Burke Recovery cordially invites you and your friends to join us for the Peak to Creek Marathon, formerly known as the Ridge to Bridge Marathon.
P2CM is hosted by Burke Recovery and is headed up by the same organizers (David & Rhonda Lee) who have helped make the event a must-do marathon since 2006.
Back this year: Regular, old online registration that opens at noon eastern time on May 1st (same as last year!). Also returning: An official cap of 400 participants from the get-go.
The Peak to Creek course consists of approximately 7 miles of paved surface: approximately 5.5 miles at the start in Jonas Ridge, and a few short stretches in various places along the course, including the last quarter mile or so. The majority of the course is run on quiet, unpaved country roads that pass through dense forests and open fields, and provide for some outstanding views of the mountains. Camber is not an issue.
The course is not a “trail,” in any sense of the word, but simply an unpaved road. There can be rocks and sticks that may have fallen from overhanging trees, but there will be no large stones or roots lying in wait to catch the shuffling foot. If you are not accustomed to running downhill on an unpaved surface and you plan to run aggressively, we urge you to be especially careful when negotiating turns. There may be some loose stones in some places and it may be possible to slip if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing.
The bottom line: be aware of what’s on the course that you might step on, especially as you’re entering a turn running downhill. You may just avoid a nasty scrape or two.
The hills on the new course are fewer in number and tend to be less steep, none with a grade of greater than 2%. They also tend to be front-end loaded, with the more noticeable rises appearing within the first 1.5 miles (~ 20 meters of climb over the distance), and from mile 4.7 – 5.6 (~ 15.5 meters). Further along the course, you may expect two more modest rises: mile 9.6 – 9.8 (~ 3 meters) and mile 15.0 – 15.7 (~ 7.5 meters); and a bump in the road at mile 21.7 – 21.9 (~ 2 meters).
We’re proud to say this is a pretty cool race. Lots of people have dropped by over the years to join us, many of whom turned in some pretty fast times. Our little marathon has been among the top 10 courses in the USA to qualify for the Boston Marathon over the past few years. Those who didn’t, just come by for the views or to enjoy some barbecue with us after the race. Whatever your goal, ours is the same: we want you to leave here feeling like this is a race that has to be on your calendar year after year. Wilson Creek offers a steady flow of cool, mountain water for you to wade into after you finish. We’ll be there, too, to congratulate you. Bring your friends. We promise to do the same.
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Downhill course but ...
Fast downhill, prepare for lose gravel with erosion divots, but beautiful scenery of fall leaves, rippling brook, camp fires. The end of the race is a little dismal as you … MORE
Fast downhill, prepare for lose gravel with erosion divots, but beautiful scenery of fall leaves, rippling brook, camp fires. The end of the race is a little dismal as you run in the side of a road and traffic is passing you. You finish in the parking area and the last mile seems like you just are running around parked cars.
No huge crowds and at times, the cause us lonely. (Which I like) . If you place in your age, the home crafted plates are great on your wall!!! Boston qualifier for sure!!! Love the small intimate races!
Fast one for NC!
I entered this hoping for a 3:25 based off of my 3:28 at Myrtle earlier in the year. This is a primarily descending type of course that should be FAST. … MORE
I entered this hoping for a 3:25 based off of my 3:28 at Myrtle earlier in the year. This is a primarily descending type of course that should be FAST. For me, however, it wasn’t my day. I was surprised at how rough the terrain was at the start (peak) area. Bottom line, I guess I wasn’t anywhere near the shape I thought I was in! Still say it’s a FAST course for NC. Funny note to this one. I drove 4 hours to pick up my Son, then another 8 to the hotel. After our marathon, I repeated the trip…..gee….maybe this had something to do with my performance?? Anyway, the day after our race, the Jonas Ridge area was pummeled with a foot of snow in October!
Formally Ridge to Bridge/fast course
My hometown race is a fast course that has over 9 miles of downhill. Be prepared though that your legs will feel it during the last 10 miles. It is … MORE
My hometown race is a fast course that has over 9 miles of downhill. Be prepared though that your legs will feel it during the last 10 miles. It is put on in the fall each year with the leaves usually at their best. Great meal and fun after the race at Wilson creek.