Review of the Hatfield McCoy Marathonin the Appalachia Mountains

Grab your shotgun and straw hat; leave your shoes at home, unless they are running shoes of course, because we are going to the Appalachia Mountains for the Hatfield McCoy marathon.

The Hatfield's and McCoy's are two different families notorious for their violent feud, which lasted several years and rocked the Appalachian Mountains with murder and gunfire. Years after the feud was settled the families began to come together to celebrate life and remember those lost to violence. Since then the annual Hatfield & McCoy reunion festival has been held in Williamsburg West Virginia, which is directly next to Goody Kentucky. The festival lasts for several days and includes an old fashioned hoedown, music festival, reenactments, tug-o-war, and most importantly marathon and half marathon.

In 2000 the Hatfield/McCoy Marathon and half marathon was established with the intent of having a marathon which crossed back and forth from Kentucky into West Virginia and circled all the notorious spots where violent occurrences between the two notorious families occurred. Since it's debut seven years ago the marathon has grown to host a field of over two hundred runners and be the largest event in the small town of Goody Kentucky. The marathon kicks off at 7:30am on Saturday June 10^th of this year and expects to host the largest field of runners yet. The marathon is preceded by a pasta dinner the night before and is followed by a post race BBQ and music festival that seems to be the climax of the entire reunion.

The Marathon itself is one of the best I've seen, with a route, which is teeming with friendly locals you cannot go wrong running in Appalachia. The marathon starts when a shotgun is fired in the air at Food City in Goody Kentucky, and climbs through the hills up a mile long mountain. After the treacherous descent down the mile long hill, runners will soon find themselves crossing the beautiful Tug River. The Tug itself is not very large but adds fantastic scenery as well as welcome relief from the June sun. Runner's will cross the Tug three times by my count with one of the times being on a large wooden foot bridge which adds for some interesting cadences. The final crossing of the Tug river comes at mile 26 where the marathon crosses from Kentucky into West Virginia and rounds itself out in downtown Williamsburg. Runners will go down main street for the final stretch and once crossing the finish line runners will find welcome relief in the form of many volunteers.

The Hatfield/McCoy is by far the friendliest marathon I have ever run. With a small crowd and yet adequate sponsors the Hatfield/McCoy seems to be a very well organized and very promising marathon. The course is fairly hilly, not to be feared, but respected. The water stops are well supplied, although water is the only drink that is offered, but most of all the fanfare at the finish line is truly what sets the Hatfield/McCoy apart from other marathons. With music from blue grass bands, volunteers who give massages and ice down hot runners and aid stations which rival the professionalism of any major marathon, the Hatfield McCoy proves to be a celebration of all running has to offer and of true Appalachian hospitality.

Runners looking to venture into the hills for the Hatfield/McCoy reunion festival Marathon can expect warm and friendly people, solid hills and mountains, good food, great entertainment, and a marathon experience that is memorable to say the least. All finishers receive a medal and age group winners will receive trophies. Truly a unique experience, every marathon runner should see the humorous nature and friendliness which the Hatfield's and McCoy's display during this entertaining event.