Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews
A Runner from Nashville, TN
(12/10/2002)
"Great weather - nice course" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 3rd marathon this year. The most difficult part was running by the finish for the half knowing I still had 13.1 miles to go. The crowd was supportive at the right times and got me to the finish a little faster than my Twin Cities Marathon time. I also really liked staying at a hotel between the start and finish, that made it easy to be dressed right and rest at the end! | |
A Runner from Kansas City
(12/10/2002)
"Difficult Course; Great Organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 First, the good: Great organization, from the expo/package pickup to the plentiful and well-stocked water stations. Course was well marked, and well staffed. Elvis handing out doughnuts was cool, running on the field at the Liberty Bowl was fun, and the finish at Auto Zone Park was probably the best of the nine marathons I've done. The Bad: The majority of the roads were very strongly cambered, making most of the run uncomfortable and awkward. There was very heavy vehicle traffic during much of the race (the runners had only one lane of four blocked, eg. Union Avenue). The Ugly: Memphis - home of the blues, yet there was only one band on the entire course. Memphis - home of Elvis, yet there was absolutely no music of any kind at the start. Note to race director, Elvis has a new greatest hits cd out - buy it, and play a song or two as the runners are standing in the freezing cold waiting to run 26.2 miles. Even the race t-shirts featured a guitar and musical notes.........yet none were found on the course! | |
A Runner from Cincinnati
(12/10/2002)
"Memphis can be proud!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a top-notch marathon. The overly-generous prize and random drawing money should have drawn more runners. The course was mildly rolling and displayed Memphis nicely. The organizers thought of little things too, like a specially made plywood insert to cross a construction ditch in the road. The crowd support was very nice downtown, considering the cold temperature (for them). The packet pickup could be been smoother instead of bouncing you between hotel suites. The finish at AutoZone Park was a nice touch. And what about the singer of the National Anthem?! Outstanding! Excellent marathon! | |
A Runner from Memphis, TN
(12/10/2002)
"Great job this year!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first Memphis marathon, but by all accounts it is so much better than the last one. Course is great, abundant water stations (almost every mile), lots of volunteers. I only ran the half but loved it b/c about 5 mi. of the course covered my old favorite run in midtown. This race felt like it was a good size - i liked it much better than being out there with 20,000 people. They did a great job this year and worked really hard and I hope that one day we'll make it a big one. I am happy I chose to support St. Jude and this race, and I'm glad so many other people did too. The finish in Redbird Stadium is awesome, and people on the marathon course said one of the highlights was running through Liberty Bowl Stadium around the 20-mi mark. | |
A Runner from kansas city, mo
(12/9/2002)
"nice southern hospitality!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I drove to Memphis after deciding to run the race only 2 days before. The prerace registration was well organized. It was great to park in the adjacent garage next to the finish and close to the start! The race itself was extremely well organized. There were a LOT of water stops (all with porta potties), and certainly adequate amounts of powerade, water, and gel. The people at the water stops were also very encouraging!! A nice route, flat, and a nice tour of Memphis. I highly recommend this race. Its also a nice small city to get around, and inexpensive, great food and fun!!! Thanks to the 'random cheering girls' who kept showing up at various points along the way to cheer on the slow runners!! A nice touch to run through the Liberty Bowl stadium and finish in AutoZone park. I'll be back!! | |
A Runner from nw ohio
(12/9/2002)
"a great first time half marathon experience" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 i have nothing to compare as this was my first half marathon, but i will say this: 1) the people were so very friendly! 2) the aid stations were great! 3)the route was ok-a little boring during the warehouse district, but then great. 4) flat for memphis is hilly for people from nw oh - course descriptions need to be worded in such a way that people from all over will have a better idea 5) the steeply cantered roads were awful. no other way to put it - they were like running along the side of a hill. 6) having said all that, i'll be happy to return next year!!! | |
A Runner from Lake Ontario Region, NY, USA
(12/9/2002)
"Awesome city, course and yeah, the race was neat t" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We went as a group of seven, some with spouses, kids and friends. The pasta dinner was nothing to write home about, but that was the only glitch we saw, and at five dollars a pop, not much to complain about. Every other detail was well planned and organized.... one of our group somehow missed getting his finisher's medal but did come in at an extremely busy point, so really, no big deal. What a great city full of wonderful friendly and very hospitable people. I can't wait to do it again! | |
A Runner from Murphysboro, Illinois
(12/9/2002)
"The new Memphis marathon was a great event." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Memphis in '94 and '95 and this is the best course so far. The organization and traffic control were excellent. Perfect weather and enthusiastic volunteers were also a great asset. I liked the pasta party with its multiple eating stations. The photo with Elvis was a nice touch too. I was pleased to be running a marathon for St. Jude Hospital, and I think that many of my fellow runners felt the same way. | |
A Runner from Bartlett, TN
(12/9/2002)
"Very good race" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half this year, but the weather was great (sunny and 29 at the start) and the course really looked good. Just enough hills to keep it interesting and some long downhills to stride out on. If I were running the full, I'd rather not do a loop. | |
A Runner from Chicago, IL
(12/9/2002)
"Great job St. Jude" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 3rd marathon...first 2 being in Chicago & I was very impressed with the organization of this race. This course consisted of rolling hills that took us along the Mississippi, along the zoo & park, through the football stadium & finished in a baseball stadium. Elvis was even available at the half-way mark for pictures. Crowd support was good and there were aid stations at every mile. My only complaint was the pre-race pasta party which took place at a mall where we had to go from table to table for a thimble-full of various pastas (with sauces). Seating was a problem since no tables were set up. I'd say 'skip' this part & find your own relaxing meal. All in all, it was a very positive experience. |
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