Kiawah or Charleston GTG

[lb2006]

We've discussed having another east coast GTG for Kiawah(December) or Charleston(January) - let me know what you think and add your own positives/negatives:


1) Kiawah - December 12 2015:    www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/kiawah-island-marathon

POSITIVES:
beachfront rentals that are amazing (and can house 18) - could possibly rent same house again!!!  <)
on-island free shuttle - can take you to/from your front door to race start
great post-race party
usually warm weather
FLAT course
Saturday race
great food & beer at finish

NEGATIVES:
if our group is bigger than 18, would need a 2nd house
if you run the marathon, slightly boring course (personal opinion, gets lonely on 2nd half)

any others?


2) Charleston - January 16 2016:  charlestonmarathon.com/

POSITIVES:
Saturday race
FLAT course
amazing food in Charleston - endless possibilities
holiday weekend
flights into Charleston direct
could stay at Isle of Palms - approx 30 mins to start
usually warm
great beer/mimosas at finish 


NEGATIVES:
less chance of a rental large enough close to race start
course is a bit boring - and this year a bit long for all of us!
post race shuttle would be back to cars, then to wherever we're staying

 

[al320]

Id do either. I loved everythimg anout kiawah, but eould be up for a change. Id consider the full at charleston, though id need to understamd the course better.

[lb2006]

Apr 15, 2015 11:49:48 GMT -5 al320 said:

Id do either. I loved everythimg anout kiawah, but eould be up for a change. Id consider the full at charleston, though id need to understamd the course better.

let me know what you want to know - i ran it this year.  And ran it LONG    thanks a lot, lead vehicle.

[Mushe]

I'd be interested in Charleston, but it kind of depends on life. If I don't get pregnant in the next few months, I could say yes, but not sure if MH would be okay missing out either. It was just the ladies last year, right?

Eta: Kiawah sounds awesome, but I already signed up for CIM, which is also in December.

[al320]

Apr 15, 2015 11:52:11 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

Apr 15, 2015 11:49:48 GMT -5 al320 said:

Id do either. I loved everythimg anout kiawah, but eould be up for a change. Id consider the full at charleston, though id need to understamd the course better.

let me know what you want to know - i ran it this year.  And ran it LONG    thanks a lot, lead vehicle.

Is it flat?

[lb2006]

Apr 15, 2015 11:53:52 GMT -5 al320 said:

Apr 15, 2015 11:52:11 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

let me know what you want to know - i ran it this year.  And ran it LONG    thanks a lot, lead vehicle.

Is it flat?

YES.  One small incline on a bridge and then one other "hill" i remember over a railroad track   Very flat.  Also very "industrial" after the 1st four miles leave downtown Charleston.

[clseale]

Sadly, I'm almost certain that I will be maxed out on vacation days. That puts any Saturday races off limits, unless they allow people to pick up packets for other people. With that said, I will follow this thread.

[CallingAllAngels]

My vote is Charleston, even though the logistics for Kiawah were very easy once everyone got to the island. The timing of Kiawah is rough for me, since it falls right at the end of the semester.

I am seriously considering doing Charleston either way, as it good timing with my marathon training. I did the half there 2 years ago and really enjoyed it, although I agree with lb2006 that the course isn't all that pretty.

[bostonmichelle]

I'd potentially be in for either. I won't be able to commit until probably the end of the summer/early fall though. At this point I would be leaning towards Charleston though timing wise works out a bit better for me.

[jene]

I may be in for either, I need to talk to H to see what our holiday plans are and how my vacation will be by then

What's the weather like at that time of year?

[clseale]

Apr 15, 2015 13:11:34 GMT -5 jene said:

I may be in for either, I need to talk to H to see what our holiday plans are and how my vacation will be by then

What's the weather like at that time of year?

Kiawah was brisk! I know I'm a FL runner, but lots of people had gloves and toss shirts. It was right around 40, I think. 

For future, fall, east coast gtgs, I would like to throw Savannah out there. While I like the half a bit more, both courses are pretty good. The race is smooth. You can rent huge houses right in the historic area. Also, imo, of the southern city battle, Savannah wins. 

[al320]

Apr 15, 2015 13:30:30 GMT -5 clseale said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:11:34 GMT -5 jene said:

I may be in for either, I need to talk to H to see what our holiday plans are and how my vacation will be by then

What's the weather like at that time of year?

Kiawah was brisk! I know I'm a FL runner, but lots of people had gloves and toss shirts. It was right around 40, I think. 

For future, fall, east coast gtgs, I would like to throw Savannah out there. While I like the half a bit more, both courses are pretty good. The race is smooth. You can rent huge houses right in the historic area. Also, imo, of the southern city battle, Savannah wins. 

For a northerner, it was perfect running weather. If the course wasnt so shaded, it wouldve been too sunny.

[ktzmoh]

I think travel would be cheaper for Charleston. My experience is that mid January is about as cheap as it gets for plane tickets.

I might be interested in Charleston!

[emilyj]

I would be interested and could do either option!

I would also support Savannah. :-)

[lb2006]

Apr 15, 2015 13:30:30 GMT -5 clseale said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:11:34 GMT -5 jene said:

I may be in for either, I need to talk to H to see what our holiday plans are and how my vacation will be by then

What's the weather like at that time of year?

Kiawah was brisk! I know I'm a FL runner, but lots of people had gloves and toss shirts. It was right around 40, I think. 

For future, fall, east coast gtgs, I would like to throw Savannah out there. While I like the half a bit more, both courses are pretty good. The race is smooth. You can rent huge houses right in the historic area. Also, imo, of the southern city battle, Savannah wins. 

Add another thread!  I'd be interested in Savannah too

[sadlebred]

Charleston is when CX Nats is, but I'm most likely out for either for this year b/c I'm racing CX Nats in Jan. 2016.

[hannahb]

I could do either. I think charleston could work well time wise for me as it's not right before the holidays. Logistics were really nice at kiawah though.
Savannah would be nice but out this year for me since it would be right after marine corps

[clseale]

Apr 15, 2015 15:43:24 GMT -5 hannahb said:

I could do either. I think charleston could work well time wise for me as it's not right before the holidays. Logistics were really nice at kiawah though.
Savannah would be nice but out this year for me since it would be right after marine corps

Yeah, I'm thinking 2016. You have to coordinate Savannah pretty far out. Plus, I think DH might pick it as his fall full, in which case, I'll be there with him.

lb2006, I have to see what DH's plans are. If he changes his mind, I'll look at options. 

[irene adler]

Kawiah is tough because it falls smack at the end of the semester. I could likely do Charleston.

[taratru]

I'm in for whatever. Either way, I'd be doing the half, so I don't really have a dog in the fight. Cheaper is better, though, so that's my vote - cheap.

[cinco]

I'm in for either.

[arch01]

I'd much rather do Charleston-even though I'm only a state away, I don't like repeating races I travel for.

I'd also be up for Savannah in 2016-I've been wanting to do that one!

I didn't realize til someone posted above that Charleston is on a holiday weekend-that makes me feel a bit less guilty since I'd still have time with DH/DS on Monday

[Wines Not Whines]

Do all of these races have a half option? I'm interested, but only for a half.

[lb2006]

Apr 15, 2015 18:25:43 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Do all of these races have a half option? I'm interested, but only for a half.

Both do

[jene]

Oh yes, I need a half only option too!

[mrshandy]

Timing wise January is so much easier than December. Charleston would be a closer drive (I think). It's a great town, so it would be neat.

But Kiawah was a great race so many perks and a beautiful course.

I'm a maybe either way so I will let others decide.

[gt7301b]

How did I just notice this thread? I'm a maybe for both.

[runblondie26]

I'd be in for Charleston.

[osulori]

I'd love to do Kiawah but December sucks for me so I'm voting Charleston.

[MrsE]

This just might inspire me to start racing again and swap my yoga tanks and bare feet for that dusty old half fanatic tech shirt and running shoes.