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☰
Mississippi Blues Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mississippi Blues Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 260 [displaying comments 231 to 241]
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J. W. from Brandon, MS
(1/7/2008)
"Tough, but fun" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As billed, the course was indeed challenging. However the only hills that heavily impacted my race were around mile 20 and in the final 2 miles. For an inaugural effort, the organization was superb. Several little touches that you may not get at other relatively small marathons (mylar blankets, super nice technical long-sleeve shirt, calling out your name as you finish, etc.). The volunteers made up the majority of spectators on the course, but they poured tons of effort into cheering on all the participants. | |
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A. J. from Bloomington, MN
(1/7/2008)
"Great Inagural Race!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a very well done race for an inaugural race. Lots of unique features: "Blues" sunglasses and a blues music CD in the race packet, blues guitar solo for the national anthem, governor AND the mayor to start the race, an aid station manned by Dominican nuns, and sub sandwiches at the finish line. The course was hilly, but there are many other marathons that are hillier. Last mile before the finish was a pretty tough hill. Course was interesting through the half/full split since we ran through neighborhoods. The stretch from miles 13-20 was on a large, busy 4-lane, which was VERY tedious and flat, although the Blue Cross "greeting line" at the turnaround was a spectacular relief! Kudos to the Blue Cross employees manning that outpost. Support was also spectacular, with every aid station well manned by enthusiastic volunteers and fully stocked. Traffic control was the best I've ever seen at a race, bar none! Some of the pavement was in bad shape so you needed to watch your footing, however the worst spots were outlined with spray paint so you could easily see them. Only suggestion: have a few more port-o-potties out on the course at the aid stations. Travel note: Jackson is very easy to get around with a rental car. Hotels near the airport are plentiful and only a 10-minute drive to the race site. Caution: my flight left early in the morning the day after the race and the security line at the airport (they only had one line) was AWFUL (1/2 hour plus)!!! Allow plenty of extra time - many folks missed their flights! | |
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A. S. from Ripley, Mississippi
(1/7/2008)
"well organized but extremely challenging" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 If you like hills and a good challenge you will love this race. The volunteers for the race were great and very encouraging. I prefer to have a drink station every mile - having to run longer periods without hydration was very difficult. But overall I was pleased with the race. | |
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J. S. from Louisville, KY
(1/7/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was really an enjoyable race staffed with enthusiastic volunteers, on a tough hilly course, but with a great finish line! There weren't many spectators, but each aid station had many, many volunteers to cheer on the runners. The race brochure described the course as hilly, and you just need to slow down a bit to run this race. The finish line amenities included fruit, sub sandwiches, pizza, Michelob Ultra and a band for entertainment. I will be back again next year! | |
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L. J. from New Orleans, Louisiana
(1/7/2008)
"Wonderful Inaugural Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent and friendly support on the course with plenty of water and Gatorade. Very well organized. Awesome shirt - I love the guitar on the shirt and the guitar medal. The course was a bit hilly but very scenic. Host hotel was great. Thanks for a great time. | |
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Mark Simpson from Clinton, MS
(1/6/2008)
"Excellent Inaugural Race for the Blues" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hats off to the MS Blues Marathon for pulling off an excellent inaugural marathon. I was never short on supplies with ample hydration, strategic gel placements and Blue Cross employees all along the course at every intersection. The hills were fine on the first half AND brutal from 20 to finish. You can't sing the blues without some suffering and this course delivered - delightfully so! More portable toilets are needed along the course. Spectators were enthusiastic but more attention needs to be placed on drawing in more community involvement - this should come next year after such a successful event. Traffic control was exceptional and plenty of safety support was visible. Our Marathon Makeover training team brought over 70 participants and were not disappointed. Will I do it again? Yes! | |
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Terri Menghini from St. Louis, Missouri
(1/6/2008)
"First-Class Inaugural Marathon!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Mississippi Blues Marathon did not seem like it was an inaugural event because everything ran so smoothly. It was a rolling, hilly course, but I like hills, so I ran a good time. The race organizers were very friendly and cooperative and helped me fix my registration problems with ease. There were volunteers about every tenth of a mile and each one was enthusiastic and said, "Good morning! Thanks for coming!" I highly suggest running in Jackson, MS, because it was the friendliest marathon I've ever run. I've run 39 marathons to date. | |
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L. D. from Orangeburg, SC
(1/6/2008)
"Great volunteer and spectator support." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was the most difficult marathon I've ever run (lots of hills) but I ran my best time - and I believe it was due to the wonderful course volunteers and spectators. They all greeted you - "thanking" you for being there. At mile 16, Blue Cross Blue Shield had at least 50 people out to cheer you on - it was like an injection of energy for me. They were wonderful. The hills were plentiful but they were relatively short - the roads were in poor shape at times but the spectators and volunteers made up for it. The race in itself was very organized and they had wonderful post-race activities to include great food, beer, and music immediately following the race. In addition, they had a great party that evening featuring the best of Mississippi Blues. Although a difficult race, the experience is very worthwhile. | |
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S. A. from Orlando, Florida
(1/6/2008)
"Not bad for a first!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Organizers and volunteers were amazing! I've never been thanked more for running a marathon. The Blue Cross spectators brought tears to our eyes as we ran through their unending line of support. One area of improvement that is a MUST: MORE PORTA-POTTIES! I think I only counted a total of 7 from start to finish. A second area of needed improvement is the race course. However I think once the City of Jackson realizes the revenue a big race can produce, they may be more cooperative in closing streets, etc.... | |
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a. j. from Birmingham, AL
(1/6/2008)
"LOVED IT!!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a wonderful race! These were the nicest bunch of volunteers ever. Weather was perfect, and lots of food and great entertainment at the finish. We went to Hal & Mal's for the post-race party that night and Super Chicken was awesome. Jackson, pat yourself on the back for a fabulous marathon weekend experience!!! Did I mention how nice all the volunteers were? Ps. Maybe have a few more porta-potties, especially at the start. |
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