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Kiawah Island Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Kiawah Island Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 211 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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P. A. from Denver, CO
(12/21/2013)
 "Beautiful course, top-notch experience" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well organized expo and race, with very friendly and enthusiastic volunteers and Kiawah Island staff. Overall a top-notch experience (my 4th marathon). Completely disagree with some of the previous commenters who said this was a boring course. Course was super flat and beautiful, winding around the island, under beautiful oak and maple and pine trees, and passing by wide open marsh vistas or little brackish ponds. It did double back on itself several times (it's a relatively small island), and there were a couple of tight turn-arounds, but overall those weren't a big deal (I ran a 3:05:59, a PR by over 5 mins), and the beauty of the course was well worth it (even parts of the course that ran through neighberhoods were beautiful relative to your typical race). And the weather was great (if a tiny bit on the humid side). Would highly recommend staying on the island to avoid any of the headaches that some of the previous posters have listed. We stayed at the Golf Resort, in East Beach, and were a 0.2 mile walk from the start line. Shuttles available within 10 to 15 mins that will show up at your doorstep and take you anywhere you want to go on the island. And you have the ocean right there. Highly recommend this race as a SC destination race, or as a flat fast race for those looking for a PR. | |
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M. D. from Raleigh, NC
(12/19/2013)
"Great organization" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As a first timer, I had read all comments but went in with an open mind and was amazed. This is the probably the best organized event (pre & post race) I have partaken in. The expo was small and cozy, the course is different and yes I liked seeing fellow runners on the out and back sections. Meeting fellow runners after the race was rather special - I enjoyed the camaraderie. Due to the location of the course, crowd support is on the thin side but those around were cheering and clapping us along. Try it once, you might be surprised. | |
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Amanda Buchholtz from Charleston, SC
(12/18/2013)
 "First marathon, very pleased!" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I do have to admit that I was apprehensive going in due to past comments I have read/heard about Kiawah. I was very pleased with the whole race and would definitely run it again! The course was beautiful, although spectators were few and far between. I did hear that the spectator shuttle was a little confusing, but that is to be expected with such a small island and large course (road closures, etc.). The race was very well organized, the medals were beautiful (much better than year's past I heard) and the post race celebration was fun! I would definitely recommend this race if you are looking for a small race with a good Southern small town feel! | |
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d. l. from charlotte, nc
(12/17/2013)
 "a great event, you get what you pay for!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Kiawah Island Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 we came for the third time and will come again, Kiawah is always a winner. pricey compared to smaller races, but you do get what you pay for. packet pickup, bag drop-off, security, course markings, aid stations, volunteers and all amenities are exceptional. the feast at the finish, as well. maybe one request to the RD, start the half earlier than the full marathon to avoid crowds! other than that, excellent race for a first marathon or a PR. weather was exceptional as well, all of that adds to the pleasure of running on the island and enjoying the Charleston area, an unforgettable time! | |
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johan desmet from atlanta, GA
(12/16/2013)
"Very well organized" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There are some negative reviews on this site (boring course, finisher's medal, organization) but I found this to be a very well organized event with one of the better post-race parties and a superb online results page. Not sure if 2013 was just so much better than previous years or not but I can't find anything bad to say about the 2013 experience. the course is flat as a pancake, and the 'scenery' is way better than average. the turnarounds are not 'sharp' so no time loss on those and you get to see your competitors at least 5 times over the course. certainly recommending this race! | |
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J. E. from Minneaplis
(5/29/2013)
 "Where is the Water" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Lodging and Getting There I stayed in Charleston, about a 45 minute drive and then a 30 minute bus ride to the island. Bus transportation efficient but takes time to fill the bus up then a 10 minute ride to the island. The web site looks like more of a advertisement for rentals on the island than for the marathon. Course For such a nice area it is a horrible course. Is has about 5 180 degree turns and boring. Basically run up and down residential streets. Not sure how could be so close to the water but rarely see it. On the plus side, it is flat. They had more pace groups than most marathons. The 3:45 pace group was spot on and entertaining. Medal Of the 25 + marathons I have run, the medal was about the worst I have ever received. It is a cheap, small, thin little disk (can't read the writing on the disk) on a thin Christmas like ribbon. After Race After race food and set-up was above average. Inside a convention center that was air conditioned Summary It is one of the few marathons I have run that I would not recommend. | |
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J. B. from South Carolina
(1/9/2013)
 "Disappointment from this optimist" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I rarely ever do reviews..especially poor ones but here goes. Getting there is complicated at best...have to be there 2 hrs early to catch the bus and lots of waiting in traffic. The course was very boring for the 1/2 marathoners and even more so for the full as you run the same course twice. You run through neighborhood streets. No ocean views. The second have of the run is on a golf path? At best; thus very narrow and crowded. On the other hand the weather was great for December...just find some really good music to keep you going. | |
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M. F. from Louisville, CO
(12/26/2012)
 "High Expectations not quite met" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My expectations were high in that this would be a beautiful marathon along the ocean.... Pros: + weather warm (near 70) and windy + course was shaded by the large trees + lots of great volunteers - friendly + flat course + well organized + course was pretty (trees & nice homes) Cons: - course a little boring (little variation - the whole thing was run on neighborhood streets) - didn't see ocean or beach at all - medal and ribbon were the worst I've ever received - embarrassing really - course too narrow miles 7-11 or so We stayed in Charleston (great city) about a 40 minute drive down (allow for at least 1 hour on race day) - we left our downtown hotel around 5:15 and made it to the shuttle area by 6:10am...shuttles were fine for us....overall if you're looking for a fast time - go for it..... | |
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D. G. from Maryland
(12/22/2012)
"Beautiful" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon in several years so I chose a flat course. The island is beautiful and mostly shady. The crowds were not overwhelming but they were enthusiastic and encouraging. The pre-race pasta dinner was great and I liked that post-race we had a sit-down full meal indoors. I stayed on the island which was I recommend. There was a shuttle to the start from my villa and also a return after the race. Very convenient. It was a wonderful experience. Complaints - they ran out of premium beer at the post race party and I am a beer snob so this irked me. I haven't decided if I like the 'medal' or not. It is certainly different. My wife is using it as a suncatcher in one of our windows. | |
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P. H. from USA
(12/18/2012)
"Great course, perfect weather, cheaply organized" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Did the 2012 half marathon. The weather was perfect - great time of year for this event. The course was through various neighbourhoods - very flat which is awesome. We enjoyed the run and got our best time ever. It was disappointing however that the organizers decided to go cheap. Event tote bags were not provided (in an effort to be environmentally conscious) but they were for sale (in an effort to be revenue conscious). The finisher medals were not secured with ribbon made from cloth or similar material, but with 'present wrapping' ribbon (very cheap). There was only gatorade made from powder at the finish line - no bananas, oranges, bagels, granola bars, yogurt, etc... that you would find at other events. To get anything to eat you had to find the after party and stand in line - not cool after you've just run 13+ miles. |
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