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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 321 to 331]
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J. P. from Marion, Illinois
(12/6/2004)
"Great Organization!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 From the start to the finish, the race organization was super (in my limited experience). The speaker system at the start allowed announcements to be heard from blocks away. Miles were well marked and each mile post had a race clock. Water/aid stations were at each mile post. Water was in white cups at the front, Powerade in the red cups at the rear. Course was well monitored, traffic control was good, course volunteers and workers were friendly. Finish at the ballpark allowed for reunion with family and friends while still being able to cheer other runners in. Finish area was well laid out with great support from volunteers. | |
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G. D. from Williamsville, IL
(12/6/2004)
"It's a great race -- excellent volunteers" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers seemingly are willing to listen and make changes for the better. The course this year was well thought-out and flowed nicely. I really like the fact that there are water stops at virtually every mile. I've run at Chicago, Louisville, and Quad Cities marathons, and yours is the only one with stops at every mile. Your volunteers are very courteous and helpful too. I really was pleased to see the expo moved this year to a more spacious venue. The finish at Autozone Park is awesome -- the fact that showers are available is icing on the cake. Your website is good too -- I appreciated all the time split data you had posted by the day after the race. My one suggestion for you is to attempt to grow your race at a measured pace. I know it is for a wonderful cause and growth is desired, but please try to grow it at a rate you can manage. Chicago's race, for instance, is completely out of control; it's a virtual cattle drive the entire way. You have a wonderful event going -- please take great care in how you manage it! | |
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J. Y. from Chicago
(12/6/2004)
"Your heart will forever be changed!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon completely exceeded my expectations. This is the first marathon I have run where everyone thanked me for running the race and supporting St. Jude's. You run through gorgeous neighborhoods that you would not see during your average trip to Memphis. The water stops at every mile (with potties!) are excellent and all the volunteers were high energy (and even gave us a donut!). The post-race food is more than enough - pizza, bananas, cookies, oranges, soup, beer. This is the first marathon I've done (and I did 13 before Memphis) where I felt my tired little legs helped St. Jude's take care of their adorable patients. It's a great pre-Christmas marathon - your heart will forever be changed. | |
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Dana Audain from Nashville, TN
(12/5/2004)
"My first marathon and what a great choice! " (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am grateful for the spectators throughout the course cheering us on, and being announced at the end was FANTASTIC!!! | |
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j. t. from birmingham AL
(12/5/2004)
"restaurants not ready for so many pasta-eaters" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The restaurants do not anticipate the large number of pasta-eaters that the St. Jude draws. Runners do not eat a lot of ribs, steaks or catfish, at least not the night before the race. I have run in the half marathon twice. | |
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A. E. from Birmingham, AL
(12/5/2004)
"great course, amazing organization, POOR medal!!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course couldn't have been improved on. It rocked. This was my first time ever in memphis. OK, I would have loved to see Graceland... The organization was top-shelf. Everything you could want was there. Water every mile (like clockwork). It was great. My biggest complaint is the medal... it was a total joke. I have never seen a medal for a marathon so small and thin. Seriously... I would recommend the race, but be forwarned, the finisher's medal was a total letdown and joke... for 26 miles you deserve better. | |
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M. M. from Memphis, Tennessee
(12/4/2004)
"Where was the music?!?!?" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I heard maybe three, four bands at the most. And those I heard were all rock bands and one Elvis impersonator... where was the jazz and/or blues? Country? I also realize you can't force spectators to come out and cheer but it was Q-U-I-E-T!! This made for a boring run. Speeding cars (especially along E. and N. Parkways) were an issue. One police officer yelled, 'slow down' to a car and runners around me applauded. My wife and I also found walking to and from our hotel on Main Street to Beale Street very unsettling... we were followed and approached several times by shady characters. Again, not the race staff's fault, but something to think about if you plan to hang around in the evenings. We saw police officers in various areas, but these 'suspect characters' seemed to know exactly where to go, too. Lastly, the lack of variety among expo exhibitors and the overall number was disappointing. Granted, I'm used to Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach. All of that being said, you'll never meet nicer volunteers -- southern hospitality at its best. And let's not forget about the cause. For that alone, I'd come back in a heartbeat. | |
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J. R. from Nashville, TN
(6/18/2004)
"Best Marathon to Date" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am not an experienced marathoner (only 4 so far) but the St. Jude's Marathon is tops in my book. It does not have the bands that the PF Changs, Country Music or Suzuki Rock and Roll had, but there were plenty of spectators and entertainment along the way. Yes, doing loops can get boring but, there is not that much in the way of scenery in Memphis. I thought the volunteers did an excellent job and finishing in Autozone Park was a nice touch. Also, the food/drinks at the end were great. Plus, St. Jude's is one of the greatest charities in the US. Every dollar donated to this race is worth it. Look forward to making this marathon an annual event. | |
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E. M. from NOrmal, Illinois
(4/23/2004)
"Great crowds, solid expo, no pasta party" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon and in general I really enjoyed the run and experience. Positives: the crowds along the course, with music at about 4 locations was great! They also provided GU stations from mile 10-24, which was also great. And the scenery was ok as well. Only real drawback was the course was not quite the same as on the web. Many more rolling inclines with elevation changes that I did not anticipate. So the course is a little more difficult than advertised. The charity is an awesome bonus. Only other problem was no pasta party and the restaurants in downtown Memphis were NOT prepared for so many runners. Top to bottom a solid 4 out of 5. -epm | |
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Ed Bowers from Liberty, Missouri
(2/18/2004)
"My first marathon and it was a great experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I thought the entire experience was great. The support along the route was fantastic and much more frequent than what I expected. Finishing along the first base line at the baseball stadium was a very nice touch. The post-event on Beale Street was a blast. I have many great memories from this run and the entire weekend and plan to run this race again in 2004. |
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