Tobacco Road Marathon Reviews

  I really like the course and the support.

By Jsb about 2024

Review

I really like the course and the support. It reminds me of a long version of the Monument Avenue races in Richmond, VA - straight, fast and flat. It's shady, there's fantastic aid stations, and it's easy to get to.

I ran it the weekend after the time change, so the few bits I didn't like were pretty much bad luck of the calendar. We launched in the dark, and the suggestion to get there early was a little rough (can't really do too much in a dark parking lot).

Race Tips

The course is flat and straight. It is paved, but not as nicely as a road. It's tree lined, lots of shade. I ran in sunglasses and wouldn't do that next time. Lots of support, there were long aid stations probably every two miles handing out Gatorade, water, Gu, pickle juice, etc.

I didn't see too many portable toilets. People peed in the woods.

There was no 4 hour pace group if that matters to you.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Be prepared to wait around before the race. They suggest getting there no later than 5:30 for a 7:00 gun time because they use shuttles to get people from remote parking lots (onsite parking is very limited). I found that to be a little long, ESPECIALLY because of the time change shifting daylight around. I wasn't going to risk turning an ankle by warming up in the dark. In the future I'd catch one of the later shuttles and dress to spend an extended period sitting around.

  4 time Tobacco Road Runner

By AG about 2024

Review

I ran this race for the 4th time yesterday. While I didn't get the time I wanted I still had a great experience. I would recommend this as a good first marathon for someone. Except for the first & last 2 1/2 miles it is mostly flat. There are a couple of times on the course where you have to climb small hills, but they are not that bad at all.

Race Tips

They run a half & full on the same day. If you do the full when you start or not long after get to the right side to the pack of runners. When you get to the trail (about 2.5 miles in) the full people turn right & half go left. Do not make the mistake of trying to make a right turn from the left side of the crowd, You will get run over.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

If you want to park at the venue get a parking pass super early because they sell out very fast. If you get dropped off do so as early as you can on the day of the race. Traffic can be a nightmare. There is a tent that provides shelter & if cold they warm it up.

  Great Race

By MJ about 2023

Review

This race is large enough to provide competition but small enough to be no-hassle. The Race Directors are local philanthropists who donate proceeds to charity. There are military categories in addition to age group awards; and cool T-shirts for Boston qualifiers. The course is basically flat. The first 2.5 miles have a slight decline, and returning on the same roads, it is slightly uphill. The Tobacco Trail is basically flat. Avoid monotony by joining one of the carefully selected, excellent pace groups who know exactly how to navigate the course. The half-marathon course is mostly on pavement. The full marathon has some hard-packed dirt trails. There are no rocks or roots. Water, Gatorade and gels are provided at each of the road crossings. There is a warming tent for before the race, and a party with beer and band after the race.

Race Tips

There are only 2 pace clocks on the course at 13.1 and almost 20 miles, so a good sports watch is essential for keeping pace.

Don't kill yourself on the first 2 miles. You will be able to make up time once you are on the trail.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Register early and get a parking pass, since off-site shuttle buses might be confusing if coming from out of town.

  Long Gradual hills but nothing steep

By Mk about 2022

Review

Ran the full. Weather was perfect. Course is nice and shaded. I thought it would be more packed on the tight trail but I did not think it was that bad. Long Beach was worse on the back half with congestion vs this one. I feel like there should have been a little more water and nutrients on the front half. Also sucks to have to get up so early to catch the shuttle if you are driving in. Ample pizzas AMCS and bottomless beers at the end!

Race Tips

Front half seemed mostly slight downhill. Did not get tired really until mike 20 which is when you are on a long gradual uphill. Last two are pretty much downhill. You can probably go easier on the front half even though you will want to go fast because of the slight downhill on a large portions.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Maybe an uber ride would allow you to sleep in some.

  American Tobacco Trail Race 2022 3/20/22

By PC about 2022

Review

Race was perfectly run. Started precisely at 7 am.

To me this race was an ideal way to spend the last morning of winter. i would recommend it to anyone within 2-3h of the race. Also, if you are trying to podium in your age group, it is a good race because most of the fastest runners are prepping for Boston in April so the top 3 times are a bit slower (if that matters to you- it didn't to me). Its a fantastic local race that I would recommend to anyone.

The shirt was nice. simple design, good color scheme. not doing too much. I'm not an expo person so I can't comment about it either way.

Race Tips

On to the course. The description of "flat" is not really accurate. If you want truly flat in NC, you are better looking at the coastal races (emerald Isle and outer banks come to mind, though they have occasional bridge climbs which are steeper and longer than any ascent on this course). However, given this is a rail to trail course, the grade of the climbs/descents is 99.9% very gentle. I actually prefer this type of course because i tend to make up more time than I lose with gentle elevation changes like the ones here and it gives my muscle groups some variability so I don't stiffen up as much.

The hardest part for me was miles 21-24 (duh!) which are a gentle but long ascent right when most runners are hitting the wall, followed by the steepest ascents on the course over the last 2 miles of rollers (mind you they are not that steep when you look at them BEFORE you hit mile 24 and I hardly noticed them during the first 2 miles of the race on the way out)

I have seen comments about the gravel being an issue for some. There were no dust problems and the packing of the gravel was really good. I train almost exclusively on sidewalks/roads and did not perceive problems with footing/slippage. I was running for a boston qualifying time so I was not in a group/pack during the race so can't comment about how that would be (it could be an issue as there are water runoff ruts all along the course that you might have to run in if you don't have the lateral mobility and forward visibility to stay out of them as you go)

I ran with a fuel belt so was not as reliant on the aid stations prior to mile 12, so can't say much about those other than to say there were a lot of people to help pass out fluids and gels. No bananas or oranges at aid stations on course, but logistically I understand why.

Course is tree covered except for the first and last 2 miles. leaves aren't up yet but plenty of shade anyway in case the day is hot (it wasn't for us).

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Going in I was worried about the parking and shuttles because I registered too late to get a pass to the start site lot. The race site recommended arriving to shuttle area before 515 am! However, after speaking with the information attendant at the expo, this was mostly to ensure people who wanted pics, etc had time to linger before race start. I arrived at shuttle parking at 6:10, got on bus at 6:15 and was at start by 6:30. There were about 10 full sized buses waiting in cue at 6:10 to take people to the site and not nearly enough people to fill more than 2 of them so no worries about getting there on time! I think there were about 1000 portajohns (exaggeration but there were a LOT) at the start site and there were actually 2 portajohns that nobody knew about or was using when I walked by them at the back of the shuttle parking lot at 6:10 am (warning that these may not be permanent for future years). Don't panic if you don't get a start site parking pass. They really managed the shuttle situation beautifully.

I stayed at the courtyard marriot 1.3 miles from the parking/shuttle site. If you want to take a run on the marathon course prior to race day, this may not be an ideal hotel because it is a 15 minute + drive to get to the course. But it was perfect for me as it was close to the shuttle in the am which was my priority.

  Great course and well organized

By KEH about 2022

Review

This marathon was very well organized. Every detail was taken care of by the race staff. The course was very flat and beautiful. Great for new marathoners!

Race Tips

Majority of the course was on the tobacco trail. Definitely practice running on that surface ahead of time if possible

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We stayed at the Homewood Suites and had a great experience. Huge room and very clean.

  Fast & Super Course Marathon

By Abdi about 2019

Review

A dream course for fast runners, well organized with full safety in mind.

Race Tips

Arrive early and if you slow down on the course move to your far right ;-)

  Miserable Pre Race Experience

By George about 2019

Review

This race primarily takes place on a rail trail, and the starting area doesn’t have enough parking to support all runners. The expectation is that most competitors show up two hours early (5 am) to take a 20 minute shuttle to the starting area. This then leaves you waiting outside in the cold for about an hour and a half before the race starts. It's freezing and miserable, and it is not how you want to feel before the race.

The rest of the race isn't great either. No crowd support, and there’s an out and back element which might leave you weaving through packs going the other way.

Post-race is pretty decent but no different from other races at the same price point. I'd recommend finding a race that lets you be in your car or indoors before the race.

Race Tips

Dress warm and get a parking pass before it sells out

  Best Marathon in NC !

By Clark H. about 2019

Review

Out of 4 marathons, this has been my best race so far ! The weather is always perfect for running your best time: 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you stick to your pacing strategy you’ll do great ! It is there and back, flat and fast ! Some very small gradual inclines, but no hills at all ! I forgot my watch at the hotel, even devastated, I still was able to PR by 19 minutes and 1st time qualify for Boston ! I definitely recommend, they give proceeds to the American Red Cross and many more ! Help to raise more charities ! The director of the race is great ! And Jeff Galloway (1972 US Olympian) recommends the race as well ! Come to Cary, run smart in the first 10k & you will run your best race in the last 10k !

Race Tips

Get to starting line early. There is Plenty of space to warm up before the race near the start line. Take first 10k slower than race pace, slowly increase to race pace and run below race pace for the last 10k. Even splits are great as well to help avoid hitting the wall !

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Embassy suites hotel is expensive but gives TBM discounts for those running the race. I encourage to eat big lunch the day before the race, light to no dinner, usually breakfast 3 hours before the race, order pizza and wings day after the race !

  Excellent choice for New Marathoners and BQ hopefuls

By CC about 2018

Review

Excellent route, with gentle rolling hills. Two turn around points and mostly straight (6 Turns I believe). Volunteers were great, plenty to have at aid stations. Expo is well attended and organized. Many vendors and goodies to have.

Race Tips

Since it does not have many hills, and the ones are mostly rolling hills be very careful during the first few miles, since you might feel the need to go out faster than you should.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Using the buses is a no brainer. They will come and go very frequently, no reason to stress out about it. Which is great.

  If you're trying to BQ (and you're on the edge) don't run this.

By AN about 2017

Review

First off, this is a very good marathon, and one I'd recommend to someone running a race for the first time. That being said, if you are trying to BQ (and you are within about 5 minutes of that timeframe) pick a flatter course with less congestion. The second half of this course will be clogged with half marathoners. They ask the full marathoners to "take a right" about 2 and half miles into the course, and the half marathoners to take a left. When the chips are down, and you're struggling to finish on the last 3 miles, the last thing you want is a swarm of runners that congest the already narrow pathway of this marathon. It does make it more difficult.

Race Tips

If you're going to run this race, train to do hills, and get really good at "feeling" out your pace. Why? Because your GPS watch is going to be off by about 40 seconds. The tree cover is so HIGH that it blocks out the GPS signal, distorting your pace. You'll be running along looking at your watch, and it'll say 7:25 pace, then you'll click off a 6:40. Yes, the difference is THAT big. This is why I don't recommend this marathon for beginners.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Transit to this race is difficult. Most, if not all, hotels are a very sizeable distance away. And since you have to be at the race pretty early, it's almost necessary to have someone drop you off (which I recommend). There is a bus shuttle that takes you from a parking lot, but again, please have someone go with you.

  

By ILB about 2017

Review

The course is not even close to being flat as advertised and the lack of pavement makes it even slower.

  

By MM about 2017

Review

A fast but boring course. Run with a pacer or friend.

Race Tips

There are not many clocks on the course, so a pace group or group of friends your speed is helpful.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Carpool

  Come get your BQ

By GD about 2016

Review

Well run, with general cool early season weather and most of the course is save the first and last 3 miles is shaded and protected from winds. Doesn't have the crowd support like some bigger races, but this is a logistically easy and inexpensive BQ race. If you want a Boston BQ or need an early season fitness test, this is your spot.

Race Tips

First two miles are rolling hills then mostly flat/downhill to the American Tobacco Trail. The old RR base makes for a constant false flat up/down so settle into you pace and you will be rewarded with some intervals. The later part of the race is a little more downhill so the last 4 miles on the trail and the return to finish are a bit harder to hang onto. The last mile has a decent hill followed by a fast downhill into the park with a one last uphill to the finish so watch for cramps as you empty the tank to the line.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Lots of close local hotels. Buy the parking pass and you can sit in your car almost to the gun. Lots of post race refreshments, nice swag and a beer garden.

  

By Mh about 2016

Review

Loved it. Great race.

  

By LAR about 2016

  

By ZL about 2015

Review

Loved the organization from packet pickup to after race party. Flattest marathon course!

Race Tips

Stay close to the pacers if want to PR. Drink water at every station!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The earlier you arrive the better! Get the parking pass!!

  

By drh about 2014