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Apr 27, 2024

Charleston Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 2.9

Organization 3.3

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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J. P. from Sioux Falls, SD (1/16/2012) "Not the best marathon out there..." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I'll echo the assessments that other runners have about this marathons's issues, but I do believe some of the comments are a bit harsh. Yes, the course isn't the most scenic I've run, but the vast majority of it was closed to traffic- which is a definite plus. Anyone believing that city traffic should be totally shut down so that runners may have a perfectly scenic course is quite naive... it's not as easy as everyone thinks. There could be some improvements in the course layout, but many marathons are run in sketchy neighborhoods or have ho-hum stretches. Shame on the buses not being on time, but waiting until after 7 for an 8 a.m. race to board one is just as much the runners responsibility. I do have a problem with water stops having different flavored Gatorade or not being uniform in how the water/Gatorade was distributed. Crowd support was nice at the finish (like usual) but non-existant elsewhere. The headwinds we encountered for 2/3 of the run were oppressive and probably didn't help anyone's impression of the run. I thought the classical music being played at the expo with musicians in tuxes standing/seated on bare dirt was quite bizarre, but the shrimp & grits at the finish were an awesome touch. This marathon might need some improvements, but it certainly isn't a worthless experience and Charleston folks are friendly hosts.
T. P. from Charleston, SC (1/16/2012) "Poorly organized" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Great race except for no water until mile 14, no gels as promised except for the first runners, no water only beer at finish, ran out of medals for 1/2 marathon finishers, no time mats during the race-only at start and finish, no space blankets at finish even though it was in the 40's and windy, etc... Won't run again until they prove to me they can organize a race.
M. M. from Virginia (1/16/2012) "great t-shirt & medal-downhill from there" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I was disappointed in this marathon from start to finish. The hotel had no information even though it was one of the hotels recommended on the registration site. The shuttle to the start line was running late, so we got there well after the start. The course was ugly, there was literally no spectator support, and to top it all off, the runners who were late to the start due to bad shuttle service did not have a chip time. I would not recommend this race.
S. M. from Fayetteville NC (1/16/2012) "Would not enter another race with these organizers" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I know this was only the second marathon but really?! Between the course running through a very sketchy area of town (accosted by winos!)railroad tracks, poor signage, water only every second mile, no oranges, running out of medals (!) then running out of water, closing down the course before runners were finishing,and then a discrepancy on the DISTANCE (clocked as 13.6, NOT 13.1) I would rate this as a very poorly run marathon and half marathon. A beautiful city we never saw! It's tough to organize a race but this was just awful...I don't even know what my real time was since the distance was wrong.
C. J. from Eagle Mountain UT (1/15/2012) "Still a few Start-up Struggles" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Charleston is an interesting, historic and, in parts, beautiful city. The race whets your appetite, but certainly isn't filling. It probably qualifies as flat and fast - although spectators don't give you a boost in that regard. The downtown section is pretty and interesting - but it is followed by some very UNexciting miles - until a couple near the end go through a very pretty park and along the water before finishing in an industrial area. Race logistics were more of the same - some excellent pre-race food, good registration and shirts, but the course itself had serious logistical issues, e.g. multiple hydration stops had no cups when we got to them (and we were not at the end of the pack and these were not stops late in the race); you could either drink out of pitchers or scrounge a cup off the pavement. Similar issues with porta-potties. There weren't nearly enough at the start and only a lonely porta-pottie a few places along the route, with none until about 5 or 6 miles - typically with lines waiting to use them. These are not good indicators and need to be fixed if the race is to reach its potential. (Note: I ran the half and my experience refers to Half-marathons.)
R. G. from Arlington Heights, IL (1/14/2012) "Do not run this race!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 If you need to run in SC run somewhere else. Point to point race requires you to take a bus. got in line at 7:15 and got to the start 6:00 min after 8:00 and NO ONE was there. They had started the race. Pretty bad when it's the races fault and they don't wait. We weren't the last bus either!!! Porta potties were at a minimum. I understand there is a budget but don't skimp on buses and port a johns. There was ONE every couple of miles. Course was awful!!! Could you have picked worse areas to run through??? Spectators were few and far between which really didn't matter to me, but the areas we ran through were obviously not interested in the race. This was my 45th marathon so I have lots to compare this to. Down at the bottom of my list. Really disappointed.
M. S. from Montrose, MI (1/26/2011) "Kudos and congratluatons on a wonderful inugural!" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, what a GREAT race. I felt this was very well organized. Great weather, great course, and WONDERFUL volunteers and spectators. And what a beautiful city. This was my 10th marathon. I was very impressed with the water stations from start to finish - very well stocked with water/Gatorade/pretzels/Coke/bananas/etc. For slower runners to end the race and still have refreshments, WOW, that doesn't happen very often. The medal was great also. I will definitely recommend this race to others.
C. T. from North Carolina (1/25/2011) "With improvements could be a great race" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race has great potential if rerouted some to include more scenic areas, perhaps at the very least to put the last few miles and finish area in a scenic area. Having the last several miles in a desolate area with little fan support is really rough. Some issues will no doubt be avoided in the future, such as traffic jams at the parking garage area and a hard-to-locate bag check. Pros: good pre-race communication via emails and Facebook page; nice medal and shirt; friendly volunteers; course was flat and free of traffic; weather was perfect for running. Cons: less than a mile of riverfront scenery in this "Riverfront Festival" marathon while many miles were in industrial areas; last six miles were desolate with no scenery and little fan support; no bananas/oranges/Coke during last six miles, though it was advertised there would be (it seems they put it at the finish area instead).
E. R. from Mount Pleasant, SC (1/24/2011) "Inaugural Race - Fabulous Job" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charleston Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon. I am local so was familiar with where the course was going, but trying to get 13 (or 26) miles of beauty is difficult. (Disney goes by the water treatment plant - nice.) I have run 9 marathons and many halfs all over the world, and for a first-year event this one was very organized. The volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful. Every section of the course was well marked and managed. I parked at the finish and took the bus to the start and there were plenty of buses. You can't beat shrimp and grits and cold beer at the finish. For a first-year, hats off to the organizers and volunteers. Surprising number of vendors at the expo for a first-year race as well.
S. F. from Isle of Plams, SC (1/21/2011) "first-timer" (about: 2011) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first half-marathon and I have no idea how much time or money goes into organizing these events, so my only disappointment was the very small number of porta-potties. The volunteers were fantastic and very upbeat, and the plethora of law enforcement made me feel very safe throughout the sketchy areas. Since this was my first half marathon, I was very happy to be awarded with a keepsake medal at the finish line. I will definitely be doing this race again next year, even if it's the same course.

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