This course really showcases what it's like to run in Columbia, with it's mix of rolling hills and flats.

Pros:
1. PLENTY of parking. The race starts and ends at the Village at Sandhill, which is a nice, outdoor shopping center.
2. The aid station volunteers are very supportive and vocal. They love cheering on all the runners. There is also plenty of water, gatorade, and nutrition available.
3. There is only three challenging hills on this course. Near the end of mile 1 & the beginning of mile 12 you have to cross a big hill to get on or get off an exit ramp. It really looks worse than it is. Climbing up ramp on mile 12 is more difficult, just because it is a steady, long incline. The other hill is at mile 7, and it is also a steady, long climb.
4. Really Nice Medal
5. Plenty of post race food (pb&j, donuts, fruit). If you and your family want to grab a bite to eat somewhere, there are many restaurants within walking distance of the finish. (Starbucks!)

Cons:
1. The race shirt is not that great. It's a cheap grey tech shirt in generic sizing with a logo. The logo on the shirt doesn't match the medal, or any other logo on the race's website, so it doesn't make any sense.

If you ever get the opportunity to run a relay race, just do it! There is nothing like having a van of runners cheering you on as you complete your legs of the race! 2014's race began at the Columbia Historic Speedway in West Columbia, SC and ended at James Island County Park in Charleston, SC. (2015's race changed both the start and finish)

Pros
1. Truly Awesome Volunteers. I can't say enough about these folks. There are 36 legs total, and there are volunteers at each and every hand off. A lot of them have water and food for runners, which they have provided themselves.
2. Get to meet new running friends. In my van, I only knew one other runner prior to the race. By the end of it, I had five more running buddies. Not to mention six other new running friends in our other team van.
3. Running in the middle of the night! I know, it's scary if you haven't done it before, but you'll find that it's actually a lot of fun.
4. Support of other teams. It's awesome to have another team's van drive by you and shout out some encouraging words.
5. Lonestar BBQ. They are one of the race sponsors, as well as one of the exchange zones. All the relay teams go here to eat lunch or dinner, depending on which van you are in. It's buffet style, and there is something there for everyone to eat. I'm a pretty picky eater, and I have no trouble filling up my belly.
6. You get to see and run in parts of the state that you never knew existed.

Cons: NONE!

Tips:
1. Don't overpack. There will be 5 other runners in your van with gear and food. Keep in mind that you want everyone to have room to sit.
2. Shower wipes will save you and your vanmates from stinking up the van.
3. You can't pack too many baby wipes.
4. Make sure you have extra batteries for headlamps.
5. Don't forget your phone charger! You may want to coordinate with your vanmates on this one. Six chargers are probably unnecessary.
6. Get plenty of sleep leading up to the relay, because you are probably not going to get much during it.
7. Make sure each van has its own captain. The captain would be in charge of figuring out who is bringing what for your van.

This is a great course for a first marathon attempt. There are so many beautiful views along this course to help you forget about the face that you're going 26.2 for the first time. There is parking at this race around the Anther Hill Village area (start & finish), but it is rather limited. I bought a ticket for the race shuttle, which picks up & brings you back to one of the three race sponsored hotels. You don't have to stay at one of these hotels to use the shuttle. The first half of the course is paved, while the second half is a mix of paved and dirt roads. The highlight of the race is getting to run past the front door of the Biltmore House (a selfie with one of the lions is a must). All of the aid stations are manned by different groups from around the Asheville area, who all do an amazing job supporting the runners. The expo is top notch. If you're from out of town and forgot anything, you'll be able to buy it there. The swag from this race is my favorite. You get a gender specific Mizuno tech shirt, a wooden laser engraved medal, and a really nice warm fleece blanket when you finish.

My tip: The first sevenish miles have steady inclines and two tall hills-take it easy in this section. You'll know you'd made it out it when you get to the House. Then, you get to run downhill and flats for the next few miles.

This race is one of my favorites by far. There's nothing like finishing the race by running into Carolina Stadium and crossing home plate (and I'm not even a baseball fan).

Pros:
1. Plenty of parking & restrooms before the start of the race.
2. Amazing course volunteers that have a theme to each aid station
3. Some of the best swag out there. Gender specific Under Armour tech shirt and nice medal
4. Slightly challenging course that takes you over both the Blossom & Gervais Street bridges, thru part of USC campus, and one mile of the 1996 Women's Marathon Olympic Trials course.
5. Finish with a crowd cheering you on by running thru the tunnel at Carolina Stadium and crossing the 3rd base line and home plate.
6. The party after the race with a live Band, snow cones(!), pb&j, hotdogs, cake, games for kids, and race sponsor tents.

Cons:
It's SC, so the weather is all over the place this time of year. 2013 it was nice, 2014 it was way humid, even for October. Of course, there's nothing you can do about that but plan ahead.

Race 2 Read is a great 5 mile race that benefits Kershaw County's Early Literacy Program. The race starts and ends at Doby's Mill Elementary School, so there is plenty of parking. This is a road race, but be prepared to run a portion of the race on a well-packed down dirt road,as well as a half mile around the Nature Trail of the Elementary School. It's nothing that your normal road shoes can't handle. The course has a good mix of flat, downhill, and uphill, with a particularly hard hill around Mile 3. No shirt, but you get an awesome Tervis Tumbler with the race logo, which is so much better than a shirt. 2015's race switched to Nalgene bottles with the race logo. The finisher's awards are always something handmade by the students or the teachers of the elementary school. In 2013, it was handpainted gords, 1015 it was handpainted bricks that looked like famous childrens' book covers. There is plenty of food to choose from at post race, with the usual bagels, fruit, and bars.