Nov 14, 2024
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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 191 to 201]
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D. D. from E. Tenn.
(2/15/2005)
"Some good... some bad" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a weekend... predicted rain, none came, first 2/3 of course is great, however the last few hills could not come at a worse time (even for someone used to Knoxville). Small expo, however the local track club had an information booth and they were incredibly helpful... good idea for dinner, guys, thanks! Maybe the rain deterred the spectators, but it didn't hurt the finish or the post-race party! Will I do this again, maybe... | |
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l. h. from huntsville alabama
(2/14/2005)
"feel the energy" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I enjoyed it a lot. Everyone was alive and active. There were many strong runners giving their best. I am definitely going to run the Mercedes Marathon next year. The course was a little tougher than I expected; more hills than I expected, but my training was mostly uphill, so I was ready. I hope to see more strong runners enter this great event. It's inspired me to run more marathons. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. | |
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M. M. from Birmingham, Al
(2/14/2005)
"Mercedes Hits a Home-Run!!!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While others may complain about the hills of Birmingham, I feel it gives this event a unique character and offers a true test. The course was changed this year to minimize the hills. There is no way to avoid them. The organization was excellent from expo, race and post-race party. The crowds were limited in a few places. I would like to attribute that to the threat of rain. We even gave away a new Mercedes M-Class to a couple from Kentucky. Selfishly, I would have liked to won the car, but it was nice to see a visitor from out of town win. Hopefully, this event will continue to grow and improve. | |
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R. C. from Ain't No Place I'd Rather Be...
(2/14/2005)
"Getting Better all the Time" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Way to go Valerie. Course was tougher, but that was not a surprise; we expect that. Expo was better, the rain held off (mostly). My only suggestion: Space out the area after the finish line to the exit gate - everyone says to keep moving after the finish, but it got a little congested waiting for the shirts (and I think that was a great touch and a major perk for finishing - many kudos). Also: put a big red cross on the med tent - I only need ice at the finish and can roam around until I find it, but others may not be so fortunate. | |
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T. M. from Kansas City
(2/14/2005)
"Great Job Birmingham and Mercedes Benz! " (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon. It had all the accoutrements of a large marathon with all the advantages of a small-medium size race. The course was nice...rolling hills, pretty neighborhoods. The promised 'mountain' at 19.5 - 22 was all that and more (tough!). The many impromptu aid stations were great. A nice number of spectators dotted the entire course. The race hotel was very conveniently located to the start/finish. The finisher's shirt was very nice and the after-race party fun. And, luckily for us, the rain held off. Overall, a great race experience. | |
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C. B. from Decatur, GA
(2/14/2005)
"*** IMPRESSIVE ***" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I did the half marathon and had a great time - even PR'd. The course was a very good mix of flats, rolls and hills. This was not an incredibly large race - relatively small, but I thought they did a first-class job. The course was well marked and monitored. Time clocks were set up at every mile. Plenty of fluids on the course, as well as, pretzels, oranges and gummy bears. The finish area was great and the post-race party was quite well done. The BBQ and live bands were excellent. Showers at the local Y were also available for those who couldn't go home or back to hotel rooms. The goody bag was terrific. The finisher's technical shirt and medal are great looking. The only suggestion I have is that water be provided at the start. Well worth doing! | |
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Amy Adams from Alexandria, VA
(12/12/2004)
"good marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and only one. I really enjoyed it. The finisher's medal was beautiful, and the spectators cheered us on and were nice, though there weren't that many of them in certain parts of the course. The last part of the course was very, very hilly. I didn't think this was good planning, as the end of a marathon should not be a place to add some big hills. My sister hurt her foot and needed Tylenol/Ibuprofen and all the medical stations had run out; this shouldn't have been the case. Other than that, the post-race party was awesome, the barbeque was really good, and the people were incredibly nice. The finisher's shirt was also very nice and again, the people were nice. I am from NY so I am not used to people being so friendly; a pleasant change. I would run this race again. | |
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P. R. from Atlanta, Georgia
(2/17/2004)
"Fantastic Challenge! " (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Yes!... This ain't your momma's tea party marathon... instead it is a blast. I passed this 'test'. If you want it flat and fast, run on a treadmill, otherwise run the Mercedes Marathon and have the best time of your life not running the best time of your life... although I hear some people have actually PR'd on this course. Gee, is the PR what it is all about??? This one you don't race, you endure and enjoy. | |
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a. k. from tupelo, ms
(2/15/2004)
"Great, demanding course" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed the course, each mile. The spectators were great. There were well organized water zones, as well as individual children passing out candy. It all seemed well organized. The climbs give the course character! I don't understand why others complain. | |
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Eric Schneider from Los Angeles, California
(2/15/2004)
"Tough course, quite cold, great spectators" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 After having endured 77-degree heat in the P. F. Chang's R 'n R Marathon in Phoenix a month before, I was looking forward to cool weather. Got that in spades! Somewhere around freezing at the start, and didn't feel as if temperature ever reached 40. For some reason, I was the only runner of whom I was aware in shorts and a singlet. The first 4 miles were dull, beginning in modern downtown, and then into crumbling rust belt environs. Scenery picked up at UAB and then into funky college neighborhood. Tough hill at 7, leading to beautiful scenery until Mile 24 or so. Enjoyed the bike trail adjacent to Lake Shore Drive (there is no lake--the creek is the residue of the former lake which was drained by the Army Corps of Engineers) and the beautiful neighborhoods occupied by the 'Haves' of Birmingham. That, however, is where the very tough hills were. Easy parking before the race and a short walk to the car afterward. I had never been to Alabama before and very much enjoyed my brief stay. The start and expo were close to the first-class art museum and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, both of which I was able to visit. Only regret was not having a chance to go through the Civil Rights Museum. |
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