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Space Coast Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Space Coast Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.6 
 
 
Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

 

P. K. from Cincinnati, Ohio (12/3/2012)
"Running with Larry Hagman" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Near-perfect marathon. I originally planned to do that other, more popular marathon near Orlando, but a 50-state marathoner told me about this one. Glad I listened to him. Affordable, easy registration and frequent email notices. Fun, no-hassle expo at the Kennedy Space Center. Shuttle bus transportation from hotels to race start. We met a lot of marathoners at both the hotel and at Brano's Italian restaurant in nearby Cocoa Beach, so there was a lot of camaraderie. The race course lacked variety, and there wasnt much crowd support, but the scenery and smooth road more than made up for it: 2 loops along beautiful Indian River, one north of town and one south, and the southbound loop tied in with the half-marathoners. Many beautiful waterside homes, seagulls, ospreys. Frequent liquid stops, with gels offered every mile after mile 13! Great festive finish at a circular, grassy amphitheater, with pizza, beer, bagels, bananas, pancakes, eggs. Finishers' medals aren't too important to me, but this one dwarfs any of my others - it was a HUGE rocket replica, more like a trophy. And a nice beach towel souvenir.

Just a few suggestions for the organizers: maybe offer hot beverages before the start, since it was pretty chilly until the sun started climbing. Maybe a louder announcement at the full and half-marathon split-off to prevent confusion. Also, my calves were screaming for a massage afterwards, and it was really disconcerting to be told at the massage tent - in a somewhat rude manner - 'No more signups, our masseuses need a break.' Really? I know they are volunteers who service a lot of people, but this was a real letdown. Even just a one or two-minute massage would've helped.

Still, a fantastic marathon, capped by phenomenal weather. This was the Florida entry in my 50 states quest. But I enjoyed it so much I'll definitely be back.

 

G. C. from New York (12/1/2012)
"Great Course But Misleading" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


The course is very good but marketing is misleading in that this race is not even close to the space center. The expo is small and actually at the space center which is about an hour away from the race. Enjoyed the scenery and amenities but was disappointed as we came from New York just for this race.

 

J. W. from Florida (11/30/2012)
"Great first Marathon!" (about: 2012)

1 previous marathon | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Course was beautiful, plenty of aid stations. Volunteers were great and still enthusiastic even for those of us in the back of the pack :) I would definitely run this race again!

 

buzz lightyear from New York, NY (11/29/2012)
"Out of this world" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


If you like the feel of a small-town race and don't need the roar of the crowd this one is for you. Very well organised, lots of parking close by, lots of porta-pots as well as real bathrooms, beautiful finish area, a real-life astronaut, great themed aid stations and volunteers. Running along the river in the pre-dawn - spectacular. Get out there, run your 26, get your medal, enjoy the sunshine and a beer. I was top 5 and cheered home by lots of the half-marathoners. Great camaraderie.

 

nick keeling from bethesda maryland (11/26/2012)
"awesome marathon experience" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I don't know where to start. This was a wonderful marathon experience. Packet pick up at the Kennedy Space Centre, flat fast course with a few slopes,(no hills)after the marathon a large grassy area with plenty of food and beer provided. Water stops every mile, wonderful volunteers, crowd support almost non existent but who cares! Shuttle bus from hotel to and fro. Great medal plus a towel and teck shirt. 1 of my best experiences

 

P. C. from Ohio (1/17/2012)
"Lovely course but a challenge logistically" (about: 2011)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Wonderful place to run! Great area and unique artisan area of Coca downtown was worth the trip alone. Solid management, but the race is challenged by its growth. Start and finish areas seem too small for the numbers of runners. Getting to the expo...though in a wonderful place...was a challenge. Great pace team! Overall, well worth the price of admission. Here is hoping the race can grow while maintaining its unique small marathon appeal.

 

P. S. from Fort Lauderdale Florida (11/30/2011)
"This is a fantastic small marathon" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This is a great small marathon. I ran the full . The start line is in the center of town. The full marathon runs north and the half marathon runs south as you leave town. At 6.5 miles the full marathon turns and comes back to town and continues south to run what the half marathoners are in the process of finishing up. It's fun seeing the half marathoners as they are running back north to finish. The first leg of the full has a lot of rolling hills. Nothing too steep but.... rollers. The second half has less rollers. The expo at the Space Center is approx 20 miles north of the start line ( wish that was closer). The vendors were few but nice. Easy access to get your race packet. Plenty of water and gatorade stops along the course. The course is very fair to the runner. Our 3:35 pace guy (George) was great. If you're looking for a GREAT small town marathon.... look no further.

 

C. Q. from Florida (6/11/2011)
"Excellent Half!!" (about: 2010)

2 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran the 2010 half marathon for the first time. Very well organized, nice scenic route and great support. I'm thinking of doing the full in 2011. My only complaint to the organizers is the expo. For a race this size this has to be the weakest expo I've ever seen. Go check out Gasparilla in Tampa or Disney and see what they do. Perhaps a bigger venue is needed because it was over crowded and not many vendors. I expected more for a race this size.

 

R. A. from Weirsdale, Florida (3/12/2011)
"Effortless!" (about: 2010)

3 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Between the registration, email communications, course layout and amenities, the organizers of this race put on an effortless event. I was able to register online, and received frequent email updates and reminders about the event - and then the packet pickup was smooth and easy. There is an EXPO at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center as well as a pre-race dinner - what a wonderful location!! As far as the race, the support along the route was wonderful and well laid out. Each water station featured volunteers in different space costumes. After the race I enjoyed the pancake breakfast as well as the free pizza! I will do this race every year that my body allows.

 

J. M. from Merritt Island, Fl (12/6/2010)
"Nice route for a half; boring for a full" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Space Coast Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


The course was really beautiful, but it was a very boring marathon with barely any spectators supporting/cheering on the first 13.1 miles. You run along the river and beautiful homes north 6.5 miles then turn around on the same road and head south. The second half of the full runs south 6.5, back 6.5. Although the course was pretty, it was extremely boring. There were spectators but they were few and far between on the north end, which made it very lonely to run. The marathoners were spaced out too since it was a small race. It was so boring running the same route and without the energy from the spectators. I've run 15 marathons and about gave up at 11 miles out of boredom. It was hard to stay motivated and this was one of my worst runs despite having great training. The finish was nice but lots of turns on a narrow brick path, which made it difficult to really pick the pace up. I was worried I would trip on the bricks! The organization was good, and the volunteers were great. It's just such a small race that out-and-back makes it really difficult to stay motivated without a lot of spectators. I wouldn't mind doing the half but never again would I do the full.

 

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