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Marathon Details - City of Oaks Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > NC > Raleigh > City of Oaks Marathon

City of Oaks Marathon

Martin Marietta City of Oaks Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Raleigh, NC USA

November 3, 2024

http://www.cityofoaksmarathon.com

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Race Details

The City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon are USATF Sanctioned events. The certified course was designed to showcase many of the focal points of the city, including the new Fayetteville Street, the State Capital Building, Glenwood South, N.C. State University and the Bell Tower, the State Fairgrounds, and Umstead State Park, which has long been a favorite destination for local runners. The course showcases the diversity of Raleigh's landscape, from modern city to forest trails and open farmland.

The Rex Healthcare City of Oaks Half Marathon showcases Meredith College, N.C. State University via Hillsborough Street, and the downtown hotspots of Fayetteville Street, Glenwood South and Clark Avenue.

The first eight miles of the City of Oaks Marathon course will be the same as the half marathon course and then pick up the final 5 miles of the marathon course. Just past the 15 mile mark of the marathon the course will traverse 3.5 miles of wide, fine & firm-packed gravel trails through Umstead State Park.

The entire race course will be well marked. Large clear signs will direct participants along the race routes. Easy-to-read, and see, mile markers will catch your attention and spur you on along with the great spectator support through the residential sections of the course.

Contact Information

Name:
Address:	7449 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone Number:	919-870-8998
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (85)

Course 4.1

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.7

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Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

G. H. from Illinois (11/7/2019) "Good race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 City of Oaks Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I traveled to Raleigh in order to cross North Carolina off of my list of states. For anyone else going for 50 states, this is an easy one for travelers. Between airfare (from Chicago), rental car, and hotel, I only spent about $300. Raleigh is a small city with a lot to offer and it is easy to get around. Pros about the race: * The Greenway portion of the race is pretty and shady. * Nice weather in NC this time of year. Really great for running. * Expo was quick and easy. * Nice t-shirt and medal * Good aid stations and course support Opportunities: * OK parking (not great, but OK.) I found a spot, but I was worried for a while as there were closed streets and lots of people converging on the same spots at the same time * This course has hills. I come from the flat Midwest, so this was pretty challenging to me. Probably would have finished at least 4-5 minutes sooner on a flat course * There were a few times when it wasn't abundantly clear which direction I needed to head at forks in the road. More volunteers or cones would have been helpful.
L. W. from Wisconsin (11/11/2018) "Hilly course- nice location" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 City of Oaks Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Traveled here to cross off NC on my list. Easy to get to expo and start line. Slightly chilly am, but it turned out to be a great day. I understand why a fellow runner said 'it takes time to get your rhythm'- he was correct. The first 8-9-10 miles, were up/down/city streets. The Greenway was 98% nice ( -2% were d/t parts that we were running on --side walks and the paved trails that was very uneven d/t tree roots). The volunteers on the course were OUTSTANDING. Aid stations fully stocked. It was my first out and back course. I would recommend having a day of pick up option - as I needed to coordinate a lot of travel to make it there by 5 PM. If I lived there / near by- would run again.
t. s. from Pa. (1/14/2017) "Good mid sized marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon the last 4 years. It is a good organized race with a well marked course. There are plenty of porta potties at the start. I liked the slip of paper at the finish area with instant time and age group placing. the food at the finish is adequate, and the aid stations had plenty of gels at several points. However there are several ways this race can improve: 1. Get rid of the 2 added 180 degree narrow turns added to this year's course on the greenway. 2. Cone off the section of road near 7 miles where the marathon intersects with the 5K finishers. Even with volunteers instructing 5K walkers to keep left many did not, and it was annoying to thread through them. 3. Why give medals as age group awards that are almost identical to the finishers medal?? Since everyone gets a medal at marathons and halfs these age group medals, trophies, and plaques are meaningless. Please give gift cards or sponser merchandise instead!!!!
M. D. from Raleigh, NC (12/1/2016) "Mediocre Marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The course was boring. It no longer goes through Umstead Park, and now is on city streets and narrow greenways. The race used to be managed by local running stores who took a more personal interest in runners. It is now a for-profit marathon. I won my age group and was told my award would be mailed. When I did not receive it, I emailed and was told 'too bad. We don't mail awards.' Since they are operated by the same company that manages the spring Rock and Roll marathon which DOES mail awards I found this very rude.
D. R. from NC (11/6/2016) "Challenging and tough course" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had run this race in 2006 inaugural edition of this race, when the course, especially, the second half was different. It was a hilly second half but the hills were long and not as steep. Over the last few years they had changed the course to include several rolling hills in the first half and a difficult climb in the second half between mile 16 and 20. Completing this race will give one a satisfaction of having run a hard marathon! Will definitely recommend it for support and organization but not for a goal time, unless you train for it!
G. S. from Chapel Hill, NC (5/3/2015) "A Nice Greenway Run" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2013 as my very first marathon. It is a smaller marathon (many more run the half-marathon) and you spend much of your time running on greenways with relatively few people to cheer you on simply because access is pretty limited. But there were good crowds at the start and finish areas and other places along the course where there was good accessibility and parking. As in the previous year, this course followed exactly the same path. Part of the attraction, for me, was to compare performance with the 2013 time to see what kind of progress I had made. Since the weather conditions were similar, the improvement of nearly 35 minutes was meaningful. The organization and volunteers were excellent. The volunteers were both the cheering support in those areas that were less accessible AND the did their jobs well in providing fluids and food and fuel along the course. Super medal for 2014 and a finisher's t-shirt in addition to the race t-shirt. The medal was great in 2013; this thing was huge with a spinner center. Plenty of food at the finish area with the standard pizza, bagels, and bananas. Oh yes, we get Krispy Kreme doughnuts! As I had written before, this is not a flat course. There are portions that run along the creek bed that are very flat, but there is also about 1200 feet of vertical climbing over the course with a few significant hills. I live here, so the hills are just a fact of life. If you want a flat course, you need to look elsewhere. But it is still a nice run if you've trained with hills. Although I won't be running the full marathon in 2015 because it will be off cycle with my training schedule (and I've already run three marathons in 2015), I may run the half-marathon because that distance will be in my training plan as a scheduled training race. But the marathon will likely be back on my schedule in 2016.
K. B. from Raleigh, NC (11/14/2014) "My favorite local marathon" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2010 when it went through Umstead. The course is much less hilly, however, the one incline coming back on the greenway to Meredith College was not cool. But there is a downhill to follow. I felt the first about 10 miles were crowded. And thought it was crazy that the 10k runners joined up with the half and full racers. I would think that would make it difficult to PR in a 10k. Greenway was narrow...and had to watch out when runners were going both ways on it. Need more porta potties at start line! And parking at Cameron Village...a little difficult. Especially when the businesses start opening and employees complain they cannot find any parking. There are pace groups and the pacers for the 4:30 marathon were top notch. They fulfilled their duties very well. Because of that, I took off last three miles and broke 4:30. This is my favorite local marathon by far. I'd run it again but want to get more marathons in out of state :) .
E. J. from Raleigh, NC (11/11/2014) "not for people who like to win big" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was well organized and the parking simple. The only negative was that the age group awards were cheap prints of downtown Raleigh with a lime green sky and pink trees. I expected at least a gift certificate for some socks in exchange for placing first! If you want to win, this is not your marathon.
Fred Ostrowski from North Carolina (11/8/2014) "Great support along the course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the marathon and enjoyed the city as well as the greenway along the course. The hills on the way back to the finish were challenging however the multiple offers of Gu from race volunteers kept most runners going. In addition to the great water/Gu stations along the course, the race long sleeve tech shirt, large finishing medal and finishing short sleeve tech shirt made up for the hills. Perfect temps for this year's race though a bit windy at times. Will definitely plan to run again next year.
R. H. from North Carolina (11/3/2014) "Diverse course, but hilly." (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the 2nd time running so I knew the steep inclines waiting between mile 20 and 23. They sure keep you honest. I really like the course. Downtown, neighborhoods and a green way help stave off boredom. My wife as a spectator loved the atmosphere and decided she wants to run one of the races herself. Volunteers were great and spectator enthusiasm helped me at times. Organisation was top notch from packet pick up to post race.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]



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G. H. from Illinois (11/7/2019) "Good race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 City of Oaks Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I traveled to Raleigh in order to cross North Carolina off of my list of states. For anyone else going for 50 states, this is an easy one for travelers. Between airfare (from Chicago), rental car, and hotel, I only spent about $300. Raleigh is a small city with a lot to offer and it is easy to get around. Pros about the race: * The Greenway portion of the race is pretty and shady. * Nice weather in NC this time of year. Really great for running. * Expo was quick and easy. * Nice t-shirt and medal * Good aid stations and course support Opportunities: * OK parking (not great, but OK.) I found a spot, but I was worried for a while as there were closed streets and lots of people converging on the same spots at the same time * This course has hills. I come from the flat Midwest, so this was pretty challenging to me. Probably would have finished at least 4-5 minutes sooner on a flat course * There were a few times when it wasn't abundantly clear which direction I needed to head at forks in the road. More volunteers or cones would have been helpful.
L. W. from Wisconsin (11/11/2018) "Hilly course- nice location" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 City of Oaks Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Traveled here to cross off NC on my list. Easy to get to expo and start line. Slightly chilly am, but it turned out to be a great day. I understand why a fellow runner said 'it takes time to get your rhythm'- he was correct. The first 8-9-10 miles, were up/down/city streets. The Greenway was 98% nice ( -2% were d/t parts that we were running on --side walks and the paved trails that was very uneven d/t tree roots). The volunteers on the course were OUTSTANDING. Aid stations fully stocked. It was my first out and back course. I would recommend having a day of pick up option - as I needed to coordinate a lot of travel to make it there by 5 PM. If I lived there / near by- would run again.
t. s. from Pa. (1/14/2017) "Good mid sized marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon the last 4 years. It is a good organized race with a well marked course. There are plenty of porta potties at the start. I liked the slip of paper at the finish area with instant time and age group placing. the food at the finish is adequate, and the aid stations had plenty of gels at several points. However there are several ways this race can improve: 1. Get rid of the 2 added 180 degree narrow turns added to this year's course on the greenway. 2. Cone off the section of road near 7 miles where the marathon intersects with the 5K finishers. Even with volunteers instructing 5K walkers to keep left many did not, and it was annoying to thread through them. 3. Why give medals as age group awards that are almost identical to the finishers medal?? Since everyone gets a medal at marathons and halfs these age group medals, trophies, and plaques are meaningless. Please give gift cards or sponser merchandise instead!!!!
M. D. from Raleigh, NC (12/1/2016) "Mediocre Marathon" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The course was boring. It no longer goes through Umstead Park, and now is on city streets and narrow greenways. The race used to be managed by local running stores who took a more personal interest in runners. It is now a for-profit marathon. I won my age group and was told my award would be mailed. When I did not receive it, I emailed and was told 'too bad. We don't mail awards.' Since they are operated by the same company that manages the spring Rock and Roll marathon which DOES mail awards I found this very rude.
D. R. from NC (11/6/2016) "Challenging and tough course" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had run this race in 2006 inaugural edition of this race, when the course, especially, the second half was different. It was a hilly second half but the hills were long and not as steep. Over the last few years they had changed the course to include several rolling hills in the first half and a difficult climb in the second half between mile 16 and 20. Completing this race will give one a satisfaction of having run a hard marathon! Will definitely recommend it for support and organization but not for a goal time, unless you train for it!
G. S. from Chapel Hill, NC (5/3/2015) "A Nice Greenway Run" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2013 as my very first marathon. It is a smaller marathon (many more run the half-marathon) and you spend much of your time running on greenways with relatively few people to cheer you on simply because access is pretty limited. But there were good crowds at the start and finish areas and other places along the course where there was good accessibility and parking. As in the previous year, this course followed exactly the same path. Part of the attraction, for me, was to compare performance with the 2013 time to see what kind of progress I had made. Since the weather conditions were similar, the improvement of nearly 35 minutes was meaningful. The organization and volunteers were excellent. The volunteers were both the cheering support in those areas that were less accessible AND the did their jobs well in providing fluids and food and fuel along the course. Super medal for 2014 and a finisher's t-shirt in addition to the race t-shirt. The medal was great in 2013; this thing was huge with a spinner center. Plenty of food at the finish area with the standard pizza, bagels, and bananas. Oh yes, we get Krispy Kreme doughnuts! As I had written before, this is not a flat course. There are portions that run along the creek bed that are very flat, but there is also about 1200 feet of vertical climbing over the course with a few significant hills. I live here, so the hills are just a fact of life. If you want a flat course, you need to look elsewhere. But it is still a nice run if you've trained with hills. Although I won't be running the full marathon in 2015 because it will be off cycle with my training schedule (and I've already run three marathons in 2015), I may run the half-marathon because that distance will be in my training plan as a scheduled training race. But the marathon will likely be back on my schedule in 2016.
K. B. from Raleigh, NC (11/14/2014) "My favorite local marathon" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2010 when it went through Umstead. The course is much less hilly, however, the one incline coming back on the greenway to Meredith College was not cool. But there is a downhill to follow. I felt the first about 10 miles were crowded. And thought it was crazy that the 10k runners joined up with the half and full racers. I would think that would make it difficult to PR in a 10k. Greenway was narrow...and had to watch out when runners were going both ways on it. Need more porta potties at start line! And parking at Cameron Village...a little difficult. Especially when the businesses start opening and employees complain they cannot find any parking. There are pace groups and the pacers for the 4:30 marathon were top notch. They fulfilled their duties very well. Because of that, I took off last three miles and broke 4:30. This is my favorite local marathon by far. I'd run it again but want to get more marathons in out of state :) .
E. J. from Raleigh, NC (11/11/2014) "not for people who like to win big" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was well organized and the parking simple. The only negative was that the age group awards were cheap prints of downtown Raleigh with a lime green sky and pink trees. I expected at least a gift certificate for some socks in exchange for placing first! If you want to win, this is not your marathon.
Fred Ostrowski from North Carolina (11/8/2014) "Great support along the course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the marathon and enjoyed the city as well as the greenway along the course. The hills on the way back to the finish were challenging however the multiple offers of Gu from race volunteers kept most runners going. In addition to the great water/Gu stations along the course, the race long sleeve tech shirt, large finishing medal and finishing short sleeve tech shirt made up for the hills. Perfect temps for this year's race though a bit windy at times. Will definitely plan to run again next year.
R. H. from North Carolina (11/3/2014) "Diverse course, but hilly." (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 City of Oaks Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the 2nd time running so I knew the steep inclines waiting between mile 20 and 23. They sure keep you honest. I really like the course. Downtown, neighborhoods and a green way help stave off boredom. My wife as a spectator loved the atmosphere and decided she wants to run one of the races herself. Volunteers were great and spectator enthusiasm helped me at times. Organisation was top notch from packet pick up to post race.

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Marathon Details - City of Oaks Marathon