This race was excellent. Despite the fact that I had some trouble with my registration, packet pickup was super easy, the start was very easy to get to and on time, aid stations were consistent and well stocked with fluids and food, and traffic control at intersections was flawlessly executed. The course was super challenging for this flatlander, as it was continuously rolling hills, but it was beautiful in most places. And I finished only three minutes slower than my PR. Yes, you do run on highways a good bit and the course is not closed, but there were cones in the center of all these highways letting motorists know to be cautious. For the most part motorists didn't seem to have a problem yielding the road to runners. I prefer running solo, having plenty of room to run, and don't particularly need fan support to enjoy the run. This race fit the bill very well, especially once the half marathon split off. However, there were always other runners in sight, perhaps due to the relay. If you're looking for a small, well-run marathon on a challenging, scenic course, do this race.

This race has improved each year, and the course has some great sections through the Furman University campus, Green Valley Country Club and downtown Greenville. It has a couple of tough hills, but I ran it faster than my two flat, beach marathons.

This was my first marathon, and I had a great experience. The organizers need to work out some kinks, though. I thought it was a very fair course with lots of hills - seemed balanced between up and down, with a slight decline on the last couple of miles. I qualified for Boston and ran that this year, and I definitely liked the Greenville course much better! I will be back!

For only their second year, this marathon was fairly well done. The course is not easy, with almost continuous hills. A lot of it is on busy roads, but traffic control was OK. Very nice tech T-shirt. Cash awards, even for age groups, and nice trophies, but it took a long time to give them out. Spectators were enthusiastic, especially at Furman University. I'll do it again.

This race has so much potential. I think its probably a great half marathon as the half turns back to town before the problems mount with the full marathon.

The course was lovely in areas - especially around the university. However, the course was very dangerous in areas - on Roe Ford Rd. and McElhaney Rd. On Roe Ford, there were no cones, no police and no course monitors, so half the runners ran on the right side of the road to get the "short" side of the curves and half ran on the left to see on-coming traffic. This made the situation so much more dangerous, as cars had to swerve around us - there is no shoulder to the road, no berm, just a ditch. I had to stop several times to get out of the way of cars and twice I had to stop for street crossings (turning onto McElhaney and crossing US 25). It's dangerous. I would not have been surprised if a runner had gotten hit.

This being said, with a few course changes this could be a super small-town marathon! Time of year was perfect, volunteers were enthusiastic, and the T-shirt was great. It has so much potential - it's just not there yet.

I would not run it again with the same course, but I would consider the half if I were in the area.

I think this year's edition must be considered a major improvement based on what I read of last year's race. The race director delivered on everything advertised, including a very nice tech shirt. The community really participates in all the events of the Runfest. We need to support the marathon part to help it grow. You do run on a coned-off lane of a highway for several miles, but police were very visible and there were no problems. This might change when the numbers grow. Once you leave town, the course is a challenging but beautiful tour of the Blue Ridge foothills. Many gentle downhill sections to recover your legs and lungs. Good support on course.... Could use one addition water staion or so to spread them out more evenly. No cheer squads or rock bands, but who needs them in this kind of scenery. Plenty of good running company to visit with and encourage you. A good event, so support it!

There's very little positive about this race.
1) I got to the race the evening before and was told in advance that someone would be at the expo until 9:00 p.m. so that I could get my race packet. I got there at 8:00. The expo was closed, and no one at the hotel knew there was a marathon scheduled for the next day.
2) Morning of the race they couldn't find my registration. I had my confirmation printed out from active.com and they agreed there were registration problems.
3) There was no elevation chart for the course given out. If so, I would have known that the 2nd half of the course had numerous challenging hills.
4) I've been waiting 10 months for my t-shirt. I've placed over 5 calls and several emails with no response.

Overall it was a poorly organized race. Hopefully the 2nd year will improve but I wouldn't take the chance.

Well, this had pluses and minuses.

Pluses:
1) The volunteers DURING the race. They were helpful and friendly.
2) The aid stations were well stocked.
3) The course had some eautiful parts. Furman University was gorgeous and also some of the other parts.

Minuses:
1) The expo was just horrible. No one could answer any questions. They had no t-shirts even though I pre-ordered mine by registering way in advance. They said I would receive one, but here it is one month later, and I haven't heard a peep. I even try to call the company and they don't return my phone calls. Also, even the vendors were terrible. My father wanted to buy a t-shirt from someone and no one was manning the station. The lady one station over was on the phone and said she had no idea where the vendor was. Also, representatives from a natural food store could not even give directions to their store!
2) The course: I really did NOT appreciate running in a busy street with the lane open. Cars didn't seem to care and several cars came within 2 feet of me. I felt very unsafe for many of the miles.
3) The awards ceremony had a band indoors. The band was so loud that you could not hear anything. I literally thought I was going to vomit just because the band was so loud.

Greenville should congratulate themselves for putting on a very good marathon. The volunteers along the course were very enthusiastic and helpful. The water stops were plentiful and stocked fruits and Gatorade as well. The finish line was staffed with more than enough volunteers to take timer chips from shoes and to offer any support that was needed. The post-race food was again plentiful and accessible.

The course was beautiful once we got away from the 'seedy' part of Greenville, if you can call it that. Furman University's campus was a marvel, with the misty lake perfect for a Halloween weekend race. However, the course was hilly, not that you can do much else in the area, but it sure was hilly. If I had known that before the race, perhaps I would not have gone out so hard. Not to mention that I didn't see a mile marker until mile 5, where I finally realized that I was running way too fast. Anyway, I still think the marathon was great, and would return for a reprisal next year.

One minor concern was that the organizers had not ordered enough t-shirts for the race, and I was given very little instruction on how to receive mine. I hope that it will appear in the mail at some point.

This marathon was a good first-year effort. It was part of a weekend series of events. It was well organized, the course was hilly and I found it a challenge. Water stops were excellent. The best part of the course was running out in the country. I stayed at the Hyatt which served as race HQ; one could walk to the start and limp back after the finish. I would recommend this event.