“Almost Heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze. Country roads, take me home … MORE
“Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong.
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads.”
John Denver’s gentle voice graced the start line of the 2024 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon as participants waited for the race to start. I was ready, ready to enjoy a relaxing run in the whispering West Virginia woods. And I was not disappointed. The course was point to point along a gravel path – small, compacted gravel that was no issue for my sprain-prone ankles. The <1% downhill grade was so subtle I didn’t notice it. The natural beauty along the Greenbrier Trail was wild and wonderful, just as promised from the West Virginia state motto. The Greenbrier River softly meandered near the path for most of the route, and I was often mesmerized by its tranquility within the West Virginia mountains. The logistics of this race, including the pre-race school bus shuttle from Marlinton to the start in Cass and the post-race van shuttle from the finish about a mile back to Marlinton, were well-communicated by the race director and worked out well. The water stop volunteers were friendly and encouraging. No complaints at all for this race. I hope I get a chance to come back to the country road that is the Greenbrier River Trail. Almost heaven, West Virginia.
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Country roads, take me home
“Almost Heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze. Country roads, take me home … MORE
“Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong.
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads.”
John Denver’s gentle voice graced the start line of the 2024 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon as participants waited for the race to start. I was ready, ready to enjoy a relaxing run in the whispering West Virginia woods. And I was not disappointed. The course was point to point along a gravel path – small, compacted gravel that was no issue for my sprain-prone ankles. The <1% downhill grade was so subtle I didn’t notice it. The natural beauty along the Greenbrier Trail was wild and wonderful, just as promised from the West Virginia state motto. The Greenbrier River softly meandered near the path for most of the route, and I was often mesmerized by its tranquility within the West Virginia mountains. The logistics of this race, including the pre-race school bus shuttle from Marlinton to the start in Cass and the post-race van shuttle from the finish about a mile back to Marlinton, were well-communicated by the race director and worked out well. The water stop volunteers were friendly and encouraging. No complaints at all for this race. I hope I get a chance to come back to the country road that is the Greenbrier River Trail. Almost heaven, West Virginia.
For my first Marathon it was great!
This course was exactly how it was advertised! Beautiful views, plenty of aid stations as well as hydration and fueling options along the course and post race! Although there were … MORE
This course was exactly how it was advertised! Beautiful views, plenty of aid stations as well as hydration and fueling options along the course and post race! Although there were not many places for spectators the ones that were along the way were encouraging and helpful!! This race is also very well organized! It was a peaceful first marathon for me!
Gorgeous environment, easy terrain
Plenty of water / electrolyte stations (although it might have been nice to have a porta-potty or two at miles 5 and 10, instead of the pit toilet (?) at … MORE
Plenty of water / electrolyte stations (although it might have been nice to have a porta-potty or two at miles 5 and 10, instead of the pit toilet (?) at about 15.) Awesome enthusiasm from the locals.
This is a gorgeous run. When you hear “West Virginia,” you think “mountains.” Well, the Greenbrier River Rail Trail is almost pancake flat — a 1% downgrade over the last 26 miles. The first quarter-mile runs through the town of Cass with a couple of minor hills that helps spread out the relatively small field, instead of dumping over 150 runners immediately onto a double-track rail trail. So you’ll find a lot less zig-zagging and playing “participant pinball” trying to get around folks who are under your pace.
The scenery is gorgeous, as you run alongside the River. You’ll hear birds, rapids, an occasional car, but mostly just the sound of running shoes on crushed limestone, autumn leaves, and soft dirt. At times, you’ll have a steep forest or a rocky cliff on one side. The river is on the other side of you, and could be across a grassy meadow or just a foot or two away from one of the “tracks.”
Running through Sharp’s Tunnel is quite a treat: I’ve done this section of the trail on a mountain bike and needed a good lamp. But when running (at least at my velocity), my eyes adjusted and I didn’t need any additional illumination. However, the race production crew kindly placed lights about halfway into the tunnel (which is a curved dogleg) to assuage any fears. And the tunnel lighting crew didn’t shine any lights into runners’ eyes and thereby obliterate the illuminatory assistance.
Regular road shoes are fine — unless it were really rainy for days in advance, there’s no need for trail shoes. In fact, the last few miles are on paved asphalt. And my knees immediately noticed the difference between the unpaved trail for the majority of the race and the asphalt!
Please note that this is nowhere near being a “spectator friendly” race. The number of places where the rail trail intersects a road, and getting to most of them requires nerves of steel and proper planning time-wise. We vacation in the area regularly, and even with our knowledge, the day before, we pre-scouted almost all of the possible places to be for fans, and discarded most of the possibilities. Many places were not realistically possible to get to by car before runners would get there, while other locations were the equivalent of “fire roads” with little or no place for opposing traffic to pass. (And I’m sure that GPS mapping software could easily maim or kill somebody with their brain-dead algorithms.)
So, for those who are more introverted runners (or triathletes?), this could be the ideal marathon for you. The aid stations are nicely placed — how do they get the locals there so early in the day? — and race production team is superb.
The race is also ideal for the person who mainly wants a race for the [very low] entry fee and isn’t looking for the hottest tribute rock band or 12 different kinds of gel or the name-brand socks and technical shirt in the swag bag. This is a course for runners seeking a PR / qualifying time or just wanting to run in nature and are comfortable with (or desiring) great miles, uncrowded and quiet.
The time of the year for this race is almost perfectly aligned with the changing of the foliage color. It certainly is perfect for the weather: cool at the start, warm middle and end.
The surrounding area is great for nature-tourism. There are historical locations (Nobel-prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck’s birthplace is here), geological interests (spelunking / caving), nature and science (National Radio Astronomy Observatory and a subartic tundra in the Cranberry Glades and two fish hatcheries), as well as other exercise/athletic activities (hiking, bicycling). There are even two golf courses nearby. Lots more to do, but I don’t time to list, let alone detail, them all.
This area is also called “Almost Heaven.” If you slow down and look around, you’ll discover that truth (as we did some 30 years ago).
Great first marathon
This course is flat but most is on crushed gravel which does provide a slight challenge. The area is BEAUTIFUL. Recommend staying at Snowshoe to be close to the start … MORE
This course is flat but most is on crushed gravel which does provide a slight challenge. The area is BEAUTIFUL. Recommend staying at Snowshoe to be close to the start especially if someone can drop you off and pick you up at the finish (my wife was my uber). Not a ton of spectators but those who worked the water stops were very encouraging. A pre-race email indicated the tunnel would have lights but there were none. It’s not a long tunnel but it is curved so you can’t see the light at the end until you are in heavy darkness. I didn’t carry a light so I had to slow down slightly and hope for the best; thankfully that worked out. Excellent recovery area in a large shelter at the end with tons of drink and snack options. Overall a great experience and I’m already considering doing it again next year.
Great small town race!
Flat, out and back half marathon course. Half paved, other half crushed gravel. Great aid stations and support, great communication from race director. Would definitely consider doing it again! MORE
Flat, out and back half marathon course. Half paved, other half crushed gravel. Great aid stations and support, great communication from race director. Would definitely consider doing it again!
Fun, No Frills Rail Trail Marathon
It’s really a family and community effort that makes this race work and they did a great job. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an easy course in an under … MORE
It’s really a family and community effort that makes this race work and they did a great job. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an easy course in an under appreciated and beautiful part of the country. It’s a small race, so the trail never feels crowded, but turnout is good enough that you’re likely to have someone to run with. Well-executed and definitely worth the trip. You definitely get your money’s worth if you are looking for a race with a decent course and simple race day logistics.
Beautiful run
Got lost in an audiobook while running down the river. Very flat, scenic course that literally runs through the mountains at some points. The tunnel was much darker than anticipated, … MORE
Got lost in an audiobook while running down the river. Very flat, scenic course that literally runs through the mountains at some points. The tunnel was much darker than anticipated, but I did bring my flashlight. The water stop at the end of the tunnel was so fun and encouraging. Definitely planning on participating again next year.
Beautiful flat course with local charm!
I used this website last year when trying to find a fall marathon, and now having run the race, I’m glad I did! It was a beautiful course (very scenic) … MORE
I used this website last year when trying to find a fall marathon, and now having run the race, I’m glad I did! It was a beautiful course (very scenic) that was extremely flat, and though it was a bit foggy at the start, it was great running weather. This was the smallest race I’ve done, so there were times I couldn’t see another runner and with it being a trail, there wasn’t a ton of on course support. The community comes out to run the water stops and the race expo was in a brewery in Marlinton, so it was cool that the community was involved in the race. One small nit pick would be that I wish the shirt wasn’t cotton, but the medal is cool, and I got a nice picture frame for getting second in my age group. Overall, I would recommend!
Beautiful!
This course was one of the prettiest I've ever run. I loved the fall scenery and mountains all around. Really flat course and a cool start in the historic town … MORE
This course was one of the prettiest I’ve ever run. I loved the fall scenery and mountains all around. Really flat course and a cool start in the historic town of Cass. Everything was simple and the race itself was awesome.
Breathe taking beautiful.
The race was beautiful. Small but special. The aid stations were very fun and upbeat. The course was so beautiful and awesome. A nice smooth flat trail that was easy … MORE
The race was beautiful. Small but special. The aid stations were very fun and upbeat. The course was so beautiful and awesome. A nice smooth flat trail that was easy to run without thinking about footing.
All the other racers were very nice and easy to talk to. They were very encouraging especially in the hard miles.
A good one for 50 state racers
The course was beautiful with great views of the river and the mountains and it was a well run race. This one was a good one for 50 staters because … MORE
The course was beautiful with great views of the river and the mountains and it was a well run race. This one was a good one for 50 staters because it is scenic and not too difficult with no hills. I felt like I got to experience the state and enjoyed my time there. Runners should know that it is small so they should expect to have stretches running alone and the leaves on the path made it difficult to see the occasional rock or stick so it is a little different from a road race. The volunteers were great and I appreciated that they have Honey Stinger waffles at many of the aid stations. The t-shirt was very plain but it was long sleeve & soft. I appreciated the pizza & other snacks at the end though they were almost out when I finished. We stayed at a great AirBNB & that’s probably the way to go because it’s a remote area. On that note, be ready to be without cell phone service.
Great West Virginia Course
Great course if you are running every state (I am not that person). The course was beautiful and flat. However, travel from point to point was difficult for the fans … MORE
Great course if you are running every state (I am not that person). The course was beautiful and flat. However, travel from point to point was difficult for the fans (aka family). I wasn’t able to see anyone on course spectating (besides the water stops – thank you volunteers!)
Very small race .. maybe 300 people? So front of the pack was quiet and I was alone for majority of the race.
I traveled 5 hours for this race and got the goal I was hoping for. Although I likely wouldn’t run the race again- it’s great for people who are closer or looking to check WV off the list. The area and surrounding towns for cute (we stayed in SnowShoe)
Excellent organization
This race is flat even though it is in West Virginia because it is a semi-paved trail that used to be a railroad track. Excellent course support with each aid … MORE
This race is flat even though it is in West Virginia because it is a semi-paved trail that used to be a railroad track. Excellent course support with each aid station certifying each racer as they went through, aid stations remaing open until the final racer went through, bicycle course marshalls cycling back and forth, and a sweep vehicle. As back of the pacj, I felt well cared for.
Fall in love with West Virginia
This is a beautiful course, with great views of the river and the surrounding Allegheny mountain scenery. Really glad I ran this one. The marathon is enjoyably small, is well-supported … MORE
This is a beautiful course, with great views of the river and the surrounding Allegheny mountain scenery. Really glad I ran this one. The marathon is enjoyably small, is well-supported by very friendly staff and volunteers, and the generous eight-hour time limit removed any sense of time pressure. The medal is quite nice, especially for this small a marathon.
Really the only downsides, and they are not deal-breakers in the least: there’s really only one location on the course that’s at all convenient for spectators, the timing is about one to two weeks early for peak fall colors, and the optional spaghetti dinner, while tasty, would benefit from having bread, parmesan cheese, a drink, and seating rather than being “carry-out.”
Scenic, fall trail race
Beautiful, race, well organized, the scenery was breathtaking, perfect leaf peeping marathon. Only downside…. few porta potties. I would totally run this race again. MORE
Beautiful, race, well organized, the scenery was breathtaking, perfect leaf peeping marathon.
Only downside…. few porta potties. I would totally run this race again.
Nice scenery
Nice, small race that runs along a converted rail trail. Beautiful fall foliage. The course profile shows it as downhill, but it honestly felt flat. No expo - packet pickup … MORE
Nice, small race that runs along a converted rail trail. Beautiful fall foliage. The course profile shows it as downhill, but it honestly felt flat. No expo – packet pickup was before the race. It was chilly at the start, and it was nice to wait in a building at the start. Overall, I’m glad to have picked this as my WV race.
Beautiful Course right in my backyard
This was my first marathon, although I walked a good bit of it. The course is beautiful and I train on it about 80% of the time as I live … MORE
This was my first marathon, although I walked a good bit of it. The course is beautiful and I train on it about 80% of the time as I live in Sitlington, at mile 4 of the race.
If anyone is interested in running it, hit me up, I can potentially hook you up with some housing!
1st half marathon on my 56th birthday!
This course is great for first time half and full marathon runners. I ran the half and it was all flat through a beautiful wooded area along the Greenbrier River. … MORE
This course is great for first time half and full marathon runners. I ran the half and it was all flat through a beautiful wooded area along the Greenbrier River. When I ran it, however, we had remnants of Hurricane Ian and there was a steady rainpour and it’s always little chilly in the WV mountains anyway, so be prepared for inclement weather. There is hardly any elevation gain, it was mostly gravel, but the path was clear of debris and roots. Only issue was that there were not that many water stations. Highly recommend this race for beginner marathoners and nature lovers! I’ve already signed up for this year’s race!
Great Race!
This is a great destination race. Snowshoe WV is gorgeous all year round and especially in October. The race is fast and run. The race director is a real pro. … MORE
This is a great destination race. Snowshoe WV is gorgeous all year round and especially in October. The race is fast and run. The race director is a real pro. I am a two time runner of the marathon and would have been 3 time had covid not forced the cancellation of the 2020 race. Definitely BQ potential here as well. I did!
Great Trail/River Run
Train Whistle Start is Awesome!!!! Beautiful run on the Greenbrier River. Well supported and great race environment. Race is mostly down hill. Starts with a lap through the Historic Town … MORE
Train Whistle Start is Awesome!!!! Beautiful run on the Greenbrier River. Well supported and great race environment. Race is mostly down hill. Starts with a lap through the Historic Town of Cass. State Park has great housing if wanted and Restaurant has good pre and post race options.