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☰
Mercedes Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mercedes Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 267 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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J. B. from Auburn, Alabama
(2/11/2007)
"Great race!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Loved this race. This was my first Mercedes, and third half marathon. No lie, it was cold, but once you got going, I thought it was the perfect weather. There were more water stations than I could use, great volunteers, and you can't beat the sponsor. I mean, who wouldn't want a medal with the Mercedes logo on it? It's too cool. And, the chance to win a Mercedes? Nice! The spectators were slightly lacking. The mile sponsor stations were good. Had loud music and enthusiastic folks. But on the whole, Birmingham residents didn't really care about the race and had no interest in being spectators. For next year, the organizers should take a cue from Country Music Marathon and get the local schools' cheerleaders to get into it and maybe have their pep bands there or something. Luckily, the terrain changed constantly so the lack of spectators wasn't too noticeable. You will hear a lot about the hills on this race, but they gave me no problems. Nothing to be too scared about. I just had a great race and will definitely be back next year! | |
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W. W. from Northport, AL
(11/3/2006)
"Not for first-timers" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have been healthy enough to complete 12 marathons, one of which was the Mercedes Marathon. While the medal is impressive, the course is not. Crossing over Red Mountain at mile 22 is just a poor course design. I do not recommend this race for rookie runners. I doubt I will run it again, even though I live within 45 miles of Birmingham. -WW | |
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C. D. from Norristown, PA
(7/21/2006)
"Wonderful - typical of Mercedes-Benz" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was a bit cooler than I thought it would be, but once I started I was alright. The race was well organized. The participants were well received by the neighborhoods - and the Krispy Creme donuts were to die for. The medal was the best. The finisher's CoolMax shirt was also very cool. I will come back next year. | |
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A. B. from Illinois (flat, flat, flat!)
(7/3/2006)
"HARD RACE, GREAT PEOPLE!" (General Comments)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I've run the full marathon two times, the half one time. The race course itself is hard and hilly, but the volunteers and spectators are very encouraging. Free food and free beer are always great, especially when "free beer" becomes your mantra the last 6 miles or so. Would definitely recommend it, just not to first-time marathoners. Wait until you've had a few distance ones under your belt to tackle this bad boy! Awesome medal, too! | |
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Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH
(3/4/2006)
"A very classy event" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 31st marathon, and Alabama my 16th state in my quest to run the 50 states. Pre-race: Packet pickup was a breeze. Race t-shirt is nice. Nice touch giving out cotton gloves. Very nice "official race merchandise" - I bought a polo and sweatshirt. The free beer was good, too. Race day: Cold (30's), dry day - it was great for me. The course was scenic - some city, then some neighborhoods, then a park, then some more neighborhoods, and back to the city. There was a steep climb during mile 6 (which was early enough that it didn't bother me), but a 2nd very steep uphill during mile 23 was a killer. Then the "free fall" decline was hard on the legs. Other than the 2 hills, relatively flat. Water/gel stops were well-run. Suggest putting some distance between the gel and water stops. Post-race: The medal (Mercedes emblem) is great, and the technical finisher's T-shirt is also very nice. The post-race party was awesome with all the free beer and food. It would've been nice to have had a vegetarian sandwich option. They also had a drawing for a 2-year lease on a Mercedes. We didn't win. Sigh. My wife and I stayed at the race host hotel, the Sheraton. Not recommended. Our room had plumbing problems and a broken chair. The Sheraton also put on the pre-race pasta dinner. Extremely slow service and not a very good meal. Stay and eat elsewhere. | |
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S. H. from Minnesota
(3/4/2006)
"Overall a pretty good race." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Temperatures were a bit cool, but for a northerner like myself it was ideal. Course is hilly, with two long and tough hills (miles 5 to 6 and miles 22 to 23). There are other rolling hills, but nothing too terrible. Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked. There were also many gel stops. Two shirts, one for registering and one for finishing, were nice. Especially the finisher's shirt, which is a CoolMax long-sleeve shirt. And of course there's the finisher's medal, in the design of the Mercedes emblem. Very cool. The only knock is that for individuals who have to catch an early flight following the race; they aren't very accommodating should you be fortunate enough to win an age-group award. That is, they won't mail it, even when you offer to pay for the shipping. Heck, they haven't even responded to the e-mail request. | |
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J. R. from Atlanta, GA
(2/28/2006)
"Well-Organized Race Designed by Masochists" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Mercedes was, for a smaller marathon, a very well run event, with good water and food stops and friendly people. My only reservations were the course layout. Though relatively mild for the first 18 miles (one big hill aside), Mile 22 was entirely uphill and Mile 23 was full of steep hairpin downhills. This was very demoralizing to virtually all runners, even though personally I ran a PR. Note to non-Bible belters: you will be forced to sit through the obligatory southern prayer at the race beginning. | |
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I. J. from Birmingham, Alabama
(2/26/2006)
"Challenging and hilly but FABULOUS!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second half marathon and it was an even better experience than the first in Arizona. The volunteers were very helpful at the expo. All the PowerAde and water and fruits and everything along the course were wonderful. Mercedes knows how to take care of their half-marathoners!! The spectaculars were great, though they must have been frozen from the weather, but cheered and smiled anyway. And the finisher's medal is beautiful!! I will do this again next year!! | |
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J. K. from Montgomery, AL
(2/24/2006)
"5th-year runner and waiting for next year" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my 5th year to turn the 1/2 marathon. I believe this to be the best course to date. It had just the right mix of hills and flat running to make it interesting. I really appreciate the workers and all that they did to make this 5th race an enjoyable one. Keep up the great work and we'll see ya'll next year! | |
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G. H. from Athens, GA
(2/22/2006)
"Be Ready For It" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Mercedes Marathon but won't be my last. The organization was great and the spectators who braved the weather were enthusiastic. I used to live in B'ham so I had things to do on Saturday night (still have friends there) but compared to some places B'ham is sleepy. I knew the course would be hilly (understatement) but for me the challenge is an attraction. It would be nice if the steep downhill at mile 23 were not there, but I don't have a better idea on how to route it either. The finisher shirt is a great touch and the finisher's medal is classy. The police did an outstanding job with traffic control. I'll be back, hopefully with some warmer weather next year! |
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