Hilton Head Island and the Half Marathon there...

[prncssjas]

Hi everyone. We are thinking about planning a trip to HHI next year around the marathon and half marathon they have in the month of February. Has anyone ever done this? Is the HHI resort close to the start of the race? I am completely unfamiliar with the area so I don't know if we rent a car, walk, etc....

Is the resort comfortable--with plenty of places to eat, etc... (ie, comparable to Vero Beach?)? Are there surrounding airports close by?

For those who have run the race, is it a nice race? Hilly? Fun? Lots of spectators?

Sorry...lots of questions but appreciate any responses. Thank you!

 

[WebmasterDoc]

Hi everyone. We are thinking about planning a trip to HHI next year around the marathon and half marathon they have in the month of February. Has anyone ever done this? Is the HHI resort close to the start of the race? I am completely unfamiliar with the area so I don't know if we rent a car, walk, etc....

Is the resort comfortable--with plenty of places to eat, etc... (ie, comparable to Vero Beach?)? Are there surrounding airports close by?

For those who have run the race, is it a nice race? Hilly? Fun? Lots of spectators?

Sorry...lots of questions but appreciate any responses. Thank you!

The start of the race is at Jarvis Creek Park, which is several miles from the resort. It is an out-and-back course and the closest it comes to the DVC resort is about 3 miles at the turn-around. The course is very flat (as is Hilton Head Island) with the only "hill" being the toll bridge over Broad Creek. In the past, the race has been a Half-Marathon and a 10K/5K. 2014 will mark the 12th year it has been held. The 2014 race will be Saturday, February 8. I think there have usually been 500-600 runners.

Hilton Head has it's own airport about 2 miles from the resort - it is primarily used by flights from Charlotte and private aircraft. The Savannah airport is about 45 minutes away. The resort itself is very small with no table service restaurant (there is a snack bar at the resort and also at the Beach House), but there are seven restaurants all within 400 yards of the resort and a couple hundred others a short drive away. The resort does offer some buffet style dining options (shrimp boil, etc) on a schedule (these are not daily events though).

Here is a link to the Marathon website - http://www.bearfootsports.com/Hilton_Head_Half_marathon.htm

You might also want to check out the HH lovers thread here on the DVC Resorts board for more info about HH.

Enjoy!

 

[prncssjas]

Dear DOC,

Thank you so very much! This is excellent information to know. It's very much appreciated!!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although we've never participated in that one, there's a 5K and 10K in November that DH does every year (thanks to Doc for first making him aware of it!) At least as far as that one goes, everyone comes out and really supports the runners. Just one word of possible warning. Even though they specifically request that neither runners nor spectators bring their pets, there are always about a dozen. They're always leashed and well-behaved, but Hilton Head-ers love their dogs and won't leave home without them!

 

[prncssjas]

Although we've never participated in that one, there's a 5K and 10K in November that DH does every year (thanks to Doc for first making him aware of it!) At least as far as that one goes, everyone comes out and really supports the runners. Just one word of possible warning. Even though they specifically request that neither runners nor spectators bring their pets, there are always about a dozen. They're always leashed and well-behaved, but Hilton Head-ers love their dogs and won't leave home without them!

Ohhhh good to know! Thank you! We see quite a bit of doggie runners in our races so it's no big deal. Thanks for the heads up...November seems like a good option too. Thanks again!!