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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 51 to 61]
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B. H. from Texas
(1/12/2013)
"Proud of my hometown!" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was born and raised in Jackson but have lived out of state for the last couple of decades. I took the opportunity to run this marathon and am glad I did. I'll say that Jackson is a lot hillier than I remember! I live in the flatlands now so I don't get much hill training. For someone like me, this is a very challenging course. I did PR but it was difficult. I don't have much to add besides what has already been said - well organized, GREAT volunteers, great swag bag, etc. The medal is by far the best I've ever received. I was very proud of my hometown for how they presented themselves. The weather was even perfect (mid 30's at the start, low 40's at the finish, little wind, and overcast). If you are looking for a good race that is off the beaten path, definitely consider this one! | |
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J. A. from Wylie, Texas
(1/12/2013)
"Lots of ups and downs, literally and figuratively" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros / Cons Course: Challenging rolling hills / Challenging rolling hills. Beautiful in many parts, unfortunately not in the last few miles / Road conditions were terrible making footing almost like running a trail marathon, saw some serious fall injuries. Organization: Small but well organized Expo and packet pickup / Few Porta-Potties at start and even fewer on course made for LONG waits. Gorgeous finisher medal / No finisher shirt. Spectators: Very friendly and welcoming / Not a whole lot of them although the rainy conditions may have kept many away. | |
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Ed Robins from Philadelphia, PA
(1/11/2013)
"Friendly, fun, great swag" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 A very nice smaller race. There were about 2K runners total (755 in full). The Halfers split off early (~mile 3-4) so crowding isn't an issue. There were plenty of water stops. They all had Gatorade and there were 3 gel stops. The course does have lots of hills. They are short and most aren't steep but they are almost constant. If you come from a flat section of the country be forwarned. I come from a hilly area so I held up OK. The course can't be called scenic but its pleasant. Most of the course is through neighborhoods. These are nice if unspectacular. There were lots of trees so if its a sunny year (not 2013) you will get some shade. The complaints about the road surfaces are accurate in my opinion. It also seemed to me to be worse after mile 18 or so. Not the time you want to worry about your footing. This was the main reason why I gave the course only 3 stars. I disagree w/ the person who complained about traffic. There were always plenty of cones and volunteers/police at every intersection. Also most of the roads were quiet ones. My biggest complain was the lack of portapotties on the course. When they had them it was only one. Also this was an urban, suburban race so just using a bush wasn't an option. Race directors do need to understand this. I lost over 5 minutes waiting in line at one. The expo was small but organized and you could get any last minute supplies. The extras for this race are great. Beyond a good quality tech shirt (w/ a cool design) and a great medal (my best yet) you get an excellent gear bag, a harmonica and a blues CD. If swag is your thing then this race is for you! The friendliness of this race is really one of its distinguishing features. I can't tell you how many times a volunteer thanked me for running in Jackson. I'm supposed to be thanking them! I had to catch a flight so I didn't take part in the post race festivities but it looked like fun. I stayed at the Marriott and that was great. Late check out, Gatorade in the lobby, walking distance to the expo and start/finish and no 2 night minimum. I would strongly recommend this race. | |
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T. S. from Illinois
(1/11/2013)
"Great Race Organization and Execution!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having run several 'large' marathons I prefer these smaller down home events. Mississippi Blues did not disappoint. Race organization was excellent. They did a awesome job on the medal (biggest one I ever earned) There was not much pre-race communication but if you read there website you knew what to do. I'm sure if there was an issue they would of let the field know in advance. (paying attention New York?) Expo: Fine for the size of the field. Liked ability to purchase past event race shirt and CD's Course: Challenging and glad I drove the night prior some of it to get the flavor. Remember you go down hills faster so it all evens out in the end. Few rough road spots but I've seen that in Chicago. Aid Stations: Well run and stocked. You knew who had water and Gatorade. Crowd Support: This was the highlight! Everyone and I mean EVERYONE was cheering for you the whole way, Never had that happen in any of my races. Hats off to the southern hospitality. On course Race Entertainment: Looked forward to and enjoyed the different blues bands throughout the course. Post Race Refreshment: I was HUNGRY after the race so all the great pizza, beer, soup, rice and beans, sandwiches were welcome. Post race events: Unfortunately it rained post race and the cooler weather dampened being able to hang around and enjoy the local blues band. The Blues Crawl via a trolley at night was fun and gave participants a flavor of Jackson night life. I need a juke joint where I live Overall, this event rocked! Great way to start off the marathon year. | |
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Local Runner from Mississippi
(1/10/2013)
"Still a good race" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Mississippi Blues Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the half or full every year, did the half this year. The excitement has kind of faded, not as many spectators and buzz, but still a great event, and participation increased again this year. Would love to see more bands or something to bring the spice back next year. Pros: Awesome medal Love the backpack Harmonica! Good traffic control and well planned course Great food and drink at the end, with a band all morning Good crew of elite runners, was fun to watch them finish. 99% of volunteers were super great. Great tech shirt Reasonably priced event By far your best choice if you are trying to check the box for this state. Cons: Everybody said the half was too long. Road conditions rough in spots Blues crawl Saturday night was a disaster. Two places were closed, two others too crowded to get in. The two volunteers where the half and full split were rude and not helpful. Thats as nice as I can put it, they should never be allowed back. | |
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C. K. from Illinois
(1/9/2013)
"Well managed, challenging, friendly" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Mississippi Blues Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon has a lot for its size: Professional/top amateurs in addition to the common folk. Entertainment along the course. A challenging course with little or no backtracking. The spectators were sparse but enthusiastic and the food at the end was substantial and varied. Half marathoners split off early so overcrowding wasn't a problem. Mile markers were accurate (not always the case in some marathons). The expo offered a lot for its size. Everything was accessible and convenient. From a consumer perspective it's topnotch from the packet bag itself and the goodies in it to the beautifully designed T-shirt and medal. Definitely recommend this one. | |
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James Lehman from Coppell, TX
(1/7/2013)
"Good organization and spirit" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Mississippi Blues Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I respected the organization so much in 2012 I asked to participate as an expo volunteer in 2013 and they allowed me the privilege. Many of the volunteers are BCBS Mississippi employees, so no wonder the organization operated so tightly. Small race, big spirit, hospitality is everywhere. Medal was outstanding like in 2012. Race shirt was good. Pizza, fruit and Gatorade post-race; I think beer was available. Pub crawl happens in the evening post-race but I fly out before that happens (though I heard it's good). Race worth repeating. 3:40 pacer (Bob) was inspirational. I suppose the course is topographical for Mississippi, but that's a relativity which varies by runner experience. I'll say however it isn't dime flat as Odessa or Chicago for that matter. For me it's no more hilly than Baton Rouge, Little Rock or Tyler. Free parking at the State Fairgrounds is a relief compared to larger races in the US and Europe. | |
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C. K. from Harrison, AR
(1/7/2013)
"More organization for a Boston Qualifying race" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I was expecting alot more from a 'Boston Qualifying' race. I ran the half marathon. The expo was small, but nice, especially getting to hear some Blues performers there. But come race day, there were only 2 bands out on the course...lots of empty stages. The water stops were ok, but not plentiful, neither were the bathrooms. There were plenty of bathrooms at the start line, but only ONE at each water stop. There should be at least 3 bathrooms at each water stop, people were waiting in line at each bathroom along the course of this 'boston qualifying' race. The course was tough, lots of rolling hills and cracked asphalt. Alot of live traffic exposure...we were running on access roads parallel to Interstate 55 w only orange cones separating us from traffic exposure at times. This course takes runners around a hospital, which was a problem when 2 civilian cars without their flashers on, headed to the ER turned into a group of runners. I'm used to running w traffic, but usually cars wait for a break in the runners before turning-these cars didn't. The cop 'holding' the intersection for us didn't do anything but say, 'it is a hospital ya'll' and leaned on the hood of his car. Thank goodness we were all paying attention or we would've been hood ornaments. The finish line is up a hill and doesn't have a chute. There were professional photographers there to take finish line pictures in front of a race backdrop, but the organizers didn't put the backdrop inside the finish line and keep it protected. The photographer couldn't take anyone's picture because runners and their families were snapping photos w cellphones and cutting into others' photos. I had to pull the photographer aside to get a 'finish line' picture...my backdrop was the crowd behind me. There should've been a finish line chute w/mulitple backdrops and people waiting their turn for a photo. If I qualified for Boston at this race and wanted a picture, it wasn't going to happen if I hadn't snagged the photographer by chance. This is the 6th or 7th year for this race. Most of the mistakes I had issue with for this race should've been 1st or 2nd year mistakes, and not on a race touting it's a 'boston qualifier'. The finish line food was good. Surprised to see cheese pizza, that was great. Would've liked some orange juice though and didn't see any. It was also nice to get gels along the half marathon course...usually those are reserved for the full marathoners. I had this race on my schedule for 2012 and had to back out 4 days prior because of a family issue, and the director was kind enough to allow a roll over for this year. The medal for this race was great, but that was about all that was great about it for me. This was my 7th half marathon. I invite the race directors to visit the Little Rock marathon and half marathon on March 3, 2013, to see how improvements can be made with regards to bathrooms, waterstops, entertainment thru out the course, and finish line chute pics and protection for the runners. | |
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S. K. from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
(1/7/2013)
"Loved Mississippi Blues Half Marathon" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I chose this half marathon race for my Mississippi state, and so glad I did. Pros: - Expo was small, but organized. Lots of parking and volunteers. - The race had about 5,000 runners but it didn't seem crowded at the start. - Plenty of parking at the race start/finish area. - Lots of water/gatorade stops and all the volunteers were extremely kind. Thanking you for coming to Jackson to run. Where else do you hear that? - The start and finish line were well organized. - The medal is AMAZING and BIG! - Nice food options for after the race (pizza, mini subs, fruit and beer) - Even the weather cooperated and it didn't start raining til about 11am. - There was even a trolley cruise Saturday night called 'Blues Crawl' and it would take runners from bar to bar to drink and listen to music. Lots of fun. Con's - Lots of rolling hills. And this town needs to fix their pot holes. Or at least flag the big holes. Overall, a very nice weekend in Jackson. Stayed at the downtown Hilton Garden (very very nice), which is about 3/4 of a mile from the start. This hotel was also on the trolley stop for the 'Blues Crawl' for Saturday night. | |
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B. R. from Charlotte, NC
(1/7/2013)
"Awesome volunteers, well run race." (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississippi Blues Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Not the most scenic marathons out there, but still a great race. The volunteers were phenomenal- all were cheerful and seemd genuinely happy to have us out running. The few spectators that were out were the same- just wish there had been more of them. The course was challenging enough- not flat, but not overly hilly. The roads we ran on were not the best- it almost seemed like I was running on a trail with all the potholes to dodge. Still, glad I did it and would recommend this race to anyone. |
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