Peak To Creek Marathon Reviews

  Great down hill !

By CY about 2019

Review

It is a down hill marathon and have only a few uphill but doesn't Mather for me. Overall I enjoy had a great experience and also got my PR 11 minutes ! Also the volunteer and the staff are great had experienced during the race forgot my car key I left in the place that I rent for a night before the race, and one of the staff which is the volunteer drive me in order to get my car keys right after the race and drove me back again , thank you so much really do appreciated it ! that is very hospitality !! highly recommended to every one to do the race trust me on this :)

Race Tips

Many train downhill mix with uphill in order to get stronger legs

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

For me I choose rent a room in AIR BNB and search near Morganton area ,simple very affordable . My suggestion park the car near finish line which is at Brown beach mountain and taking buss with the other participation to the start line simple .

  great down hill !

By CY about 2019

Review

It is a down hill marathon and have only a few uphill but doesn't Mather for me. Overall I enjoy had a great experience and also got my PR 11 minutes ! Also the volunteer and the staff are great had experienced during the race forgot my car key I left in the place that I rent for a night before the race, and one of the staff which is the volunteer drive me in order to get my car keys right after the race and drove me back again , thank you so much really do appreciated it ! that is very hospitality !! highly recommended to every one to do the race trust me on this :)

Race Tips

many train downhill mix with uphill in order to get stronger legs

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

for me I choose rent a room in AIR BNB and search near Morganton area ,simple very affordable . My suggestion park the car near finish line which is at Brown beach mountain and taking buss with the other participation to the start line simple .

  "NET" DOWNHILL EXPLAINED

By CD about 2019

Review

I ran this yesterday for the 2nd time. First time, I BQ'd, but not by much. Yes, this is a NET downhill...BUT: It's very hilly. You will encounter uphill sections during the first 6 miles and then during the last 11 miles along the river. Yes, there are plenty of uphill sections toward the end, although it's advertised as "all downhill" once you get to the river. The middle part is mostly (severely) downhill, but it could easily wear you out and ruin it if you try and bank too much time. Did not like the course on 2nd thought (rocky!) and that it started 30 minutes late. Too many cars. Even the volunteers on bikes were in the way. Did like the value you receive. Fall colors and scenery are wonderful. Food/drink spread at the end is great!

Race Tips

Do hill training and lots of it! This is a very inconsistent course. 2 up and backs and turnarounds. BEWARE of pebbles and rocks! I inadvertently kicked a lot of pebbles along the way and turned my ankle 3 times on large rocks on trails. I noticed others did, too. There were lots of fishermen and their trucks out on the road during the final 11 miles. Some will blow by you closely. Most runners are on the right side of the road with traffic, so you can't see traffic sneaking up on you. Do not recommend running against traffic. Do NOT count on your cell phone to work. Print a detailed map of the area ahead of time. The Marathon gas station opened AFTER runners left. My race strategy if I were to run again would be to stay on pace the whole time and not attempt to bank any time on the steep descent.

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

8 am is a rather late start, so there are many motels you can choose from, even an hour away. Our hotel was 30 minutes away, and they didn't even know a marathon was going on. This is a terrible race for spectators. Would not recommend driving along the narrow roads to see your runner. Don't forget to print out a map you can read, because you won't have cell service in a large part of this mountainous area.

  Logistics need improvement

By TW about 2019

Review

This was my 39th marathon and enjoyed it overall. It is not a PR course due to the steep downhill nature of the first 15 miles (most of it on winding, rocky roads). The scenery is great and the weather (post light rain, low 60's, cloudy, foggy) was fine. The physical exertion for this race is not a factor as it's all down hill. Heart rate stayed low throughout. The hardest part of this race is staying focused on the road just ahead of your feet and holding back on the pace for the first 15 miles. Of course - holding back - causes excess strain on the quads. I was very concerned that I would trip and fall on the protruding rocks on the gravel portions of the course.

Race Tips

Stick with the race director's pacing recommendations and this will set you up for a stronger finish than if you go full out early. Several athletes ignored this and ended up walking in the final stretch (10 miles) of the race.

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

The logistics for this race were amateur at best. Could have used some (any) lighting in the parking area at the finish line for safety. Each of the many emails from the race director in weeks prior to the event warned that runners should arrive early so as to not miss the bus to the start line. Charter buses were to leave for the start at 6:15 - 6:30 a.m., but were 45 minutes late. Race director emails suggested using the restrooms on the bus on the way to the start as there wouldn't be many accomodations there. Each charter bus restroom was locked and thus useless. At the start there were 10 portapotties (which was acceptable), but race officials didn't allow adequate time for warm-up, pre-race stretching and final restroom activity before starting the race.

There was no national anthem, no prayer, no warning that the race was about to begin and no starters gun, horn or sound other than the director saying have a good race.

If you choose this race - be flexible and keep expectations for logistical efficiency to a minimum.

  Good course (although very steep)

By LAC about 2019

Review

Good course (although very steep). I would recommend aid stations are set-up consistently throughout the course. The spacing of aid stations was fine, but it would be helpful to have 2 different types of cups for sport drink vs water. It would also be helpful to have signs designating where the sports drink vs water is located. It would also be helpful to have each station's arrangement of cups the same throughout the course (water first, gatorade second or visa versa).

  Take a Chance, Why Not

By Bh about 2019

Review

The extreme downhill section is a blast. If you're experienced and maintain good form, it's a chance to fly like a bomber jet among gorgeous trees and winding trails. Everyone cautions not to go too fast there -- and, that's good advice. But, my running partner and I were having so much fun, we let loose, saying, "What's the worst that can happen -- the final 10 miles hurt? Let's take a chance, why not?" That strategy, while admittedly ill-advised, worked for us. We both clocked huge PRs. (And, yes, the final 10 miles were hard as hell. Ultra dummies know it gets better if you just keep going.) In addition to the wild course, I also love the co-race directors / timers. It's a husband and wife team, and it's evident that this isn't a big city marathon. But, as someone who prefers trails to road races, I mean that as a compliment. P2C has a very cozy feel to it, particularly because David's pre-race emails are humorous and full of course tips.

Race Tips

There were more uphills than I expected, both in the first six miles and the final ten. The course profile makes it look as if those sections are completely flat or slightly downhill. They aren't. Hills at mile 5, 10, and, especially, 20 and 25 threw me for a loop.

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

Get a hotel or Air BnB well in advance. This race is remote, and accomodations can be hard to find.

  Not all that is advertised, PR can be done but it is different

By rvs about 2018

Review

Dislike:
-Muddy waterhole finish through a parking lot with people can backing out cars.
-Muddy backroads with ruts
-deceptive rolling hills among the steep descent -bus bottomed out at the starting line so we had to exit -course management is tough to avoid quad burnout and a miserable last 8 miles.
-be prepared for your quads/legs to be sort of days after :)


Like: -Scenic mountainous route on the descent -Cool starting and ending temps

Race Tips

Listen to the race director he preaches the gospel. This is not an automatic slam dunk PR course. It requires different strategy than most flat or rolling hill marathons. Weather conditions will likely be wet and it is a muddy course.

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

Stay in Morganton off I-40. Limited rooms available near the course start.

  Listen to the race director

By WS about 2017

Review

This is a great small marathon. Its fast, well organized and scenic. I cannot say enough great things about this race. Its my current PR and overall favorite. Great and FREE food at the end provided by the locals.

Race Tips

Everything people on here complain about means that didn't pay attention to the detailed emails the race director sends out. He tells you exactly how to run the course to give you the best time and he adds to the FAQs frequently. If you pay attention to what he says you'll have a great race.

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

Not many hotels in the immediate area. Best to book an AirBnb or cabin early! Lenoir, Hickory, and Boone provide best hotel rates and they're all under an hour from the start.

  Disappointing

By CT about 2017

Review

I've wanted to run this race for years, mostly to PR, because it gets amazing reviews for being a fast course. I got my 2nd best time, but the course beat me to death. Every part of my body hurt, and not in a good way. I twisted my ankle multiple times and had to carefully watch my step for the majority of the race. It is very hilly the first 6 miles or so. I wouldn't have been as bothered if the "fast downhill™ portion of the race hadn't been on a rutted road. The finish line is absolutely horrible. I can't believe this course is certified with a finish line that involves looping through a parking lot, where people were walking, pushing strollers, backing their cars out as you're trying to make the last .2 or so to the finish. I was so confused, I thought I was going in the wrong direction. By mile 26, no one should have to dodge cars and strollers to get to the finish. There is no crowd support on course, which doesn't bother me that bad, but if you need that, this is not the race for you. Everyone I went with felt the same I as do about this race. I've ran some super hard courses, including the Blue Ridge marathon (I LOVED it and would run it again tomorrow) but this course is not a good course to PR on or otherwise, in my opinion. I normally would leave a "nasty™ review, but I truly wish someone had informed me better before I wasted a trip and wear and tear on my body for this race.

  

By dp about 2016

Review

Downhill and then flat. Off road but not a trail. Few spectators but a great race to qualify.

Race Tips

Hold back during the first half and especially the downhills

  

By DG about 2016

Review

This downhill marathon features 6 miles of rolling hills at the top, 9 miles of a mountain descent and 11 miles of flat to down along a mountain creek. I love the scenery. The course can be good or bad depending on how smart you run it. Either way your quads will hurt. Minimal to no crowd support. BQ potential on the course is high if you run smart. Most runners are experienced.

Race Tips

Don't put too much money in the bank going down the mountain or you will lose it all at the bottom!

  

By DSW about 2016

Review

Course is absolutely beautiful! You can definitely PR if you run it properly. Follow the race director's advice and don't try to bank too much time on the big downhill portion or you will pay for it in the later stages.

Race Tips

Follow the race director's advice on how to run this course.

  

By Mark Wagner about 2015

Review

I ran the P2C this year and really "enjoyed" it (as much as one can). The race was very well organized, the weather was great (cool, foggy, slightly misty). The road surfaces were pretty good. Paved for about the first 5+ miles, dirt/gravel for the big descent, packed dirt (almost felt like pavement) from mile 15 to around 21, and a bit looser dirt/gravel for the last 5 miles. The only downside was the anticlimactic finish which weaves through the parking area. The misty weather kept down the road dust, so even the occasional passing car did not cause an issue. Even with the looser dirt in places, it is definitely not a "trail run". I never felt like I had footing issues.

The view was very nice, although you are in the trees for most of the descent, so there weren't many panoramic mountain views. However, the forest scenery during the first half and the winding river that runs along the course from mile 15 to the finish were beautiful.

Water/Gatorade/GU stations were well placed and well manned by friendly volunteers. Race Director David Lee did a good job of sending updates in the week before the race and his website give great information on logistics and race strategy. The bus ride from the finish to the start was painless, and the buses were very nice... I was expecting school buses and got "motor coaches".

I have not repeated a race yet, but I may consider running the P2C again.

Race Tips

Conserve your energy on for the last 10 miles of the race. It is tempting to open it up on the downhill to bank time. I found that following the recommendations from the race website and controlling myself from mile 5.5-15 really paid off in the end.

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

There are not many hotels close to the start or finish. Reserve early and target a place closer to the finish. There is absolutely no parking at the start, so use the bus service. I stayed in Blowing Rock, which is about 35 minutes from the finish line. That worked well as it provided a nice touristy location for pre and post race activities (aka, drinking, eating, and sleeping).

  

By DL about 2013

Review

Perfect organization, course well signaled and aid stations full, with good stuff. superb, very friendly atmosphere at pickup and with all volunteers. chartered buses take you from the finish to the start at the top of the mountain. you can make friends on the bus. gorgeous course in the beautiful mountains, cascades, rivers, woods, wildlife. delicious air, less than 10 cars (which is good considering the dust). perfect organization. fast course.

Race Tips

Follow the pace strategy :) read the 12-page race instructions :) take the time to enjoy the beautiful course. maybe do some special downhill training, but honestly it didn't hurt me.

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

Follow the race instructions, it includes everything you can thing of, up to FAQ and the discount and late checkout you can get at some hotels. the race organizers do the rest for you. did I say "perfect organization" ?

  

By Dp about 0000

Review

Downhill. That is good and bad but at least it is not uphill. Great course to PR. Sign up early. Sold out in 20 minutes on the original cut off

Race Tips

Go easy on the downhill and you will be okay. After the race get into Wilson's creek to help heal those battered legs

  

By 2016 about 0000

Review

Down hill most of way.