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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 271 to 281]
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M. S. from Tennessee
(12/16/2005)
 "great, well-organized marathon for great cause" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I hope others find these comments helpful as I know I use them as a guide to determine whether or not to run a particular marathon. 1) ORGANIZATION/EXPO - extremely well-organized smallish expo, but great deals to be had here! I also got a very nice $20 Nike tailwind hat for FREE because I was one of the first 1000 to register (and I didn't register all that early). 2) SHIRT - 100% cotton, ugly design and color (medium blue?); I will probably never wear it. 3) MEDAL - very classy. Round shape, 1/2 marathoners were in silver; marathoners similar but gold color. 4) AID STATIONS - water/Gatorade (various flavors from blue, yellow, red) EVERY mile with Gu (I had espresso and orange) handed out at mile 9, 15, 21. Plus for the most part, water and Gatorade were in different colored cups so it made it easier to figure out which to grab! Great idea. 5) VOLUNTEERS - excellent. As stated, there was a volunteer just before every water stop with a sign indicating "Water ahead." 6) COURSE - as advertised in that it was not hilly, but it was definitely rolling the entire way. Still a fast course and there were digital clocks posted every mile. I use my watch to monitor my mile splits, and the splits were definitely well-marked such that I never missed a split (although I think one mile was too long and another was too short?). There was also a wave start which was great so there was never a crowd. Another plus is that the overall placements and split times are based on chip times so there is no penalty for starting farther back (in fact, they don't even post your gun time in the results). This is NOT the case in many other races (Boston uses gun time for their placement; unfair when you it takes 15 minutes to cross the start line; Twin cities does the same thing). Also since splits are given in chip time, it is easier to figure out your splits (in other words, splits are not composed of actual split + time it took to cross start line). Plus they had chip mats placed at the 10K, 1/2 marathon, and 20-mile mark which seemed accurate (unlike other marathons where the mats were off). This allowed me to really calculate my pace for the 1st 10K and compare it to the last 10K. 7) PACE GROUPS - this was the first year for pace leaders, and they had a pacer every 5 minutes starting from 3:15 onwards which was a bonus. I'm not sure how the other pacers fared, but my pacer was 2 minutes ahead at the half (which I think may have been problematic for some trying to follow) and finished slightly faster than one minute faster than goal. 8) CITY/LAYOUT - very nice to have hotels very close to the finish line. I stayed at the Doubletree which was literally right across the street from the entrance to the AutoZone Park (baseball field which is the finish line for both the 1/2 and the full). I simply walked across the street and was right in my hotel room. Hotel was also only 2 blocks from the start. 9) CROWD SUPPORT - there were bands along the way, but nowhere near what you're going to get in the bigger marathons like Chicago or Boston. The spectators present were very supportive and friendly and well appreciated. There could be more bands, but honestly I was so focused on my race that it didn't matter to me. 10) PORTA-POTTIES - very plentiful at the start! Wow, when do you EVER get that? I don't think I saw anyone peeing along the side of the road. Plus at least 3-4 porta-potties were available every mile at the water stops. I had to wait in line twice at Boston (difficult to find and then there were only 2 once I found one). Here I never saw a line. Post-race in Autozone Park with real bathrooms and showers for the runners. Overall I'm very pleased with the organization of the marathon and the fact that it all goes towards a great cause is a bonus. Will definitely consider running it once again. | |
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T. P. from Decatur, AL
(12/12/2005)
 "Good cause, great city & slightly challenging." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 There were several good things about this marathon. First, Memphis is a great city that definitely supports this marathon. Second, there were more than enough aid stations with volunteers. It was impressive. Third, the restaurants in the downtown area are all close and several offer discounts to runners on Friday night. Fourth, it is very organized in all respects (packet pick-up, start line, finish line, etc). Finally, the finish in the ballpark is just plain cool! There are only a couple of things I didn't like too much. First, the course is NOT flat. As another runner put it, you are constantly running up or down an incline. There were no major hills... just 26.2 miles of 'gently' rolling terrain, so don't expect an easy PR. Second, an organized pasta dinner for all registered runners would have been better than having to find the right restaurant in the area. Finally, while the finish at the stadium was cool, the long walk up the stairs from the field was almost cruel after 26.2 miles. But honestly, I wouldn't change the finish at all. All in all, this is a good race for anyone looking for an interesting city to run in. It is definitely for a good cause!! | |
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Michael S. from NJ
(12/9/2005)
"Excellent Marathon" (about: 2002)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I went into Memphis expecting a nice course, great organization and good fan support - and got everything that I had hoped for, not to mention a lot of fun! The course was rolling in the beginning, which I loved. Running up Beale Street twice was great. The second half had a constant climb for 4-5 miles but was primarily downhill for the last 10K. There were some long straight stretches in the last half which were a bit wearing. I would have loved to have run through the park again on the way back like we did on the way out. I also thought the management of the half marathon and marathon was excellent. I know the Baltimore Marathon has problems with this but Memphis seemed to have its act together by starting everyone out together and having each race have its own stage to finish on. Organization was fantastic and I love the clocks and water stops at every mile. Not only were there water stops at every mile but the volunteers were fantastic. The spectators were primarily of people running but they were plentiful. Memphis certainly welcomed the runners. I stayed at the Peabody which is very convenient but probably once is enough there. The Doubletree is right at the start finish also. The Stones were in town and staying at the Peabody. I saw Mick, Keith and Charlie in the lobby. Overall, I got everything that I expected, and would love to come back to Memphis - not only for the marathon but to visit. Thanks Memphis! | |
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C. J. from Louisiana
(12/9/2005)
"Great race to run!!!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 St. Jude was wonderful, running for a good cause. I enjoyed everything except the hills. They were bad for my knees. I didn't realize there would be so many of them. I still made my best time ever but not without a little pain. I would recommend this race to anyone. I had a great weekend. Thanks Memphis, I'll be back!!! | |
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L. T. from Vancouver, BC Canada
(12/8/2005)
"Thank ya, thank ya very much!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It's been a lifetime goal to visit Graceland, and tying it into the marathon was extra special. There are many positives about the race, including: excellent organization; mile markers, port-a-potties and water every mile; and, excellent fan support. The finisher's medal has to be one of the nicest around. There were some negatives as well (not to take away from the race, but future runners should know). The course is run mostly on the side of roads where you're not running on a flat surface (try running by the pylons and some of this can be avoided). The 2nd half of the route went through lots of busy streets, where police had some difficulties controlling vehicles. Also, lines of idling vehicles created horrible fumes at times. Overall, a very well organized race, with some good undulations (challenging for me - my Chicago and Lincoln previous marathons were flat), and excellent fan support. | |
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Matt Wise from Ballwin, MO
(12/8/2005)
"Clean bathrooms with no lines pre-race!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was the most well-organized race I've found. The start/finish is great with clean bathrooms without long lines (and locker rooms to shower in after the race!) and a warm indoor area to wait for the race to start! Great food and drinks after the race, too! Even the t-shirt and medal are great, and the course is quite flat with a decent number of spectators! This race is tough to beat. | |
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H. H. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(12/8/2005)
 "well organized, but slower runners beware!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The elevation chart is truly deceptive, as someone else noted - the constant ups and downs, plus the steady climb from miles 11-14, really took a toll on this first-timer who did finish but far slower than anticipated. Roads are heavily cambered - so much so it was hard to find flat running surface in some spots. The roads through the park in miles 8-9 are severely sloped and rutted as well. Good crowd support in the fist half - in general the first half is a blast, with very little crowd support in the second half except the spirit station volunteers. Although this is the most well organized race I have ever run (the water, Powerade and CLOCK at each mile composed a true luxury!) there was little food left by the time I finished. I'm amazed to see people raving about the food as there was none when I finished except some hot chocolate, green bananas and packaged cookies. What soup? Too bad there wasn't any left over for the slow runners - I certainly could have used something before the walk back to my hotel! They also need to decide what the true cutoff for finish is. The website said the finish line is open for 7.5 hours, yet all materials at the race said no official times would be given after 6 hours. I was able to finish in that time but others might not. Hope this is clarified in the future. Not to be a wet blanket - once again this is a well organized race with deceptive hills, run on heavily cambered roads. Nice finish in the park; the announcer didn't read my name but I was too tired to care at that point! | |
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S. C. from Lexington, KY
(12/7/2005)
"Great support" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon in 15 years. I had forgotten what the last six miles were like. But, there was plenty of support to get me through the pain. This race was extremely well organized. The finish was nice. The water and clocks at every mile are awesome. | |
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N. G. from Godfrey, IL USA
(12/7/2005)
 "Extremely well organized and started on time." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon and compared to other shorter races, this was the best organized. Big thanks to the organizers, police and volunteers. What a day! | |
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C. E. from Memphis, TN
(12/6/2005)
"Memphis and St. Jude should be proud!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Way to go Memphis and St. Jude. This race is tops in our book. My wife and I are from Memphis and we are so proud of how wonderful this race is. It is organized, the course is scenic and the food after the race is awesome! It is a thrill to finish the race at the beautiful AutoZone Park while your name is being announced over the loudspeaker. The spirit surrounding the race is very motivating and the spectators along the way keep you going. We cannot wait until the race next year. |
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