Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews
A Runner from Michigan
(12/9/2002)
"Just So.. So.. Marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Very narrow roads for the 1st few miles along with dodging construction barrels, etc. Also, 1st several water stops were only about one or two small tables long, had to wait for water. A great job on the number of water stops however. Many, many miles of 'banked' roads. Well organized race, awful course with nice sites. Would not return. | |
A Runner from Germantown, TN
(12/9/2002)
"very well organized!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was marathon number six for me. I've run both larger and smaller marathons, Memphis was very well organized and put together. They had an abundance of water stations (every mile), power gels available and Vaseline. The course was very well marked and each mile marker was clearly visible. Nice finish in Autozone Park. There was even beer available for the finishers! The course was pretty through the zoo, along the river and near some historic landmarks. At one part in the race I lost a mitten, a lady at the water stop found it and drove alongside the course until she found me and gave it to me. I had my power gel in it and was very glad to have it back! There were not many fans, but those that were there were enthusiastic. The traffic was well controlled for the runners. I was impressed, Memphis, and I will be back! | |
The preacher from Booneville, MS
(12/8/2002)
"A great marathon in Memphis" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have had the pleasure of running the Memphis Marathon on 4 courses now and this is by far the best. The people did a great job on the marathon this year and we got a great tour of downtown Memphis. | |
A Runner from Memphis, TN
(12/7/2002)
"Half marathon ..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 OK, I just had a fairly long entry but I lost it, so if you have any questions, email me. -- Volunteers were GREAT. Helpful, plentiful, many aid stations. Even one fireman standing in front of a small 3-4 inch sheet of ice on the road so we wouldn't hit it. It's something minor and easily overlooked, but that just shows how helpful they were. Even the 10 and 11 year old kids knew their role well throughout the race and at the finish. --Course was pretty good. Again, I only ran the half marathon, so there were about 7 miles that I didn't see. But being from the city itself and looking at the map, the miles I didn't run look pretty interesting (mostly in Midtown Memphis, known as the quirky part of town, but mostly fairly scenic IMO). I LOVED THE FINISH! (which was the same for the full and half marathoners). It was in Autozone Park new and beautiful baseball field), where you can see the runners enter the park and finish the final .2 (or, in my case, .1) miles of their race/run. And the fans sit in the stands. I've heard that in previous years runners finished in the Pyramid, but this was better than that could've ever been. After finishing, you can eat/stretch/shower/get a massage (and the massaage stations looked plentiful) in the nice locker rooms of the baseball team and use the 'lockers' (but they were nicer than lockers) of the baseball players themselves. And the atmosphere was great. The fans can see you enter the park and cheer you on as you finsih. And when you enter the nice basbeball field on the last leg of your run, there's a sign on the big screen saying 'welcome, runners!' I'd definitely run it next year, and IT'S FOR A GREAT CAUSE (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, without a doubt the BEST cancer/leukemia research center in the world. They do wonders for kids and their families who have these types of terminal illnesses). | |
A Runner from Memphis, TN
(11/16/2002)
"Old course was the pits....but," (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The new course should be a favorite with runners. Very scenic, flat to softly rolling. New half marathon. The finish is in Autozone Park baseball stadium. | |
A Runner from Charleston, IL
(5/11/2002)
"Look forward to the change" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this race in 2000. It was fun to run to Graceland (although there was no 'Elvis' there) but not worth the ugly stretch just before and the hills afterwards. The new course looks much more enjoyable although I did like the old finish inside the Pyramid. A good place to run a marathon in December. | |
The preacher from Booneville, MS
(8/28/2001)
"Great race all the way around Memphis" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have really enjoyed this marathon for many years. The course is great if on some questionable parts of town. The finish is fantastic at the Pyramid. BUT the race is cancelled for 2001! I hope it will be back next year and they promise it will. | |
A Runner from Erie, PA
(3/19/2001)
"Elvis has not left the building!!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I really had a good time. The 'rolling' hills kept it interesting. Running on the expressway was also a first for me. Overall-I had a great time. The finish line accomadations were wonderful! | |
A Runner from St. Louis
(12/21/2000)
"First 3M, Last 3M great...middle 20..." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Having ran the 2000 version, I can say it was very well organized (you can even stay inside the Pyramid to keep warm on a cold day, like this year). The course itself is rolling, moreso than expected, and with the exception of the first 3 mile and the last 3 miles along the Mississippi, is pretty boring. Graceland was interesting, though. Good for a weekend getaway, but I don't think I'd do it again. | |
A Runner from San Diego
(12/1/2000)
"Graceland" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I really liked passing Graceland. You can even veer off the course to have your picture taken with an Elvis. |
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