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☰
Mississippi Blues Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mississippi Blues Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 260 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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t. p. from louisiana
(2/1/2010)
 "Excellent organization and the best support people" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely the most friendly support people and spectators along the route. I was thanked at every crossing by the volunteers and police. Great finisher's medal. Challenging course, but beautiful. | |
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E. R. from NJ
(1/31/2010)
 "This is worth not trying for a PR on" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course is pretty good; it's a typical southern Midwest marathon. You see some beautiful neighborhoods, they do their best to avoid uninteresting transitions, and there are enough hills to make you wish you trained for more hills! The race is very well organized. The staff was ready for the challenge this year with the weather and pulled it off spectacularly. I backed off a little this year because the cold and the hills totally demotivated me, but I really enjoyed this experience. Not my best finish time, but a very positive experience! Unfortunately, there were not many bands out there on this very cold day, but I think that may have been more due to the weather. | |
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J. J. from Moorhead, MN
(1/26/2010)
"Chilly but exhilarating run!!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a wonderful experience. First off, I'm from Minnesota so I'm used to the cold temps. However, even I don't usually run outside when the temps go below 20! Despite the weather, I had an all-out blast. The volunteer support was outstanding. Everyone kept thanking me for coming out - I loved that. We stayed at the host hotel, which was very accommodating of us runners and so close to the start/finish line. The start was really cool, with the Jumbo-tron and the soldier countdown and the national anthem. The only issue I had here was the runners' starting gate. It was a little confusing, but fortunately I was towards the front. I enjoyed the hills on the course. I had been training for them, and I got my PR that day!! The police did an outstanding job of patrolling the course. I've never seen so many officers on a course before. It made me feel very safe. The finish line area was good as well, with plenty of food and music (and heated tents!). Thanks so much for making my trip to your state a very memorable one! | |
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K. B. from Mississippi,USA
(1/26/2010)
 "Definitely felt the "Blues"" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 8th marathon. I don't have many complaints about the Blues Marathon, but I do have a couple. I do think it's a bit pricey. My MAJOR complaint is that, when I did finally finish the marathon - which took me an hour longer than my average marathon time - I had spent 5 hours out there running in 17-degree snow flurries. I walked into the food tent to see the LAST 4 slices of pizza being carried away by a volunteer who didn't even run. I watched as they moved the table back and carried the empty boxes away. All that was left was COLD ham and cheese and plain bagels. I CANNOT understand how, if 600 people out of the 2,000 who signed up didn't even show up to run, they could possibly RUN OUT of pizza!!! | |
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p. k. from Hampton, VA
(1/24/2010)
"hilly, but fantastically friendly" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was challenging, as advertised - generally picturesque running through neighborhoods, but there is a somewhat unpleasant out-and-back on the side of a highway. The volunteers and fans were amazing, especially considering that standing and handing out semi-frozen cups of water and Gatorade in sub-freezing temps couldn't have been comfy. They did what they could to minimize ice from dropped water cups on the course that froze over - never saw that before! Volunteers and course marshals were all friendly, positive, and welcoming - they even thanked us for running! I don't think I ever saw a split clock at any of the mile markers, so be forewarned if that matters to you. As mentioned elsewhere, the post-race food and warm tent were wonderful (until stepping out into the cold!). The medal, tee, and harmonica were all fun and different "swag." But the best "swag" was the post-race party - designed as a "Blues crawl." A trolley picked us up from the Marriott and ran a loop that took us to several different Blues clubs for live music and fun. No cost for the ride or any club covers - we had a great time and met a lot of other fun marathoners. I loved it! The only downside to downtown was the relative lack of nearby (walkable) open businesses on weekends - restaurants, shops, etc. One find: Hal and Mal's was worth the walk and getting lost for; consider getting a car. The old capitol building/museum was walkable, as was the art museum. The Marriott was great. They had fruit and coffee out before the race, and coffee/hot chocolate out after. Oh - and there was a live Blues band at the expo, too! Awesome! Other than the hills and cold (won't hold Jackson responsible for either), it was a great marathon experience - small, friendly, and fun. | |
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R. K. from Moss Point, MS
(1/22/2010)
"Best Half Experience I Can Recall" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Mississippi Blues Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 10th half marathon and my second Blues Half, and the more I think about it, I believe it is my favorite race experience. Last year's race was way hot, so I tip my hat to organizers who had to do a near 180 to keep us all comfortable in 17-degree weather. I stayed at the Roberts Walthall Hotel just two blocks from the start, and the staff went out of their way to accommodate our needs. I was even asked what they should put out for breakfast and when runners would want to eat! As for the shirt being cotton, that's what they gave us at Grandma's in Duluth, MN, three years ago, so I didn't mind. My favorite tune on the CD is "Hip Shakin' Woman." Can't wait for next year's event! | |
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Jerry White from Brandon, MS
(1/22/2010)
"Well done once again in 3rd year" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Mississippi Blues Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As a Jackson area resident, I've had the privilege of running in all 3 Blues Marathons. For the most part, they just keep getting better and better. Finisher's medal was the best version yet. The slightly altered course was still challenging but fair. The cold was well managed, with heaters, tents, and warmer post-race food options. The addition of miniature sports-topped water bottles was FANTASTIC for those of us who were wondering how to get fluids without soaking our gloves! As a no-frills kind of guy, I would be willing to trade the swanky packet pick-up bag, cotton shirt, harmonica, and CD for a technical shirt and lower entry fee. Nice job, BC/BS.... I'll be an early bird registrant for next year's 4th installation of this event!! | |
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E. W. from Bay Village, Ohio
(1/21/2010)
 "MS Blues exceeded expectations!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I agree with the praise noted below: great goody bag and medal, nice pre-race tents with heat trying to keep runners warm, VERY appreciative volunteers, plentiful aid stations, and nice shower facilities after. The marathon was an excellent tie in for visiting the Delta Blues region. The whole experience left me with the desire to visit more of MS. Race course suggestion: course was limited mainly to downtown, suburbs and highway. Please, less highway, and more historic areas. Post-race suggestion: advertise the Blues Club tour on Saturday night ahead of time (I found out about it at the expo, and didn't see anything on the website). I'd already made plans and couldn't attend. | |
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J. P. from Atlanta, GA
(1/19/2010)
"cold, but warm volunteers and great organization" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thanks for a great marathon! (This was my 22nd marathon.) Despite the frigid cold, the volunteers were out there thanking the runners for choosing Mississippi and providing hydration. (Gatorade tastes much better when it is ice cold!) Really enjoyed the drum line at Jacksonville State University and the bands braving the cold. The harmonica and CD in the goody bag made for a great surprise! Course was hilly, but I think everyone was too busy concentrating on the cold. Pizza, beans and rice and sandwiches at the finish were much appreciated - as was the warm tent with more bands. Thanks for the great organization and great experience. | |
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C. D. from Birmingham, AL
(1/19/2010)
"Great Race with Strong Support!" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half-marathon and was very impressed by the organization and volunteer support, especially on such a cold day. Parking for the race and expo was easy. Yes, there were hills - not too steep, but continuous throughout. Great job, Jackson! |
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