish people in horse-drawn carriages, riding their bicycles, or working in their yards. I waved to them and they all waved back. This was pretty much the extent of the spectators. It is, however, a feature of this race that one will not find elsewhere. My goal was to finish the race in EXACTLY 6 hours. My time of 5:59:53 was 7 seconds too early. I will be back in 2011, and I will be more accurate then. Please join me.

Great volunteers, well organized race, and well marked course. The course is rural, so spectators are rare. Water stops with fine volunteers. Porta potties at the stops - very nice. We could have used more porties at the start line. The course was very hilly and challenging, but doable. Strong wind for much of the race. I loved the cones every 10th of a mile - they really helped me finish. I hadn't trained enough. It was my 10th marathon finish.

I don't like hills, but it's the most gorgeous course you can imagine. It's low-key, well organized, and full of enthusiasm. Even the Amish sat in their front yards to cheer us on. This is one not to miss. The volunteers were superb. I can't say enough about it, even with hills and a strong headwind for the first half.