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Memphis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 281 to 291]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 27 28 29 30 31 .. 39 > ]

 

M. I. from Birmingham, AL (12/6/2005)
"A Great Finish!" (about: 2005)

3 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


What a great race! It was well organized and I loved the hotel discounts! The Peabody was fabulous - AND the Rolling Stones were staying there too!!! We ALMOST saw them - but they got in the elevator too quickly. But we did see Elvis! I even had my picture taken with him after the race. My only complaint was that the line for the massages wasn't moving at all - so I gave up. Loved the Dri-Fit cap and LOVED finishing up at the baseball field. I didn't qualify for Boston - but I did get a PR! I'd do this one again.
 

R. R. from St Louis, MO (12/6/2005)
"Good experience for a great cause!!" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Overall - a good experience for a great cause.

Very good:
* cause (love those kids!)
* medal (one of the best I have)
* water stops (well run)
* finishing stretch (enter a small stadium, with good crowd support)
* general race organization (wonderful)
* police support (wonderful with traffic control and positive comments to runners)
* town (my first time in Memphis - the city rocks with nightlife!)
* runners (very friendly group, including the 50-staters who had a large group in town for a quarterly gathering prior to race)

Good:
* crowd support (not a lot in terms of numbers, but high quality - thanks!!)
* expo (not bad for a small race)
* hotel ($89/night at Red Roof)

Enhancement opportunities:
* course: 1) hillier than expected (note: out-and-back dog leg followed by a healthy incline at miles 25-26!), 2) camber (doubt much can be done with this, but the camber of the streets was very noticeable, with few flat alternatives such as sidewalk available)
* post-race: slim pickings after 5:30 finish or so
* packet pick up (need more signs re: parking, etc.)
* truckload of obnoxious kids tearing down stations late in the race

Luck of the Draw: weather (mid-30s - low 50s, cloudy, windy)

Overall - a good experience for a great cause & I'll be back!
 

S. d. from New York, New York (12/5/2005)
"great race in a fun destination" (about: 2005)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I have run over 40 marathons and found this race to be a pleasure. Just the right size - not too large and not too small, with a great organization running it, a very good course which was not to flat or hilly, in a city which knows of the race and gets behind the race.

Being from the Northeast and having run in some Southern cities where there was not a lot to do, I came without high expectations. Instead I found a fun city with a lot to do. You have to stay downtown, preferably at the Peabody (unique experience alone); go to Beale Street for the clubs and eat ribs at the Rondevous. It was great that the race was Saturday morning so you could go out and party after the race on Beale Street and enjoy ribs that night. Memphis is a fun city.

The city really seems to support the race. I have run in places like San Francisco, Charlotte, and New Orleans where people don't even realize a marathon is going on. But Memphis is very supportive.

The course is not pancake flat but does not have any large hills. It goes though very nice parts of the city with a lot to look at. The rolling hills are just right and the layout is very well conceived.

The size of the field is not overwelming like New York and Chicago but not so small that you get lonely.

In all I strongly recommend this race and would go again.

A few tips: Stay at the Peabody if you can, but no matter what, stay near Autozone Park so you can go back for the post-race food and party. The food ran out so don't wait too long to get some of the food - it was good and a large selection but unfortunately it ran out.

Keep up the good work and add this race to your schedule if possible. Don't forget to enjoy the city; there are a lot of fun things to do.
 

R. M. from Covington, Indiana (12/5/2005)
"Nice first race. Beautiful town. Nice people." (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first marathon and was what I expected. No major complaints. The best things about the race; the cause (St. Jude's Children's Hospital), the people, the race scenery, Beal St., and the race size(1500+ in the marathon). The bad things about the marathon were not that bad. The race was hilly, especially uphill in the 3rd quarter, but the scenery and fan support were good. Fans were few but enthusiastic in the 2nd half. Other runners and support crew were friendly. Powerade (not Gatorade) and water at every mile with gel packs around miles 21 and 22. Weather was nice, 50's and overcast. Post-race food was ok, not great. I fnished almost exactly in the middle of the full marathon field and they were out of soup when I got there. The soup everyone talks about was gone, eaten by all the half marathoners and folks faster than me I guess. I wasn't there for the soup though and overall was glad I did the race. People were even friendly on the streets and at Beal St. We stayed downtown and walked most everywhere. Heard the pickpockets were bad; kept everything in front pockets and had no problems.

Will probably do again. I like that weather. Don't underestimate the hills. Don't stay out too late on Beal St. the night before. Don't go so fast you miss the scenery. The Fed Ex Forum, the Mississippi River, Beal St., the Pyramid and the Red Birds baseball stadium were all great.
 

Yogi Adams from Cordova, TN (12/5/2005)
"Proud of my home town's efforts" (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The St. Jude Marathon course was great. Having water or sports drinks, bathrooms, great volunteers and a course clock at EVERY mile was fantastic. The course was kind to the legs and very scenic considering a mile and a half were through a city park. Great expo, well organized. Great finish line, lots of food and beautiful finisher's medal. See ya'll in 2006.
 

B. S. from Missouri,USA (12/5/2005)
"worth the drive" (about: 2005)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It was a 5 1/2 hour drive from SW Missouri to Memphis, but well worth the drive! My friends and I ran the half marathon and we thought it was great!From the t-shirts and hats to the best post-race food I've ever seen, this race was a winner and there is no greater cause than children! The spectators were energetic and the course support was excellent and Memphis was a fun and exciting town with awesome blues and BBQ! I'll most definitely do this one again!
 

A. J. from Birmingham, AL (12/5/2005)
"VERY GOOD RACE" (about: 2005)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second St Judes. I ran the 1/2 in 2004. I love the city, the organization and especially the spectators and volunteers. I smiled the entire 26.2 miles! How can you not smile when so many people are cheering you and wishing you well? It is also for a wonderful cause.

I would have liked running along the river longer rather than a couple of blocks 2 times. Also, by the time I had finished (4:39) there was not much food. Also, they ran out of GU on the course.

Now for the really BAD part. My chip timing was off by 5 minutes!! I started with my friend and finished with her. They have her time correct but mine 5 minutes slower. That is just a slap in the face when I worked so hard. It's hard enough to finish 26.2 miles, but adding 5 minutes to your times is just wrong. I actually cried because of it.
 

J. C. from NEWPORT KY. 41071 (12/5/2005)
"seemed like the hills were in the second half." (about: 2005)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


The first half was scenic and a lot of fun. As always, the volunteers that worked the aid stations were great. Thanks to all of them. It was a good cause for St. Jude. I will be back.
 

M. N. from Nebraska (12/5/2005)
"A Good December Choice" (about: 2005)

2 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Course: The start and finish elevations are very close, but you are always going up or down a slight grade; it was never flat. The constant camber may also cause problems for some (it did for me). I wouldn't run here expecting an easy PR, but the course is not difficult.

The Race: The support of the volunteers and the police were first-rate. The race was excellently organized.

It's a fun and stress-free race.
 

K. C. from Troy MO (12/5/2005)
"2nd marathon, very good one" (about: 2005)

2 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Good marathon to run. A little more hilly than expected. Plenty of good aid stations, well staffed. Nice touch at the stadium.

- KC
 

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