Anyone done this race?? interested to hear what ya’ll have to say about it. will be my first marathon race
this was my first marathon as well–did it back in 2001 and i was intent on qualifying for boston (needed a 3:10 since i’m 26). anyway, that year the course was a double out-and-back–it sucked. i thought i would like a course that was pancake flat–and i can’t stress enough how flat this course is. absolutely NO change in elevation. this is bad–very very bad. your legs never get a chance to switch muscles, so at 22 miles i was hurtin’. it was pretty hot that day (88 with 100%humidity)–i imagine it usually is for that race. Water stations aren’t as common as i would like and there was very little cheering. they start the 1/2marathon at the same time, so for the first half of the race you’ll have a lot of people around. the second half of the race was damn lonely–i ran a 3:05 that day and for the second half saw NO ONE except the female winner puking on the side of the road at 24miles. kiawah itself is a decent place–you have to off the island to get food unless you want to pay a shitload of money for their stuff. i don’t mean to crap all over this race–it’s probably a lot different now, but after running all over that island, i can bet that the course is still very very flat. oh, one last thing–the chip timing is only for the finish, not the start. when i did it, i saw a guy cross the line in 3:10:05. he was all excited because he knew he started at the back of the start pack and that it took him 10seconds to get to the start. well, they didn’t put a mat at the start, so his time was 3:10:05. i’m sure boston let him in anyway, but just some fair warning. good luck!
whineyass
I’ve done this race the last two years and will be there again this December. Good size event, not too big nor too small. Of course it is an entirely flat course. It is a 2 loop course which I don’t prefer, depressing mind f*** when they wave the 1/2 marathoners to the left and point you back out on the 2nd loop. Scenic-wise, running mostly through quiet neighborhoods with lots of incredible looking homes…
Pre-race dinner last year was bomb! Highly recommended! What did suck last year was the beer truck kicked WAY TOO early. In years past, you could hang out and drink until dark…
Enjoy the race and say Hi to Malphurs the walrus after your run!
I’ve done Kiawah the last two years. Totally, totally flat, and usually a bit windy. Good course for a PB if it’s not too windy. I PB’d there by 10 minutes in 2003. Some people dislike the two-loop course and zero crowd support, but I don’t mind it. If you run < 3:10 you’ll likely be running by yourself for the second loop. If you run < 3:00 you’ll have to dodge the half-marathoners for the final four miles of your race. Best post-race meal I’ve ever had at a race. I’ve never attended the carbo-load, but it sounds great, too. Try Chez Fish, just off the island for a nice, reasonably cheap meal. Awesome “Proud Pelican” trophies for Top 5 finishers and Top 5 Masters, and nice plaques for Top 5 in each AG. Registration opens in September and the race usually sells out in a week. I’ll likely be going back to do it this year. If you need any more info, just ask.
Treppy
I cannot add anything to what others have said, other than I have run several marathons, but never faster than at Kiawah. But I thought the scenery was boring!
so you’re saying if i’m planning on running sub 3 i’ll have to dodge people still finishing the 1/2?? i don’t really mind no fans…distance running is lonely by nature and i get distracted by watching the people watching if that makes sense
Granted, I did it back in '98, but I never felt like I was dodging anyone. I finished 2:47 and change.
I haven’t done it in quite a few years, but the thing I remember about this course is LOTS OF TURNS. Its not particularly fast (although it was the course where I first broke 3:00 (2:58)…and like someone else said…FLAT. All in all, a good race, and a good experience…
what do you recommend for accommodations for this race?
resort is offering a package of $539 for two people, includes 2 marathon entries ($140 value), and two carbo load dinners as well as two nights lodging.
not a bad deal, but are there fun places to stay near there, besides the resort? is charleston too long a drive the day of?
any recommendations appreciated!
cheers,
~geek
Did the 1/2 last year and glad I did not have another lap when I saw the finish line. The whole seems boring, but many PR on the course. Good food at the end. The course is very flat and can be windy. There was a nice head wind at the turnaround last year that hurt some, but I had a negative split. The weather is typical Eastern Carolina weather, so come prepared for anything from 30’s to high 70’s. I ran in shorts and sports bra last year, but even some of the faster runners wore long sleeves and wind gear. I would recommend staying on the island if your wallet allows. Charleston is another great costly option. There are many dinner options of all prices ranges in downtown Charleston. Charleston is about 30 minutes from the island.
For those wanting to spend less on hotels, try North Charleston(Most of N.Charleston is okay -just a few bad areas) or Summerville. Plenty of places to eat and about a 50 minute drive to the island. I live in Summerville and have a full house on Kiawah weekend.
REGISTER MONDAY. RACE WILL CLOSE WITHIN A WEEK!!!
I’ve done the half twice and the full twice. The race is well organized and the people are great. The T-shirts are always good. The scenery is great. The winds can get relatively brisk out on the marsh towards the Ocean Course. The start gets a little tight. There is a 90 degree right hand turn about 300 yards after the start. The aid stations are well spaced and plentiful. The post race food is excellent. 2001 was really neat. They had a bagpiper in a jeep riding around the course. I would recommend the race.
If you want a hill, you got it. You run over a golf cart underpass about a 3/4 mile from the finish/turn around. Hors Catorgie.
My biggest suggestion for the race is to stay on the island the night before. You don’t have to go through the resort and use one of their packages, but do get a place on Kiawah. It can be a pain getting on in the morning and it’s a lot long from Charleston that it looks. The last thing you want to do race morning is get worried about not making the start.
I’ll be down there doing the half while my wife kicks butt in the full. Registration opens tomorrow, so sign up soon!
Adam
I’ll be there, and it’ll be my first marathon, too.