Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Good sights, music and logistics on course. They do just fine here. Out of town runners can enjoy plenty of accommodations and night life downtown too.
Opportunities to Improve:
No apparent corral management and it seems like lots of walkers like to jump into early-finish/fast-corrals (going back to RnR days). You may find yourself running around lines and groups of walkers for the first 3 or 4 miles. Some poor course design in spots with constricted 'in-and-outs' made worse by, yep, too many walkers lined up abreast.
By comparison, now that I've run other major city (half) marathons in the region (that cost about the same) - I've come to appreciate how good corral management makes for a better race day experience.
I doubt it was widespread but some runners reported erroneous times. There are indeed some crazy unrealistic splits published that corroborates these reports. They went with an out of state company and may want to look at that going forward...
I can't bring myself to outright suggest it but I get why runners likewise would also jump to faster pace to minimize walker congestion who appear to do the exact same thing. Sorry.
The half course is fine. But if you are new or less experienced with *full* marathons be warned that they implemented a new full route that has a *LOT* of elevation! Very challenging. A newbie might want to consider other event options in the region that are flatter.
If you get an obviously bogus official time published - I don't know what the recourse is. I might feel more confident if I saw a different timing provider next year myself or had a better understanding of their policy.
If coming from out of town - tons of hotels in downtown SA. This is probably one of the strengths of this event compared to other city marathons.
This was well organized. Very impressive for an inaugural event. Packet pickup was smooth. Nice race specific gear selection. The rest of the expo didn't wow me, but they did actually have running related vendors and the checkout to pay didn't have crazy lines.
Lots of toilets race morning. Very short or no wait. I had trouble finding the bag check initially but once I did it was well organized and smooth for drop off and pickup. No long lines.
Corrals were assigned. Smooth start. Some crowding in early miles as half and full start together but nothing crazy. Was able to get on pace and access aid stations no problem.
There were spectators in a lot of places but they weren't very energetic. I am not from San Antonio so most of the places we ran through weren't meaningful to me. Course was very hilly from mile 8 to 21 and had a lot of turns. Roads were bumpy in places. Overall course was fine. There's some downhill at the end.
Lots of volunteers. Aid stations well organized. Different cups for water vs electrolyte. Really liked the mariachi performers on course. Very unique.
Post race chute was fine. Spectators reported having difficulty getting close the finish to see their runner coming in.
Overall this race was very well done. The only real con is that its a hilly course.
Train for hills.
The race starts downtown. Downtown is maybe 15minute drive from the airport. Lots of hotels within walking distance of start and finish and expo. This race was logistically very easy.
While I do usually LOVE hills in my runs, this had non-stop rolling hills from roughly mile 8 through 21. With roughly 1000 ft of elevation gained over the second half of the full marathon the hills were rough, thankfully the final 2.5/3 miles were essentially downhill. The course did go through some very cool parts of downtown, including Fort Sam, Olmos Park, and the Botanical Gardens. Plenty of water stations, which most offered electrolytes also, and a handful of GU gel stations.
Prepare for hills, continual hills.
I live in San Antonio, so maybe I'm used to the scenery, but the route could be more interesting. They do send you through some pretty neighborhoods and other cool areas like Fort Sam and a very brief jog through the Botanical Garden, but a good chunk of the course isn't that special and has almost no spectators. It's great that they finish downtown near the Alamo. The volunteer staff was great and packet pick-up and expo was easy and organized. I was surprised how little electrolytes were offered on the course. I could be wrong, but it seemed like only 1 out of every 3 aid stations had gatorade/electrolytes. I think technically every other station was supposed to offer electrolytes, but most marathons I've done have the option of water AND electrolytes at almost every station. Perhaps I've been spoiled. I recommend offering electrolytes at every 2 out of 3 stations, especially since San Antonio will often be warmer than many other races.
Prepare for some SERIOUS hills. Not just a bunch of small-medium rollers. These hills are tough, especially the one at mile 20ish. Save some energy for those climbs toward the end, and be sure to account for electrolytes since the course was surprisingly stingy with them.
Energy was great until you got on fort Sam Houston. Plenty of water stations, 2 gel stations. Great support from the crowd. Very organized