PARTICIPANT REVIEWS
What was your favorite part of the Rivanna Greenbelt Marathon?
Incredible support from volunteers and fellow runners! Well-organized, fun, safe event with a community atmosphere. Can’t wait to do it again! Thank you! Crossing the finishing line. I like the out and back short course. Good support. A small local race that made it special for me. The small community feel and support. The intimate setting. Course is great. Despite repetition, it doesn't feel monotonous, at least at half marathon distance. Volunteers were great. Seeing friends I haven’t seen in a long time! Also, loved that the big cracks were painted so we didn’t trip. It was a fantastic experience all around. Size! Everything was great… friendly, great volunteers, well run, no hassle and easy logistics. Course design. I enjoyed the checkpoints and getting to see my wife and son every 4 miles. The friendliness. The course is perfect even when the weather is less than ideal. Awesome support on the course Amazing volunteers. Low-key event. Kind people. Close to Richmond. plenty of green scenery and low-key/no-frills run. Actually finishing! The dedication of the race director and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. The small group of extraordinarily supportive people. EVERY runner and volunteer was supportive and helpful from beginning to end. Close to home (Richmond), and focused on BQ. Amazing support from volunteers The volunteers were great. They made me want to keep going even after I knew I was going to have to drop out. Everyone knew my name and was so encouraging! They even knew which bottle was mine when I came to the water stop and had it ready for me as I approached. And they were amazing for being out in the rain at 6:30am! The race director and the volunteers. Plus I really liked the course. The volunteers. The beautiful setting. The weather. Flat trail. Volunteers support and fellow runners' cheers. The volunteers were awesome. They had everything I needed and more at the aid stations, and were so friendly and encouraging. Almost every person called me by name and said something nice at each turnaround. Flatness of the trail. My favorite part was the amount of support from the volunteers. The warm, welcoming volunteers and racing staff made this event very successful. The on course support with water, food, and rags was very professional. If I may be BRUTALLY honest, there were some rather attractive non-racers sharing the trail with us. They were my mile 12-22 motivation source Very thankful for the volunteers getting up early to come support a few runners. The encouragement of all the other runners. The out and back course. It was great knowing what the terrain was after just four miles of running Cold towels. Appreciated all the volunteers! The early miles in dark were better than I expected. Small field size and loop course were ideal for me. Support from other runners was great but not necessary. Most runners shared the road although a few didn't. Will send you more thoughts/suggestions, too! The scenery, volunteers and low-key nature.! Great marathon - friendliest people and nice runners that embody how great Charlottesville running community is. I thought the race was very fun, had a beautiful course, took place during a beautiful and temperate time of year, and had a lot of helpful and supportive volunteers. The volunteers may have been the best part. It was great to run along the river. And I really enjoyed running a race with so many folks from the training program on the course offering encouragement. The volunteers at that turns / water stations were awesome too! This was a great, predictable track like course, perfect for a Boston Marathon qualifying race! The path had great variety to keep the course interesting. The early morning start in the dark was a great addition to the race, and it allowed athletes to maximize the cooler weather. The cool cloths were perfect! Very intimate due to lack of runners. Volunteers were excellent and helped compensate for lack of spectators. This was a great course for runners in a rush to qualify for Boston. Knowing what it is (a 6.5 lap marathon course) is the only reason I would caution people against it. That said, all of the other people on the trail made for decent spectator support and broke up the monotony. Plus, the aid stations were top notch! I was a little concerned about the hills associated with Charlottesville. The flatter course was a welcomed relief! We were looking for an early fall race for a couple of friends to BQ and me to improve my BQ time, when this came up it seemed ideal to do it locally. Race price was very nice, but not having to get a hotel, use more gas, etc, helped a lot too. Came to BQ and did so, but had a pretty good time while I was at it! Everything worked out really smoothly. Thank you for all the quick email replies. This was a very well organized event. Thanks! Keep it simple, but add more runners. Lack of runners meant less mutual encouragement. For a first time and for expectations, you guys crushed it! Keep it quaint and low numbers. Loved it. The enthusiasm, persistence, dedication, and tireless efforts of the race director were greatly appreciated! I hope to run again next year! The event offered everything as advertised. The course is very repetitive but that was known beforehand. It is a great last chance Boston Qualifier. I would recommend it to someone looking for a stress-free small race. The volunteers were great and the organizers helpful. Everything went smoothly. The volunteers wre great! So many awesome volunteers who called us by name and encouraged us at every turn. Thanks! Great for everyone wanting a low-key, low-stress marathon. Good communication and organization. Great volunteers. |
How satisfied were you with the event?
Operation was great.
The water stops greatly exceeded my expectations. I seriously thought there was going to be a table and you would just pick up your own cups. Loved that there were actual people there to hand you water and gatorade! It was great having everyone cheer for you at the turnarounds, gave you something to look forward to!
Your social media coordinator is awesome! Love the tweets & instagrams! ;-)
Race volunteers were really nice. Thanks to everyone.
Volunteers were amazing
One of the volunteers (Fred) found a ziplock bag and filled it for ice for me when I strained a calf near mile 6, then went out of his way to give me a ride back to the start. That was much appreciated.
Operation was great.
The water stops greatly exceeded my expectations. I seriously thought there was going to be a table and you would just pick up your own cups. Loved that there were actual people there to hand you water and gatorade! It was great having everyone cheer for you at the turnarounds, gave you something to look forward to!
Your social media coordinator is awesome! Love the tweets & instagrams! ;-)
Race volunteers were really nice. Thanks to everyone.
Volunteers were amazing
One of the volunteers (Fred) found a ziplock bag and filled it for ice for me when I strained a calf near mile 6, then went out of his way to give me a ride back to the start. That was much appreciated.
Would you recommend this to a friend?
Why spoil the hidden gem if only 30-35 can enter.
I don't have many racing friends yet, but I would certainly recommend it to those I speak with.
Terrific BQ setup.
Very likely with one caveat - still limit the number of participants. The best part of the marathon was able to run by myself for the majority of the race.
The races I've run this year have fallen into three categories: don't recommend, neutral, and recommend. This race is definitely a "recommend."
Already have.
I am a trail runner but would recommend the marathon to a friend for its small size (benefit), relatively scenic course and organization. Low-key, no-frills is perfect.
Running essentially alone for 26 miles is pretty hard. I've discovered that this setting may not be the best for me, but I'd definitely recommend the race to someone who didn't mind running on their own for the distance.
It's a bit strange to run such a small event. But it's very welcoming.
I wouldn't recommend for a first time marathoner, as it was a little to easy to drop out. For someone going for time, like I was today, it was fine. Folks were very nice and supportive. You can't control the conditions, but it was a tough race.
Definitely. The only caveat, I'd like to keep it small! I think less than 20 runners is ideal!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a last chance to qualify for Boston and who could take the mental challenge of the out and backs. Again, I knew what I was getting into and had driven to the trail twice during my training to prepare mentally for the out and backs. The rain puddles were not welcome, neither was the skunk that myself and another runner encountered before the bridge! Thank goodness we didn't get sprayed!
Logistics were great - location, cost, support, communication.
Why spoil the hidden gem if only 30-35 can enter.
I don't have many racing friends yet, but I would certainly recommend it to those I speak with.
Terrific BQ setup.
Very likely with one caveat - still limit the number of participants. The best part of the marathon was able to run by myself for the majority of the race.
The races I've run this year have fallen into three categories: don't recommend, neutral, and recommend. This race is definitely a "recommend."
Already have.
I am a trail runner but would recommend the marathon to a friend for its small size (benefit), relatively scenic course and organization. Low-key, no-frills is perfect.
Running essentially alone for 26 miles is pretty hard. I've discovered that this setting may not be the best for me, but I'd definitely recommend the race to someone who didn't mind running on their own for the distance.
It's a bit strange to run such a small event. But it's very welcoming.
I wouldn't recommend for a first time marathoner, as it was a little to easy to drop out. For someone going for time, like I was today, it was fine. Folks were very nice and supportive. You can't control the conditions, but it was a tough race.
Definitely. The only caveat, I'd like to keep it small! I think less than 20 runners is ideal!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a last chance to qualify for Boston and who could take the mental challenge of the out and backs. Again, I knew what I was getting into and had driven to the trail twice during my training to prepare mentally for the out and backs. The rain puddles were not welcome, neither was the skunk that myself and another runner encountered before the bridge! Thank goodness we didn't get sprayed!
Logistics were great - location, cost, support, communication.
Suggestions for improving future races....
Maybe not have the 26 mile sign out the entire race? I hated seeing that sign on every loop!
Awesome as is
Expand it, maybe? Allow more runners?
It was a super organized, awesome event, so didn't need much improvement
Maybe not have the 26 mile sign out the entire race? I hated seeing that sign on every loop!
Awesome as is
Expand it, maybe? Allow more runners?
It was a super organized, awesome event, so didn't need much improvement
Miscellaneous comments...
It matched everything described on the web site and was exactly what I expected. I know out-and-back 6.5x isn't for everyone, but it worked for me. Once you've run 2 miles you know the entire course. :-)
Not able to BQ so I dropped out at 14, but if I requalify at another for 2018, I may be back next year.
The things I was not satisfied with were completely out of your control (weather and my race planning).
I'm running a marathon each month this year and needed a certified marathon within driving distance of Raleigh, NC in September. Since I already have a few big-city marathons on the docket, it was nice having a few small races for runners by runners to balance things out. This race was great.
After running many large marathons, I've realized that I prefer a low-key, no-frills marathon. This race is the best fit for me even if it is horribly humid and hot.
I was just hunting for a certified Charlottesville course.
After participating in multiple big city marathons, I prefer a small, low-key marathon. It's much easier for me to get in the zone when I'm running alone.
I'm more of a trail runner but Boston is on my bucket list, and I did this event mainly to try to BQ.
It matched everything described on the web site and was exactly what I expected. I know out-and-back 6.5x isn't for everyone, but it worked for me. Once you've run 2 miles you know the entire course. :-)
Not able to BQ so I dropped out at 14, but if I requalify at another for 2018, I may be back next year.
The things I was not satisfied with were completely out of your control (weather and my race planning).
I'm running a marathon each month this year and needed a certified marathon within driving distance of Raleigh, NC in September. Since I already have a few big-city marathons on the docket, it was nice having a few small races for runners by runners to balance things out. This race was great.
After running many large marathons, I've realized that I prefer a low-key, no-frills marathon. This race is the best fit for me even if it is horribly humid and hot.
I was just hunting for a certified Charlottesville course.
After participating in multiple big city marathons, I prefer a small, low-key marathon. It's much easier for me to get in the zone when I'm running alone.
I'm more of a trail runner but Boston is on my bucket list, and I did this event mainly to try to BQ.