The Marshall University Marathon is dedicated to bringing the HealthierUS Initiative to the area. Exercise is a key component of this and we want everyone to take part in this event either as a runner, walker, or volunteer. The highlight is carrying a football down the field for the final …
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The Marshall University Marathon is dedicated to bringing the HealthierUS Initiative to the area. Exercise is a key component of this and we want everyone to take part in this event either as a runner, walker, or volunteer. The highlight is carrying a football down the field for the final 100 yards to the goal line finish!!
The marathon is 2 loops. This allows spectators and family to follow the race more readily. Some of the course is on the crushed limestone path around Ritter Park and the trail that leads to the park. It is very compacted and fast. You do not need special shoes for this. The total of the trails on this surface is only 3 miles approximately.
And here are the top 10 reasons to run the Marshall University Marathon:
1. Be a part of THE largest marathon in West Virginia.
2. A super fast and flat course (great for running a BQ!).
3. Carry a football down the field through the finish line at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
4. Fantastic swag for all three races with the ability to upgrade/add items!
5. Great pricing with the ability to earn refunds with referring your friends/family!
6. Enjoy scenic views of the Ohio River and the majestic parks of Huntington, WV.
7. Meet Marco, the mascot of Marshall University.
8. The easiest race logistics EVER! Parking lot less than 100 feet from Start/Finish.
9. Marathoners can choose to place a flower at the Marshall University Memorial fountain
10. Celebrate your run with great post race food and refreshments, including hamburgers and beer!
LESS
We Are (highly recommending) Marshall!
My daughter and I road-tripped from Pittsburgh for this race. It was an easy, scenic drive. Packet pick-up was straightforward. We stayed at the Marriott Delta Hotels Huntington Mall, which … MORE
My daughter and I road-tripped from Pittsburgh for this race. It was an easy, scenic drive. Packet pick-up was straightforward. We stayed at the Marriott Delta Hotels Huntington Mall, which was about 20 minutes from the start. We chose it for the pool/hot tub and proximity to the mall for post-race food and shopping. Race morning parking was easy and right next to the start line in the stadium lot. It looked like race morning packet pick-up would also have been easy, which is a nice option to have. It was chilly and drizzling on race morning, but the course was interesting and the time passed quickly. We ran through the Marshall campus, along the river, through parks, and around Huntington. I really enjoyed the course! It felt flat and fast. The weather kept the crowd support a little light, but the volunteers were enthusiastic! It was very unique to finish inside the stadium and get to carry a football across the finish line. The shirt and medal are awesome! The race is back-of-the-pack friendly with a generous time limit and plenty of well-stocked aid stations I figured this would be a one-and-done race for me to check off West Virginia, but I would happily run this one again. Highly recommend!
Such an amazing event and experience
I see why this event gets so much hype! Great energy, production, swag, aid stations and finish Pros: Finishing in the end zone of the stadium. Sounds a little corny … MORE
I see why this event gets so much hype! Great energy, production, swag, aid stations and finish
Pros: Finishing in the end zone of the stadium. Sounds a little corny but being tossed a football and crossing the goal line was actually a very cool way to end the race. The course was relatively easy and had amazing traffic support from police and volunteers. The local Elks club served everyone hot dogs and burgers that which was very gracious of them to do for us especially considering the cold and rain
Cons: Parts of the course could be described as ‘Where you don’t want to be in Huntington alone at night’. I would love if there had been a way to swap those parts out and see more of the campus. It’s not uncommon, but charging for pics was a little disappointing when you factor in the price point of the registration fee
Im trying the 50 State thing and this was my pick for West Virginia so I don’t think I will do it again but would definitely recommend it to others who are local and/or needing an event in WV
Fairly Flat, Cool Stadium
The race was fine, it was fairly flat which was nice, the big attraction was finishing in the football stadium, which was cool. Not a ton to say, this was … MORE
The race was fine, it was fairly flat which was nice, the big attraction was finishing in the football stadium, which was cool. Not a ton to say, this was a race to cross West Virginia off my list, it was fine.
Well run race, great support
Beautiful medal, one of my favorite post-race meals (the elks made hot dogs and hamburgers...I LOVED this). Great support at the water stations, lots of bathrooms as stadium is setting, … MORE
Beautiful medal, one of my favorite post-race meals (the elks made hot dogs and hamburgers…I LOVED this). Great support at the water stations, lots of bathrooms as stadium is setting, fun ending carrying the football across the field. 1000 plus in the half marathon, so a good number for camaraderie.
Scenery – town is depressed, so the miles within the commercial district not “pretty” but the run section through neighborhoods and along river are beautiful, and you can tell that this town was once thriving and prosperous. I was glad we chose this race, to participate in a community event that was celebratory and brought people into the area. BTW, ate at the Bahnhof WVrsthaus & Biergarten downtown Huntington – you’ve got to go to this place! Great Schnitzel and beer!
Great race
This was a outstanding race. The staging area was at the stadium, with plenty of real bathrooms. The course is a double loop, flat and lots of volunteers and crowds. … MORE
This was a outstanding race. The staging area was at the stadium, with plenty of real bathrooms. The course is a double loop, flat and lots of volunteers and crowds. Coming back in on the second loop you’re handed a flower to place at the monument, which was a nice touch. Once you get to the stadium to finish the race you’re handed a football and run the field to the endzone, again great touch. Everything about this race was a memorable experience.
Well organized flat race
Not a lot of pre race communication from the race organizers. Enough that you knew the race was still going on, but not much more. Small expo for packet pick … MORE
Not a lot of pre race communication from the race organizers. Enough that you knew the race was still going on, but not much more.
Small expo for packet pick up and essentials.
Plenty of race morning parking for those that needed it. I was able to walk from my hotel.
Flat course with small ups and downs along the way.
Plenty of aid stations and portable toilets.
The finish is inside the Marshall University football stadium. They hand you a football to carry across the finish line. I’m hoping the picture came out because that should be something different.
Thank you Marshall University
My state 37 WV was great. Only here can you find the smallest airport and the biggest football stadium in the same town - and somehow, it all makes perfect … MORE
My state 37 WV was great. Only here can you find the smallest airport and the biggest football stadium in the same town – and somehow, it all makes perfect sense! Everything was perfectly managed. Marshall Univ. put on an amazing race- I even got to carry a football across the finish line inside the stadium!
Flat fast course lots of liquid stops
Course is two loops and second loop is pretty desolate. Thank you so much to all volunteers because there were not many spectators. Also, no fuel food or salty snacks. … MORE
Course is two loops and second loop is pretty desolate. Thank you so much to all volunteers because there were not many spectators. Also, no fuel food or salty snacks. Cool end on the football field and sad but nice flower on memorial fountain where I had to take a few moments.
Left this race disappointed
This could’ve been a great race. Unfortunately, course markings and volunteers at turns need some improvements. I missed a straightaway, instead turning left at a section where incoming half marathoners … MORE
This could’ve been a great race. Unfortunately, course markings and volunteers at turns need some improvements.
I missed a straightaway, instead turning left at a section where incoming half marathoners and outgoing marathoners split. After backtracking and looking at the split – I realized how incredibly confusing the section is. I literally would have had to run through a pack of turning half marathoners to have continued straight. If there were signs guiding marathoners, it was likely blocked by the crowd of half marathoners. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a volunteer directing marathoners at this split.
Long story short, this ended up being my first wrong turn on a road race and also my first dnf.
I spoke to a fellow runner who had the same frustrations about making a wrong turn – so poor runner guidance wasn’t an isolated incident.
Positives:
-Incredibly flat course, don’t assume this course will be hilly just because it is in WV!
-Lots of water stations
-Great time of year for a race
Fast as advertized
Course is mostly flat and fast. However, since its loops and certain points are crossed multiple times (out and backs) it does get congested. If your a front of pack … MORE
Course is mostly flat and fast. However, since its loops and certain points are crossed multiple times (out and backs) it does get congested. If your a front of pack runner be prepared to shout to get runners starting their 2nd loop to move over from miles 22-24. Also, there’s a section on gravel which if removed would greatly improve the course.
We Are.. Marshall!
This is a great race. If you are looking for small town West Virginia, this is it. I drove in from Tennessee (about 5 hours). Packet pickup was super easy. … MORE
This is a great race. If you are looking for small town West Virginia, this is it.
I drove in from Tennessee (about 5 hours). Packet pickup was super easy. You get an email with your bid number in it a couple of days prior. Just walk in and tell them your number, they confirm it’s you, and they give you everything you need. Packet pickup is in a church gym. There is a small expo- but Expo size is not something I worry about.
I stayed in a hotel I had booked on Hotels.com. There are 4 hotels just off the interstate and all about 2.5 miles from the start. There wasn’t anything right at the start as you’re on the Marshall University campus. Additionally, downtown hotels are quite a bit more money.
But you don’t need to stay close. The start is in front of the football stadium and the entire parking lot is open. Get there a little early. I arrived just after 6 (races starts at 7) and the parking lot was maybe a quarter full. By 6:40, it was getting tight.
The stadium is open and there are dozens of bathrooms- real ones, not portapotties. The concourse also is a little warmer. The sun came up about the same time we started, but it was dark and about 40 degrees when I arrived. So the stadium was a nice area to walk around and warm up.
The full and the half start together. There is a 3.25 mile race but it starts later. Even with the combined two longer races, there wasn’t really any congestion. I started near the 1:45 pace guy and didn’t need to really dodge anyone. The race isn’t big enough for corrals. The race started right at 7.
Now this is a FLAT course. There are a few incline/declines that are not big enough to call hills. I counted 3 total hills throughout the half, and they were all short- nothing to worry about. The first two miles are a two mile loop East of the stadium and back. You will pass your parking spot about the end of mile 2 so if you’re regretting your decision, you can bail. 🙂
Mile 3 takes you along the campus. This entire route is greatly separated from traffic. Most of the course is on Huntington roads. Cops work the whole course. The running lanes, which are separated from traffic with big orange cones, are still at least a whole lane wide, instead of a sidewalk with like some other races I have run.
After the campus, you run briefly through a park along the Ohio River. This was one of my favorite spots. As it was still early in the morning, there was a lot of mist coming up off the river. The sun was behind us and the view was awesome. But it only lasted about 2 minutes. You quickly come out of the park and back on the same road you were on while running past campus but there is a large wall to your right, blocking the view of the river.
After about 5 and a half miles, you make some lefts and some rights before heading south to the first big park. Turn left in the park and run from the first park to the second, although it all feels like one big park. This is a couple of miles of very nice running. A lot of the park running is on a large trail as well, which is a nice alternative to the road.
You finish with the park just after the nine mile mark and head north back to the road that goes by campus. Run along the wall, back through the small riverside park, and back past campus. On the other side of campus is the football stadium.
The finish line is inside the stadium. You enter the stadium, are handed a football, run 3/4s of the way down the field, move over the center of the field, and then run down the middle, finishing in the endzone. That was pretty cool.
There is a tent where they engrave your finisher medal for $20. Name, bib #, time. Definitely worth it if you did well. There also was a tailgate food area right outside the stadium (200 feet from the finish line) grilling cheeseburgers and cooking hotdogs.
Other notes for the course. Plenty of water stations. I didn’t really pay attention to bathrooms along the route but I am pretty sure the parks had bathrooms available (real ones).
There are a number of photo spots along the course. And there are signs telling you a photo area is coming up. That was pretty cool. There wasn’t a lot of crown support outside of the parks.
If you do this race, watch the move We are Marshall before you go. The memorial of that tragedy is the point of the race. Go see the fountain and the campus.
Also, the diner in the movie is a longtime restaurant in Huntington, just down the road from campus. It’s real name is Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House. If you want to carb load the night before, here you go. Its an old fashion diner, not expensive, and has the best pit in town.
I would run this race every year if I was local. Loved it!
Good BQ opportunity with good weather
Small marathon run simultaneously with a larger half marathon. Race begins and ends at Marshall University stadium. Lots of volunteers on a smaller race to provide aid and support. Very … MORE
Small marathon run simultaneously with a larger half marathon. Race begins and ends at Marshall University stadium. Lots of volunteers on a smaller race to provide aid and support. Very flat course provides a great BQ/PR if the weather cooperated. They hand you a football to carry upon entry to the stadium and run for a touchdown to the finish line. Cool medal, free beer at the finish. Friendly town and an enjoyable event.
Solid race, well organized
This is a solid race with super easy logistics for packet pickup and race morning. Course is a double loop of an out and back course, so a lot of … MORE
This is a solid race with super easy logistics for packet pickup and race morning. Course is a double loop of an out and back course, so a lot of backtracking. That would be my only negative. Great swag and fun finish in the stadium.
Flat and fast course
This was a very flat and fast course. I didn’t have any issues to speak of other than the lack of food on the course. So I would definitely bring … MORE
This was a very flat and fast course. I didn’t have any issues to speak of other than the lack of food on the course. So I would definitely bring something to eat with you.
Well Run
I chose this race as my West Virginia race. Best part was placing the rose near the memorial fountain. Weather was ideal. Parking at the stadium was easy. No port … MORE
I chose this race as my West Virginia race. Best part was placing the rose near the memorial fountain. Weather was ideal. Parking at the stadium was easy. No port a potties needed since there were plenty of bathrooms in the stadium. Water-stops were well manned and double loop gave you plenty of spectators. I highly recommend. I would also recommend watching the movie “We are Marshall” so you know the history of the town. At the end you carried a football across the finish line. I was quite pleased I didn’t fumble it.
Cross the finish line in style
Marshall University Marathon and Half might be a relatively small race (2023 saw over 1,800 participants in both events) but the 13.1-mile loop course is relatively flat, making it a … MORE
Marshall University Marathon and Half might be a relatively small race (2023 saw over 1,800 participants in both events) but the 13.1-mile loop course is relatively flat, making it a popular marathon to qualify for Boston.
The positives are the location of the race start/finish at the Joan C Edward Stadium in Marshall University, ample car parking at the stadium, running by Harris Riverfront Park and Ritter Park (twice) as well as a very energetic MC from ‘Enjoy Your Life’. Best of all, Marathoners get to carry a football to the “endzone” on the field at the stadium as they cross the finish line. It was epic.
One minor negative: Don’t expect a huge crowd of spectators along the course if you’re looking for cheers and hi-fives to carry you through the wall.
West Virginians are proud of their chilly hogs and pizza rolls, which are great post-race meals! After the marathon/half, be sure to check out the Hillbilly Hot Dogs (featured on Food Channel), just 2o min drive from Huntington. It is a must-visit.
Nice flat fall race
Course was flat with a great start temp around 50 degrees. Portions of the race were scenic running along the Ohio and through the downtown area with some of the … MORE
Course was flat with a great start temp around 50 degrees. Portions of the race were scenic running along the Ohio and through the downtown area with some of the race in some not-so-scenic areas. Nice medal and super soft shirt. Loved running with the football down to the finish.
Fun event!
I was supprised how much more scenic the course was than what I expected from reading other reviews. The course is a 13.1 mile loop done twice for the marathon … MORE
I was supprised how much more scenic the course was than what I expected from reading other reviews. The course is a 13.1 mile loop done twice for the marathon runners. There was one section about 2 miles long that was a straight road that felt like it was a light industrial area. Other than that, I enjoyed the course. I enjoyed several of the neighborhoods that we went through and looking at the houses that were along the way. We went a very short distance through a park along the riverfront (wish this segment was longer), ran around another, much larger park, through the campus, and the finish line was on the football field. For me personally, the highlight of the day was experienced the second time going through the college campus. Before entering, runners were offered a flower to place on the memorial honoring the football team from 1970.
Cool Experience
Pros: pacers, easy and free parking, finish line in the stadium, relatively flat course Cons: double loop course with far less marathon participants MORE
Pros: pacers, easy and free parking, finish line in the stadium, relatively flat course
Cons: double loop course with far less marathon participants
Thundering Herd
Pre race communication was efficient Expo was on the smaller side but had everything that you might need Course was excellent and you even got to finish on the Marshall … MORE
Pre race communication was efficient
Expo was on the smaller side but had everything that you might need
Course was excellent and you even got to finish on the Marshall University’s football field carrying a football across the finish line
Scenery was nice
Aid stations were plentiful with water and Gatorade
Swag was great with a very nice beach hoodie and very cool medal
Parking was easy and free
Post race food was provided by Elks Lodge with burgers and hotdogs
Crowd support was great
Race staff and volunteers were top notch
I definitely recommend this race