Carolina Marathon - February. Home of Hootie and the Blowfish and the Women's Marathon Olympic Trials in 1996. The marathon begins on Main Street, in downtown Columbia. Miles 2 and 3 are a bit downhill and cross the Congaree River. Miles 4, 5 and 6 go through West Columbia, and at mile 6 runners cross back over the Congaree River on Blossom Street. There is a steep hill at mile 7. At the top of the hill, you should catch your breath, because it is another steep climb. The course is then downhill as runners pass the University of South Carolina. After mile 8 there is a gradual incline up to mile 9. Just before mile 10 runners leave Blossom Street and go through a beautiful residential section. The course then goes downhill and flattens out to mile 12. Runners then enter Fort Jackson, one of the largest army bases in the country. Miles 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are rolling hills! Just before mile marker 19 runners exit the Fort and travel down Forest Drive, turn onto Trenholm Road and then go up another slow, steep incline at mile 21. Miles 22, 23 and 24 are basically flat. At mile 24 runners turn onto Greene Street which is the heart of the University of South Carolina campus. This is another slow steady uphill climb to mile 25. At mile 25, downtown begins to come into view and runners give a kick back down Main Street to the finish. Not an easy course, but a challenging and fun race. Fabulous crowd support! Run The Planet would like to thank Beth Blackwell for the cooperation.
Myrtle Beach Marathon - February. Flat, fast furious and fun. A USA Track & Field certified loop course that encompasses all the flavors Myrtle Beach has to offer. Start and finish are 5 meters above sea level and the highest point is 10 meters above sea level. "A friendly race". Run The Planet would like to thank Shaun Walsh for the cooperation.
