Back to Spinx Run Fest Information & Reviews
A. L. from LaGrange, Georgia
(10/29/2007)
"First-timer challenged, but pleased" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Greenville was my first marathon... and it wasn't easy or flat. However, it was well organized, friendly, scenic and, minus some long and painful hills, a fun race. I was prepared for a few hills but didn't take the elevation chart as seriously as I should have. Everyone was kind and encouraging through the entire registration process, race, and finishing area. I would echo the traffic concerns. Most all drivers were patient and cautious. A few acted as if we were all running down their drive ways and wouldn't budge. The Greenville area is a wonderful place to visit. The minor league park, downtown, Furman... all super. It's a great place for kids as well. My family was able to drive to numerous spots along the course to offer support and the kids had plenty of parks for the down time. I would certainly run it again and suggest others check it out. | |
J. H. from Greenville, SC
(10/29/2007)
"Small marathon; not a good 1st marathon" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is my hometown marathon and I have run the 1/2 in the previous years but decided to give the full a try. Nicely organized, but I'm learning that I need crowd participation to aid me along the course. This race has very, very little other than aid stations. The course is very hilly, and although I train in the area, it is still very tough. There are prettier areas in G'ville to run, and would rather the course move to those areas. (And those areas also have MORE people who might cheer.) Recommendations to organizers: 1. Change course; 2. Add neighborhood cheer challenges; 3. Change to spring for better participation (right now we compete with Marine Corp and NY). | |
Norris Beale from Augusta, GA
(10/29/2007)
"Love racing in Greenville!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Confessions first - I haven't run Greenville's full marathon. I have run the half for the past 3 years. It's a wonderful race hosted by a wonderful city and executed by one of the strongest running clubs in the Southeast. Treat yourself to a weekend in Greenville. | |
S. L. from Charlotte, NC
(10/28/2007)
"Traffic management and safety are a major concern" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Spinx Run Fests
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 I ran the 1/2 marathon event. This is a beautiful course and the volunteers, both at the water stations and at the end of the race, could not have been nicer. The problems with this race are traffic management and safety. There are long sections of this race where there is little or no traffic management and I personally know of two runners who were almost hit by a car. I would not run this event again or recommend it to others unless I knew this issue had been taken care of. I have run numerous other long-distance events and this is BY FAR the worst job of traffic management I have seen. | |
A. E. from Melbourne Beach, FL
(10/28/2007)
"Excellent." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race was excellent. Despite the fact that I had some trouble with my registration, packet pickup was super easy, the start was very easy to get to and on time, aid stations were consistent and well stocked with fluids and food, and traffic control at intersections was flawlessly executed. The course was super challenging for this flatlander, as it was continuously rolling hills, but it was beautiful in most places. And I finished only three minutes slower than my PR. Yes, you do run on highways a good bit and the course is not closed, but there were cones in the center of all these highways letting motorists know to be cautious. For the most part motorists didn't seem to have a problem yielding the road to runners. I prefer running solo, having plenty of room to run, and don't particularly need fan support to enjoy the run. This race fit the bill very well, especially once the half marathon split off. However, there were always other runners in sight, perhaps due to the relay. If you're looking for a small, well-run marathon on a challenging, scenic course, do this race. | |
R. O. from Greenville, SC
(9/7/2007)
"Scenic course with a great finish" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race has improved each year, and the course has some great sections through the Furman University campus, Green Valley Country Club and downtown Greenville. It has a couple of tough hills, but I ran it faster than my two flat, beach marathons. | |
A. S. from Anderson, SC
(6/16/2007)
"Great small-town marathon; a very fair course" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and I had a great experience. The organizers need to work out some kinks, though. I thought it was a very fair course with lots of hills - seemed balanced between up and down, with a slight decline on the last couple of miles. I qualified for Boston and ran that this year, and I definitely liked the Greenville course much better! I will be back! | |
D. F. from Huntsville, AL
(1/15/2007)
"Hilly course, busy roads, well-organized" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 For only their second year, this marathon was fairly well done. The course is not easy, with almost continuous hills. A lot of it is on busy roads, but traffic control was OK. Very nice tech T-shirt. Cash awards, even for age groups, and nice trophies, but it took a long time to give them out. Spectators were enthusiastic, especially at Furman University. I'll do it again. | |
P. K. from Haslett, MI
(11/15/2006)
"Lots of potential; right now it's dangerous though" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race has so much potential. I think its probably a great half marathon as the half turns back to town before the problems mount with the full marathon. The course was lovely in areas - especially around the university. However, the course was very dangerous in areas - on Roe Ford Rd. and McElhaney Rd. On Roe Ford, there were no cones, no police and no course monitors, so half the runners ran on the right side of the road to get the "short" side of the curves and half ran on the left to see on-coming traffic. This made the situation so much more dangerous, as cars had to swerve around us - there is no shoulder to the road, no berm, just a ditch. I had to stop several times to get out of the way of cars and twice I had to stop for street crossings (turning onto McElhaney and crossing US 25). It's dangerous. I would not have been surprised if a runner had gotten hit. This being said, with a few course changes this could be a super small-town marathon! Time of year was perfect, volunteers were enthusiastic, and the T-shirt was great. It has so much potential - it's just not there yet. I would not run it again with the same course, but I would consider the half if I were in the area. | |
P. M. from Alabama
(11/1/2006)
"DO do it!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spinx Run Fest
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I think this year's edition must be considered a major improvement based on what I read of last year's race. The race director delivered on everything advertised, including a very nice tech shirt. The community really participates in all the events of the Runfest. We need to support the marathon part to help it grow. You do run on a coned-off lane of a highway for several miles, but police were very visible and there were no problems. This might change when the numbers grow. Once you leave town, the course is a challenging but beautiful tour of the Blue Ridge foothills. Many gentle downhill sections to recover your legs and lungs. Good support on course.... Could use one addition water staion or so to spread them out more evenly. No cheer squads or rock bands, but who needs them in this kind of scenery. Plenty of good running company to visit with and encourage you. A good event, so support it! |
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