Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon
We registered for the Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon a mere 48 hours before race day.  In spite of our late entry into the race, we had a great experience and were not impacted by our delayed registration at all, thanks to the great organization on behalf of 1st Place Sports and all involved in this event.  For anyone who is a frequent racer, or a Jacksonville local, we recommend being part of this experience. 

Expo
1st Place Sports offered packet pick-up at various 1st Place Sports locations in the Jacksonville area on the Friday and Saturday before the race.  Being such late registrants, we weren’t allowed to pick up our packets prior to race day, but this didn’t impact us at all as we couldn’t get to Jacksonville until too late on the night before the race.  Instead, we arrived at the Bolles School (the location of the race start and race morning packet pick-up) at approximately 6:30, after a ten minute trek from the car to packet pick-up.  Packets included a Brooks technical t-shirt, some advertisements for local Jacksonville races, and a serving size of lemonade mix.  Female runners be warned: this race has given out Brooks technical shirts for the last two years, and women’s Brooks tech shirts run a size small.  Inquire about the shirts, and if they are Brooks, order up from what you would normally get.  Race organizers were very accommodating and were allowing runners to swap ill-fitting shirts for the correct size.  Since we didn’t know Brooks tech shirts were being offered, I ordered my usual women’s medium.  When it didn’t fit, volunteers took my bib number and told me race organizers would be ordering more larges as that size was all out. 

Also of import to anyone registered for this race: the race website says that parking is limited and runners staying at the host hotel were encouraged to take the free shuttle to the race start.  Having not stayed at the host hotel, this had us a little panicked.  When we arrived at the Bolles School (a little late by most people’s standards), there was plenty of on-street parking a half mile or more from the race start.  As long as you don’t mind walking (or running!), don’t worry about the parking situation.  By 6:25 we were parked, and a brisk warm-up jog had us at packet pick-up inside the gym of the Bolles School less than ten minutes later.  We didn’t have time to make it back to the car, so we took advantage of the bag check and stuffed our clothes inside the provided clear plastic bags, leaving them in the care of race volunteers until we finished running.   Not having to rush back to the car gave us the ten minutes we needed to make a quick restroom stop, where lines moments before the race were short enough to still allow runners to arrive at the start on time.  

Course & Fan Support
The Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon took runners on a scenic tour of one area of suburban Jacksonville, with miles six through eight of the course being the most picturesque.  Runners were treated to some views of the St. Johns River, and Spanish moss draped vistas of the houses along its bank.  Most runners will be delighted by the scenery, even those who live in the Southeast and are accustomed to such scenery.  All runners will likely appreciate the entirely flat course which is advertised as producing some fast times.

Aid stations were located approximately every two miles and offered Gatorade and water.  The course was one of the most clearly marked we have ever run.  Any time there was a turn, a sign with both an arrow and a direction (left, right, or straight) marked the way. 

Fan support along the course was minimal, so anyone running this race will have to be content with the beautiful scenery.  With that being said, the course ended on the track at the Bolles School, where there were plenty of people waiting to cheer on race finishers.  Both our names were announced on the loudspeaker as we rounded the final curve of the track, which made us reminiscent of all those glorious state track meets we ran in high school.  Runners crossed an impressive line which was an actual structure (not just an inflatable arch) topped with black and gold balloons.  Volunteers were on hand passing out finisher medals, and just beyond them was the sustenance provided to runners courtesy of their registration fees. 

Post-Race Party
Post-race, a variety of food and drinks were offered to runners.  Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice was giving out free 8 oz. containers of their various fresh juices.  Kiddie pools filled with ice contained plenty of bottled water for thirsty runners, and for anyone wanting a hot beverage, hot chocolate was also available.  For food, runners could choose from hot lentil soup, the typical bananas and muffins, fruit cups and peanut butter crackers. 

A few vendors also had booths set up on the turf inside the track. Runners had a chance to chat with representatives from Orange Theory Fitness, some local races, and a running club or two.  We checked the official race merchandise booths for race shirts in a women’s large, but it appeared the race was truly out of this size and I would have to wait until the order came in. 

Unable to find any live results posted at the finish line, we hung out for the awards ceremony to see if Justin had won an age group award.  This was a fast field of runners, with an impressive number of men and women finishing under 1:30.  Justin’s 1:26:22 was just enough to eke out a 3rd place finish in his age group, earning him a small plaque and some bragging rights.  

Final Verdict
The Jacksonville Half Marathon is an easy race to run, because of both the flat, scenic course, and the effectiveness with which the race was organized.  Anyone in the area should add this race to their list of “must-runs” and enjoy a chance to burn off some post-holiday calories. 

Tips for Running a Successful Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon

1. Don’t worry about parking, there is plenty to be had on side streets.  
   
2. If you register late, arrive early on race morning to allow yourself time to pick up your packet, use the port-o-lets, drop any items off at your car, and arrive at the race start with plenty of time to get yourself together.  
   
3. Dress accordingly.  Don’t let the late December race date fool you into thinking you need to dress warmly.  It is very likely that shorts and a tank top will be ideal for Florida in the last week of December.  
   

We’re pretty sure that running the Kiawah Island Half Marathon two weeks after running the Space Coast Half Marathon puts us in an elite group of people who have run two of the prettiest races in the Southeast, if not the country, within one month.  We’re almost embarrassed to say that we’ve taken Kiawah for granted, with it being in our own backyard.  Don’t make the same mistake we did.  Run this race, and run it every year if you can.  Kiawah Island is locally know as a resort island that provides vacationers with luxuries like a top notch hotel (The Sanctuary) and some of the finest dining in town.  The island is just as good to its runners, as it provided the aforementioned top-notch course along with a fantastic post-race party, complete with Kiawah catered food, live music, beer, and opportunities for a few fun photo ops. 

Expo
Locals were able to take advantage of the early bird packet pickup held in downtown Charleston on the Saturday one week before the race.  The official Kiawah Island Marathon and Half Marathon expo was held at the East Beach Convention Center on Kiawah Island on Thursday evening and all day on Friday until 8:30 pm.  Anyone unable to attend at these times still had the option of picking up on race morning.  Visitors to the expo were encouraged to bring canned goods to be donated to the Charleston Area Senior Center and/or new or gently used school supplies to be donated to the local Teachers’ Supply Closet.  In an effort to be environmentally friendly, race organizers encouraged runners to bring their own bags to carry their race shirts (which were long sleeve, technical, and gender specific) and bibs, as plastic bags would not be provided.  A t-shirt exchange was available for anyone needing different sizes.  Official merchandise ranging from Christmas ornaments to pajamas to race shirts from year’s past was available for sale in one room of the conference center while plenty of other vendors had booths set up in the center’s halls. 

Of note: Kiawah is very generous to its registrants, who all had the option to defer if necessary to next year’s race.

The East Beach Conference Center also housed the Pre-Race Celebration Buffet.  As Kiawah is more than a 45 minute drive from the rest of Charleston, paying $32.95 for the convenience of eating a meal at the expo was well worth it for many runners, who both enjoyed the food and the entertainment provided. 

Post-Race Party
If we’ve attended a better post-race party than this, the magnificence of Kiawah’s is currently outshining them all.  Justin enjoyed the unlimited beer provided to runners and the fact that he had options from Angry Orchard, Michelob Ultra, Palmetto Brewing Co., and The Traveler Beer Company.  Traveler was giving out fake stick-on mustaches and allowing attendees to entertain themselves on their giant mustache see-saw.

Kiawah’s banquet staff prepared a gourmet quality post-race meal, and runners were able to gorge themselves on a half marathon (or marathon) worth of pasta, tabouli, corn muffins, white bean soup, and brownies.

We made a quick stop at a photo booth were runners could don funny Christmas hats, hold up signs and pose for four photos that were printed right then and there, courtesy of Red Fox Wireless and Pace Magazine.

Because of all the race organizers had to offer, we spent more time than usual at a post-race party.  As a result, we were still there when awards were called for the half-marathon.  Not only were we able to see the beautiful pelican statuettes given to the top finishers, but we were also there when Justin's name was called as the fifth place finisher in his age group.  Some age groups gave out awards for first through third, while others gave out awards all the way through fifth.  We are not sure how this was determined, but it worked out in our favor, so we like it!  

Accommodations
Kiawah is known as a resort island, so while there are options for on-island accommodations, they are costly.  The higher prices are well worth considering as an on-island stay will prevent you from having to take a shuttle to the start on race morning.  For anyone not staying on the island, the nearest budget hotels are located about 45 minutes away in the West Ashley part of Charleston.  For anyone staying at these hotels, be prepared to drive towards Kiawah and fight some traffic.  From there you will park at Freshfields Village and wait in line with other runners for shuttles busing runners onto the island.  Freshfields recently obtained its own hotel, the Andell Inn, and while anyone staying here would avoid driving in traffic, it will still require boarding one of the buses to the race start.  For anyone considering Andell, book early as it is the only hotel near Kiawah.

Places to Eat
For anyone not willing to pay the $32.95 for the pre-race buffet, there are a number of dining options on Kiawah Island, though many of them are equally expensive, if not more so.  The chefs on Kiawah Island cook meals for some of the wealthiest people in the world, including visiting royalty, so eating at a restaurant on the island is sure to guarantee you a memorable meal.  Visit http://www.kiawahresort.com/dining for more information.  Visitors to Charleston should know that it is a town for food lovers.  If you are visiting for more than one day, head downtown and eat at one of the many nationally recognized restaurants for another memorable meal. 

Course & Fan Support
In our opinion, the Lowcountry of South Carolina is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Kiawah Island has some of its most stunning views.  The 2012 PGA championships were held on Kiawah’s Ocean Course, and the half marathon led runners there.  Much of the race's course is lined with shady live oaks draped with Spanish moss, and runners will be rewarded with frequent views of the marsh and the Kiawah River.  We both forgot to wear our sunglasses for the race, and while it wasn’t a big deal due to the shady nature of the course, there were a few occasions when the course ran directly into the rising sun.  Consider bringing a pair that you don’t mind wearing in the shade and the sun, or that you can carry or wear on top of your head.

We were both surprised and delighted by the number of fans along the course.  As Kiawah is a private island, we didn’t expect to see many people, but it appeared that the friends and family members of many runners were out to cheer runners on.  All the usual marathon and half marathon signs made an appearance, though an enthusiastic carrot and banana took the spectator prize for me due to their ability to seemingly cheer for hours.  I saw them at multiple points along the course and enjoyed the music they blared for the purpose of their own dancing and for the benefit of runners.  A number of bands were present, accompanied by the official race photographers and even more fans.  

Final Verdict 
Kiawah race organizers have the whole race thing down to a science.  Go to enjoy the race, but also to marvel at the seamlessness with which this race is put on.  Enjoy the scenery along the course and consider using the awesome post-race party as a motive for running a PR; it’ll get you there just a little bit sooner.  

Tips for Running a Successful Kiawah Half Marathon

1. If you are taking a shuttle, arrive early.  If we had gotten to the shuttles at 7 am or beyond, we may not have made it the race start on time.  
   
2. Take advantage of the bag check and bring warm, dry clothes to change into after the race.  It is often chilly for the weekend of this race and you don’t want to put a damper on all the fun to be had at the post-race party.
   
3. Bring sunglasses for the occasional parts of the course that put you in front of the rising sun.  
   

For more information visit 
http://www.kiawahresort.com/recreation/featured-events/kiawah-island-marathon.