General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tobacco Road Marathon Question Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2013-10-23 2:59 PM

User image

Veteran
434
10010010010025
Apex, NC
Subject: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
I am considering doing the marathon. I did the half last year. I am hoping for a 3:10-3:20 time (emphasis on hoping). Does anyone know if the marathoners get tangled up with the slower HM finishers? I only ask because the trail is pretty narrow and last year on my way back from the HM turnaround I had a big issue getting squeezed off the trail by people running 4 abreast going the other direction. From a timing perspective, once the marathoners cross over to join the HM course, the faster runners would meet the HMers coming back from their turnaround and then probably overtake some of them (there were many 3+ hour HMers last year) before the finish. But maybe this isn't an issue in reality?

BTW, this is in no way being critical of the folks running the 3+ hour HM. I just want to understand for my own planning.

Edited by smoom 2013-10-23 3:01 PM


2013-10-23 3:27 PM
in reply to: smoom

User image

Expert
1342
100010010010025
Apex, NC
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Not sure how it would fare...I've only raced on Tobacco Road once, in 2010. I did the half, and was at the pointy end of the field running headlong into the slower HMers for what seemed like miles. That said, they've changed the course around again since then.

Tell you what...if you're making a BQ run there, I'll be your escort and ring a cowbell out in front of you on my mountain bike

I BQ'd at Shamrock (no tangling with HMers, then again at Boston (everyone going in the same direction)
2013-10-23 7:09 PM
in reply to: smoom

User image

Expert
1394
1000100100100252525
Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
just drive 2hrs southeast and come do Wrightsville Beach. Fast course and the day after you can just sit on the beach an.d drink a beer.
2013-10-23 7:48 PM
in reply to: #4883254

User image

Expert
1342
100010010010025
Apex, NC
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Where's the like button for Daryn's post????
2013-10-23 9:33 PM
in reply to: #4883397

User image

Veteran
434
10010010010025
Apex, NC
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Fgump: you could probably pace me running and not even try too hard. Yes, I am thinking this will be the BQ attempt for the year.

Wrightsville dudes: a very tempting prospect!
2013-10-24 9:59 AM
in reply to: qrkid

User image

Elite
3060
200010002525
N Carolina
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Originally posted by qrkid

just drive 2hrs southeast and come do Wrightsville Beach. Fast course and the day after you can just sit on the beach an.d drink a beer.


x2! I've run both the half and the full. Love the Wrightsville Beach Marathon!!!


2013-11-13 8:11 PM
in reply to: japarker24

User image

The Original
7834
5000200050010010010025
Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
x3 on Wrightsville Beach! I've only run the half and got my best PR there!
2013-12-04 1:53 PM
in reply to: smoom

User image

Member
137
10025
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Originally posted by smoom

I am considering doing the marathon. I did the half last year. I am hoping for a 3:10-3:20 time (emphasis on hoping). Does anyone know if the marathoners get tangled up with the slower HM finishers? I only ask because the trail is pretty narrow and last year on my way back from the HM turnaround I had a big issue getting squeezed off the trail by people running 4 abreast going the other direction. From a timing perspective, once the marathoners cross over to join the HM course, the faster runners would meet the HMers coming back from their turnaround and then probably overtake some of them (there were many 3+ hour HMers last year) before the finish. But maybe this isn't an issue in reality?

BTW, this is in no way being critical of the folks running the 3+ hour HM. I just want to understand for my own planning.


I've done the full three times (2010, 2011, 2012) and my last was my BQ marathon. I also was attempting a sub 3 hour finish in 2012 and failed for a whole host of reasons. Your question is valid and a problem for sure. When I was coming back up from White Oak Church in the final miles on trail, I had lots of issues navigating half walkers who were in some places walking three across. I was totally gassed and really didn't appreciate having to navigate around them when I was in so much pain. That being said, I don't think it really had any bearing on my result and I love this race for a whole host of reasons. BUT, the ATT is a brutal place to PR. Those long gradual inclines like the one from Scott King to O'Kelly Chapel are brutal though you don't realize it at the time.

Last year I ran the half at Myrtle and loved the course and I'll be running the half at WB this year. Though I love running on the ATT, I have no plans to race on it again any time soon.

Just my 2 cents!
2013-12-15 6:47 PM
in reply to: runnergirl

User image

Elite
3683
20001000500100252525
Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Originally posted by runnergirl

x3 on Wrightsville Beach! I've only run the half and got my best PR there!


Fastest of my two marathons at WB! Great race and it's not super huge. Flat, great support, and it helps that the beach is right there.

That being said, will be doing the TR half this year, since it's close and i can be home before lunch! I hear TR (both full and half) are fast.

Good luck!
2014-01-07 1:02 PM
in reply to: smoom

User image


2

Subject: RE: Tobacco Road Marathon Question
Hey...one of those Half Mile folks I did finish!
You should not have any trouble w/ "us" we move to the right always.
I enjoyed watching the 1st place marathoners go by then saw the top 1/4 of the others on the other side of the trail. They were so kind to wave or say good job.
Hope you puchased a parking pass.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tobacco Road Marathon Question Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Tobacco road marathon

Started by TurtleMan77
Views: 810 Posts: 1

2012-01-06 6:34 PM TurtleMan77

Tobacco road as a first?

Started by tgrunnin
Views: 1418 Posts: 13

2011-11-18 3:23 PM Ubear97

Tobacco Road Half and Full Marathon: the aftermath *pix*

Started by halfpint
Views: 2240 Posts: 17

2010-03-23 9:44 PM DougRob

Tobacco Road Half and Full Marathon : Official Thread Pages: 1 2

Started by DougRob
Views: 4998 Posts: 46

2010-03-21 8:55 PM bps8229

Raleigh Rocks & Tobacco Road Marathon/Half Marathon

Started by maria40nc
Views: 6466 Posts: 10

2009-12-18 8:06 AM DMarkSwan
RELATED ARTICLES
date : February 26, 2013
author : mikericci
comments : 0
If you are a person who feels safer on the trails rather than the road, but you still want to race, this article will help you better train.
 
date : September 30, 2011
comments : 0
How do you incorporate marathon training into a triathlon training plan?
date : August 11, 2011
author : FitWerx
comments : 1
Dean from Fitwerx answers a BT member question about what kind of bike should be the "next bike."
 
date : April 28, 2011
author : fivecents
comments : 5
What my first sprint distance triathlon taught me about myself.
date : April 22, 2009
author : AMSSM
comments : 1
After the Marine Corps Marathon, I started developing left lower/lateral leg pain late in my marathon training and pushed through it.
 
date : April 20, 2009
author : FitWerx
comments : 0
I'm considering a road frame buildup, what considerations should I take into account when swapping all of my components from my current setup to a new frame?
date : December 27, 2008
author : FitWerx
comments : 9
Are you a beginner triathlete? This video will compare triathlon bikes and road bikes to help you figure out what is best for you as you begin your triathlon training.
 
date : August 17, 2007
author : scoli121
comments : 6
I quickly browsed an article in Men's Health that talked about doing a triathlon, and how it wasn't really that hard. With a "tsk!" I quickly turned the page while thinking, "Yeah, right!"