“Great,” was the overwhelming response from runners when asked what they thought of the two day running event held at Tybee Island over the first weekend in February.
The second biggest response, “Hot!”
Louella Banez said she ran last year and the weather was cold and wet and that this year was a treat. It was a big change from previous years when temperatures were near freezing and a cold rain soaked everyone.
Still, even with temperatures in the mid seventies and climbing to 79 by noon, few runners let the sun prevent them from their appointed rounds; and round they went!
The ten kilometer started early in the morning just as the sun began to rise. The route circled around the island near the pier. The night before many runners came out for the kids run and the 5k with live music and food afterward near the Tybee Lighthouse.
Those who ran all five races wore red numbered bibs, including nine year old Mason Smith from Collins, Georgia who won first in his age division in almost everything with an overall time for the 26.2 miles of 3:47:16.
Sarah Batt took first overall for the women for all five races with a time of 3:05:46 and Brian Knapp placed first in the men’s with a time of 2:33:41.
The half marathon which followed immediately after the ten kilometer race, took runners down to the Tybee Lighthouse before winding down Jones and through back roads back to the pier.
Runners ran past pastel colored board houses with unique lawn decorations, nautical themed doors and rental houses, while locals cheered on street corners and road their bikes alongside.
One group of runners was followed by a garbage truck; a sure incentive to pick up the pace.
On Butler Avenue, a group of Hash House Harriers, a social running/drinking club that describes themselves as “a drinking club with a running problem”, was handing out Dixie cups full of beer. A few people said, “No thanks”, but many stopped for a quick drink with one man saying, “God Bless You.”
There was more than one person walking around with a full beer in their hand, which didn’t do much to dispel the myth that Islander’s like their liquor and it’s “always five o’clock somewhere”.
Must runners preferred water, but welcomed free food at the finish line, closed-in changing areas, ample toilets, food, water and freebies.
Everyone said it was the most organized race they had ever attended and were impressed that organizers kept everything straight and everyone headed in the direction they needed to be.
A number of running and track clubs attended, though some stuck with the larger races and avoided the shorter races which all were well attended with over 3200 entrants according to officials.
Local Savannah Strider runners said they had some of the best running times they had ever put in on a race and weren’t sure why, but were happy with it. The mostly flat course, later in the day start times and not much of a wind probably accounted for part of it.
Event organizers said they had a better turn out than in previous years and hope to do a repeat performance and get even more people involved, though Tybee Island would like to cap the number of runners at around 3000 to accommodate the traffic.
The parking lots were full and many people parked along grassy lawns on side streets to avoid the meters. Either the police were too busy guarding the racers to ticket cars or the meter readers couldn't make it through the crowds to do so, but many got away with cheap parking close to the start.
Overall it was a fun day at the beach and while many runners were worn out by the end of the last one mile run, everyone felt like they had accomplished something special- running a marathon in two days in five races.
Those who didn't run, or who ran in only one or two races stayed to cheer the other runners on, brining numerous smiles and thank yous.
It was definitely a fun day with great weather and a unique running festival that many look forward to participating in next year if the weather cooperates.
For more photos and race results, visit: http://www.facebook.com/critztybeerunfest
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