Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Do not run this race if you are looking for an official PR in either the half for full marathon. The race organizer has changed the course almost every year without updating certification with USTF, and this year, as with many previous years, runners were finishing races short of the advertised distance (by way too much for gps error alone to account for this). To make it worse, the course is poorly marked and supported for the full marathon, and it’s not uncommon for runners to get lost on the Southside of San Antonio.
The half marathon can be a fun race with good views and vibes if you don’t care about official PRs. But do not waste your time on the full marathon. Even if you are a slower runner without BQ aspirations, you are likely to find yourself running with little support in South San Antonio. It also tends to get very warm this time of year in San Antonio and there is little shade on that part of town.
San Antonio has plenty of affordable hotel options downtown. San Antonio is a really fun city and worth the visit, but maybe dont make this race the focal point of your time here.
Well organized, again the race, the volunteers and city Police keep us while crossing the road and in the neighborhood.
Life is too short, one foot in front of the other and you will get there in no time.
Just be look out for the certain trails watch when you going to preventing getting hurt before finish the race
I like the course.
Nice running course, volunteers and City Police
There were so many things wrong with this race.
*the expo was very unorganized and packet pickup took almost an hour.
*the start was crowded. They need a better system. Corrals?
*the mile markers were not great. Sometimes it would be a couple miles in between each marker and they didn't seem super accurate.
*after the half marathon turnaround, there was nearly NO SUPPORT for full marathoners as they went into the missions area for several miles. Water stops only had water, despite Gatorade being advertised. I was on BQ pace until my calf cramped up at mile 24 since I was expecting electrolytes on the course as advertised and they weren't there. Bring your own fluids (or better, just don't do this race).
*The shuttles for people running the relays didn't know where to take people, leading to many teams getting disqualified despite this being race organization's fault.
*The finisher jackets were in an area that was not marked, lesson to many runners not getting their finisher jackets. I was lucky enough to ask someone who had one on to find them. Labeling would have gone a long way.
*There were no finisher awards ready. The volunteers claimed they would be mailed, but it's been months and still nothing. I'm not expecting the race to ever send them at this point.
*The worst thing about this race, however, is the race director will ghost you and refuse to return contact. This happened to MANY people in this race who tried to contact with questions. The race director will take your money, disappear, and you will never hear from him again except to try to get you to sign up for another race.
Don't do it. There are many races worth giving your money to. The people running this race are not it.
Bring your own hydration and expect nothing from this race.
Pros:
Right in San Antonio and you get to run past the Alamo along with some beautiful parks. The start is well organized and it's fun to hear the cannon start the race. There is plenty of police on site for traffic control. Water stations are every couple of miles. Finishers get a fantastic running jacket and the heaviest medal I've ever seen.
Cons:
The expo line to get my bib picked up took over 45 minutes, and I got there early. There was no food or gels offered from mile 5 until about mile 20! If you do this race bring your own calories. There wasn't a party really at the end and they were nearly out of food by the time I crossed the finish line.
Definitely bring your own gels and anything you want to drink besides water. If you are coming from out of town the Marriott Plaza is two minutes from the start and has a glorious hot tub.
I found a 10%off coupon by searching on Facebook.