Normally I include the race review after the recap. A marathon, however, deserves its own separate post.
Registration and Packet Pick Up
Nothing unusual cropped up during the registration process. Additionally, we arrived too late to experience packet pick up in its new location. Our race day pick up went fine albeit a bit awkwardly. There were a few different standing signs with different race distances displayed. I lined up behind the one displaying “26.2.” Immediately a volunteer standing in front of the tables told me to line up a few steps to the right, behind the sign displaying “8k.”
Um…okay.
I said something about lining up behind the sign because of what it said. A volunteer behind the table immediately told the first volunteer to “just tell them it’s a mistake and we can’t move the sign.” I’m sure that she meant “them” as “any participants that come after then” but the fact that she said it that way before handing us our bibs and gear was a bit awkward and off putting. Keep in mind that yes, this was one incident, however, it left an impression.
Race shirt
Unlike the shirt from 2014, this year’s shirt currently resides at the bottom of a bag destined for Goodwill. I loved the dark blue color of this shirt. The fit was adequate but not good enough to include in my rotation of long sleeve running shirts. The fabric type does not lend itself to lounge wear use either. I will admit that I have fairly picky tastes when it comes to race shirts especially since I started heading down the minimalism path.
Pre-race/Morning Amenities
Bear Foot Sports does an excellent job making full use of the tents that they have set up in the finish area. I suppose it should be more accurately called the start/finish area. They provided coffee, snacks and assorted other amenities. I did not partake in any of the extras (tiny bladder) so I cannot speak to the quality. The one thing that Bear Foot Sports could improve on is the number of portopotties available. All three races start together which makes for a lot of people at the start, especially when family and supporters are included in that number. After we picked up our supplies, 35 minutes before the start, Mom got into line. It took her at least 20 minutes to get through the line even though it wasn’t that long when judged by number of people in line. If I remember correctly, there were a total of 3-5 available stalls.
Course
This course is full of out and backs, especially in the marathon. On one hand, I love out and backs because they offer opportunities to check my place in race standings. On the other hand, having so many included on one course limits the overall expanse. The course went nowhere near the toe or heel of the island. (Hilton Head is shaped like a shoe.) The island is covered with countless bike path/pedestrian trails yet this course covers a rather insignificant portion of them. Apart form the Cross Island Bridge and the Spanish Wells Plantation area, the course is flat and boring. I also continue to harbor extreme dislike for the parking lot weave and short “trail” section. I have one question. Why?
Course Support
Since I carried my OrangeMud quiver, I did not pay close enough attention to the exact number of water stops but I thought they were more than adequate. I found out from the guy who ran the timing services that they had planned to have another water stop between miles 2.5 and 5 (on the Cross Island Parkway) but SCDOT prohibited this particular stop because of the potential for too much litter.
I also had another negative one off experience at one of the later marathon course only water stops. It was manned by two girls. The first time through, no issue. I’m pretty sure that I actually did not stop the first time through. On the second visit I asked for Gatorade. One of the girls pointed at the table where there was one cup holding Gatorade, the rest had water. At that point in the race I was taking two cups so I was a little upset. If I had wanted more I would have had to grab an empty cup and fill it from the dispenser myself. As I write this out, I know that it sounds petty but at the time, it left a poor impression.
Finish line and post-race amenities
I love the finish line of this course, the curve around the small lake/pond, the final turn to the finish chute. I should add the Jarvis Creek Park portion to the scenic portions of the course.
The post race “party” is accessible, has lots of food, water and even Gatorade available and presents awards in a timely manner.
Race Photography
I am usually impressed by the number of photos that the official race photography company captures. This time it appears that there were photographers stationed at just two locations on the marathon course, one of which was the finish line. Perhaps the company had just enough staff for the half marathon course and any overlaps with the 8k and marathon course. Thankfully Ellis was there to ride along and take more pictures.
Race Results
The head of Charlestowne Timing Services has also frequently worked with Scott Bagwell and Palmetto Timing. Charlestowne Timing Services also uses racemine.com, a favorite for a data nerd like me. He had a tent set up with computers to search up results, one of them connected to a printer that upon request, one of them connected to a printer that upon request delivered a small slip of paper containing name and results. I love this feature. Palmetto Timing is getting one soon too.
Overall, this is a pretty good small marathon but not one that I would run multiple times, as a marathon. I will most definitely continue to run the half marathon for as long as I potentially can.