Kiawah is a beautiful island off the coast of S. Carolina, about 30 min from Charleston. This year the course was changed to remove a big part of the out/back sidewalk section, which was a huge improvement and added a section behind the spectacular Sanctuary Hotel which runs along the ocean. If you want a relaxing weekend, a fast course, with good bear and food post race, this is a great run...and a great PR opportunity.

Where to stay...best case, stay at The Sanctuary. It is a world class resort. The expo, race start and finish are 100 yards outside the front door. It's by no means inexpensive but an amazing experience, filled with runners. The hotel provides coffee and tea the morning of the race, and make it easy to buy a quick breakfast if you didn't bring your own "usual" pre-race fuel. Other options include a new, smaller hotel located near 'Freshfields' shopping center, a 10 minute (max) ride to the start, or find some friends and rent a big house on the island or on Seabrook (the sister island). You'll be close and will have the experience of a lifetime in a multi-million $$ house. For the rest of us, there are plenty of hotels off the island as you trek towards Charleston, but just leave town early to get to the race parking lot so you can shuttle (just a few minutes) to the start area.

Pre-race has plenty of porta-potties, a winding start corral that gets busy, but the race will thin out over mile 1...a good way to keep you from going out too fast too. The course itself is pancake flat, thru closed neighborhood streets filled with multi-million dollar vacation homes, they are amazing to look at as you run thru and will cross over some small bridges with views of the water and now on the new course the ocean itself. The last few miles do have some sidewalk, golf cart path sections but the race has well thinned out by then....wasn't an issue.

Post race has good food, hot soups, corn muffins, bananas, beer, brownies, water, etc...music, a PR bell, some photo booth opps too. If you're staying at the hotel (or just want to hang out) the restaurants are open post race and the food is outstanding....highly recommend the bloody mary...with bacon.

As far as spectators go, its thin but not bad (I've had thinner). The new course helps here too as you run behind the hotel around mile 10 which by far has the biggest turnout and a great spot for friends and family who may have joined you on the trip.

All in all, its become a yearly "couples" trip for my wife and I and some friends. A beautiful spot, fast, cool race that is very well executed, and the opportunity to spend Sunday in Charleston the day after race day.

Any negatives really are only the small sidewalk sections (used to be much worse), and getting onto the island if you're not staying close (though I haven't dont that myself so dont quote me on it...but can't imagine its pretty busy on the single lane road in). Oh, and of course the cost to stay at The Sanctuary (think $350>$450/night)...but use it as a vacation and you wont regret it.