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Marathon Details - Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > VA > Covington > Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon

Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon

Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Covington, VA USA

June 8, 2024

http://www.jacksonrivermarathon.com

Marathon Results

By Year:

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

The Jackson River Scenic Trail follows its namesake river, winding its way between Intervale, just north of Covington, to Smith Bridge Trail Head 14.4 miles north. The trail follows an old railroad bed of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (Hot Springs Branch) and passes through small communities, cultivated fields, and small patches of woodland along the way. It's common to see wildlife from the trail (birds, turtles, raccoons, rabbits, groundhogs, and deer).

Contact Information

Name:	Josh Taylor
Address:	110 Mall Road Covington, VA 24426
Phone Number:	5409622178
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (7)

Course 4.9

Organization 5.0

Spectators 1.7

Write a review

Number of comments: 7

S. C. from Greensboro, North Carolina (6/21/2022) "Great marathon!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the Half-Marathon here in June 2020 and the Marathon in June 2022. For a June marathon in the south, it is wonderful. The weather can be hit or miss, but both years we lucked out. In 2022 the temperature at the start of the marathon was 56 and perhaps 70 or 72 at the finish, though there is considerable shade about 85-90% of the course, which is out and back. It is a beautiful course, well-organized, frequent aid stations with water and gatorade, friendly and supportive volunteers, and a fairly flat course. Miles 11-13 are slightly uphill for a long, slow grade, and again from 24-26 there is a very slight but long uphill grade. Overall, however, a very quick course worthy of a PR if the weather is cool. This was my 46th marathon (first was in 1978) and I rate this very highly. It is truly a great small race in a small town: well-organized on a great course. It is a bit lonely, as the number of runners is small, so don't expect competition throughout. I was a bit disappointed that for a $100 entry the race t-shirt was a short-sleeve cotton shirt (though nice design) and for an age group award was a spartan ribbon. I'm not into swag (after 1,100 races over 50 years, swag is not a motivator for me), but at the price of entry a high-tech race shirt would have been nice, and/or some more unique awards. Overall, a great race which I highly recommend.
Audie Henelius from Charlottesville, va (6/7/2021) "A beautifully organized event on ideal footing." (about: 2021) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was wonderfully organized and all workers/volunteers were helpful and friendly. The hydration and fueling stations were PERFECT, just doesn't get any better! Everything from packet pick up to parking to the starting line was easy and smooth. The trail itself was a joy to run on: flat, shaded,soft crushed gravel surface and lovely surroundings. It just doesn't get much better than this if you are looking for a small marathon in quiet surroundings. I highly recommend it!!
jim miller from Orlando, FL (6/28/2020) "THE best trail race in the country" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Those at registration were gracious with their time - staying late for a few of us showing up right at 4pm! The soft gravel trail was easy on the feet. The scenic tour along the Jackson River, and the contributing creeks, the shady trees and even the perfect weather - such a welcome respite from traffic jams and exhaust fumes. THE best aid stations in America - and to take the time to zip lock orange slices! And great attendants - all supportive.
G. R. from NC (6/28/2020) "Perfect Small marathon" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From the easy package pickup and pre-race parking next to the start line, to the plentiful rest rooms at the start you could not ask for a better pre-race setup. The flat, crushed stone out and back trail, mostly shaded with mileage markers every half mile is a perfect course. The scenery along the Jackson River is as advertised. Twenty (!) fully stocked aid stations along the way with excellent volunteers makes for a great experience. I would tell any marathoner they would be glad to put this marathon on their list.
G. M. from Virginia (4/27/2020) "Small, well-run race. Nice, nearly-flat course." (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Don't be misled by 'trail' in the name. Out-and-back course on a converted railroad route. Footing never a concern. Fine, crushed stone. Wide, sweeping turns along the river. As flat as anyone could imagine in western Virginia. Small race and don't expect spectators, almost none other than aid stations. Shaded in many areas, but late June typically is very warm. Well-run event.



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S. C. from Greensboro, North Carolina (6/21/2022) "Great marathon!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the Half-Marathon here in June 2020 and the Marathon in June 2022. For a June marathon in the south, it is wonderful. The weather can be hit or miss, but both years we lucked out. In 2022 the temperature at the start of the marathon was 56 and perhaps 70 or 72 at the finish, though there is considerable shade about 85-90% of the course, which is out and back. It is a beautiful course, well-organized, frequent aid stations with water and gatorade, friendly and supportive volunteers, and a fairly flat course. Miles 11-13 are slightly uphill for a long, slow grade, and again from 24-26 there is a very slight but long uphill grade. Overall, however, a very quick course worthy of a PR if the weather is cool. This was my 46th marathon (first was in 1978) and I rate this very highly. It is truly a great small race in a small town: well-organized on a great course. It is a bit lonely, as the number of runners is small, so don't expect competition throughout. I was a bit disappointed that for a $100 entry the race t-shirt was a short-sleeve cotton shirt (though nice design) and for an age group award was a spartan ribbon. I'm not into swag (after 1,100 races over 50 years, swag is not a motivator for me), but at the price of entry a high-tech race shirt would have been nice, and/or some more unique awards. Overall, a great race which I highly recommend.
Audie Henelius from Charlottesville, va (6/7/2021) "A beautifully organized event on ideal footing." (about: 2021) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was wonderfully organized and all workers/volunteers were helpful and friendly. The hydration and fueling stations were PERFECT, just doesn't get any better! Everything from packet pick up to parking to the starting line was easy and smooth. The trail itself was a joy to run on: flat, shaded,soft crushed gravel surface and lovely surroundings. It just doesn't get much better than this if you are looking for a small marathon in quiet surroundings. I highly recommend it!!
jim miller from Orlando, FL (6/28/2020) "THE best trail race in the country" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Those at registration were gracious with their time - staying late for a few of us showing up right at 4pm! The soft gravel trail was easy on the feet. The scenic tour along the Jackson River, and the contributing creeks, the shady trees and even the perfect weather - such a welcome respite from traffic jams and exhaust fumes. THE best aid stations in America - and to take the time to zip lock orange slices! And great attendants - all supportive.
G. R. from NC (6/28/2020) "Perfect Small marathon" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From the easy package pickup and pre-race parking next to the start line, to the plentiful rest rooms at the start you could not ask for a better pre-race setup. The flat, crushed stone out and back trail, mostly shaded with mileage markers every half mile is a perfect course. The scenery along the Jackson River is as advertised. Twenty (!) fully stocked aid stations along the way with excellent volunteers makes for a great experience. I would tell any marathoner they would be glad to put this marathon on their list.
G. M. from Virginia (4/27/2020) "Small, well-run race. Nice, nearly-flat course." (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Don't be misled by 'trail' in the name. Out-and-back course on a converted railroad route. Footing never a concern. Fine, crushed stone. Wide, sweeping turns along the river. As flat as anyone could imagine in western Virginia. Small race and don't expect spectators, almost none other than aid stations. Shaded in many areas, but late June typically is very warm. Well-run event.

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Marathon Details - Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon