This was only my first marathon, so I don't have much to compare. But I can say that the race was very well organized from start to finish. As others stated, the start was crowded, but like most races, you'll have this. People are always going to line up in the wrong area, and it will always take some time for things to thin out. I also agree that the beginning of the second loop being run on the shoulder was not fun. I found it very difficult to pass during this stretch and almost got hit by a passing vehicle when attempting to do so. Not that big of a deal, but it would be easier if they opened the road a bit more. The course is flat and scenic as advertised, but the second loop does get boring due to the lack of crowd support, and the scenery did nothing for me after the 20 mile mark... LOL. I did stay on the island at the west beach villas, took the shuttle and went from my front door to the start in 10 minutes. Very easy! The east beach villas and Sanctuary are within walking distance to the start. Overall I am pleased that this was my first. The locals were nice and friendly, Charleston is awesome city, and the weather was great!

One of the most organized races I have ever run. Plenty of food at the end. Only problem was that a few of the mile markers are off.

Organization of the expo and race were great. Overall the experience on the island and with the race was great. But a couple of suggestions:

1. The bike path on the second loop was a minefield. You have half-marathon walkers across the path at the same time (3 hour-mark) that you have marathon runners coming in to PR, break 3, and qualify for Boston. I nearly ran over one girl and I feel bad, but it wasn't her fault. We shouldn't have been in that position; perhaps open up a slice of that road for the marathon's second loop and cone it off?

2. All my friends and I had it measured long, by about .3 miles. Might need to take a look at that as well.

Otherwise, great event. I'd run it again for sure!

This was my first marathon, but I can't imagine how this one could be improved upon. It was wonderful from start to finish. Bib and chip pick up were quick and easy. Plenty of support all the way through. Beautiful course - very flat. Plenty of water and Gatorade, and bananas and oranges. Clocks for splits on most mile markers. Great temperatures and lots of shade. The volunteers were amazing and kept the aid stations cleaned up so I did not have to run on squashed cups! Part of the race is on paved bike trails and this was a nice change from the roads. Loved it!

This was my 4th marathon, and first time running Kiawah. I was really impressed with the organization of this event.

I thought the packet pick-up was super easy. Several people were eager to answer our questions. They had a lot of literature laid out about the course map, a spectator shuttle, and a post-race map layout.
There were plenty of porta-potties at the start, so I never had to wait more than 5 minutes or so. The aid stations were well stocked and plentiful. The post-race food was excellent. I loved how it was inside the conference center and you could actually eat at a table. They really had a nice spread! They did limit this to the marathon runners and one guest.

The only thing that I was not crazy about was I felt it was fairly crowded on the first loop on the bike path sections. I had to weave around people at several points and for a small event I was not anticipating that. I really enjoyed the second loop better since the half marathoners were finished. The field narrowed by about 2/3's and it was more enjoyable. I just prefer smaller races.

Overall I thought the course was really pretty and of course it's FAST!

My husband was on a bike and saw me at several points throughout the race. I also thought there were quite a few spectators for a small event. Sure, it's not NYC or Chicago, but for a field of 4,000 runners, there were people out there cheering the runners on.

I am really glad I did this event. I would recommend it be put on the "to-do" list! Oh yeah, I stayed in a west beach villa and took the shuttle back to my villa from the finish. The driver took out a step stool and helped us out of the van. That's service!

I cannot believe I spent as much money as I did to run on a crowded bike path. I was a first-time runner at this race, and I will never run again. Way too crowded at start. Need to have different start times for the different events. Shuttle service was great and the event seemed well organized. (I ran the 1/2.)

Well this is my first marathon and it's exactly what I had expected. The weather was good and the experience was great. I'm coming back for sure!

This was my 22nd different marathon.

It's a beautiful course, flat, and the double loop is not monotonous. There are a few out-and-back stretches to keep things lively. Overall, organization is top-notch. The post-race food and refreshments offered indoors were great.

Some cons, mostly minor, but worth mentioning:
1. The start with the half marathon is way too crowded. It would be much better if they could do separate starts. I know most people respond to this by saying you go on chip time, but age group placing goes on gun time. A lot of the half-marathoners simply didn't appear to know where to line up, even though they had pace banners.
2. When you head out for loop 2, they have you run single-file on the edge of the road in a chalked lane about 2 feet-wide, with vehicles coming up behind you. It wasn't for very long though - a few miles? Traffic thinned out after that.
3. Some of the aid stations on loop 2 were under-staffed, or staffed with high school kids - a lot of which had clearly lost focus by the 2nd round.
4. Warning: Not all of the island villas are within walking distance of the start, so if riding a shuttle to and from the finish is an issue for you, then be sure you ask for a villa close to the start-finish area.
Worth mentioning to those who care about these things: No pace groups, not a lot of noise (music, hoopla, spectators), no gel hand-outs, a long-sleeved T-shirt, small expo, nice medal, and pretty age group awards given out.
The post race seafood dinner was a lot of fun!

Pros: Packet pick-up went very well on Friday night (bring a flashlight with you to get around in the dark, as the streets and sidewalks on the island are not very well lit). Volunteers at packet pick-up were very friendly, even at the end of the evening of what was probably a long day for them. Post-race food was very good, but not a big selection. At about mile 24 I started hoping there was pizza at the finish! Stayed in Charleston the night before, and it took less than 30 minutes to get to the off-island parking area. Organization there was great, but the bus was too warm once it was filled to capacity for the shuttle ride to the island. Ultimately, a marathon is remembered for how well they took care of the runners on the course. First-rate service, with plenty of water stops.

Cons: The combined half- and full-marathon start made for very crowded conditions on the narrow streets. Didn't really thin out until the first turn-around at 6 miles. Have the half-marathon start 30 minutes after the full-marathon. (Is it true that some of the full-marathon runners decided to quit after the first loop, and yet received the full-marathon finisher's medal at the finish line?) The post-race shuttle ride back to the off-island parking area was on a bus with broken air conditioner. Not fun after running 26 miles on a warm day.

Another great race! My 4th Kiawah and 62nd overall. One suggestion: any way to change the course slightly so that the turnaround on the first loop is the same as the second? Tough to have to go that extra distance when you're expecting to head back.