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Memphis Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 241 to 251]
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K. P. from Kansas
(12/4/2006)
"Overall, a nice race!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was a nice course and a BEAUTIFUL cold day! I'm sure the temperatures kept the spectator numbers down. It would have been nice to have a little more music along the way. My only negative comment is that one pace group was taking up way too much space (5-6 people wide). We had to keep maneuvering around them as they slowed down, then sped up, then slowed down again. They seem oblivious to the traffic jam they were causing. Hey, just a suggestion for next year's committee making the race better! | |
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S. G. from North Mississippi
(12/4/2006)
"Camber problems!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As a Memphis-area resident who runs in many local races, it breaks my heart to have to agree with JJ about the camber problem. But it's true: although the course itself traverses some interesting urban territory, from Beale Street and the Mississippi River through urban parkland, I'm afraid I'll think twice, or three times, before running St. Jude again. If you are the sort of runner whose knees, or tibia, or ankles, make you strive diligently to keep to relatively flat surfaces, this course will frustrate you, and possibly even injure you. The early miles, through mile 6 or 7, are fine, since the runners take over the whole street and you can stick to the uncambered center of the road. But as the race continues, large stretches of it require that you keep to one lane next to the curb. To the RD's credit, the pain is distributed equally; at several points you switch from the far R lane to the far L lane. All this finally means, though, is that each knee/tibia combo shares the pain. The rule sheet handed out with the goodie bag warns you to keep strictly to this lane, insisting that any deviation - up onto the sidewalk, or out into the traffic lane, where the camber lessens - will result in immediate disqualification. This camber problem is a pity, frankly, because in most other respects this is a danged good race. The Memphis Runner's Track Club is a classy organization; although a couple of the middle miles between 8 and 12 seemed slightly off (my buddy and I, running several minutes apart, had equally skewed splits), every other aspect of timing, course marking, etc., was great. Every water stop was staffed by spirited volunteers. The post-race food was excellent. They announce your name as you're rounding the warning track in Redbirds Stadium. Cool, funky, sometimes quirky bands (including the obligatory Elvis impersonators) crop up every mile. Finally, the weather (33-40, mostly sunny, and calm) was perfect. Do something about the running lanes! We love you, St. Jude! But something needs to be done. | |
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C. C. from Richmond, Kentucky
(12/4/2006)
"Great first-time marathon experience" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The St. Jude folks were extremely supportive and motivating, as well as all of the hundreds of volunteers. I'm very pleased that I chose the St. Jude's Memphis Marathon as my first. The only negative thought I had along the way was that I wished there was a little more suppport for the last five miles of the race. | |
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Don Brabant from New Hampshire
(12/4/2006)
"The camber killed me" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Great marathon organization. The ladies in the information booth were there "all day long" and deserve a great deal of thanks. Great water, and fuel stops (more than enough) - very efficent. Only comment: The camber later in the race definitely affected my results. I liked the finish in the ballpark. | |
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K. C. from Illinois
(12/4/2006)
"My son enjoyed the race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Just wanted to let you know my 16 year-old son thought it was great. He ran the 1/2 marathon so I'm only able to comment on this - not the whole marathon run. This was only his second race and he thought it was easy. The SMALL hills were nothing compared to his normal runs in cross country or in practice, and he loved the run along the Mississippi and thought the crowds and bands were a real joy, which made the race go by much quicker. Now my comments from reading some of your other letters. Our experience was positive. Yes, I would have liked to seen a pasta dinner in ONE hall for the participants and family (which I had planned to pay for); and I was a little disappointed with the festivites afterward, which were hard to find, but we were ready for someplace warm to sit and eat and of course nap so this was not a huge disadvantage for us personally. It was wonderful to finish inside the baseball field and to have the names announced. I thought the Christmas HOPE ornament was a great gift reminder for my son and something he will always remember when seeing this yearly. He would like to come back again, but of course if you could maybe warm it up about 10-15 degrees, it would be definitely appreciated. Hahaha. Thanks again for giving us this opportunity to run and do something positive for St. Judes. | |
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shawne scott from Berea, Kentucky formerly Michigan
(12/4/2006)
"First half-marathon, and it was the greatest" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I don't know what everyone is complaining about! Did we forget that this race is about the children, and not the selfish adults?! I am a cancer survivor, and there is a little girl at St. Jude's who is two years-old that has the same thing I did over 30 years ago. That is why I did this race - it wasn't for myself. I think everything and everyone was awesome! My thanks to all who helped out! | |
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K. A. from Mountain Home, Arkansas
(12/4/2006)
"A run worth repeating" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Ran this in 2004. Enjoyed this year's half marathon run just as much. Came home and went to put my medal away and noticed how much BIGGER and PRETTIER the medals were this year than in '04. Couldn't ask for better running weather. Only complaint on organization was a misdirected sign for the full marathoners to the food for my girlfriend, who ran the full and qualified for Boston!! Great course. I only ran the half but would consider this course ideal for the full. The hills were so gently rolling that it just served to break up the use of the same-old muscles occasionally. And I LOVED the color of the shirt - it's called "Camel," not "dull brown"! Also loved the fact that the half marathoners received long-sleeved shirts like the full marathoners. | |
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L. H. from Missouri
(12/4/2006)
"Good points and bad points...." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was only my second marathon. I raised money for St. Jude and was so excited about it. However, the incline in the road had me doubled over by mile 18 - and this has never happened before. I had to keep stopping and stretching. I lost all feeling in my left leg and had no proprioception left in my left knee. My "long" runs have all be around 20 miles and this has NEVER happened before. Had to have my psoas spasm worked on today. I was also disappointed in the crowd. I ran St. Louis last year and was really expecting the St. Jude crowd to beat the pants off St. Louis... but, it wasn't that way. There were long stretches where there were only one or two people. The pictures of the kids were motivating and the thankful parents were wonderful. All in all, I'm glad I raised the money and ran the marathon... but, I don't think there was any way I could have trained any better to prepare for that sideways incline in the road. I don't think I'd do it again. | |
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K. J. from Nashville
(12/4/2006)
"Bonked in the cold!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My goal was to set a qualifying time for Boston. I was well on pace until mile 14. The cold started setting in and my legs died. The final 12 miles were mind against body just to finish. My biggest disappointment was with the pace group I ran with. The times fluctuated too much and we went from a 7:56 pace at mile 11 to a 6:58 pace at 12. I started to bonk at that point. By 15 my legs were completely gone. I can't blame this on the pace, but it didn't help. The course had a distinct camber on several miles. | |
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Mark Pierret from Nashville, TN
(12/3/2006)
"A Fun Marathon for a Fantastic Charity" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Interesting course sites, but would prefer a little less rolling in miles 13-18 and a little less camber in the last 6-7 miles. Aid stations were very good, and all race personnel and volunteers were very friendly. No, I didn't see nor expect the crowds of Boston or NY, but the people who did brave the cold to cheer us on were very encouraging... and they pulled me through a strong finish. |
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