I was a guest of the Westin Jekyll Island and the Jekyll Island Marathon & 10K for this weekend. All opinions are my own.
Races are always more fun when they are part of a fun weekend getaway, and the Jekyll Island Marathon & 10K was no exception.
Neither Meghan nor I was in marathon race shape, so we were more than happy to take on the 10K distance. We both find 10Ks lots of fun, and 6.2 miles would be a great way to round out the weekend.
Packet pickup took place on Saturday in a conference room at the Westin Jekyll Island, although runners could snag their bibs on race morning, too. Since we had been registered a week prior to the race, we received our bibs and reusable grocery bags but would have to pick up our long-sleeve race shirts after the event, if any were available.
We checked our bibs at the tracking computer to make sure they were correctly linked, and continued on with our day.
After a delicious dinner, we laid out our running outfits, planning for lots of layers (morning temperature promised to feel like 17 degrees!), and got some sleep.
In the morning, I confess to checking the temperature one more time, and decided I wasn’t going to bring along another jacket. I did, however, bring along a packet of hand warmers and feet warmers for my gloves and shoes.
Our first stop was the hotel restaurant for a complimentary runner’s breakfast (runners who weren’t guests of the hotel could purchase a bagged meal for a nominal fee). I had a bagel and some juice. We used the facilities and then we braved the cold.
The start line was located just less than 1/2 mile away, on Beachview Drive, in front of the Convention Center. There were some portapotties and the Convention Center was open for those who wanted an indoor restroom.
We had a little time before the 7:45 10K start time, so we met up with another blogger friend, Chelsea,
and got some photos taken by the race photographer.
At 7:15, there was an announcement regarding the course and the run. When the race director had finished, the photographer called for everyone’s attention, and announced that the day’s photos would all be free, courtesy of True Speed Photo! He went on to promise us that he would take awesome pictures of us as long as we didn’t wave at him (because then our hands would be covering our faces), talk (because then our mouths would be in a funky position) or put our bibs on our backs (because he wasn’t taking pictures of butts).
This was already shaping up to be a fantastic race.
We said goodbye and good luck to Chelsea as the marathoners headed to the start line, and we ducked into the Convention Center. I needed one more trip to the restroom and to get the warmers in my gloves and shoes. Raynaud’s Syndrome is never fun for runners, and my fingers and toes were already tingling.
When 7:40 hit, we took our place with the other 10K runners.
And at 7:45, we were off.
Since this was an inaugural race, I had no idea what to expect. I did know that both distances were capped at 350 runners each, so it was going to be one of my smallest events, but that was ok.
The first half of the race was along a regular, flat street, directly into the wind. About half of that was in the sun, and we were treated to beautiful views of some of the beachfront and grassy dunes. It was wonderful.
After a ways, the road curved and we were plunged into shade cast from the canopy of trees. That made it feel a lot colder, but it was lovely getting to see some different scenery in the form of the little neighborhood through which we ran.
One thing to note is that is was so very quiet and peaceful. I don’t think I would have run with headphones, even if I wasn’t with someone, because it was so very serene. Usually, I like to have a little something going on, but in this race, that peacefulness was part of the overall experience.
At 3.1 miles, we made the turnaround. The wind dropped off immediately, and it didn’t take long before Meghan took off her long sleeve because she warmed up so quickly. We did have to contend with some vehicular traffic as the course opened up at a certain time, but we just stayed alert and didn’t encounter any difficulty from the few cars on the road.
There had been one water stop in the first portion of the race, and when we hit it on the return trip, we were directed to turn to the beach walkway, a paved path that wound alongside the sand. I had been so looking forward to this: all the beauty of a beach run without the soft terrain.
It didn’t not disappoint. I could barely feel my fingers but I had to pull out my phone to snap these shots.
The path was a constant bustle of people. We stayed to the right in case anyone wanted to pass us, but it never got too congested or choked up. I was glad because I was really enjoying the run.
Finally, Great Dunes Park was in our sights and I told Meghan we had to sprint it in to the finish. Those last yards were in an empty parking lot and we had plenty of room to open up.
We are cracking up in these finish line photos because the photographer was absolutely hilarious. As we ran up the final stretch, he was calling out instructions: “Smile! Just run! But stay together!”
I absolutely loved it! The announcer did, too. He called our names as we came through and said that it looked like we were having so much fun out there.
He wasn’t wrong.
There was a small post-race gathering set up in the park with water, bananas, cookies and chips. We had a little snack, and then wandered over to the nearby beach pavilion to see if we would be able to get a race shirt.
They had plenty, and we were excited to be able to warm up with a dry layer.
We stayed to cheer on a few of the incoming 10K runners and passing marathoners (they still had many more miles ahead of them), and then made our way back to the hotel to get some coffee and a hot shower.
For a first-year event, Jekyll Island Marathon & 10K did not disappoint, at least on the 10K side (although a few of the marathoners I know said they had a great, well-supported race as well). It would have been nice to have bling for the runners of the shorter distance, but with how lovely this event was, it certainly wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Runners would get a chance to celebrate at an after-party that started at 5:00 PM, but Meghan and I had to head home well before that. We celebrated with lunch and a beer at a local pub and started planning our return trip for next year.
The Jekyll Island Marathon and 10K made for a perfect racecation getaway – an overnight trip was fine, but two nights would have been even better. It was also perfect for families, groups of friends or solo runners. The colder temperature was perfect running weather, especially for the marathoners, and while the ocean breeze presented a challenge, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. The course was fast and the scenery was gorgeous, all elements to help make the miles pass more quickly.
This will definitely be on my race calendar for 2019. I can’t want to see how this run continues to grow and evolve in the years to come.
Have you ever run and inaugural race?
Has a race photographer ever coached you into the perfect run photos?
I would love to go to Jekyll Island and this race looks like fun.
Free race pix are the best though they are rare.
Darlene recently posted…TOTR: The Shoe Post
It’s such a beautiful place. I’m so glad we got to visit.
This sounds like such a gorgeous race! I especially like that paved pathway along the beach. This might just be me…. But if I’m going to travel for a race, I would kind of expect to get bling. Not that it would be a deal breaker, but if I was on the fence about doing it, the bling would definitely sway me in the DO direction.
I’ve run a few inaugural races, some better prepared than others. My favorite so far was the Beat the Train Relay I did in the fall. It was a really unique event and I was really impressed it ran as smoothly as it did.
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads
Beat the Train Relay???! That sounds like fun!
I would totally do this one again, in a heartbeat. And it falls on a holiday weekend, so you could definitely make a trip of it! I bet you would love it!
It was the best! And spectators could ride the train, so it was great for families.
I wrote about it here:
https://amateuratlarge.blogspot.com/search?q=beat+the+train
and this is the website:
http://steamtrainhalf.com/
I’ll have to pay attention next year, that might be fun!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads
Come on down! You know you want to!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
As I was reading through all I could see what HAPPY runners! Looks and sounds like you had a blast!
We were darn happy! Cold, but happy!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
I agree that race weekends are super fun when it involves a quick getaway, especially if you’e running in a new place or a new race. I love all your photos from the weekend, especially the free race pics! I wish more race organizations would offer free photos.
Kim G recently posted…Join me for January Runfessions!
I was lucky to get two sets of free race photos that weekend: one from this race and one from the day before. It’s hard for a lot of races to offer, but I love it when they do.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
I love Jekyll island! It is so beautiful and what a great place for a run 🙂
Everything was perfect! I can’t wait to go back.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
Sounds like it was a great race! I have done a few inaugural events, and usually they go well. It’s kind of fun to be on the “birth” of a new race and know that you’ve paved the way for future racers.
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Runfessions, Anyone?
It was really cool to be experiencing it as something brand new! I don’t know that I’ve really had the opportunity before.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
Sounds like a great race! I feel like you’ve raced SO MUCH already in 2018!!
Rachel recently posted…Cycling Doesn’t Suck and Other January Runfessions
This is my busy time! I have something almost every weekend. Most of the time, it’s for really great causes oran event I just can’t miss.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
A local Atlanta coach was the RD for this race. I’m glad you got to enjoy it.
Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…January Runfessions – 5 things that’ve kept me from blogging this fortnight
He did an amazing job! There really wasn’t too much that could be improved.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
Yay! Looks like you had a great time. Love it when a competition goes that way. You work so hard, you deserve to have a great time!
Work hard, play hard, right?
It was awesome!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
What a fun race! That photographer sounds hilarious, and he got some great shots of the two of you!
He was just incredible!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
Sounds like an awesome race and congrats!
Nicole @ fitnessfatale recently posted…Prenatal Fitness – My Singleton Pregnancy Compared to My Twin Pregnancy
Thank you! We had so much fun!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
Gosh! That sounds like a lot of fun. And those pictures are great.
Coco recently posted…Runless Runfessions
They really are! Tim the photographer is my hero!
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
sounds like a fabulous race! I’m so glad you got to participate and the fact that you would do it again says a lot!
I *have* done an inaugural race but I wasn’t too excited about it (though the photos were also free) in the end. But, it wasn’t really 100% the race organisation’s fault; we’d had a ton of rain in the days before the race and part of the course was a bit off the track, under a bridge and the up the other side on a grassy/dirt path. Which… was a complete mud bog at that point due to the weather. They did not alter the course, which I felt they should have. And it was a 10K with 2 rounds of 5. I managed the first muddy mud bath and when I came around for the second time I said “bleep this” and took another path (off the official course) just a bit around the quicksand pit. And I still ran 10K. BUT… haven’t run that race again…
Renée recently posted…Friday Five – Five Races I’m dreaming About
Ugh. I do not love mud. Not at all. I would have done the same.
We were so lucky to have a beautiful day and a beautiful race.
runswithpugs recently posted…january runfessions
What a fantastic race report! You saying that you’d run it again says a lot about the race organizers given that this was an inaugural race. The course scenery was absolutely beautiful too. There’s so many things to love about running at the beach!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Medal Mode Review
Looks and sounds like a wonderful race event! Love the sound of that photographer! Fun pics! (and hi to Chelsea!)
I may have to add this to my 2019 race calendar too!
You will NOT be sorry!