Kiawah Island (SC) Marathon 2007

[getnthinr]

I probably should put this in our weekly races thread, but it is so full of photos, I'm afraid it's going to be embarrassingly long.

I've done the Kiawah Island (SC) Marathon several times. I love it because it is perfectly timed for my last really long training walk before Disney, and because it offers an opportunity to visit Charleston or Savannah -- both gorgeous, elegant, historic Southern cities. The marathon has a generous time limit and welcomes walkers, though I will say that it seems every year marathon walkers are fewer and farther between -- but it also offers a half that draws many TNT walkers (and tons of runners).

I started my weekend in Charleston with the Chocolate Seductions Tour from Carolina Food Pros. I am not a gourmet and was initially a bit nervous about a country bumpkin like me joining a bunch of foodies for a tour. Turns out they were all just really nice folks – even down to the Pastry Chefs of the elegant restaurants who served us. The tour went to Tristan, Charleston Cooks (a low-country cooking school), and Charleston Place Hotel. The chocolates were fabulous – and I’m glad they gave us take-home containers because I quickly discovered eating rich chocolate like that isn’t the same as chowing down on a half bag of Hershey kisses. One or two pieces per stop were about all I could manage!

Entrance to Tristan/Chef preparing our chocolate/Tristan interior

Charleston Cooks Cooking School/Our kitchen classroom

The beautifully appointed Charleston Place entrance/lobby/and me in it

Chocolates from Charleston Place/Edible fantasies/Nicest kitchen I've eaten in

Charleston is a beautiful city – and it always amazes me how you can stand in one spot and see a variety of types of architecture.

Next: Part 2. Finally at Kiawah

 

[getnthinr]

After the chocolate tour, I rushed to Kiawah to pick up my packet and get checked in. The island resort accommodations are pricey, so the best option is to find some roomies and split the cost. The best part of staying on the island is that you are typically within an easy 5-10 minute walk of the start/finish line.

So, here's Kiawah!

Kiawah villa

The marathon is a double loop of the half marathon course that traverses the island. Every year I think, “How can there be this much money in the world?” because you pass mile after mile of ostentatious homes. When the race begins, the runners own the roads. By the time I start the second loop of my marathon, though, I typically can’t even see the person ahead of me. This year the course was well marked, though, and I’m positive I did the entire 26.2 miles (unlike last year, when I’m not sure I was on the official course the entire way).

Along the marathon course

The nicest part of any marathon, of course, is the bling -- and this year offered a nice medal, I think.

Feel free to ask other questions. Sorry this was so long, but pictures say so much more than words!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Great photos and report. Next stop is where? You have 4 weeks so you must have another 3 races???

See you soon!

 

[getnthinr]

Great photos and report. Next stop is where? You have 4 weeks so you must have another 3 races???

See you soon!

Actually only two more -- both 5Ks!

They'll be fun though -- one is a Jingle Bell Run in Hilton Head, the other is a New Years Eve run through a huge animated light display at Tanglewood (near Winston Salem NC).

 

[westcliffemom]

Neat pics! So did you actually go to a cooking school or class? NEAT!

 

[windwalker]

Wendy how do you do it? You are surely the WISH energizer bunny.

Amazed Panda

 

[getnthinr]

Neat pics! So did you actually go to a cooking school or class? NEAT!

Yep, it was part of the Chocolate Seductions tour. They actually did most of the prep work (and all the cleaning!) and we "rolled our own" truffles, then coated them with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, caramel pieces, etc. It's a cool setup!

 

[getnthinr]

Wendy how do you do it? You are surely the WISH energizer bunny.

Amazed Panda

No, Dave, I just can't say know no when folks invite me to do a race with them! I am such a wuss!

 

[escape]

Wendy, that looks like a great event! Those chocolates look so yummy! And those houses...wow!

Thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[Duanerice]

Looks like an awesome time. Might have to try that sometime.
Thanks for the report,
Duane

 

[MouseDogMom]

So you're doing the Tanglewood 5K? We haven't registered yet - MUST do that soon!

Great pictures - I absolutely love Charleston too, although the last time I was there was only a couple of weeks after Hurricane Hugo, and it didn't look quite so nice!

Jackie

 

[getnthinr]

So you're doing the Tanglewood 5K? We haven't registered yet - MUST do that soon!

Great pictures - I absolutely love Charleston too, although the last time I was there was only a couple of weeks after Hurricane Hugo, and it didn't look quite so nice!

Jackie

One of the reasons I took the time to take so many photos this trip is that I always talk about how "nice" it is down there, and how "pretty" it is -- and folks nod their heads. It is such a lovely location -- and I wanted the photos to prove it this time. Of course, there are loads of tours in Charleston besides the food ones -- and I've done many of those as well (though not this trip). They also have a wonderful aquarium with an IMAX theater, tons of shopping, etc. It's a real "destination marathon."

 

[Cruella de mom]

Great report Wendy!

I think I am adding that one to next years todo list! At least the half. I tlooks like you had a super trip!

My family has a house on Kiawah (at Turtle Beach - not the plantation) and I could probably swing it so that I got the house for the weekend... If not, my sister lives in West Ashley so I could bunk with her and drive 20 minutes to the race.

You are right about how much money is there! We have been going there every summer for over 20 years and have watched it go from a little vacation resort to what it is today. I am always amazed at how many houses they can continue to squeeze in and yet keep it looking so raw and natural. We used to have the beach to ourselves. Just us and the turtles. Now its a super highway for bikes, strollers, and walkers.

Thanks for such a thorough report.

Cecilia

 

[princessmomma]

One of the reasons I took the time to take so many photos this trip is that I always talk about how "nice" it is down there, and how "pretty" it is -- and folks nod their heads. It is such a lovely location --

Wendy, congratulations on yet another marathon. You are awesome!

DH has ran Kiawah marathon twice and qualified for Boston on this course. Last year a group of 'moms' from my kids school went down for the half marathon and we shared a 5 bedroom villa...WOW...we were in the lap of luxury..and the race was great too!

Thanks for the pics, it brought back wonderful memories!

 

[Sandy321]

followed your link -

wonderful pictures - I've never been to this part of the country!!

Chocolate tour!! YUMMMMMMMMMmmmmm!! and you could take it to go!!