Flowerfest Marathon At Callaway Gardens Reviews

  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!

  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.

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

Plentiful parking adjacent to start, very inexpensive lodging in Atlanta with AirBNB, flights to Atlanta from other major airports can be inexpensive.

  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.

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

Host hotel on property was a good deal, less than a mile from the start.

  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.

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

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.