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☰
Andrew Jackson Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Andrew Jackson Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 47 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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P. M. from Birmingham, AL
(4/16/2007)
"Amazing!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It is amazing what a dedicated race director and staff can do with meager resources. The Andrew Jackson Marathon is the oldest in the state and is certainly in the highest echelon of any of the 47 I have run. The support and course were planned with the runners in mind. The views on the route were beautiful and the after race meal was great. It is mindboggling to me that so many smaller marathons can "get it right" and the some of the "big boys" with "big name sponsors" have major logistical problems on providing the bare essentials (water, PowerAde, signage). It is a tribute to the director and event that there was such a cross-section of runners from throughout the country attending. These hardcore folks know who will take care of them! Thanks, AJM staff! | |
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Ruth Morley from Evian, France
(4/16/2007)
"A surprising home-town marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I found this marathon to be a very nice surprise. I knew it would be small, but it turned out to be only around 60 runners, I'd guess. One of the smallest I've participated in so far. But definitely not disappointing! I enjoyed the quaintness and simplicity of it all, compared to the mega-events in the cities. The sweet country ladies at the check-in table, the coziness of the marathoners hanging out together in the gym of the local college as we waited for the thunderstorms to end (they did, just in time) and for the race to begin (right on time), the race director (who reminded me of my dad) telling our small group of runners the last minute instructions and then just shouting, "Go!" which signified the beginning of the race (kind of caught me off-guard!), the well-marked race course with its signs and arrows, the reliable water/Gatorade stations with their fresh-faced, cheery, youthful volunteers (every station well-stocked and well-manned, despite the threatening weather earlier that morning), port-a-potties along the route (despite the easy access to bushes out in the countryside!), the lovely green Tennessee countryside, the course with just enough gentle hills to give our legs an even workout, the finish line with American flags proudly lined up on either side, the hamburgers waiting for us in the gym, the excellent massages, the t-shirts and medals that were better than some bigger marathons have awarded, and the huge line-up of trophies that were handed out. All pretty amazing for a home-town marathon! Also very surprising: The wide range of participants. We had everyone from one of the top ultramarathoners in the U.S. (Tom Possert) who was using this as a practice run for a much longer run in the near future, to a sweet young 16-year-old fellow running his first marathon. There were also several members of the 50 States & DC Club and also some Marathon Maniacs (your truly, for one). When running by one guy, I asked him if he ran many marathons. Reply: 63 last year! His added note: "Now that I'm divorced, I can do anything I want!" When I asked another fellow at the hamburger luncheon if he was the guy who had run 63 marathons last year, he said no, but he has run 100+ in all (I forget the number), did that count? Some pretty impressive resumes there at that little event! For a nice, low-key run in the green Tennessee countryside, friendly, reliable support from the race director and his band of volunteers, in the company of a wide range of runners, count this race in. | |
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T. P. from Huntsville, AL
(4/15/2007)
"Great small-city marathon" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Nice country and residential roads with just enough hills to make the course go by fast. No noise, little traffic. Aid every two miles. Start and finish at Union Univ. with showers, free massages and lunch. And late checkout at the host hotel. All the volunteers were helpful and nice. And a hotrod car show at the fairgrounds. | |
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Ray Gildea from Madison, MS
(1/20/2007)
"April Fool's Edition" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 As a seasoned marathoner and race worker, I'm certainly sensitive and sympathetic to the challenges that all smaller marathons face. I'm also typically turned off by reviews where marathoners whine about the shortcomings of those who do the most to make our lifestyles practicable. The 2006 race ended up with what must have been a larger-than-normal walk-up registration on the day of the race. To make a long story even longer, they ran out of everything from safety pins to water. Their closing of aid stations on an unseasonably warm day while runners, albeit slower ones, were still on the course, was later acknowledged and denied depending on who you talked to. Because of loose race management in the race's latter stages, the fact is, it took local EMS almost 30 minutes to respond to a heat exhaustion call. One can only conclude that there might have been a cruel one-time April Fool's joke perpetrated on this April 1st 2006 race. I understand this race has had better days and is generally appreciated by the regional running community. It probably should consider raising its walk-up registration fee to discourage runners who are indifferent to the problems their spontaneity may inadvertantly set in motion. In the absence of this, slower runners should be prepared to be logistically self-sufficient and to be especially charitable and appreciative of the good intentions which will doubtlessly be evident. The volunteers are kind and responsive. Their resources are, as one might reasonably expect, constrained, however. Particularly if you're a slower runner, keep your fingers crossed that faster last-minute entrants don't end up drinking your water in the race's latter stages. There will as always be many good folks running and working this race. I wish them the best of luck in the future. | |
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David Hoffman from Milwaukee, Wis.
(11/14/2006)
"Great Medals and Trophies" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A delightful, small marathon with a scenic, rural route that begins and end at Union University, which is .8 of a mile from the Jamison Motel (which has a low marathon rate and is the location of the package pick up). No expo or pasta dinner to bother with. An Olive Garden is a few blocks from the motel. There are large trophies for age-group winners, and a coin-like medal with Andrew Jacksons's head. | |
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S. C. from Hattiesburg, MS
(4/30/2006)
"Very Nice Race" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Nice rolling course, which is only partially out-and-back. Small race and often pleasant pastoral scenery. On-course volunteers, especially in the more rural portions, were friendly and supportive. No spectators to speak of due to the nature of the course and the size of the race. It could have been marked a little better near the end; I was afraid I'd missed a turn in the last mile or so. If you like small races and a mix of terrain, this is a good one. As I believe was mentioned before, this is probably not a good first marathon due to its small size, rural course and fair number of hills. | |
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T. E. from Brentwood, TN
(4/20/2006)
"Nice small-town marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 All the volunteers were very friendly and helpful. There were nice amenities including medals, t-shirts, showers, massages and a post-race luncheon. Course support is a little on the no-frills side. Sports drink and water only - no gel or other solid fuel. The course is marked with arrows drawn on the road and there are not enough volunteers to work every turn, so you have to pay attention or you could easily miss a turn. They had officers stationed at a few major intersections, which helped a lot. There were very few spectators, but there were probably fewer than 100 runners, so you wouldn't expect many. | |
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L. T. from Nashville, TN
(4/8/2006)
"Charming Event!" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first half-marathon and I found it very challenging (which is what I needed!). The organizers were very friendly and the small-town atmosphere contributed to a enjoyable experience. I found the course to be very nice as it was mainly rural and on quiet residential streets. The motorists were very accommodating and the volunteers/spectators went out of there way to encourage and motivate! Finding the location was a little difficult as no signage was posted to assist in the registration location. At one point I almost got lost on the course as I was running alone; if I did not carry the provided map, I would surely have taken a wrong turn. Of course, it is always best to review the route before running and I know this now! I look forward to working toward my marathon goal and am glad Jackson was a step toward that day. I have no doubt that I will return to run a full marathon at such a charming event! (Thanks to the on-route fans! They kept us moving!) | |
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The Preacher from Booneville, MS
(4/7/2006)
"A great little country run." (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Andrew Jackson Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This race has been around a long time, and that is because of the small group who work so hard to make it happen. It is not a big city run. There is no expo and no big hoopla. It is just country running at its best. The people are wonderful and helpful as best they can be. The weather this year was really hot, but that can not be helped. Next year it may be cold. I'll be back regardless. | |
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S. C. from Huntington WV
(4/19/2005)
"A runner's race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Well organized, very friendly race. Spectators ranked so low only because there aren't any. Course was pretty, residential and rural. Very small field spreads out quickly so you're likely to spend some time on your own, but course very well marked and I felt secure - except for short section where there isn't much room for us on the road. Cars were good about moving for us, which is a good thing because there's minimal traffic control. First half moderately hilly, probably not a great race for first-timers, especially with the absence of a crowd. Understated but nice shirt. Medal is pedestrian at best. |
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