Not many full marathoners or spectators on the second loop, but there are plenty of tourists along the seawall, so you were not alone. Plenty of water stops, and good food at the end of the race. Well organized for a first-time race.

Inaugural Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon
Galveston, TX
Sunday, February 20, 2011
7:30 AM

The inaugural Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon was well organized. Each runner received a technical long-sleeved shirt and a pair of running gloves. The finisher medallion was nice. We ran the same 13.1-mile loop twice and shared the first loop with the half marathoners. It felt as if we circled the city twice. The course was flat, fairly scenic, coned well, and monitored professionally. The water/sports drink stations were approximately located at every 1.5 mile. There were sports gels and fruits in a few of the aid stations. The race was chip-timed. The mile markers were easily visible. There were pace groups. There was some sporadic crowd support. Due to dense fog, the air felt fairly cool during the first half. The second half was a different story as the sun was out and heat and humidity kept increasing. There were plenty of recovery drinks and food items at the finish.

I ran this first Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon, after its absence for 18 years, yesterday. It was well organized, with plenty of water and Gatorade stations. I don't know how many ran the marathon, versus the half-marathon, but it didn't seem like very many people ran the full marathon. The weather was extremely foggy for the first hour. Running along the seawall in the first leg, I could hear the ocean but couldn't see it. But by the end of the first hour, the fog was clear, and by the end of the second hour, the it wasn't overcast anymore and the sun started beating down. I finished the first half in the time I expected. It was still in the 60s, but the sun was daunting. I didn't set a personal record, as I had hoped (because it's an extremely flat course), but I'll be back, assuming they have the race again next year. Not a lot of crowds, but it was good for a first event that's kind of small. Scenery was nice.

GREAT RACE!

COURSE
Flat as a pancake and two loops. If by chance, small chance, you could get a March cool-front in Texas, this could be a PR course. But being Galveston, a south wind means high humidity. The wind can be a little tough on some sections due to the proximity to the beach, but overall not a problem. In fact, the wind can have a good cooling effect on a warm day.

Also the course was well coned, marked, and staffed with encouraging volunteers at every turn.

ORGANIZATION
Great! Race director very alacritous. Pre-race area in small park area 20 yards from start line. Finish line same spot, with nice little post-race gathering with free food and beverages, including beer.

Water stations were plentiful and well stocked. Also, gels were provided every 4-6 miles. There were also official pace runners for every 10-minute stagger (3:00, 3:10, etc), which is quite unusual for a race with fewer than 1,000 entrants.

SUPPORT
Lastly, all volunteers were very helpful and friendly.

Overall, would definitely recommend. In fact, events like this are the most fun. An event organized like a major marathon, but small enough not to be a logistic pain.