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☰
Knoxville Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Knoxville Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 138 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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M. H. from Dayton, OH
(4/5/2008)
"Fun run with great organization" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While there were some hills and it wasn't the fastest course, it was still a very fun run. My specific comments are about the post-race party. Having done several combination marathon/relay/half/5K or 10K runs, I was a bit apprehensive about the post-race party. I've gotten to the finish line at some of these events to find most of the food gone. This marathon got it right with a separate food area for full marathon participants (pizza, bagels, drinks, cookies, pretzels, etc.). There were tables and chairs to eat at. Overall, it was extremely well done. Don't change a thing. | |
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D. L. from Kentucky
(4/3/2008)
"hills, hills, hills" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had a really tough time during the run. But it could be my fault for not training for the hills more. The Island Park Subd. was really great at about mile 22; the spectators helped revive me. The supply of oranges along the route was really nice. Start and finish were close to hotel. Four Points Sheraton staff were really nice, giving us weather info the night before race. Hotel was really clean. Naples Italian Restaurant was great for your pasta. | |
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m. k. from cambridge, ontario, canada
(4/2/2008)
"an excellent experience" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As everyone said, the hills were undeniably a noticeable feature, which gave me an even greater sense of achievement. Excellent organization; great spectators and volunteers; food and drinks for full marathoners was plentiful and better than at any marathon I've run; the city is beautiful; weather was absolutely perfect (a bit humid though); and the hotel was great. Thank you to Knoxville for a great time. I highly recommend this race to everyone. Even getting there is simple, since it's right on the I-75. | |
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D. S. from Harlan,KY
(4/2/2008)
"Nicely organized; challenging course" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My wife and I stayed at the host hotel, which was adjacent to the expo and the start was right outside the lobby doors. Like many races now, it seems, the half-marathon field dwarfed that of the full. There is a dramatic change at around 13 miles when the field splits and you suddenly wonder why the road seems so empty, but after a short adjustment period it was nice for the marathoners to have the aid stations to ourselves. The live music was very good, but if you need continuous entertainment and large cheering crowds, you will be disappointed. Don't worry that the 5K and half runners will eat all of the food, as the marathoners have their own private refreshment room at the post-race "party" and are very well treated. My wife ran the 5K, a friend ran the half, and I ran the full marathon - and all of us had an enjoyable experience. There is also a one-mile kid's race, so I would recommend this as a great place to bring the whole family to run their favorite distance; just don't expect to PR in any of them, as the courses are hilly. | |
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B. O. from Indianapolis, Indiana
(4/1/2008)
"Fun race in a friendly town" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The first half of this race is as pretty as anything I've run. Knoxville is full of attractive, historic neighborhoods. A 2-3 mile section is run through a peaceful green-way (a feat that could not be managed for a larger race, given the narrowness of the path). Hills are a moderate issue, but I managed to post a pretty good time despite training in the Hoosier flatlands, so they can't be that bad. The organization can't be beat - the whole thing runs like clockwork, and the enthusiasm of the volunteers is wonderful. Most people run the half, so it gets a little lonely after the split - but the great thing is that the relatively few spectators there are after the split seem to put forth an extra effort for the marathoners. | |
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T. P. from Akron, OH
(3/31/2008)
"Southern hospitality at its finest" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved this race. The medal was nice and the finisher's hat was sweet. The course was tough but the weather was perfect. The locals were the very polite and helpful. The aid stations seemed to be perfectly spaced. Live music as promised (not the case in Cleveland). If you love to run, then run this race. It's not flat, and it's not fast; if you're not after a PR, you'll have a blast. | |
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j. m. from michigan
(3/31/2008)
"A work in progress" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This marathon was different. I have run 18 before, and this was the first at which I used a Velcro strap/timing chip around the ankle. Odd, but it worked okay. The expo was small, but it got the job done. I remembered how much I hate one-way streets while trying to find a place to park. The start was on time and efficient. The course was great for the first half. The second half felt like an afterthought. I was laughing as we ran past highway construction and across highway entrance ramps and absolutely dead city streets. The fans were excellent and always cheering you on. Neighborhoods were proud of who they were and the musicians were a nice touch. I didn't like the end. Super steep downhill with a long, painful uphill finish in a stadium - and then have to walk a quarter mile to be able to sit down with food and drink. annoying. The awards ceremony and results posting were soooooooooooooo slow that I got tired of waiting for 3+ hours and left. I thought that is what computers were for. The amount and quality of food at the post-race was great. Overall, the charm of the city and the challenge of the course made this run. They just have some details to iron out. | |
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M. C. from Chicago
(3/31/2008)
"Thanks, Knoxville - we had a blast!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 So they have some hills in Knoxville. They come early and often. I was o.k. with the climbs but there were a couples of steep downhills where I was putting the brakes on. Great organization, and I stayed at the 4 Points 200 yards from the start for a very easy morning. Thanks to the volunteers, very polite Knoxville P.D. and KTC. Knoxville Marathon, may you grow and prosper. | |
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R. E. from Roanoke, VA
(3/31/2008)
"Friendly and well-organized race" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The first half of the race is quite pretty, as you go out along the river and through neighborhoods with lots of people watching and cheering. There were maybe 10 or so musicians set up along the way, which was nice. The finish in the stadium is fun. There were only about 600 marathoners and spectators thinned out a bit after the halfway mark and there are some lonely stretches in the second half. The terrain is hilly but not extremely so. Logistics were excellent. Water stops and toilets were plentiful. Traffic was well controlled. Overall, I would recommend this race to anyone who wants to do a friendly race and doesn't mind a few hills. | |
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r. c. from MEMPHIS, TN
(3/30/2008)
"Be ready for the hills" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Knoxville Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Very hilly, but Knoxville is very hospitable and fun! You can still run a pretty good time and it's good for the legs, I think. |
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