Hatfield McCoy Marathon
South Williamson, KY
- Marathon, Blackberry Mountain Half Marathon, River Road Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Hatfield McCoy Marathon has been ranked one of The Weather Channel’s Toughest Marathons, Road Runner Magazine’s Most Fun Races, RRCA Championship Race, Red Bull’s Must Have Medals and RaceRaves Best Marathon and Half Marathon in West Virginia! Do you need more reasons to run? The Hatfield McCoy Marathon was … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 12):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 87 | 84 | 78 | 68 | 82 |
| L (°F) | 74 | 61 | 53 | 59 | 66 |
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See ya next year, y'all!
As a 50-stater, I'll be back next year for this challenging but rewarding race. Count as KY or WV. Packet pickup was small but I didn't have high expectations knowing … MORE
As a 50-stater, I’ll be back next year for this challenging but rewarding race. Count as KY or WV.
Packet pickup was small but I didn’t have high expectations knowing this is a small race. I enjoyed the local venders. Very kind and nice to chat with.
The water stops were frequent and excellent. The grapes watermelon and other snacks hit the spot. At 2 different water stops, volunteers offered to refill my hydration pack.
The first half of the race had excellent law enforcement presence keeping runners safe on the non-closed roads with no shoulder. The second half of the race I frequently saw EMS personnel using Gators to check on runners.
I am impressed with the race swag: bib, shirt, medal, mason jar with sticker provided with this race.
I appreciated the gentlemen dressed up as Hatfield & McCoy spending hours in the heat and humidity at the finish line high-fiving finishers and posing for photos. The art at the finish line was awesome as well.
I met the medical personnel post-race. They were incredible.
I only have one negative comment regarding this race. I followed other runners on incorrect turns. For the most part signage is great. There a lot of turnoffs on this course. It wouldn’t hurt to place some painted arrows on the pavement and when runners may get off course. Thankfully the RaceJoy app told me I may be off course. Volunteers on Gators assisted runners. One tricky turn needing a posted volunteer is when runners turn off the road by railroad tracks to run on the golf course.
The 3H’s HEAT. HILLS. HUMIDITY
This race had the 3H’s which, for me usually spells a bad race. Heat, hills and humidity. There was something though about this race that made it not that bad! … MORE
This race had the 3H’s which, for me usually spells a bad race. Heat, hills and humidity. There was something though about this race that made it not that bad! I think it was the beauty of the course, the STELLAR organization and the incredible volunteers. It was tough, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.
I will say, though this is an open course on a two-lane road without a shoulder. I know some runners try to avoid open courses that being said the cars were all very cautious and I didn’t feel unsafe.
Tough but beautiful!
The most beautiful marathon I've run yet! The many hydration stations were very necessary and appreciated, and are the most well stocked ones yet. Most stations had watermelon, cuties, and … MORE
The most beautiful marathon I’ve run yet! The many hydration stations were very necessary and appreciated, and are the most well stocked ones yet. Most stations had watermelon, cuties, and bananas, along with pickle juice and even mini vaseline jars at some!
It is a hike to get to this race and it is a smaller one, there were a lot of times I didn’t see anyone in front of or behind me for a while, but the trail is well marked and I loved the signs that were posted! It was very hot, humid, and hilly, and I had my slowest time by far, but I wanted to finish it and enjoy it and I did just that!
Don’t plan on getting a good time, but you will have a lot of fun!
Also, the expo is just shirt and bib pickup so if you need any gus or chews or anything I recommend bringing them from home or getting some at the nearest large city.
What a Race
This race was well organized. Great volunteers, pre-race meal, gorgeous scenery to run in, community support! Definitely a must run for W VA or KY! MORE
This race was well organized.
Great volunteers, pre-race meal, gorgeous scenery to run in, community support!
Definitely a must run for W VA or KY!
Tough but fun race!
Well organized and loved the water stops with various fruits and lots available even for the back of the packers! Hilly, hot and humid but no time limit so I … MORE
Well organized and loved the water stops with various fruits and lots available even for the back of the packers! Hilly, hot and humid but no time limit so I didn’t feel rushed. There were also a few props for photo ops that helped get to the finish line!
Great Race. Outstanding Support
If you’re looking for a smaller race with outstanding course support, then this is the perfect race for you!! Walkers and beginners, here's your race! No time limit! The people … MORE
If you’re looking for a smaller race with outstanding course support, then this is the perfect race for you!! Walkers and beginners, here’s your race! No time limit! The people of the town make each moment special. I loved every moment!
Always a great race!
This organization and volunteers are some of the best of all the races I have completed. The water stops are fantastic and the community embraces all of the out of … MORE
This organization and volunteers are some of the best of all the races I have completed. The water stops are fantastic and the community embraces all of the out of town folks. Loved the bibs, medal and shirts this year.
First time around
I enjoyed everything about the race and for a first time marathoner there was a plethora of information available online to keep me confident going into race day. MORE
I enjoyed everything about the race and for a first time marathoner there was a plethora of information available online to keep me confident going into race day.
Definitely coming back!
This race has such a cool vibe. Challenging and fun at the same time. The volunteers are super friendly and some of the aide stations had watermelon, SPF and anti-chafe … MORE
This race has such a cool vibe. Challenging and fun at the same time. The volunteers are super friendly and some of the aide stations had watermelon, SPF and anti-chafe (how considerate)!
Definitely coming back!
This race has such a cool vibe. Challenging and fun at the same time. The volunteers are super friendly and some of the aide stations had watermelon, SPF and anti-chafe … MORE
This race has such a cool vibe. Challenging and fun at the same time. The volunteers are super friendly and some of the aide stations had watermelon, SPF and anti-chafe (how considerate)!
One of the best organized race I have ru
The logistics are a little confusing if you are not familiar with the area. You have 3 or 4 races going on at the same time in more than one … MORE
The logistics are a little confusing if you are not familiar with the area. You have 3 or 4 races going on at the same time in more than one location. The race is well worth the extra time for planning. One of the best organized and supported races of the hundreds I have done with awesome swag and perks.
Hot, humid, hilly and still awesome!
This is a tough marathon, but I knew that going in and wanted a marathon to challenge myself and still have fun and see a beautiful part of the country … MORE
This is a tough marathon, but I knew that going in and wanted a marathon to challenge myself and still have fun and see a beautiful part of the country and this marathon did not dissappoint. Definitely not a PR or BQ course, but well run and very scenic. The expo is small but nice and the spaghetti dinner was great and a nice opportunity to talk with and meet runners. The start was easy and well organized and plenty of volunteers with maybe the best aid stations I’ve ever seen with water, gatorade, watermelon, bananas, grapes and even Coke at most aid stations. But mostly the volunteers here were some of the nicest I’ve experienced at any of my 40 marathons and made it one I’d definitely look at doing again (and I was amazed how many people were repeat runners as it is a tough course but the people make it a great experience).
2nd hill this yr I was talking to God
Enjoy the scenery, Thank all the volunteers, Water Stops and volunteers were amazing. The Blackberry Mountain was the 2nd most difficult thing I've done this year. MORE
Enjoy the scenery, Thank all the volunteers, Water Stops and volunteers were amazing. The Blackberry Mountain was the 2nd most difficult thing I’ve done this year.
Feels Like A Family Reunion
I have been coming to this race off and onfor several years and there is one big reason I keep coming back: I feel welcomed like I am part of … MORE
I have been coming to this race off and onfor several years and there is one big reason I keep coming back: I feel welcomed like I am part of the family. Without a doubt, the organizers, volunteers, and community extend the absolute best of southern hospitality to each and every participant. And having run this now multiple times, I also look forward to seeing fellow runners coming back along with me to challenge this course again.
Best and most fun marathon iv ran!
The race it self is awesome! So much to look at throughout the whole race! All the volunteers and water stations was top tier! Everyone from volunteers and other runners … MORE
The race it self is awesome! So much to look at throughout the whole race! All the volunteers and water stations was top tier! Everyone from volunteers and other runners was eager to help you out! 10/10 race i will be back!!!
Doesn’t Get Much Better
The organization of these four races being held simultaneously is a huge challenge but in the three years I’ve participated in them everything has been top of the line good. … MORE
The organization of these four races being held simultaneously is a huge challenge but in the three years I’ve participated in them everything has been top of the line good. You will not be disappointed if you come and take part.
I survived-ish, but signing up again!
Let's start with the negative - I was DNF. I chose this as my first marathon, I know probably not the best idea. But honestly, I could not have asked … MORE
Let’s start with the negative – I was DNF. I chose this as my first marathon, I know probably not the best idea. But honestly, I could not have asked for a better one to not finish. And it’s not what you think. I arrived with the nervousness of not even starting. The long car ride made my back super angry – no worries, no time limit. Double down with a constant pain in my right plantar fascia – I was a literal walking disasterpiece lol. But I was determined to at least conquer the distance. Enough about what I brought to the race, let me tell you about the race itself.
This is probably my favorite race EVER. This is like a family reunion, with family you didn’t even know you had. The hospitality is the best I have ever encountered, and I am a back of the pack runner when I am running. There was still water, gatorade, fruit, snacks, sometimes sodas (pop if you are from the area there), pickles, pickle pops and juice shots. I have been to races where they have packed up before the last 10 or so of us get there (as evident by ice and water puddles on the roadways). But not this race – they wait for the very last person to pass. The “Sweeper” is really just a “no one left behind” follower. They give you plenty of space without making you feel rushed. The water stations are at almost ever mile, with a couple exceptions (like between mile 13 and 16, beyond that I am not sure). It was a hot one this year, which for the Blackberry Mountain half, wasn’t as big of a deal. River Road half however, the new course (post washed out suspension bridge) is HOT, HOT, HOT. with minimal tree coverage. I carried one of the paper gatorade cups filled with ice after mile 13. The ice was gone by the time I got to mile 14. I was dumping the melted water down my back to help keep me cool. I made it to mile 16, and that’s where the entire race changed for me.
How I was cared for during this moment is THE #1 reason that I will not ONLY return and do this race again, I will ALSO definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to challenge themselves.
When I reached mile 16, mentally I was good, I was keeping up with my electrolytes (I use the SaltStick capsules) but I was almost out of water. I had been refilling my flasks at almost every station after mile 5. But when I asked for water from Ms Jennifer (she was the one handling this station dressed in her very patriotic theme), she said I went from beet red to completely drained of all color on my face when I mentioned that I felt like I needed to sit down. The conclusion her and I came to was that with 10 miles to go on the course with minimal shade, I should probably not continue. Had it been the original course layout, we would have just got me cooled down and ready to conquer the remaining 10 miles. At first, I was unhappy about this. But honestly it was the right decision. Ms Selena retrieved me and brought me to the finish line where I could continue to cool off and meet my racing party (and get an IV if necessary).
Ultimately, it’s great scenery, great running community, and an even better volunteer race support team. Room is already booked for next year =)
Very Friendly Race with Hills.
Great Staff, volunteers, and support crews. Day before: Expo was at Belfy High School. Small, but friendly local vendors. Number pickup was a breeze, and t-shirts were great. Spaghetti dinner … MORE
Great Staff, volunteers, and support crews. Day before: Expo was at Belfy High School. Small, but friendly local vendors. Number pickup was a breeze, and t-shirts were great. Spaghetti dinner was in the school cafeteria, served in trays, with a nice servers and desert. I met Hatfield after for a picture. The closest hotels are in Pikeville. I stayed in the Hampton Inn, nice place, but get a room that does not face Hambly Rd. It is a lot quieter.
Race Day: Parking was easy. Very short walk 50 meters to the yellow buses that are lined up. Nice conversations on the bus about the race and our races on the way to Matewan. The bus drops you right at the starting line, with plenty of port-a-potties there. A bugler plays the national anthem, then the races starts. Small group, around 150 runners. The hills start right way, mainly rolling. The course will take you through old historic and mainly abandon properties. The Swing Bridge was destroyed in the February Flood, so a slight change in the course. The first 6 miles were rolling and good, then the fun started. You turn left and run on a gravel road next to the rail road tracks, that lead you to the golf course, where you run around the golf course, some tricky hills, just follow the orange flags. Run under some train bridges. I heard a runner coming up behind me, but never passed me, but when I turned around to look it was a deer running with me. She then run up the hill. There were two more in the bushes also running. Passed the Sally McCoy house. Then the toughest part of the race, the Hill at Mile 10. Once climbing that the finish is ahead, just keep the Dairy Queen on your mind, as you might want to stop. Hatfield and McCoy wee at the finish with their shotguns. Nice large finisher medal and a large Ball Mason Jar as I won 2nd place in my age group. Mile markers at every mile. The Water Stations at every mile with the friendliest people ever! Nicely decorated, with snacks. Coming up to a station, they yell out, “water or Gatorade?” and they run over to you. They even filled up my bottles. Then they ask “where you from?” One station had a pig in a cage “Property of the McCoys. If this is your Pig, Prove It’ “The feud is over…We kept the Pig.” The volunteer said, “don’t steal my pig. :)”
This was an enjoyable Half Marathon, so different than any of the 55 other ones I have run.
OMG The Hills!!!
This was a fantastic race from the scenery, race support, community involvement, etc. It was definitely one of the most challenging races I've done so far. Don't just train for … MORE
This was a fantastic race from the scenery, race support, community involvement, etc. It was definitely one of the most challenging races I’ve done so far. Don’t just train for the uphill, the downhill is just as brutal if not more so on this course! I’m planning to come back and tackle it again, I can’t let the course win!
Best support
The support staff and aid stations where amazing. River Road Half had some decent hill and was hot with little shade. For my second ever half it was a bit … MORE
The support staff and aid stations where amazing. River Road Half had some decent hill and was hot with little shade. For my second ever half it was a bit of a challenge but plan to return next your to complete the Blackberry half.