Galveston Marathon & Half Marathon - Race Reviews

Very small marathon field but the registration, check in, and overall organization was outstanding. The course was excellent and the only reason for 4 stars is the double-loop.....a little tough on the second trip but very scenic and volunteers were terrific. I highly recommend the trip down to Galveston for this one.

Enjoyed the ease of registration, packet pick up and parking right on Stewart Beach by the starting line. The course was very scenic with views across Galveston Bay and a tour along the Seawall. BUT. If you did not use the one or two porta potties available on the East side of the loop you were destined to hold it for a very long time! There was nowhere to go along the Seawall portion of the race.

The packet pick-up volunteers could not have been nicer. The support pre-race was solid, very little of the promised amenities were available after the marathon although the post-race massage was nice. Humidity was 97% so the race experience was affected by that factor. The out-and-back nature of the course was tough to bear on the back end as you often end up on the same stretch of road four times prior to completion. Pretty lonely on the course between participants and spectators but not a huge deal depending on your preference. All in all, a low hassle event in a very nice location

The day of the race was hazy, humid and hot. It was high humidity which slowed me down, especially during the second loop. The course was flat, paved and mostly within short distance from the Gulf. Volunteers did a great job, spectators were sparse yet loud and supportive. I was surprised that the bag drop-off/pick-up facility did not exist and I had to ask friendly people to keep my bag. Another disappointment was that the promised beer disappeared when I reached the finish line (half-marathoners finished first and did not care about fellow marathoners?). Overall it was a very nice race. Thank you, Galveston!

This marathon was one of the best I ran. Sure the double loop can be mentally challenging, but most of the run took place along the Gulf, which was so cool! The ocean breeze really helped offset the heat and humidity. The shirt, medal, and water stops were excellent. The post race food was plentiful, and the burritos/pizza were great options. Plenty of people at the finish line, but not too many spectators throughout the course. The weather for this race was supposed to be 50s and raining. Actual weather was mid-70s, sunny, and humid. If you come from a cooler climate like I do, don't expect to PR. Galveston is a cool town, and I'm glad I ran this marathon. Definitely worth walking around downtown while you're there.

This race is a little gem on Galveston Island. First off, the race is very well organized. The RD provided frequent communication in the days leading up to the race. They offered packet pick-up at a number of locations in the greater Houston area, and race day morning for out of towners. 2nd, the course was very nice. Loss of a star since it is double loop, but running along the ocean is beautiful and relaxing. It is fast too, the definition of pancake flat. If you get the right weather, it is a PR kind of course. The course had plenty of support, with frequent water stops and even some gel and food stops. Mile markers seemed pretty accurate as well. As for spectators, for a small race it actually had a decent number, especially along the Seawall section (where a lot of people were out taking morning walks). Good, right sized post race with plenty of food (pizza and breakfast tacos) and massages. Shirt and medal were decent as well. This year was a bit on the warm size, but still enjoyable. I would run this race again.

The volunteers at the water stops were just wonderful, as were the friendly police men and women directing traffic to keep the runners safe. We got a very warm race day, so the water stops were very much needed and appreciated. They kept the water and gatorade very cold! Friendly little race. It gets a bit lonely on the second loop, once the half marathoners are finished. Overall well executed. I wish there had been more people on the course cheering and being silly. It would have helped, especially on the East End where it is pretty desolate.

Great small marathon with super nice volunteers - hot day and ready to hand out refreshments at each stop along with oranges, cookies, etc. great beer and lots of burritos afterwards plus pizza. Nice metal. Only complaint was unisex tshirt - small was very big. Course was well staff with police and course was entertaining even though y spectators were thin at times. I loved this race! Galveston has lots to do so make it a weekend!

My first two-loop marathon and I really enjoyed it. It's nice knowing where you are after the first time around. Very few runners did full, so lonely at times - but Galveston is a busy place so plenty to look at. Very flat course. Great police presence for traffic control where needed. Water/Gatorade was confusing sometimes - because each stop was different (sometime water first, sometime Gatorade first) - however the volunteers were wonderful. I love the wet towels they handed out a few times. Wish more races did that. Love the t-shirt (great quality), nice cap and gloves given too. I would definitely run this route again.

No spectators (which I like) but AWESOME VOLUNTEERS!! Aid every 1 1/2 miles. double loop; course through downtown, ocean, residential, beachfront homes, wetlands. 99.9% flat. Race day packet pickup (and people were still registering). lots of 'cheaper' hotels on Seawall Blvd. that don't show up on travel sites. Time limit was 6; I was 5:25; never saw any evidence of beer or massage at post-race (supposed to be there according to website); course was well-marked and supported at almost all intersections.

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.