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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 301 to 311]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 29 30 31 32 33 .. 39 > ]

 

Steve King from Jeffersonville, IN (12/27/2004)
"Good flat course" (about: 2004)

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


The St. Jude Memphis Marathon was a fun run to do. The organization was good, especially for us St. Jude Heroes. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a wonderful organization, and they took care of their volunteer runners very well. It was a pleasure to work with St. Jude's to raise money for their kids. The water stops every mile were nice, and finishing inside the baseball stadium was good too! The course took you past some of Memphis' best known landmarks, and being entertained by an Elvis impersonator while running was great. The Christian band playing next to St. Judes was also very good. I wouldn't change a thing.
 

C. S. from Cantrall, Illinois (12/20/2004)
"Excellent Race - Manage Future Growth" (about: 2004)

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


This was one great race!! I read some negative comments on the medal. I thought it was very classy - not real large, but neat, just like the race. The first couple of miles were open enough to allow passing as needed. The ballpark finish, particularly the shower facilities are the best I've ever seen. Gave the runners a chance to wind down and talk to each other.

The ONLY negatives: the bars listed as having discounts for runners after the race had never heard of it. Several others expressed the same thing. Also, the spectators were great, but I don't know how they knew about it. There was nothing on the evening news the two nights before the race.
 

E. L. from Little Rock, Arkansas (12/17/2004)
"Can't wait till next year!" (about: 2004)

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


What a great race! This was my first marathon and I can't imagine a more perfect first. The volunteers were wonderful, from the packet pickup to the start/finish and at every aid station in between. The sights were wonderful and made the route pass fast. I wasn't prepared for quite so much traffic--there were a few places where traffic had built up enough that you were breathing in a lot of exhaust--and there seemed to be a lot more hills than I remembered from the elevation map, but a fantastic experience regardless. Can't wait till next year!
 

T. E. from Brentwood, TN (12/16/2004)
"Nice Extras" (about: 2004)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Great goody bag and shirt. You also get a nice Nike running cap if among first 2,000 to register. Be sure to bring ID to pick up race # and chip if you pre-register. I left mine in the car, and they absolutely would not bend that rule despite my pleas. Reasonably flat but somewhat dull city marathon course. Need a better system at the start to keep slower runners from pushing up to the front. Plenty of water stops, but only two gel stations. Post-race food and showers a plus.
 

J. E. from New York (12/15/2004)
"Best Organized Marathon I have Ever Run" (about: 2004)

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


First of all, what's with these people complaining about the size of the medal and not enough bands on the course? Are you there to run or are you there to collect big medals and listen to music? This is a first-class, intimate, extremely well-organized event. They must have listened to comments last year as every mile marker was accurate with a digital clock in front of it and a volunteer there to insure no one moved them. There were aid stations every single mile with volunteers even holding up signs a hundred or so yards ahead of it alerting runners to the stations. It's a bit hillier than the elevation profile (especially the first half) but not difficult. Great finish area inside the ballpark finishing by first base and having your name called out on the p.a. is unforgettable as well as wonderful volunteers. Loved the post-race food also of bagels, pizza, cookies, etc.

The race is just the right size with plenty of running room (I did the full) and passing the kids in front of St. Jude's Children's Hospital is a moment I will never forget. I recommend this race whole-heartedly. If you want a big medal, go elsewhere or to a trophy shop; if you want to run a well-organized, intimate course with good course support and a spectacular finish and proceeds going to a worthy cause, run Memphis.
 

B. G. from OKC, OK (12/14/2004)
"Awesome marathon... A must-do!" (about: 2004)

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


Great marathon!! There is no better way to support a great organization like St. Jude. The layout of the course makes it a great way to see the city. The course was, however, a little hillier than I expected, but overall a fast course. Every mile ? like clockwork, pun intended - there was a volunteer with a sign to let you know that an aid station was ahead. Clocks, water, PowerAde, toilets, etc... were stationed at every mile, which was a nice touch. The finish down the first baseline was cool and the steps were not too hard to climb.

The packet was very informative ? your ?Miss Manners? page should be standard for all race packets. Also, the website had everything you needed. There was a map with hotel locations, parking lots, sights to visit and more. Be forewarned, the hotels fill up quickly! I ended up staying in West Memphis (across the river). It was only a 10-minute drive to the start line. Plus, I parked on a side street 3 blocks from the start/finish for FREE!!

The expo is not very large, but it?s adequate. The packet pickup was very organized and there were no waiting lines. I got my packet, verified my chip and got my t-shirt in less than 5 minutes. Overall a great marathon! Keep up the good work and a big THANK YOU to the race committee, Memphis? finest, and especially, all the volunteers! This is a must-do marathon!!
 

R. H. from North Vernon, Indiana (12/12/2004)
"Beautiful course" (about: 2004)

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


Water at every mile, toilets every mile, clocks at every mile; all that is great! The medal was terrible, but the cause is great. Good weather and good police support. Course was a little bit hilly but nothing too severe... but I did think it had more hills in the 2nd half than the race profile showed. With music having such an influence in Memphis, I would have thought they might have more bands along the course. This marathon should grow and I don't see why the Memphis Marathon can't become as large as Nashville - it's better!
 

M. K. from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (12/9/2004)
"Very enjoyable" (about: 2004)

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


This was my first St. Jude Marathon and hopefully will be my first of many. It's nice to have the start and finish close to one another, along with a scenic marathon course. Especially enjoyed finishing in AutoZone Park and the post-race food! If you want a nice, enjoyable marathon and can stand some quiet time with minimal fan support, I would certainly recommend this race. In addition, the cause makes it the biggest reason to do it.
 

C. W. from Iowa City, IA (12/9/2004)
"Excellent experience, start to finish!" (about: 2004)

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


This was my first marathon and I couldn't have had a better experience. The course was good, aid stations excellent, only problem was that there was a bit too much traffic in some areas; the exhaust was a bit much. The volunteers were the best, one even handed me her cell phone at the end so I could 'phone home' with my time. I will be back!
 

J. S. from Missouri (12/8/2004)
"Great cause for a first marathon" (about: 2004)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and I am glad it was St Jude's. The goody bag was fun and the shirt is the nicest race shirt I have to date. The course was awesome the first 16 miles but the traffic the last 6 miles was crazy and made it hard to stay motivated. (Could have been tired legs that caused a lack of motivation.) The people along the way made it a great experience. I loved all the encouragement from spectators during those last trying miles. The finish in the park was cool and lastly, I loved the beer and soup.
 

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