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Flowerfest Marathon At Callaway Gardens Reviews
Flowerfest Marathon At Callaway Gardens
4.5 Stars from
4 Runners
The Most Beautiful and Calm Marathon
By Ellen from Houston Texas about 2023
Review
It was an easy and calm run. I ran the full marathon and finished really strong. The nature kept me on a steady pace. There will uphills but the amount of downhill balanced the pace. It was the most quiet and intimate race I have so far in all my 9 full marathons. No official photography though. Packet pick up was really simple — just your bib, pick your own 4 pins, cotton shirt (no bag) and that's it. However, this race was less than $100; nature was priceless! Oh and the only race so far that didn't have a banana at the finish!
5 /
5 Stars
One of the most beautiful courses we've seen
By paj about 2017
Review
One of the most beautiful courses we've seen --- winding roads and bike paths through beautiful forests alongside small lakes. It's a double-loop but is so scenic that that's not an issue. Very well organized. Small (less than 100 marathoners, but a few hundred half-marathoners) very quiet, and almost no fan support, which some may prefer. An easy 85-minute drive from Atlanta. Temperatures were very cool---perfect for running.
Race Tips
Pacers available, good post-race food, sufficient aid stations (with Cerasport, and one with pickle juice!), and porta-potties on course.
Plentiful parking adjacent to start, very inexpensive lodging in Atlanta with AirBNB, flights to Atlanta from other major airports can be inexpensive.
5 /
5 Stars
Very well-organized race with rolling hills
By BP about 2016
Review
2016 - A very well-organized race. Apparently, Callaway Gardens handed the event over to a new management company, because I did not experience any of the problems noted by past reviewers. The water stations were well-manned and well-stocked. Post-race snacks were plentiful, with the standard fruit, cookies, and even pizza. Not many spectators because it's basically a nature run, but the ones who happened along were enthusiastic. Weather was perfect - 32 degrees at the gun, 60 by the finish. I had a great time.
Race Tips
Rolling hills. Easy to go out too fast, but you want to save energy for the incline between miles 5-8 and 18-21.
Host hotel on property was a good deal, less than a mile from the start.
5 /
5 Stars
Small race
By Greg H about 2010
Review
I'd call this just an average marathon. It is two loops around the Callaway Gardens resort in winter. It's a small race (~100) plus the half marathoners. Usually had to grab my own cups at the aid stations. The people didn't hand them out. I really did like that the awards are given as you finish - you don't have to wait around for everyone to be done.
Race Tips
There are some pretty short steep climbs on the course that will wear on you. Also, a good part of the race takes place on narrow bike trails. These trails are often uneven and very curvy. Take it easy the first couple of downhill miles - they are deceptively fast and you'll be cooked by the time you hit the hilly sections. Once you hit the turn around at miles ~9 and 22 (I think) it is downhill and flat to the halfway and finish.
Stayed at the lodge and is pretty nice. You can walk to the start/finish from there. It will be dark though. Plenty of parking at the start/finish at Robin Lake.
