Let me tell you coming from Massachusetts I was blown away by the scenery in VA. This course is absolutely stunning especially the starting time at 7:30 you get to see the Sun Rise on the course.

There is plenty of free parking on streets near the race and a free parking garage right next to Elmwood park.

The race was so well done to do social distancing right of at the starting line they set out flour six feet apart too distance racers and sent people off in corrals in 50 based off of time.

There is a reason this race is deemed the most hardest marathon in the U.S. the amount of elevation you put your body through going up multiple mountains and downhills takes a beating on your body. Right of the start of the race two miles in you start encountering uphills and start going towards the Roanoke Star then it starts to get really hilly. People think mile 5 and 9 is the hardest part of the course In my opinion it is all mental the entire course is inclines and near the end near mile 19-24 it starts to become very hilly and rolling hills. You could possibly wing this marathon but I don't recommend it and train for it.

You could run this marathon for a timed goal but I recommend doing it to finish and maybe next year tackle it for a time. I got lost in the scenery at some points zoning out and slowing down to look at the amazing views and greenery near me on the course.

The aid stations were so supportive of all race distances and amped up all the runners going by whether it was giving out snacks or hydration to runners they gave 110% to the runners.

P.S. some stations have champagne and mimosas if you are feeling extra vicious.

In all honesty I will most likely do this race again and recommend to everyone to at least do it once and see how you will feel. It is suppose to be hard but you will feel so rewarded after you beat this course no matter the distance it is an amazing feeling.