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May 5, 2024

Surfside Beach Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Surfside Beach Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.7

Spectators 2.7

Number of comments: 91 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 10 > ]

D. p. from Colorado (4/2/2012) "Volunteers won this Race!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A marathon completely on the Beach. I had this race on my wish list for years and finally did it. I picked up my packet and was promised that food would be left even though I am a pretty slow runner. The rain started at the gun and stopped 5 hours later as I finished. I went into the clubhouse very hungry to find...tons of bbq and fresh smoothies wanting for me. Sure the rain and streams we ran through was taxing but to have the post race food still there as promised was priceless. The volunteers at every single aid station were soaked and freezing yet very energetic and nice. I was more than impressed with this race and given the chance would ran in again even in the same conditions. The race director is the real deal. Thanks for the great time, Surfside.
Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX (2/22/2012) "The Rain!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Surfside Beach Marathon Surfside Beach, TX Saturday, February 18, 2012 7:00 AM First of all, we all knew that it would be raining hard, resulting in a tough marathon to run. The blowing rain, wind, streams of rain water, & washed out beach sands made it quite challenging & rather unpleasant, indeed. Also, we were not expecting spectators. Nevertheless, personally, I was glad that the run was not canceled. Surprisingly, the race organizers offered refunds to those who had decided not to show up! The packet pickup on Friday afternoon/evening was very efficient. Each runner received a long-sleeved technical shirt, a ceramic tile with the name & logo of the event on it, & a personalized bib number. This was my first time running the Surfside Beach Marathon; thus, I was given a nice duffle bag too! Race morning temperature was in the 60s. We ran on the beach for 26.2 miles. We first ran an out-&-back for about 5 miles towards S/SW & then the longer out-&-back towards N/NE. There were mile markers. I thanked the volunteers for staying out there in the heavy rain, staffing the aid stations & remaining cheerful & encouraging. The finisher's medal was nice. There were plenty of recovery food items & drinks awaiting the finishers inside the community center at Stahlman Park (BBQ, breakfast tacos, smoothies, cookies, oranges, soft drinks, & bottled water). It was a well-organized running event & it was obvious that the race organizers had done everything they could to make it a runner-friendly event. If the weather cooperates, it can be a nice marathon to run. There were 161 (111 male, 50 female) finishers in the average time of 4:53:05. The winning times were 2:56:31 (overall male), 3:26:52 (overall female), 3:15:12 (masters male), & 3:55:04 (masters female). There were 384 half marathon finishers & the winning times were 1:31:18 (overall male), 1:40:48 (overall female), 1:36:00 (masters male), & 1:56:19 (masters female). This was my marathon #91.
T. M. from DeRidder, LA (2/19/2012) "Great Marathon; Terrible Weather" (about: 2012) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Overall, this was a great marathon. It was well organized, well supported and had great swag. Packet pick-up was a breeze, as was chip pick-up the next morning. The race started on time and a familiar Texas thunderstorm joined us within the first ten minutes, continuing intermittently the entire time I was out. The out and back on the beach was both a blessing and a curse depending on which mile you asked me. Cons: Pretty much everything in this section has to do with the weather in which we ran this marathon. * many of the mile markers were blown down/away by the wind/rain/surf combo * much of the Gatorade (which was supplied in the pre-mixed form) was watered down by the rain * there were surprisingly wide and deep 'rivers' created by the rain water draining down to the ocean; much sand/silt wound up in my shoes due to running through these * the sand up by the porta potties on the course was boggy enough that you sank in several inches as you ran to and from * It would be nice if the start/finish line were built up vertically a bit more so it's visible from a little further out. Pros: Great (like AMAZINGLY Great) volunteer crew to stand out in the pouring rain! Great after race food (BBQ, baked beans, potato salad, etc. Smoothies, cookies, etc) * plenty of porta potties at the start and on the course (well stocked with toilet paper!) and water/Gatorade tables (no food/Gu) * very nice, unique sand dollar finisher medal * wonderful indoor after-race 'party' location in which to dry off, warm up, sit and fellowship with other runners, etc. * after race professional leg massage! * and did I mention the GREAT volunteers??... no, seriously, they were great! Oh, and to those worried about running on the sand, it is seriously very hard packed down by the beach. It felt like running on a new track... somewhat springy, but not too much resistence or loss of footing because of it. However, watch the weather report... having to jump down a foot into a stream of running water where the drainage channels formed and then back up on legs with 24 miles on them, not my idea of fun... Other than the rain, though, this was a WONDERFUL marathon. Very well done!
B. L. from Houston TX (3/27/2011) "Wonderful Event" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Surfside Beach Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I chose the 50K option for this year. Well organized, well staffed. Running on the beach for 20 miles was great. Water stations were everywhere. Near the end there were personnel keeping water stops open and the Surfside Police Dept. had water bottles for back-of-the-pack folks like me. Plenty of food, drinks and camaraderie at the finish line. Looking forward to 2012!
A. A. from San Antonio TX (3/1/2011) "Great marathon!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I would recommend this marathon to anyone. Course was beautiful, although it was a little difficult to run on the sand. Volunteers were very friendly and nice. Water stops were well stocked and at every 1.5 miles. Great value - registration is inexpensive compared to other races and you get 2 shirts, a gym bag with logo, medal, coaster, smoothie after the race, and full BBQ plate after the race. The runners were also very friendly. The early start for the marathoners was also a good options for slower finishers like myself.
E. V. from Houston, TX (2/17/2010) "Excellent, small marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run a few marathons through the years and, as many, most of us typically tend to focus on the larger and well-known races. Frankly, after running Surfside, I will begin to pay more attention to smaller races where convenience, overall race experience and organization are clearly better than in most big races. In my view, the organizer put together a very solid race. Nothing fancy, but if what you like is to test your abilities and to have fun in a different type of course, this is your race. The sand is certainly not a real issue (yes, maybe it is not the absolute optimal surface to run your PB, but it is easy on your body for sure and is NOT that slow either, in my view). The fact that you are a short walking distance from/to the start/finish line is great, and the start is easy (especially good for first-time runners and those who like to pick their own pace without being bothered). The number and chip distribution is fast and organized, the water stations are sufficient (offering plenty of opportunity to drink as much as required) and, generally speaking, the entire race is very well put together. Of course, there are small elements that can be improved, but at the end of the day, I will most certainly recommend this race to people regardless of whether they are seasoned marathoners or novices. Well done, and congratulations. Hope to be able to race again next year.
J. L. from Austin,TX (2/16/2010) "Great day at the beach for 26 miles" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Surfside Beach Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 You can't really beat the Surfside Beach Marathon for having a unique course - the marathon is run on the 13-mile Surfside Beach island and goes from one end to the other. The beach is wide, flat, and has hard-packed sand that makes it easy to run on - more forgiving than asphalt, but definitely not as challenging as a trail run. I've done this race before, in 2008, and even though Hurricane Ike destroyed the park pavilion the marathon used the first year, the race felt the same - so I'm glad I came back to do it again. This is a very individual race - there is a lot of room on the beach to spread out, especially after the half marathon turnaround (mile 8 or so of the marathon course). I really appreciated the port-a-potties every mile to a mile and a half, but it seemed like the course was missing a water stop at the marathon turn-around point between miles 13 and 18. I'm not sure whether there was supposed to be one or two in between there, but there should have been for the runners. The water stop at mile 1.6/3 also wasn't in place, but the race director apologized afterwards. This one wasn't as bad because it was early in the race and it wasn't hot at the start. The race gear you get is great - the race got a really nice new logo this year, and it makes a great white short-sleeve tech tee. You also get a great medal shaped like Texas with the race logo that says, "2010" on both the medal and the ribbon, a finisher's plate, and a coaster. This marathon is a great value, and if the weather is nice, the beach is a great place to hang out. Also check out the Sea Center, a small, free aquarium 10 minutes away in Lake Jackson.
Celeste Roiz from Texas (2/14/2010) "Definately recommended; nice on the knees" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 My first marathon ever! I was so nervous but everyone was so friendly and helpful. Very quiet and peaceful run, which is what I like. The sand was not at all difficult to run on; it was not like I thought it would be. It felt more like running on a treadmill to me. Didn't notice much of a headwind or tailwind, but I was only averaging 4 mph, so that is probably why I didn't notice. No water or restrooms in the first 4 miles, or around 14-18 miles either. I ended 5 and a half hours after the race start, and by the time I reached the finish line, they were out of some food items that I was really looking forward to. Great experience! I will be back next year!
D. S. from Marble Falls, TX (2/14/2010) "Absolutely Perfect Race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race on the hard-packed sand on the beach. One out-and-back. Great post-race food, great medal, great shirt, very spiffy table coaster! I've done 21 marathons and it's hard to imagine a better organized race than this one. Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this race a whopping success. Race director did an awesome job! See you next year, Surfside!!!
W. B. from Texas (2/14/2010) "Best Beach Run" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Surfside Beach Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I completed the full marathon for my fourth time. Each time it is a thrill to hear the crashing of the waves, and to view the Gulf of Mexico. There were 900 half and full marathon runners, with plenty of running room for all. D.B. and crew work very hard getting ready for this race each year. They were exceptionally great on the night before this year's race, recovering from the main tent collapse and the early packet pick up delay. Next year all are hopeful that the packet pick up and post-race festivities will return to the Stahlman building. It is being rebuilt in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Great job to all volunteers! Thanks again to Darryl B.!

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