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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 291 to 301]
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David Tucker from Westland, Michigan
(12/5/2005)
 "Well organized, good course, great marathon!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I want to applaud the organizers of this race. It was one of the best I've done. First, St. Judes is a worthy charity for which to run. As for the race itself, on-line registration was easy; packet pick-up went smoothly; the course was fun and interesting; the start and finish were well organized; the expo was small, but that's not the reason I was there. I highly recommend this race. | |
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E. L. from Arkansas
(12/5/2005)
 "Disappointing after last year, still okay" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Last year this was my first marathon and it was great, so I had high hopes for this year. The pre-race organization, expo, and post-race amenities were still awesome, but the support on the course was terrible! The traffic control was very poor, with cars on the course and police officers allowing vehicles to cross at bad times, forcing runners to slow down or even stop at times. In some places the cones were placed so strangely neither runners nor cars knew where they were supposed to be. Spectator/spirit-station support was fairly good for the first half of the race but after mile 13 it was practically nonexistent. Granted, the weather was crummy but it was disheartening to see some of the acts who WERE there just standing and watching, or packing up to go. For a race that started and ended so well, it was a shame to have such poor organization on the course. | |
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K. M. from Missouri
(12/4/2005)
 "Would definitely recommend this run to anyone." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 6th half marathon and is in the top three. The music half marathons in Phoenix and Nashville were just slightly better because they were bigger and had more music and roadside supporters. It would be great if the community would come out more to support the run. The course was great, slightly challenging at times, but basically a nice flat course. The water stations were very well organized and had plenty of volunteers. The food at the end was great. The soup hit the spot. Thanks for a great run, Memphis. I look forward to running this half again. | |
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M. M. from Kansas City, MO
(12/4/2005)
"Wonderful race!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 'post-Chicago-Marathon-don't-sit-around-and-gain-10-pounds' race and it FAR surpassed my expectations. Chicago was disappointing (too many people, not for a good cause...) This race (I did the half-marathon) was the perfect size, the volunteers were AMAZING, the people of the city were incredibly friendly, and the overall feeling of the race was positive. There were many signs with pictures of St. Jude's kids on them to provide genuine inspiration and to remind you why you're putting your body through this. Other than that, the finish line was well organized and the baseball park was a great place to end it and to meet up with friends and family. The post-race food was DELICIOUS and plentiful (very important to me!). I received a totally sweet Nike hat, I liked the race tee shirt, and we also got a wonderful St. Jude's calendar with pictures drawn by the kids. One suggestion: More Elvis! I'll definitely be making the 8-hour drive again next year to do this race. | |
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Dianna Shank from St Louis, MO
(12/4/2005)
 "A great experience!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well, I just came back from my weekend in Memphis -- this was my first St. Jude Marathon but my 6th altogether. I had a fabulous time (even though I didn't post a PR), so here's my rundown of the 2005 event: Organization: Great! I loved the expo and had no problems getting my bib and goodies. I liked the shirt and loved getting the free NIKE hat for registering early! I had no problems understanding the course - each mile was marked and had a timer. I followed one of the pace leaders for most of the time and that was great (esp. since I hadn't trained as well as I should have for this one, so I was just wanting to finish strong and have a good time!). The course: Great, great, great! Folks everywhere and I appreciated this since it was a chilly morning. Aid stations at every mile and lots of spectators along the way. I liked the scenery and talked with some runners along the way. (I didn't bring my headphones since the rules said not to, and though I saw lots of people with them, I'm glad that I didn't use them, as it made me much more conscious of the beautiful city around me!) Sometimes those half-marathon turn-offs can be difficult (esp. when you are tired!) but it seemed to me that the spectator support was so much stronger with the second loop. I really needed that! I loved the final jaunt in the stadium (a comfy spot for my husband to wait for me!) and the food was great afterwards. It's probably the only time that I will hear my name over a PA system because of my running! The city/ hotel: We got a great deal at the Madison Hotel through the marathon website and it was well worth the money. We would definitely stay there again. The city was great and it's a good thing I ran a marathon because I ate a TON of great food! Good job organizers! It's so nice to run and help such a great organization! I'll be back! | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(12/4/2005)
"One of the Best" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race two years ago and have always wanted to come back. I made it back this year and it was even better. A great course with run-able hills and gentle downhill slopes that let you gain speed rather that beat yourself. Nice expo. A 'wave' start at 1 minute intervals let you start running as soon as you got to the start line. Great concept. Nice bunch of spectators and the volunteers were tops. Also, the money is for a great cause. | |
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Geoffrey Wood from Bartlett, TN, USA
(9/28/2005)
 "A nice, med. size race; great for first-timers." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My first-ever marathon was this one in 2003. The organization has improved a lot since then. Having a minor league shower and locker room to clean up after the race was a pure luxury! WOW! The best after-race food was the hot bean soup. Forget the lousy pizzas, give me bean soup on a chilly day anytime. I recommend this race for anyone but especially for the beginner. It is big enough to hook the novice into doing more and bigger marathons. Thanks Memphis! | |
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H. R. from Washington DC
(8/30/2005)
"Hat is real nice and best food" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The gear pick-up needs to be improved, but super ending and nice course. Your food is the best of the 3 marathons we run annually. We also run the Nashville's Music City and the Chicago Marathon. Both of these marathons do a better job marketing their marathon. Also, Memphis is the smallest of the marathons. I have to seek your marathon's site out in order to register, due to the fact I know it is held the first Saturday in December. I have received the registration information for the April 29, 2006 Music City Marathon already. My buddy and I have not received anything on the St. Jude's Marathon in the mail for registration and it's late August. I ran the Memphis Marathon for the first time in 1996 and have run every year it was held since. In 2001 the marathon was not held, if I am correct. | |
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d. f. from Chicago
(7/7/2005)
"fun finish, supportive spectator, well run" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon that was not a huge one (Chicago and San Diego were previous races) and I really liked the smaller size. The start was good, with only a 4-minute difference from gun to crossing the start; within less than 1 mile I was able to run at my desired pace without having to run around runners that seeded themselves poorly. The course was decent; the only problem I had was that 2nd half of the course was confined to half the width of the street, and the many of the streets had a pretty good camber to them, so in order to find flat footing you had to run either outside the cones or in the flat section by the gutter. There are some hills here, with a tough one for the final mile. It seems that about 2/3 of the starters opt for the half-marathon, so very clear running in the 2nd half; spectators are limited, but very enthusiastic and after 13.1 you have them cheering explicitly for YOU (I usually was 10 yards from the nearest runner). Great finish in the baseball park, good food afterward, choice of beers (I just ran 26 miles, forget the 'light' crap) and a fun town to hang out in. Weather last year ('04) was fantastic but I don't think it was the norm. | |
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S. C. from Kansas City, Missouri
(3/29/2005)
"Very well planned and executed event." (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was perfect. The course was well marked and well manned with support staff. Very flat course 'almost' an easy run. Too bad there weren't more spectators after the 14 mile point. |
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