Testimonials

Testimonials for the Black Diamond Express Half Marathon

  • “This was my first Half Marathon, and I’ve done several since… would recommend this to others considering doing their first. Reasons include it being a flat course, the trail is easier on your joints than pavement, it is well organized, and there are bathroom facilities on the course should you need them.”
  • “Well worth our stop on our visit to Upstate NY”
  • “Nice flat course through the woods”
  • “Fun, fast and flat!!! I would definitely do the Black Diamond Express Trail Race again!!”
  • “I had a great time racing at one of my favorite running locations.”
  • “The Black Diamond Trail Race is a unique venue… flat, smooth and a perfect stone running surface. This retired railroad bed is a beautiful run through mostly shady woods with occasional highway crossings. Watch for deer, and listen to the birds.”
  • “Great beginner trail race! Perfect tune up race leading up to a marathon race.”
  • “It is a great race. Flat course and friendly people! I would do this again next year!”
  • “Trail running at its finest! Awesome for skilled trail runners who enjoy a flat course; excellent experience for newer trail runners! Friendly experience for all!”
  • “Fast and flat in a fabulous setting!”
  • “One of the flattest courses around. It was a nice out and back race through the woods.”
  • “Flat! Peaceful run!”
  • “This is a hidden gem. A must do event!”
  • “Great, well-organized race! I’ll do it again for sure!”
  • “Top notch event – extremely well run, trail was in excellent shape, volunteers were awesome. I’ll see you next August for sure!”
  • “Thoroughly enjoyed my first trail 5K. I’m looking forward to joining again next year!”
  • “The best run race with friendly volunteers that I have run! Each mile was marked and there was the perfect amount of water/Gatorade stations. It was very family friendly and the post race food was great. I would definitely recommend this race and will do it again next year!”
  • “Run through history!”
  • “Well organized, great course, good time had.”
  • “Love Trails? Run the Lehigh Valley Trail. You would come back for more!!”
  • “What other half marathon lets you pretend to be a train?”
  • “Highly recommend! Add this to your race calendar!”
  • “A fast, flat, and friendly race on a beautiful trail.”
  • “Fun and well-organized!”
  • “Great flat, fast race in the woods!”
  • “A great race for all ages on one of the best local trails in upstate New York.”
  • “You couldn’t ask for a better trail half marathon.”
  • “Great race on a flat and well maintained trail – seize the opportunity to unleash your inner locomotive!”
  • “I had never heard of this trail but would absolutely do it again”
  • “This was my first ever half marathon and so I loved that it was flat and shady and the staff were so friendly! Great location!”
  • “A beautiful run along the Lehigh Valley Trail for a challenging but fast half marathon. Will be sure to do it again!”
  • “Great trail, great scenery, great volunteers! Will definitely run again!”
  • “Beautiful course and well-supported. This was a fun race! I’ll be back next year.”
  • “A well-organized race on a smooth, easy and attractive trail. Highly recommended.”
  • “It was great to run a race where you pass by every single person at some point. Most of us cheered each other on which brought a positive spirit to the day.”
  • “The best Rails to Trails race in the area”
  • “Fast as the Black Diamond Express!”
  • “The Black Diamond Half Marathon is unique with its historical rail road setting, pristine nature surrounds, flat and fast trail run held at a perfect weather time of the year.”
  • “Great, flat half. Lots of shade for those looking to run a half in the summer heat. Volunteers are awesome!”
  • “This is a local fun race. If you’ve always wanted to do a half marathon – this is the one to get your started!”
  • “The up and back is great to be able to see the leaders of the race.”
  • “The volunteer support on this race was tremendous and they helped make it a fun morning.”
  • “Loved this location, out and back course and the organizer.”
  • “A nice end-of-summer race with friendly volunteers in peaceful setting.”
  • “If you want it , you’ll find a way…..if you don’t you’ll find an excuse.”
  • “Flat, fast, out and back trail race. Very well organized with great post race refreshments.”
  • “Support a very worthwhile cause.”
  • “This race is a beautiful adventure through a natural, uplifting setting. A great change from the usual road race!”
  • “Great race for a PR.”
  • “Well run, good refreshments (including chocolate milk), extremely friendly atmosphere, beautiful finisher medals (half marathon), gorgeous trail … can’t say enough good things about this event!”
  • “A very well run race; one of the anchors of my summer racing schedule.”
  • “Beautiful trail, well organized race!”