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Latest reviews by John
John recommends this race
(2015)
"25k of trails conquered"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The Conquer the Cove 25k and Trail Marathon is the culminating event of the Mountain Junkies Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series (RNUTS). It's held the last Sunday of May at Carvin's Cove, a scenic series of trails that border the reservoir, which acts as the Roanoke Valley's main water supply.
In its fifth year, Conquer the Cove has grown to attract those seeking a challenge before trying an ultra. This was my first year doing it. And while I was told to prepare for the challenges of the hills, I thought I would be fine. While I did finish, it was a much more challenging run than I believed.
The elevation profiles of the 25k and marathon are intense. Runners of the Blue Ridge Marathon will appreciate the climb in this race. For those who have run BRM, Roanoke Mountain and Peakwood, while challenging, pale in comparison to the Brushy Mountain climb. It keeps going, and going, and going.
Runners of the 25k hit Brushy Mountain around mile 8 and will climb for a good 2 miles to the top. The marathoners will endure the same climb at mile 16 (which is normally when I hit the wall. Can't imagine doing a climb at that point).
The course winds through several trails in and around Carvin's Cove before ending at Loch Haven Lake, a private swimming club located on a small lake. The lakeside finish is a great spot to cool your aching legs or take a full plunge. The 25k had four aid stations with water, Gatorade, and a few snacks. Other than those spots, runners are pretty much on their own through the trails.
The early start of 6:30 am means most of your running can be done before it gets too hot. There is a cutoff time for the marathon, but it's generous enough to let most anyone who's done a distance race before to finish.
The only downside I had about this race is the parking. Because it begins in a private club, parking is really limited. I carpooled with a friend and we were able to get a tight spot. The Mountain Junkies encourage carpooling in all of their pre-race communications so you know to plan ahead.
Other than that, it's a great course that's well managed and supported with volunteers. I highly recommend this race for those seeking to do a trail marathon with some challenging aspects to it.
Pics for the race can be found on the Mountain Junkies Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Junkies-LLC/282116549071
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John recommends this race
(2014)
"Grandin Court Road and Trail Challenge"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
I love running in smaller races. Races that draw large crowds have their place, but my preference is to aim for neighborhood runs. I’m especially fortunate to have a few that run through my neighborhood or are close enough to run to as a warmup.
The Grandin Court Road and Trail Challenge fits that description. Sponsored by a Baptist church, the race is held about a mile from my home and uses a lot of the streets and trails I regularly run for the course. It started as a 5K but organizers later added a 10K option, which is basically a second lap. The 5K is still the popular choice, drawing more than 100 participants this year. The 10K had 18 runners total.
I’ve come to appreciate the 10K distance a lot recently. To me, it requires more strategy and endurance than a 5K. My times running a 10K have improved, especially in the last few years now that I’ve done more training for marathons. The 10K is also the distance I mark off when I’m doing a marathon. After 20 miles, I tell myself “Now, it’s only a 10K.”
The first mile of the course followed rolling hills through neighborhood streets in SW Roanoke City. Runners then entered the woods for the trail portion, which followed a curvy path for another mile. There were certain places where we had to loop around, which I think caused some confusion among the leaders of both races. When I hit the trail portion, it looks like the marshals got confused and directed some of the lead runners to go in a different direction. Not sure how they ended up or if they recovered their lead.
Since it was near my house, I knew the trail well and enjoyed running through the paths. It had rained that morning, which made the path muddy and some of the rocks slick. The last half-mile left the trail and returned to the roads for the finish.
Those of us doing the 10K were directed to run the course again. I felt faster and stronger the second time through, and especially enjoyed hitting the trail again. I crossed the line at 51:37. That’s slower than my PR, but I was pleased with the time given that part of the run was over trails that I typically do at a slower pace.
Since I didn’t drive to the race, I made a plan to walk/run back to my house as part of a cooldown. The rain returned with a downpour which soaked me as I ran through the woods home. Some of the marshals were still on the course and thought I was in the race. I had to wave and tell them that no, I was headed home. I was drenched and muddy when I got home, but I felt great.