Space Coast Marathon Reviews

  2017 Space Coast Marathon

By Phil R from CT about 2017

Review

What a great marathon. Beautiful course, well stocked aid stations, well organized, great and enthusiastic volunteers. We got lucky with the weather in 2017. Mid-50's at the start with low humidity. The course runs right along the water through beach communities, so the scenery is nice the entire race.

Race Tips

Since the HM starts 30 minutes earlier and runs the second half of the marathon course, it was weird having to pass so many HM'ers the last 10K of my race. I had to shout "on your left" quite a bit so folks would give me room to pass. The course itself is flat and fast. Some folks mentioned hills, but it was pancake flat to this New Englander.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed at one of the host hotels (Hilton) and used the race-provided bus transportation. Real easy.

  There are definitely miles of yes, steep hills and endless gradual inclines and declines

By AG about 2016

Review

I have run this course twice and will run it this year again (cuz getting to this course is convenient and love the beauty of the course) and I train on nothing but this course every single week.

I am always amazed at people who say it's flat. What course were they on? It's anything but flat. It is non-stop turning and winding as the road winds constantly. There are very few times it actually really flattens out and only for a few hundred meters at a time mixed in with all the ups and downs. You are constantly in dips, declines, and hills and inclines which are energy killers and some of these long steep hills are no joke as the first 10 miles or so have to go up and back over a place called "High Point" which is the highest point in central Florida's east coast. Don't underestimate this just because it's Florida. The fatigue from hills feels the same in Florida, lol.- and bad hills are bad hills no matter where they are. And the race is definitely going to be humid and warmer automatically in FL, which robs you of even more vital energy. These hills, once you look ahead and notice, are steep and......
loooong compared to ANY hills in any other state.

hillier than most marathons. I live here and train here daily and don't think it's honest or fair to market this course to people as flat. Doooon't get me wrong. I still love it and it is totally beautiful. I still love this marathon very much, but I think most runners are shoe gazing and don't even get how blatantly and totally hilly this course is. The first half is worse as it has some steep sections but the second half is very sneaky because it has loooong gradual inclines for miles that most people are obliviousto-but they wonder why they feel like dying while running it. So you go miles down on the second half and then do almost nothing but constant gradual climbing for the last 6-7 miles. I have run and driven this course for years studying it carefully and training on it- and it blows my mind how even my friends think its flat. But they tell me they were dying at certain points and when I ask them where.....without a doubt, it was on those long grueling hills they were on while they were staring at their shoes. Don't get me wrong, I will still keep coming back to this marathon, it's very well managed and beautiful. I recommend it highly. But if you want a PR or BQ, just get ready for constant winding and almost endless climbing and descending. Don't shy away from this marathon, but I thought it was unfair how they market and sell the race as fast and flat. There are tons of much faster and truly flat races all over if you seek speed. I just wanted people to be able to at least know this before mistakenly believing they are paying and planning for a flat marathon.

Race Tips

Get ready for hills. Train for hills. There are endless hills.

  

By Kimberly about 2016

Review

Beautiful course. Great party at the end. Great medals and beach towels. Amazing space theme.

Race Tips

First part of marathon is hilly - but Florida hilly - so essentially flat.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

This is not a huge race so just give yourself time to park and enjoy pre-race festivities.

  

By AMB about 2016

Review

Pros: Beautiful, relatively flat course, excellent support, huge medal.

Negatives: Very quiet (few spectators). Full Marathon starts AFTER Half, which is dumb. The later start subjects you to hotter conditions. In 2016, the Sun baked the 2nd half of the marathon, causing many to cramp. Marathon should start much earlier to avoid the FL heat. (Half Marathon was ideal).

Race Tips

It may be late November, but be prepared for FL high temps & humidity

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Use the main parking lot at the mall, where there are plenty of buses to transport you.

  

By AC about 2016

Review

Awesome course, very well run event.

Race Tips

Be wary of the second half hills.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive early. Parking was a challenge for marathoners.

  

By kw about 2015

Review

Flat and shady. Scenic with views of historic plantation homes on one side and the Indian River on the other (think: dolphins and pelicans). Loved the jumbo-tron replay of a shuttle launch to coincide with the marathon start...a total adrenaline rush! Well-supported by NASA employee volunteers in astronaut attire, Great pre-race dinner keynote speakers like Joan Benoit Samuelson, etc.

Race Tips

Usually held the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Balmy weather with gentle coastal breezes usually, but can be a bit hot. Spectator friendly.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay in Cocoa Beach and treat yourself to an oceanfront room! You'll love the "zen"!

  

By SCS about 2015

Review

i absolutely love both the marathon and half marathon!! My loves - beautiful race course, great organization, wonderful volunteers, terrific post race party, great finisher's medal and tech shirts...you even receive a beach towel at the finish.

Race Tips

The full and half are both scenic, flat and fast courses. Just be careful of local traffic towards the end of the race. Enjoy the on-course bacon station and mimosas. :-)

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay at a Cocoa Beach hotel if you are coming from out of town. The shuttle bus system is okay, but there are enough close by parking lots that would can drive to the start/finish...just get there early.

  

By Anonymous about 2014

  

By em about 2014

Review

Great course, great support, great bling.

Race Tips

Plan for weather!

  

By cj about 2014

  

By TF about 2014

Review

Truly one of the best courses I have run and THE BEST MEDAL I have seen.

Race Tips

It's pretty flat and great crowd support. Usually cool at the start and warms up so take it easy as to not burn out once it warms up. Although it is shady most of the course the 2 miles are in the direct sun.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay at a host hotel and take the shuttles. Very organized.

  

By ww about 2014

  

By BL about 2014

Review

Beautiful course that winds along the banks of the Indian River; lovely old homes, new McMansions and old cracker houses share the space. Great volunteers and a wonderful post race party in the park. Plus, where else would you get a beach towel instead of a mylar blanket?

Race Tips

Register early and prepare to wake up early the day of the race!!!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Can't park there unless you come very early so riding the bus from one of the hotels is best. You can drive to any hotel on the bus list and park there if you are staying with friends or you are local.

  

By Luciano Fuentes about 2014

Review

Great course and the organization is one of the best ones.

Race Tips

The course is close to the NASA and you could appreciate the iconic NASA buildings.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Better to arrive on Friday.

  

By Ldm about 2014

Review

Very scenic, flat and fast. Great medals.

Race Tips

Must sign up early as it fills up fast.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive early as long lines for port a potties.

  

By Matt Grifo about 2014

Review

Awesome course relatively flat, limited participants so there was little to no crowding. It's essentially two out and backs so you get to cross paths with all of the other participants. Great crowd support and post race.

Race Tips

Arrive early parking can be tricky. Great park at near the finish so bring the kids.

  

By Yale H. about 2014

Review

Well Organized, Great Bling....

Race Tips

Pretty flat out and back through nice neighborhoods where some residents will come out to cheer and provide drinks and fruits. Even an occasional, Bloody Mary and a pancake or two!!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking is critical, if you use one of the host hotels they provide a shuttle bus.

  

By ejb about 2013

Review

Gently rolling hills on the first half prepare your legs for the pancake flat back half. If you enjoy running on a super fast course while watching a gorgeous sunrise and dolphins play in the surf all 26.2 miles, then this is the marathon for you. The best bling ever, as well! The weather cannot be beat. Just do it!!!

Race Tips

My advice is to run a conservative first half so you can appreciate the flat back half. There are space-themed aid stations at every mile, along with cola on the last miles for that extra kick. Amazing. I've run this course the last four years and always sub-4:00'd it. Signing up for number 5 as soon as it opens!!!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Book your hotel as soon as you are registered. Pick the Hilton or the Marriott. They offer amazing marathon rates and have late check-outs. Reservations for pre-race dinner location is recommended, too.

  

By Pav about 2012

Review

River front residential level course.