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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 151 to 161]
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S. V. from Ruston, LA
(2/22/2006)
"Well Organized Marathon!!!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I thought the organization for this race was fantastic. From packet pick-up to race day, this group has it down. The water stations were well stocked, plenty of help along the course, etc. Great job! Now for the course. Did somebody say Mount Everest? Some really nasty hills on this course, especially around mile 22! I didn't train for hills and my legs were worn out at mile 23. Still PR'd though. I was hoping for more fan support, but it was cold (30 degrees with 15 mph winds) and the fans that were there were enthusiastic (thank you)! I probably won't do the marathon again (I like flatter courses) but would definitely come back and do the half marathon just for the atmosphere and organization they provide. The expo left a lot to be desired but the post-race party and band were GREAT! Thank you Birmingham for a well-run and organized event!!! | |
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B. L. from Colorado Springs, CO
(2/21/2006)
"Best "schwag" of any race I have run" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran the half marathon and the race was great. Unfortunately the race organizers could not control the weather, which was frigid at best (19 degrees with wind chill), but I still had a fun time. As everyone else has said, the course is hilly with mile 5 to 6 being all uphill, and then miles 6 to 9.5 being rolling hills. Coming from Colorado, I did not have problems with the hills but consider yourself warned about the course. Race organizers have something to work on with not enough port-a-potties at the start, timing problems and finisher's shirt availability (my friend did not finish fast enough and received finisher's shirt leftovers, which were huge). The goodie bag was the best I have gotten at a race. You received a cloth-like carry bag, long-sleeve cotton t-shirt, gloves, and a water bottle. When you finished, you received the Mercedes medal and your finisher's technical T. The fans were great, yeah, few in numbers at times, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted to stand in the cold. Those that were there were awesome, the bands were great and the volunteers were incredible. Southern hospitality was in true form with the volunteers being very helpful and encouraging. Overall a great race with just a few glitches. I would definitely run it again. | |
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T. M. from Columbia, SC
(2/20/2006)
"World-class event.... One of my favorites!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Although I felt miserable around mile 23, the course was the perfect mix of hills, turns, residential, industrial, and commercial scenery. I was impressed with some of the neighborhoods, especially around mile 20, where there was awesome neighborhood support. And there was a killer drumline playing at mile 6.... It was the right type of motivation at just the right time. Fluid stations were plentiful and always staffed with motivated volunteers. Overall, a WONDERFUL course, spotlighting a wide variety of Birmingham scenery. The expo was great, and the gift bags were swanky. The gloves were a nice touch, and there were some nice treats. Well organized, and don't forget the SWEET finishers' medal and shirts. I would have liked a finishers' shirt in a color other than white and maybe with a Mercedes graphic on it or something, but it was a nice long-sleeve technical. I like it nonetheless. Positives: Course variety and scenery, plentiful aid stations, course support and sweet goodies in the race pack and at finish! Negatives: A couple killer hills (especially at mile 23), extremely cold day (but who can control the weather?), and I am too fat to run marathons (also not Birmingham's fault). I'd love to do it again. | |
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p. a. from Louisville, Kentucky
(2/20/2006)
"GREAT HILLLYYYYYY RACE!!!!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Mercedes Marathon was way better than I had hoped. The course if very, very hilly. But, their website had an elevation map and I was expecting both the big hill at 5 and 21.5 and I was ready for them. To me, it helped make the miles go faster putting in all those hills. I played a little game with myself: I told myself to take it easy going up, and really hit it going down. It was a beautiful course. The volunteers at the water stops were wonderful. I felt sorry for them because they were standing out in the freezing cold - at least I was running. Each water stop had at least 20-25 volunteers and they were all enthusiastic. The decline at 23 was a killer, but, going downhill is always better than uphill. Do this race for the finisher's medal and the great course. | |
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L. R. from Florida
(2/19/2006)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Positives abound. I really liked the "Race Day Detail" information sheet that was in the goody bag and available at the EXPO. All marathons should put one out as detailed! The course is superb except for that last killer downhill. It's just too steep to be that near the end of a race. I stayed at the Tutweiler and it was outstanding! I'll not do it again as I hate cold weather, but that's the only reason. | |
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S. K. from Atlanta, GA
(2/19/2006)
"Great course and super organizers and fans" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would go back to Birmingham every year, even if they don't give away a free car. The organizers do a super job and there are a steady stream of spectators (especially given the 7 a.m. start time). | |
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Jeff Austin from Savannah, GA
(2/17/2006)
"Very Well Done!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For a small marathon this was very well sponsored, very well organized, and very well attended by spectators. The city really seemed happy to have us there, and was energized by the event. EXCELLENT job at the refreshment tables! Loved the big decline at the end too.... Nice finish! | |
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Aaron Pendergraft from Springfield, Ohio USA
(2/17/2006)
"my everything hurts" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was good; I guess I didnt expect the cold, and having to climb Mt. Everest 21.5 miles into the race. I wore just enough clothing to be freezing. Thanks to the guys at mile-marker 25 who gave me a Bloody Mary, and the nice woman who gave me her scarf just before the 26-mile mark, I didnt freeze to death. Good race, but it's the type that I will only do once. Thanks Alabama, y'all were very kind to this boy from Springfield, Ohio!! | |
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T. M. from Mississippi, U.S.A
(2/17/2006)
"Nice people and fun, hilly course." (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I enjoyed the run, even though it was hilly (I cut 27 minutes off my PR), the fan support and the scenery. Most of the volunteers were great especially at the water stations and the boy at the end who took my ankle chip strap off for me - my hands were too numb from the cold. The negative experience I had of the Mercedes Marathon was at the end when I finished, after my ankle chip strap was taken off (which was good). I was not given my finisher's medal or finisher's shirt - I was ignored. (I was too busy walking through because a runner had fallen right when I finished and I didn't want to clog up the line). My wife noticed when I walked out but security wouldn't let me back in. We went too the fence and yelled over at a volunteer and he eventually got me my shirt and medal, which was nice of him. The only other complaint I have is that it is 5 days after the race and the final "chip times" are still not posted. I was honest with my projected time so I didn't get to the starting line for a minute or two after the official start. Besides that, I had a very good time and would really like to thank the volunteers and the nice people of Birmingham. | |
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M. C. from Illinois
(2/16/2006)
"Hills, Hills - Everywhere Hills!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Did I mention hills!?! This was a nice smaller race. The volunteers for this race were awesome. All water/PowerAde stations were fully staffed and I only had to wrestle a cup away from 1 person. Traffic control was also great. The only negative comment I can make about the race was that all runners had to walk through the lines to the porta-potties to get to the entrance to the starting areas. It took me almost 10 minutes to make that trek. Between the people standing in line to use the potties, the spectators that I thought weren't supposed to be there, and other racers trying to get to the end of the fence to enter the starting area, it took too long. Move the porta-potties up the street or down the street further. It was hilly, especially that mile 22.... At least I think that it was. |
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