The following map of the entire course is interactive and is linked to ridewithgps.com. To achieve a full screen view of the map, click on “View Full Version” in the upper left of the map image. When viewing the interactive map, you can highlight a section of the course to view a more detailed elevation chart of that section. To view a more detailed section:
- Move your cursor along the x-axis (mileage) of the elevation graph. Mileage, elevation, and % grade will be displayed.
- Click and hold a beginning point on the elevation graph. Drag your cursor and highlight the segment/distance that you wish to view in greater detail. When you release your mouse, the highlighted segment will be displayed.
- To return to the full graph, single click the “de-select” button or single click the graph.
Marathon Course Notes:
- The Start and Finish Lines for Marathon are located on the gravel road of The Woodshed.
- The course is predominantly paved with 5 dirt/gravel road sections:
- The first dirt/gravel section is the Start – Mile 0.15.
- The second section, which includes private roadways (Mile 6.6 – 7.7) includes: Mile 6.6 – 7.2 uphill (+200 ft gain), followed by a downhill, Mile 7.2 – 7.7 (-185 ft loss). The uphill section is mostly a small, tree covered lane, which follows a babbling brook.
- The third section (Mile 10.7 – 11.0) is flat, adjacent to the New River.
- The fourth section follows a private right-of-way along Call Creek (Mile 24.0 – 25.0).
- The Finish is on the gravel/dirt road of The Woodshed.
- Race Flow:
- Start – Mile 0.5: Gradual uphill start with rolling hills to Mile 0.5. Run on the Right.
- Mile 0.5 – 1.4: Long downhill (-253 ft). Easy warm-up, but save those quads. Run on the Right for this long downhill.
- Mile 1.4 – 6.6: Flat section along Railroad Grade Rd and the New River (+54 ft). Don’t let the beauty of the New River valley lull you. Keep a lookout for bald eagle, osprey, turkey, deer… Run on the Left.
- Mile 6.6 – 7.7. Time to change gears on this 1/2 mile gravel uphill (+200 ft), followed by 1/2 mile gravel downhill (-185 ft).
- Mile 7.7 – 11.2: Flat along Railroad Grade Rd, Big Hill Rd and the New River. You’ll skirt the edge of the historic hamlet of Todd (+41 ft).
- Mile 10.1: You’ll run a short (550 ft) out-and-back into Todd. The turn-around is just before the Todd Mercantile. You will be directed to run on the Right for this short section.
- Mile 11.2 – 12.2: Changing gears again as you run the “rolling” hills on Big Hill Rd. (+125 ft, -125 ft) However, you will not have the “pleasure” of the road’s namesake.
- Mile 12.2 – 14.4: Back to the scenic valley along the river and River Rd (+13 ft).
- Mile 14.4 – 15.0: Climb to 3231 ft, the highest elevation on the course (+244 ft).
- Mile 15.0 – 16.2: Enjoy the long recovery downhill as you drop back to the river valley (-271 ft).
- Mile 16.2 – 23.7: Flat along the New River as you progress toward downtown Fleetwood (-83 ft).
- Mile 23.7 – 23.9: A short climb as you depart the river valley and enter an enchanting private gravel lane along Call Creek.
- IMPORTANT: Mack Woodie Dr (Mile 23.9 – 25.1) is a private right-of-way and can only be accessed during the New River Marathon. DO NOT attempt to run this section outside of NRM.
- Mile 23.9 – 25.1: Only +29 ft on this scenic stretch as you prepare for the final uphill and the push to the finish, but the one short, steep incline may give the perception of a greater gain.
- Mile 25.1 – 25.6: The end is near! Hang in there! (+196 ft)
- Mile 25.6 – Finish: To The FINISH!
- Support Stations: approximately every 2 miles. Refer to the Race Day Logistics page for details.