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May 18, 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 81 to 91]

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M. D. from Texas (2/13/2006) "All around great time" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half-marathon and have to say that this is a superbly organized run. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Great course, shirts, medals, and food.
B. B. from Sugar Land, Texas (2/13/2006) "Very good - I'd do it again" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half. Surfside is about 60 miles south of Houston, an easy drive. Plently of free parking on the beach within 200 meters of the start line. Packet pick-up at the Park building; quick and well enough organized for this size race. Eight port-a-potties at the start, no line. Port-a-potty and fluids every 1.5 miles along the course. Miles markers for both full and half. Not chip timed. EMS at the finish. One massage table. Small field, about 120 marathoners and 240 half-marathoners. Race is out-and-back; south about 2 miles, then out-and-back north for the rest of the distance. Entire course is on the beach. Had been concerned about running on the sand, but it was well packed, a joy to run on. Wide beach, very nearly flat. Very few spectators, it's miles and miles of deserted beach. Very calm. Very different from the larger road races like Houston. Weather for 2006 was sunny, low 40's. Would have been perfect except for strong wind blowing across the beach at about a 45-degree angle. Significant headwind going out, tailwind coming back. Long-sleeve cotton T-shirt in your packet, and unusual medal to finishers. Unusual (and will be free to download) group photos (M marathoners, F marathoners, M half, F half, couples). Great job from the volunteers. Very casual and friendly atmosphere. Overall, I plan to do it again. Suggestions to organizers: 1) Your website could be better; even basic info like course map is missing. 2) Park building unmarked, but obvious by the time I got there (suggest a picture on the website). 3) Paper rather than plastic cups at the water stations.
G. C. from Schererville, Indiana (2/11/2006) "well organized and fun" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The wind was brutal; only had a tailwind for about 6 miles. The race was very well organized and fun. This is only their second year, but they have worked the bugs out. Running on sand is challenging, but running a marathon is challenging too. I would suggest this marathon to anyone that enjoys running; if it is all about PR's, don't do it. If you like beautiful scenery, this one is for you.
R. M. from North Carolina (3/14/2005) "One terrific marathon" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Between us we have run a lot of marathons. This is in our top 10. The race director was very gracious and knowledgeable. The accommodations, pre-race pasta dinner, and post-race meal were great. The course was unique and beautiful. Volunteers were outstanding; they really enjoyed what they were doing. Overall, this was one superb event.
Susan Bruneni from Houston, TX (3/1/2005) "A wonderful beach experience for running" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 What a great experience to run a marathon on the beach. My main problem was trying not to stop to pick up sea shells. Very well organized for a first-time marathon with incredible warmth and support from the organizers. Excellent food, awards and shirts.
G. T. from Wimberley, TX (2/18/2005) "Easy on the legs" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Easiest recovery from a marathon I've ever had. I was only really sore for 1 day instead of at least 3 like normal. Except for about a 200-yard stretch, the beach is hard-packed sand that's as easy on the legs as a dirt trail. There is about a 2-mile stretch on asphalt at the turn-around. For a first-time marathon, the organization was fantastic, and they treated everyone really well. Nice personal touches. If you do need crowd support, this is not for you, because it's pretty lonely out there. Running a couple of spring marathons is very doable if this is the first one you do.
Suzanne Pokorny from Cleveland, Ohio (2/18/2005) "Have to enjoy running alone... on a straight-away" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 A little thrown-off by the mile markers going in reverse and not realizing it til 15 miles into the race. Mentally frustrating. Gave too little credit to the sand sucking out the energy in my legs. Relatively easy on the joints, and the food pre-race and post-race were excellent. Awards and shirts top quality as well. LOVE IT that they provided various group pictures. Excellent photographer.
Carlos Valdez from Angleton, Texas, USA (2/18/2005) "packed sand made for running" (about: 2005) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 1/2 marathon. I was worried about running on the sand, but it was packed tight and was not a factor in the race. The waves crashing within feet for 2 hours was nice. EVERYONE involved had positive attitude. Great day!
J. B. from Baytown,Tx. (2/17/2005) "Overall one of the best small marathons around" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Great organization, check in was smooth and easy, nice long-sleeve cotton shirt in packet. Loved the parking, right on the beach at the start/finish line. The day started with a beautiful sunrise over the water, and a cool temperature at the start. Great photo session of each group; couples, men, and women. The course is absolutly flat except for a small foot bridge over the dunes, hard-packed sand for all but 2 miles, which was on an asphalt road near the turnaround point. Mile markers counted back from 26 at the start. Slight headwind on the way out, weak tailwind on the return, but it helped keep the temperature cool. Water stations were well manned and had water and Gatorade at each; some stops had oranges and bananas. Felt there could have been a few more water stations but other than that I have nothing but praise for this event. The best medal I've received to date; big, beautiful and heavy. Excellent post party food, BBQ and all the fixings, plenty of fruit cookies and yogurt. Unique handmade awards for winners and age groupers. Very few spectators but great opportunity for your friends or family to cheer you on just about anywhere on the course as you can drive on the beach. Look forward to doing this marathon again.
Dana Alden from Denton, Texas (2/15/2005) "The beach was beautiful!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Surfside Beach Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run 9 marathons and I only did the half marathon here, but next year I want to do the full. The course for the half was entirely on the beach. The sand was not difficult to run on because it was so hard-packed. It started to warm up a little when the sun came out. The people were very friendly and helpful. This was the most peaceful race I have ever run.

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