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Jul 2, 2024

Memphis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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C. K. from Arizona (2/27/2009) "Great Race!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Memphis Marathon is a must-do marathon for anyone with the goal of 50 marathons in 50 states. The weather was a bit on the cool side, but better too cold than too hot. The course scenery was interesting and historic. The spectators were wonderful and the post-race refreshments were fantastic.
M. M. from Illinois (2/5/2009) "Great Race!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was fantastic! The crowd support was amazing and the race was for a great cause. The course was not too hilly. I am from the Midwest and it was very doable. The only downsides were that the camber of the roads made me a little sore (totally out of organizers control) and the last 10 miles or so were kind of dull. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone. Memphis is an amazing town and the course did a good job of showing off the town.
T. N. from St. Louis, MO (1/17/2009) "Make Memphis part of your schedule!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I expected a good event, but got a fantastic event. Probably the best organized marathon I have run. Absolutely the best post-race food. Big variety and lots of it. The warm soup tasted and felt great on a cold day. The weather was perfect. Downtown Memphis was a great place to stay and it was easy to get to the start and away from the finish. I will go back.
J. R. from Thibodaux, Louisiana (1/16/2009) "What an awesome race!" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I decided to run this race as a "long run" of 13 miles in a marathon training plan for my first marathon race in February. I wish this would have been the marathon. The weather was perfect, the crowds amazing, and the finish picture perfect. I loved everything about this race - the city, the course, the organization, the expo, the people, the crowd, the amazing mile participants, and the finish. I wish this would have been my first marathon, instead of a half-marathon training run. It was amazing. This race has so much heart, and the kids give so much inspiration.
J. E. from Alabama (12/31/2008) "Great winter marathon choice" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I got a PR/Boston qualifier, so I can't complain too much! The first half of the course was much more scenic than the second, and it was fun to run with the half-marathoners for 12+ miles. Spectators were sparse for the second half of the race, but the ones who were there were enthusiastic. I got a kick out of the signs and costumes - especially the Santas and the guy in the banana suit who I swear I saw 3 or 4 times. I train in a hilly area, so I found the description of the course as "gently rolling hills" to be accurate: it's not what I would call "hilly," but it's not flat. Expo was the most streamlined and best organized I've seen to date, and the wave start was excellent - my training partner and I were able to maintain goal pace even in the first few miles because it was never too crowded. It seemed to us, as another poster mentioned, that the 20 and 21 mile markers were a little off - that 20th mile seemed to go on forever! We almost got hit by a car at one point in the second half - so keep your wits about you like you would on a training run. Extremely well-organized aid stations at every mile a huge plus - never had to wait for a porta potty or lose time fighting for water. Last few miles were pretty bleak and industrial, but not sure I would have found the running any easier if they had been scenic. Stadium was a great place to finish because it was easy to meet up with family and cheer for other finishers while stuffing our faces and drinking beer in the bleachers. Climbing the stairs was a small price to pay for the good food and a place to sit and rest. December weather in Memphis is generally perfect for running. Enjoyed the Saturday race for a change, because my running group could actually enjoy the nightlife that evening. Good hotels within walking distance of start/finish. Thank you to the downtown restaurants for the pre-race dinner discount! Great race and great weekend trip!
C. K. from Phoenix, AZ (12/31/2008) "Fun race - fantastic organization, fans & course" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The weather was a bit cold, but preferable to hot weather. The course was nice - good scenery, gently rolling hills, nothing too steep. Running with half-marathoners was a bit deceptive - thinking I should be running faster and not realizing I was running with half-marathoners until I was all alone at the cut-off point. Thank you to the people who served beer at miles 16 and 22 - that really helped give me an energy boost. The fans were spectacular all along the course - thank you, Memphis!! I enjoyed the post-race refreshments (soup and beer!!). As for Memphis, it is a great city to see. "Must dos" while in Memphis: take a tour of the city, see Graceland, and eat at Rendezvous Ribs.
Scott Olvey from West Monroe, LA (12/31/2008) "Totally Awesome Experience!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and it was a total blast! I ran as a St. Jude Hero, which made the experience even greater. If you run the St. Jude, Memphis Marathon, you really should consider running as a St. Jude Hero. Join a team or form one of your own. GO, TEAM JAKE! It really adds to the excitement. People are so willing to give to support St. Jude. The Heroes Pasta Party on Friday night was great. It was very inspiring to hear the stories of the children of St. Jude and meet the other "heroes." The race was very well organized and the fan support was FANtastic! Supporters lined the entire 26.2 miles. The course had slight, rolling hills with plenty of flat sections. Packet pickup was well organized and had a lot of vendors selling all sorts of running stuff. A company takes pictures along the route and at the finish (a few more photographers would help) that you can order online. All three races - 5K, 1/2 marathon and the marathon - were all sold out this year. That's 14,000 runners! We had almost 11,000 people at the start of the 1/2 and marathon and even with the staggered start, I spent the first 2 to 3 miles dodging people who didn't start where they were supposed to. But hey, it made me feel fast passing so many people like that. It was really neat to run down Bealle Street and past famous landmarks of Memphis. When the halfer's peeled off at the 13.1-mark, it did thin out quite a bit. The aid stations, entertainment and cheerleaders and regular folks along the route really help keep you going. There were even 2 or 3 places handing out beer and sweets! I love Memphis. The finish in Auto Zone Park was really cool. My family got to see me come into the park and cross the finish line and hear my name announced on the PA system. Way cool. I will absolutely be back next year! Maybe I'll shoot for a Boston qualifying time. :) Then, maybe not. This is a must-do marathon! Thank you, Memphis!
Anysa Rieder from Shiloh, Illinois (12/30/2008) "Great First-Time Marathon" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My biggest gripe was the carb load before the marathon. You know that it's not going to be one big party, that restaurants in the area are going to be offering discounts on pasta dishes. We couldn't find any pasta!! From the list given, we went to BB King's. They didn't even serve pasta any longer. The places that did have pasta were reservation-only, but we had only just gotten the packet Friday night, so we were out of luck. Finally we gave up and drove out of town to a Ruby Tuesday! No carb load party, and I was kind of looking forward to that part. After the race I was basically a wreck, so we never really got a chance to party on Beale St. WE WILL BE BACK! People in Memphis are awesome! So friendly! Great supporters of the race! The course was super hilly for a Midwesterner. Not giant hills but definitely consistent. No one could argue that it's flat!! After the 1/2 marathoners veered off, it was pretty desolate, I thought. There were some supporters and bands that brought tears to my eyes. With no crowds running with me, I got a lot of personal attention, which I totally needed. By 20 I gave up and started walking. Jesse, wherever you are, I love ya, girlfriend. We made it by running flat parts and walking the hills for the last 6 miles. That night I thought, never again!!! But by morning, I was already thinking strategy for my next marathon. Thank you, Memphis, for being my first!
K. S. from Macon, GA (12/26/2008) "Very well organized and fun race" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very pleased with the organization of the race. Packet pickup and the expo were quick and easy, even in downtown Memphis on a Friday afternoon. The discount at area restaurants the night before the race was a nice perk. The staggered start went well, and it was a blast starting near and running down Beale a couple times. Keeping in mind that the overall experience was fantastically positive, a couple things I wasn't a huge fan of (so others are surprised): 1. It was a blast running with the half marathoners for the first 12.5 miles. The fan support was tremendous and there were a good number of other runners, but never was it overly crowded. After the half-marathoners turned off for their finish, however, fan support was limited to the hydration stations every mile. There were a few individuals here and there along the way and the volunteers at the water stops were very supportive, but don't expect many cheering crowds between mile 13 and mile 26. 2. I was excited about the prospect of finishing inside Auto Zone park. The reality, though, let me down. I like to SEE the finish line to give me something to push towards, but here it was obscured by the park itself until the last 150 meters. After running that far, I don't want to have to remind myself how close I am. I want to see it approaching. 3. After finishing on the field, you have to walk up stadium steps to get to the concourse. Cruel... just cruel. But once you get to the concourse in right field, all of the bananas, oranges, hot soup, and cold beer make you feel better.
T. S. from Farmington, MI (12/18/2008) "More hills than Elvi" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a very well run race, with great support and great people, for a great cause. The staggered start was an excellent idea, as it kept the beginning from becoming the usual traffic jam. Lots of aid stations, but having them right on the mile markers makes it hard to record splits. Very surprised how hilly Memphis is. My hammies were killing me by Mile 19, but that could also be due to over-training. Or the overaggressive pace groups. And as great as it is to end in a stadium, placing a downhill at the finish line is just cruel. (Didn't Elvis say something about that?) I did my best Yosemite Sam right up until the cameras. Food at the end was plentiful, but having ribs for dinner was why I did this race.

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