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Marathon Details - Spinx Run Fest

North America Marathons > USA > SC > Greenville > Spinx Run Fest

Spinx Run Fest

Spinx Run Fest & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Greenville, SC USA

October 26, 2024

http://www.runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greenville/SpinxRunFest

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Race Details

Mostly flat terrain following greenway trail system combined with rolling terrain through rural countryside.

Contact Information

Name:	Ed Hughes
Address:	Greenville Track Club PO Box 5678 Greenville, SC 29606
Phone Number:	864-419-6788
Fax Number:	864-467-7161
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (78)

Course 4.1

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.0

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Number of comments: 78 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

Z. K. from South Carolina (10/31/2023) "Disappointing and Frustrating" (about: 2023) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Such a disappointing event! There were not nearly enough aid stations (and quite a few ran out of both water AND gatorade), the swamp rabbit was very crowded with non-racers, and the trail is not clearly marked for runners. In addition to all of the other issues the t-shirt (a cheap white cotton long sleeve) and medal do not say 'marathon' on them anywhere. Would NOT recommend this race to anyone. Disappointing end to months of training
M. Z. from Williamstown, Ky (10/29/2023) "Great flat course" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course runs the Swamp Rabbit Trail which is a super nice surface and wooded environment. Great start and finish and well organized. As the title suggests, it is very flat.
V. D. from Greenville SC (10/31/2018) "Lonely race very few people no music" (about: 2018) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 After we split off from the half marathoners the course was practically deserted! Makes it very hard.
L. J. from Upstate SC (10/29/2017) "I won't be back" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Spinx Run Fests COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The route of the 2017 version of the race was changed and the name was changed to the Swamp Rabbit marathon, supposedly indicating the inclusion of more of the SRT on the run. Sad to say, there was LESS SRT than last year. Due to lack of staff helping to navigate the myriad of turns on the Furman campus (there had to be over 200 turns up there, no joke) I got off course and ran an extra half mile: not ideal when running a full. As last year, not enough fuel stations. I think there were six or seven but there was a five mile stretch when we were on HWY 276 where there was nothing. The course was awful. Way too many turns and most of the course wasn't even on the SRT. Lack of police protection so I was stopped by auto traffic three times. Huge disappointment two years in a row. I will not waste my money next year.
E. F. from North Carolina (10/31/2016) "2016 Success" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Spinx Run Fests COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Greenville is a great city to visit and should be part of the experience. This is my second attempt (I got caught behind the train in 2014). The ball field start and finish is ideal for bathrooms, room to move about. The course is great and 'Flat Enough'. The huge incline over the railroad yard was significant but that's just racing. Beer at the finish is also ideal. I ended up with only one minor complaint but I think it was a fluke based on circumstance. The turnout was low for the marathon and I was running 3:35 pace. Most runners were gathered with the 3:30 or 3:40 pace group. I entered Furman with no one in eye sight in front of me at all. That continued through out the rest until mile 22. Despite the massive amount of volunteers I hit a few forks with no direction. Most turns had white taped arrows and other just students only. I had to throw my hands up and yell 'which way?'. This happened 4 or 5 times. I guess correctly or had someone direct me at the last second.I never expected to have that much distance between runners in a marathon.
L. J. from SC (10/30/2016) "Very poorly organized" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 There not enough fuel stations. There are a total of 6 for the full, which means you get fuel on average everage 4 miles. 2 of the stations, around miles 18 and 22, RAN OUT OF GATORADE! It was a record hot day so the extra calories would have helped. There was very little direction given on the last 10 miles of the race. Signs and/or cones were removed and no human was directing anyone. We had to stop twice to look at a map. It would have been more if there were no people in view. After running a marathon, the last thing I want to do is walk through a 100 yard cattle white with nowhere to sit. Then, we had to walk up 20 flights of stairs and another 50 yards to get the 'food' at the end. The food was bananas, yogurt, fruit, and a tiny sandwich. Spins is the host, so basically all of the food was gas station food. So bad. No sports drink or chocolate milk or even soda at the finish. Out of the 5 marathons I have run, this is the least organized. For $85 I expect way more. Medals and shirts are generic jokes. I'm guessing a 5k participant got the same thing as a full marathon.
M. L. from Orange Park, FL (11/19/2015) "DISAPPOINTING" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The weather was ideal, 40's to start with overcast skies. Packet pickup was a breeze. The course was modified to avert trains, but one - I did not see or hear any; and two - we had to go over a steep overpass twice (near miles six and 24). The course needs to have more sports drink on the course, water is not the best for fluid replacement during a full marathon. I never knew when to expect the next water station, because the aide station map was incomplete. One of the gels handed out was a LOW CALORIE brand - for a marathon - really? Marathoners need real energy and real gels. Post race was just as bad, bananas, yogurt, fruit cups and water. That's it! No carbs or sports drink! Very disappointing. Having a few clocks on the course might be nice. The course itself is not bad, but frequently dodging the cyclist became annoying. There should be water at the finish line. Marathoners should not have to climb 40 stairs for post-race hydration - which again was very inadequate. I have run many smaller races between 5ks and halves which have supplied a wide variety of refreshments and drinks. If you decide to run this race be aware of it's shortcomings and plan accordingly.
J. B. from Georgia (10/28/2014) "Great foundation to grow" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first full marathon but not my first race at all. I was overall very pleased. Beautiful route with trips through Greenville, Furman University, residential neighborhood and town of Travelers Rest. Most of the route is shaded which helps with the sun during the back end of the race. It's a flat course with very few hills. Love the start and finish at the stadium. Plenty of water and gatorade on the route. Gels available at one station you visit twice. Volunteers at the stations were wonderful and stations were spread out well. Loved the personal announcements as you enter the stadium for the finish line. Things that could use some improvements to make it better: More gels available at water stations, more support form the community, late checkouts from the hotels, cooperation with train company. Majority of runners were blocked by the train at some point. It's really beyond the organizer/sponsors control and they have tried every year to stop this. Also, some of the bikers on the second half of the race were little rude about marathoners being in the way. Once again, something that the organizer cannot control. Just be aware that you are sharing the path with others not racing. Also be aware that you will run a lot of it without much support and sometimes by yourself. Very pleased with this race. Great route for a PR or qualifying time due to terrain and small crowd. Would love to see this grow.
E. M. from Georgia, USA (10/27/2014) "Knew what to expect" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Funny that there was another train stopped on the tracks this year. Pretty much all the pros and cons listed for previous years are true. I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into based on the number of comments from prior yearsjust go into it with the appropriate expectations. Don't be uptight...unless a train is about to crush your PR at mile 23 or wherever it wasI suppose that would really suck.
E. F. from North Carolina (10/26/2014) "OK but just hope no TRAIN" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race has a lot going for it. Great city, start and finish at a minor league ball field with plenty of room and bathrooms. I read previous reviews about people getting stuck waiting on a train. Figured that was a fluke and long since fixed. I trained my 20 weeks and was going for my BQ time. I was feeling great and stayed 1.5 minutes ahead of the 3:40 pace group. At 23 I had it in the bag and was getting ready to speed up. Heard a train in the distance and sure enough a moving train going 5 miles an hour blocking the route. Never saw so many frustrated runners. After 2 minutes the train stopped. We ran 200 yards down the track and around but all was lost by that point. Anyone running 3:35 or over got screwed and my training was 3:38 turned to a 3:42. However good volunteers otherwise.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]



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Z. K. from South Carolina (10/31/2023) "Disappointing and Frustrating" (about: 2023) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Such a disappointing event! There were not nearly enough aid stations (and quite a few ran out of both water AND gatorade), the swamp rabbit was very crowded with non-racers, and the trail is not clearly marked for runners. In addition to all of the other issues the t-shirt (a cheap white cotton long sleeve) and medal do not say 'marathon' on them anywhere. Would NOT recommend this race to anyone. Disappointing end to months of training
M. Z. from Williamstown, Ky (10/29/2023) "Great flat course" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course runs the Swamp Rabbit Trail which is a super nice surface and wooded environment. Great start and finish and well organized. As the title suggests, it is very flat.
V. D. from Greenville SC (10/31/2018) "Lonely race very few people no music" (about: 2018) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 After we split off from the half marathoners the course was practically deserted! Makes it very hard.
L. J. from Upstate SC (10/29/2017) "I won't be back" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Spinx Run Fests COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The route of the 2017 version of the race was changed and the name was changed to the Swamp Rabbit marathon, supposedly indicating the inclusion of more of the SRT on the run. Sad to say, there was LESS SRT than last year. Due to lack of staff helping to navigate the myriad of turns on the Furman campus (there had to be over 200 turns up there, no joke) I got off course and ran an extra half mile: not ideal when running a full. As last year, not enough fuel stations. I think there were six or seven but there was a five mile stretch when we were on HWY 276 where there was nothing. The course was awful. Way too many turns and most of the course wasn't even on the SRT. Lack of police protection so I was stopped by auto traffic three times. Huge disappointment two years in a row. I will not waste my money next year.
E. F. from North Carolina (10/31/2016) "2016 Success" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Spinx Run Fests COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Greenville is a great city to visit and should be part of the experience. This is my second attempt (I got caught behind the train in 2014). The ball field start and finish is ideal for bathrooms, room to move about. The course is great and 'Flat Enough'. The huge incline over the railroad yard was significant but that's just racing. Beer at the finish is also ideal. I ended up with only one minor complaint but I think it was a fluke based on circumstance. The turnout was low for the marathon and I was running 3:35 pace. Most runners were gathered with the 3:30 or 3:40 pace group. I entered Furman with no one in eye sight in front of me at all. That continued through out the rest until mile 22. Despite the massive amount of volunteers I hit a few forks with no direction. Most turns had white taped arrows and other just students only. I had to throw my hands up and yell 'which way?'. This happened 4 or 5 times. I guess correctly or had someone direct me at the last second.I never expected to have that much distance between runners in a marathon.
L. J. from SC (10/30/2016) "Very poorly organized" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 There not enough fuel stations. There are a total of 6 for the full, which means you get fuel on average everage 4 miles. 2 of the stations, around miles 18 and 22, RAN OUT OF GATORADE! It was a record hot day so the extra calories would have helped. There was very little direction given on the last 10 miles of the race. Signs and/or cones were removed and no human was directing anyone. We had to stop twice to look at a map. It would have been more if there were no people in view. After running a marathon, the last thing I want to do is walk through a 100 yard cattle white with nowhere to sit. Then, we had to walk up 20 flights of stairs and another 50 yards to get the 'food' at the end. The food was bananas, yogurt, fruit, and a tiny sandwich. Spins is the host, so basically all of the food was gas station food. So bad. No sports drink or chocolate milk or even soda at the finish. Out of the 5 marathons I have run, this is the least organized. For $85 I expect way more. Medals and shirts are generic jokes. I'm guessing a 5k participant got the same thing as a full marathon.
M. L. from Orange Park, FL (11/19/2015) "DISAPPOINTING" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The weather was ideal, 40's to start with overcast skies. Packet pickup was a breeze. The course was modified to avert trains, but one - I did not see or hear any; and two - we had to go over a steep overpass twice (near miles six and 24). The course needs to have more sports drink on the course, water is not the best for fluid replacement during a full marathon. I never knew when to expect the next water station, because the aide station map was incomplete. One of the gels handed out was a LOW CALORIE brand - for a marathon - really? Marathoners need real energy and real gels. Post race was just as bad, bananas, yogurt, fruit cups and water. That's it! No carbs or sports drink! Very disappointing. Having a few clocks on the course might be nice. The course itself is not bad, but frequently dodging the cyclist became annoying. There should be water at the finish line. Marathoners should not have to climb 40 stairs for post-race hydration - which again was very inadequate. I have run many smaller races between 5ks and halves which have supplied a wide variety of refreshments and drinks. If you decide to run this race be aware of it's shortcomings and plan accordingly.
J. B. from Georgia (10/28/2014) "Great foundation to grow" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first full marathon but not my first race at all. I was overall very pleased. Beautiful route with trips through Greenville, Furman University, residential neighborhood and town of Travelers Rest. Most of the route is shaded which helps with the sun during the back end of the race. It's a flat course with very few hills. Love the start and finish at the stadium. Plenty of water and gatorade on the route. Gels available at one station you visit twice. Volunteers at the stations were wonderful and stations were spread out well. Loved the personal announcements as you enter the stadium for the finish line. Things that could use some improvements to make it better: More gels available at water stations, more support form the community, late checkouts from the hotels, cooperation with train company. Majority of runners were blocked by the train at some point. It's really beyond the organizer/sponsors control and they have tried every year to stop this. Also, some of the bikers on the second half of the race were little rude about marathoners being in the way. Once again, something that the organizer cannot control. Just be aware that you are sharing the path with others not racing. Also be aware that you will run a lot of it without much support and sometimes by yourself. Very pleased with this race. Great route for a PR or qualifying time due to terrain and small crowd. Would love to see this grow.
E. M. from Georgia, USA (10/27/2014) "Knew what to expect" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Funny that there was another train stopped on the tracks this year. Pretty much all the pros and cons listed for previous years are true. I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into based on the number of comments from prior yearsjust go into it with the appropriate expectations. Don't be uptight...unless a train is about to crush your PR at mile 23 or wherever it wasI suppose that would really suck.
E. F. from North Carolina (10/26/2014) "OK but just hope no TRAIN" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spinx Run Fest COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race has a lot going for it. Great city, start and finish at a minor league ball field with plenty of room and bathrooms. I read previous reviews about people getting stuck waiting on a train. Figured that was a fluke and long since fixed. I trained my 20 weeks and was going for my BQ time. I was feeling great and stayed 1.5 minutes ahead of the 3:40 pace group. At 23 I had it in the bag and was getting ready to speed up. Heard a train in the distance and sure enough a moving train going 5 miles an hour blocking the route. Never saw so many frustrated runners. After 2 minutes the train stopped. We ran 200 yards down the track and around but all was lost by that point. Anyone running 3:35 or over got screwed and my training was 3:38 turned to a 3:42. However good volunteers otherwise.

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Marathon Details - Spinx Run Fest