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May 3, 2024

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 61 to 71]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 5 6 7 8 9 .. 21 > ]

K. O. from Summerville, SC (3/21/2010) "It truly is a flat course!!!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Kiawah Island Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've done the full at Kiawah twice and the half around four times. It is definitely a great place to qualify for Boston as you don't have to worry about any hills slowing you down. I don't mind the double loop, as we often have to do that kind of thing in our training and at least you know what to look for in the second loop. I also didn't care for the "medal" this year being made out of glass. I saw several fall and break while there. I was also disappointed in the lack of awards. I was lucky enough to win one there on my second marathon and I treasure it! I don't mind the cotton t-shirts as I use them to run in during the winter. The narrow bike paths and the walkers/slow runners truly are a problem for those of us trying to place or even run a decent pace, but that seems to be a problem in a lot of races these days. The post-race food is excellent and much better than any I've had at other marathons around the country! They could also do better with the entry onto the island for packet pick-up. The expo is sub par and there should have a better selection of Kiawah Island Marathon shirts/singlets, etc. Kiawah still holds a special place in my heart because it's my home town, the place of my first and absolute fastest marathon! I would recommend this marathon to others.
K. C. from ISLE OF PALMS, SC (1/12/2010) "KIAWAH GONE GREEN???" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This race has gone cheap, not green. I had done the half several times and wouldn't you just know it.... I did my first full at Kiawah, and the medal was pitiful! Several people dropped them, and of course they broke. Also, how about the tech shirt? No one runs in cotton, and if the best races in the world, big and small, do tech shirts, then what is the big deal? Worst of all, only one person can go into the finisher's party with each runner. What about family who have traveled from far away? That was awful! There was more than enough food and drink for all!
R. O. from Charlotte, NC (12/25/2009) "Great, flat course" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My wife ran the half marathon and I ran the full. Very well organized from start to finish. The food at the pre-race pasta party was great and we really enjoyed meeting other runners while listening to the Bluegrass music. The course was flat throughout, although as several other commentators noted, it was hard to run your own pace for the first 5-6 miles due to the narrowness of the roads/trail and the volume of runners. We really enjoyed our weekend and always love visiting Charleston.
C. B. from Columbia, SC (12/25/2009) "overall great" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I liked every minute of it. Only two complaints: 1. It took forever to get to the island with the shuttle; 2. Runners didn't line up according to their pace. Otherwise, it was great. Crowd was small but enthusiastic. I love the green medal and the T-shirt. Course was perfect (bike paths were not crowded when I ran them).
Anniversary Lovebirds from North Carolina (12/20/2009) "Walked the half & made way for the runners" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The GLASS medal is gorgeous on the Christmas tree with a light behind it! The shirt is nice and did not shrink - we were pleasantly surprised with long sleeves! Plenty of potties/water/bananas/oranges and nice volunteers. Food afterward was great - LUNCH, not snacks! Only complaint was road reopening around mile 4-5 - we felt unsafe and had to breathe car exhaust. :-(
W. J. from Maryland (12/20/2009) "Good for a first-timer" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, selected primarily because I couldn't get into NYC and I love to golf. I arrived Thursday, played 18 holes on the ocean course and settled into a fabulous condo on the beach. The organization of everything was terrific, a little pricey but hey it's Kiawah. I ran the full 26.2, and didn't like the narrow finish, but I have limited experience here. I was a 4:30 guy. I would have liked crowds but I didn't really expect it either. You trade that for a flat surface the whole way. It's terrific for first-timers,with lots of water, Gatorade, oranges and bananas, which, frankly, helped me finish. My primary gripe is the lack of photos. Maybe I'm missing it, but I can't find more than a handful for the race and none of me, which is weird. Maybe they are not up yet.
E. R. from NJ (12/17/2009) "Had good time but can't see myself doing it twice" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Foremost, the race was well organized from start to finish. It had a modest expo that had all of the essentials covered well. The course itself is average. I am from NJ, and a run in Central Park is just as scenic and interesting. It is mostly just lush greenery and some very beautiful homes that most of us will never afford. ;) They could do a better job of organizing the starting "corrals" because there is no enforcement of pace, and it is a narrow start. Spectators are in patches, but very energetic. There is absolutely nothing to do on the island other than chill out or play golf. Unless you plan on getting off the island and heading into Charleston after the race, you're not going to see much of anything.... Only because other people comment on the medals and shirts, I will do so too.... I found them to be fine. People that are complaining about the "cheapness" of the glass medal this year probably don't know it is made of recycled glass and is in line with the race's drive to be green. The cotton t-shirts are completely fine. Really, is this why you run a marathon? I am a 50-stater and this was my SC race and 40th marathon. This state has slim selection in terms of "great' races." If you're not from the area or doing the 50 states, or are not into golf, I'm not sure why you'd come to this race... but if you do come, you'll get a well supported experience. In 40 marathons, this was not near the top or the bottom.
J. M. from Knoxville, TN (12/15/2009) "Great race - I love to run/walk the half" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Kiawah Island Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the 4th year we have participated in the half marathon. Everything is well organized and we always stay in a beautiful condo on the island. Wow!! Most of the people that are helping with the event are awesome and the spectators were encouraging, although it seemed there were not as many as in the past. The food was great and the wait staff were wonderful. Everything went well and I only have a few comments: The marathon runners sometimes do not let you know they are coming behind you therefore you do not know in which direction to move. Some of the runners were rude to the walkers. I do not hesitate to say that the half marathoners paid as much money to participate and stay on the island and should not be bullied by some of the marathon runners. A few were really nice, though, and encouraged us as they passed. Maybe they should start 30 minutes before the walkers just to get out of the way. The only other comment I have is my disappointment in the award. I think for the expense we should at least get a "medal" with a ribbon - and not a plastic medallion that you cannot read that has a string on it. Perhaps purchasing the medal from a company that recycles would help. We are not sure about doing the race again. Thanks to everyone who volunteers!!
L. S. from Virginia (12/15/2009) "Excellent Experience" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Kiawah Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very flat and beautiful course. The weather was great - cool and just a few sprinkles. The medals were made from recycled glass, which for me makes it unique and memorable. There was lots of food and beer and indoor seating afterward - for someone who finishes in six hours, this was a greatly appreciated surprise. It was a well organized marathon with great volunteers. This was my first Kiawah Marathon, but I hope to do it again.
w. d. from Asheville, NC (12/15/2009) "Good event, but could be great" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Kiawah Island Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Over all, Kiawah does a very good job with their races, but they need to change the course to the way it used to be. The long finishing stretch on a very narrow winding bike path is awful. Move the last miles back onto the road. It's also very crowded with the half and full starting together. Post-race food is second-to-none - as good as any race in the country. I don't mind the recycled glass "medal," but this year's t-shirt seems more "cheap" than "green."

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