ABOUT
Skidaway Island, located right outside of Savannah, is a small intracoastal golf course community that also has one of the best parks on the Georgia Colonial Coast Birding Trail, Skidaway Island State Park. Located just 5 miles from the Start/Finish line of the Skidaway Marathon, this campground was a perfect compliment to the race weekend. With miles of trails along the intracoastal and into the woods, you will lose yourself in the harmony of birds song. Off road biking is also available along one of the trails that take you to an observation tower for an unforgettable sunset! A variety of birds were easily spotted on our venture: blue birds, red robins, woodpecker, herons, hawks just to name a few, as well as a visit by a deer! Looking for a little relaxation? Visit one of their library stands located in the park and kick back in a hammock! Forget something while packing? No worries, Publix is located right next door as well as a village with shops and restaurants.
COURSE
The Skidaway Island Marathon and Half Marathon is a small town, small field race, timed perfectly with the Springtime azalea bloom. The circle course keeps you in suspense the entire time as there seemed to be a new secret path around every corner. Golf courses, neighborhoods, intracoastal pathways, and lake views are just a bit of what to expect along the course, all draped with Savannahs well known Spanish moss, oak trees, and dont forget those azaleas! It really was like running in a secret garden!
(unfortunately I was so exhausted race day, I never took any pictures. All these are taken from the campground)
COMMUNICATION
You really couldnt ask for a nicer, more involved race director! Dan was constantly keeping us motivated on Facebook with video teases as the race approached. Emails were plentiful with all the right information. We even got to share our stories and plead for a specific bib number. These stories were shared on Facebook the couple of weeks leading up to race day. It was fun to get to know your fellow runners!
PACKET PICK UP
Packet pick up was at Dicks Sporting Good store about 15 minutes outside of Skidaway the day before the race. Or a pasta dinner was offered at Wesley Gardens Retreat where you could pick it up there.
START
Parking was a breeze in the field of the Georgia Oceanography Institute just 5 miles from the campground. There were no lines for porta potties and the line up was a simple call out of the corrals and go. (Registration had you separated by times and your bib was placed in one of four corrals)
Pacers were provided for both the full and half marathon. A runners prayer was said and then we were off.
RESULTS
You really couldn't have asked for better weather. Overcast and making its way to the low sixties. I didn't get much sleep the night before and I couldn't get myself to eat before the race, but it had been since DONNA Marathon that I had run double digits so my mind and body were itching for it! I ran my normal 3 miles nonstop and then ran by feel the rest of the way. I felt great until about M9, where I realized I had only brought one Gu. I did not take the gel offered on the course and just stuck with the Gatorade. My legs got tight for about a mile or two, but was able to shake it off the last couple of miles and ran consistent. It was a beautiful course and because the scenery seemed to be constantly changing, the time flew by.
WATER STATIONS
The hydration stations were spaced out much further than normal, but there were warnings of this ahead of time. I decided to not risk it and carried my Camelpak. Full bottles and cups were offered at the tables.
SPECTATORS
Despite being in or near neighborhoods, there really are not spectators for this race.
FINISH
At the finish you were provided an energy drink, oreos, trail mix, bananas, and nature bar. After claiming your medal and swag there really wasnt much of a reason to hang out.
MEDAL
Compared to previous years, they really stepped up the quality of the medal, but I wish the medal, not the ribbon, would say the race name not the sponsor name
SWAG
Instead of providing a race shirt, your swag included an Orange Transition towel, which is very cool. You can use it as a car seat cover, a changing towel, or a regular towel.
Shirts were sold separately if you wanted one for $10
The race utilized RaceJoy for people to be able to track you and cheer you on and there were also
Free race pix posted on Facebook!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This really is a race to lose yourself in nature. To let go of all the stresses in life, even take off those ear buds, clear your mind and listen to Mother Nature calling.
I highly enjoyed this race weekend. Knowing how involved, energetic, upbeat, and friendly the race director is, makes getting ready for the race even that much more exciting! The course is absolutely beautiful, but they also paid attention to every little detail to make it interesting and not just running down a road. Having the State Park right next to the race made it for a perfect race weekend to spend some time and enjoy nature. For a small town race with big scenery, make sure you have this one on your bucket list!
13.1-2:22
HM#83
Pink Feet's half marathon calendar runs from March to February with the final race being the full marathon at The DONNA Marathon! I am on Year 8 of a 10 year mission to complete the 50 states while also running a half marathon a month; all to help spread the word of breast cancer prevention, early detection, and living a healthy lifestyle including running and walking. My goal is to raise $100,000 for breast cancer charities. Current donations are going to The DONNA Marathon whose beneficiaries are The Mayo Clinic and Donna Foundation.
Or mail a check to:
Donna Foundation
11762 Marco Beach Dr Ste 6
Jacksonville FL 32224
Memo-PinkFeet