My husband and I drove from Pittsburgh to Kiawah. We were looking for a flat course since we'd never run one before. We were also excited about leaving the cold weather in Pittsburgh and seeing the ocean in December. As soon as we arrived on the island the staff was very friendly and helpful. Check in and package pick-up were a breeze. We stayed right on the island in a one bedroom condo about 500 feet from the ocean. The rates were very reasonable and our condo was first class. We loved being able to hang out in our own place and enjoy a home cooked meal before the marathon. This was possible due to our fully-equipped kitchen. The morning of the marathon we left the condo about 7:30 and had a two-minute walk to the shuttle bus. We were shuttled to the start and got to sit inside and stay warm until the marathon start. The course was very beautiful, flat and the staff at the fluid stations were very upbeat and helpful. There may not have been a lot of spectators the second half but the ones that were there were very supportive. After the race I had someone greet me at the finish line and walk with me to get water and help me get my chip off. I ended up in the medical tent shortly afterwards due to severe cramping and was given excellent attention and treatment. When I was finally able to make it to the food again it was first class - the white bean soup and chocolate brownies were my favorites. When we were ready to go back to our condo, we were shuttled right to our door by one of the resort staff. Everything about the marathon was perfect and I could go on and on about our positive experience. We will definitely run Kiawah again.

I ran the marathon this year and was 4 minutes off my Boston time. Overall, the course is the perfect set-up for a PR but the major downfall is the lack of spectators. I'm glad I did it because the race is a marathoner's marathon - meaning there aren't many incentives for doing it unless you just flat want to run a marathon. It lacks the excitement of big-city marathons, which was expected. I wouldn't run it again because it is so far away and due to the lack of enthusiasm, but it was a positive experience.

This is a well organized marathon. Very flat, somewhat scenic course. Fortunately not much wind to speak of. Nice shirts, sufficient aid stops. Excellent post-race meal! I don't particularly like running a marathon @ the same time and on the same course with those running the 1/2 marathon, but oh well. It would also be nice if they had a preferred/competitive start - to keep those running/walking so slow @ the front of the pack to begin the race. Overall a very nice event, though. Would recommend.

This was my first marathon and the course was flat as expected. Being from central Kentucky, I am used to running over rolling hills. I stayed on the island in a very nice condo 5 minutes from the starting line. The rates were more than reasonable. The water/Gatorade stops were great. The support staff were wonderful. As with every race I have ever run there were problems with walkers in the first mile. Long-sleeve shirt, finisher's medal and post-race party were top-notch. My only negative is the lack of race splits. Saw a runner cut across at mile 5. I did not qualify for Boston but this is a PR course. This race is very classy.

I ran this 'destination race' for the second year in a row and would do it again. The course is a double-loop through the beautiful, gated, Kiawah Island golf resort.

The race started twenty minutes late (due to traffic problems, I understand) and -- like marathons much larger -- was near walking speed from the gate for half a mile for most mid-pack runners. (Most of us blast out too quickly anyway, right?)

With 2,300 half-marathoners, this traffic-free course does not truly open up until the second go-around, when 1,200 marathoners remain. It is flat and fast as advertised, although there are some sharp corners and bikepath running.

This year's race had perfect weather (38 degrees at the start, 50 at the end) with little or no wind.

Volunteers were great, with Gatorade and water, bananas and oranges plentiful. (No gel.) Given the venue, the spectators are few, but spirited. The pasta dinner, t-shirt, and finisher's medals were (again) super.

In my view, the race logistics are clearly designed for those staying on Kiawah Island... if you don't plan to do so, find another race.

Like others, I ran the race based on the earlier rave reviews. Stay on the "island" as it took me an hour to go the last 3 miles to the shuttle & then had to wait for 3 shuttles before getting to the start line 1 minute prior to the start. Made for some hasty decisions. The double loop course with what seemed like a lot of turns and portions run on the bike path didn't bother me too much, nor did the 1/2 marathon starting at the same time leading to the typical bottleneck early on compounded by walkers, & bikers on the course. Sharing the road with the few cars on the island the 2nd half was a bit of a negative. My biggest complaint was that the course was just plain BORING. Foliage surrounded huge house after house, broken only by the frequent construction site or occasional golf course green. There were only a few open sections. Photo of the marathon website is deceptive. Only break was the 3 or so "Alligator" signs. Need more than that to break the monotony. Sparse crowd support. Weather could be iffy, but cooperated upper 30s at start, 50+ by noontime enabling running in shorts. Postives: numerous waterstops with Gatorade Endurance with most featuring orange & banana slices. Plenty of port-a-johns. Course well shaded for most of the course. Good post-race food with beer, although a bit chaotic. NOT on my must-do again list.

Stayed on the Island Resort. I highly recommend it. Our villa had a full kitchen. Easy walk to the start line - very good for a non-running spouse. Pasta dinner was good. The couse had 1,200 feet of elevation gain over the 26.2. The streets were beautiful and the weather was beyond great. The volunteers were good. The course lacked the celebration energy and warm regards that many other marathon cities pride themselves on. Take along running a buddy or an MP3 player. The second lap can get lonely.

My expectations for the race were very low, I must say. I wasn't actually looking forward to running a double-loop race.

The course itself is not that bad and the volunteers were very helpful and enthusiastic. I ran a PR and qualified for Boston. So, I'm pretty happy.

There are very few spectators, so, don't expect lots of cheering sections.

Not sure what all the fuss is about the logistics. My entire family (parents, brothers, wives & kids) was able to rent two houses at a very attractive rate and it took us less than 10 minutes from our door to race start - definitely stay on the island.

I would do it again.

Left early to drive 30 miles and was the 2nd vehicle there; no traffic. Lined up at the start in the appropriate pace section; no walkers or tree roots in the way. Double-loop was no problem for me, due to landscaping of the course and PR's/Boston were possible due to a lack of wind. Water stops, refreshments, and medical aid along the course were great. As for the volunteers and the spectators - 1st-class. Very energetic and supportive. The food and beer at the finish could not have been any better. I will definitely run this marathon next year.

I just read the comments about this year's race, and it hit me that no matter what a race has, there are some people who simply can't be happy. If you know that you don't like multiple-loop courses, don't run them! This course is on a small resort island; getting there in the morning of the race is going to be tedious. All of this is well-known. The marathon is a race of patience and calm control. If you find yourself getting mad simply because there are a lot of people in front of you, then maybe you should pick another event. This course is beautiful, loops or not. It is flat, fast, and smooth. The aid stations were plentiful, and the post-race food was more than I am used to. Complainers need to run a few bare-bones, no wimps, no whining ultras, which have little or no support, no awards, not even a T-shirt. I recommend this race to anyone who is truly concerned about running a good race.