Sep 19, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Tupelo Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Tupelo Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 159 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
|
Adam Gussow from Oxford, Mississippi
(9/8/2005)
"a unique racing experience" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Tupelo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I haven't run the full marathon, but I've run the 14.2-miler this year and last, and it continues to grow on me, for a number of reasons. The weather in North Mississippi in early September--even in the early morning--is a gamble; mid-70s and 90% humidity at 5 AM is possible. But this year conditions were truly perfect: low-to-mid 60s, clear and dry; there was still a small chill in the air when I finished at 6:42 AM. The magic in this race (and there is a lot of magic) comes partly from the pre-dawn start, in the middle of a country road; partly from the small size of the field (300+ between the full and half), which means you may well be running mostly by yourself; partly from the dogs barking at you and roosters crowing at you in the dark; but mostly from the way in which, as first light comes on and blends seamlessly into true dawn, you find yourself skimming along on good roads through pristine countryside, more than an hour of hard running under your belt. It's true that the early miles need to be better marked; I thought I knew where to look but still was unable to find any mile markers (after well-lit mile 1) until mile 8. But the truth is, not having mile markers forced me to sink more deeply into myself, listening, and that was a good thing, leading to a strong, controlled race. The 14.2-mile distance, nonstandard as it is, was also a good thing; it made this race into what I'd call 'pure running'--not a time you can easily compare with others (i.e., half marathon times), but instead a great late-summer assessment tool, a way of getting a handle on what your weeks of base training have given you to work with. Or just a good hard marathon-pace workout, if you prefer. The post-race spirit is relaxed, friendly--but then that's what Mississippi is like. I drove over from Oxford (50 miles) but I'd drive 500 miles for this one. | |
|
mr ed from Charlotte, NC
(9/8/2005)
"sweet run in mississippi" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a nice course, I didn't see any bands but the run was great. | |
|
R. H. from Fairbanks, Alaska
(9/8/2005)
"great small town marathon, no frills" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Was good. I enjoyed the 5a.m. start. Ran on the rural Tupelo roads & no traffic till 9a.m. Constant police cruising past, roads were not closed but no traffic problem. Was hot but that was what I expected. No frills. water stops/gator aid as expected. I am a 50-stater & a lot of showed up. I thought it was a fun time in a small marathon. Finisher's medal was super. The hills were no big deal. someday I will run tupelo again. | |
|
Russ Johnson from North Georgia
(9/5/2005)
"Good small race!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This race provides all the basics of a good run, with none of the 'fluff' - no timing chips, no photographers, no cheering crowds, no expo. If you need those things, don't run this race. It's a relatively fast course, entirely on quiet country and residential two-lane roads with gently rolling hills, but nothing too difficult. The first 10k are in the dark (5:00 start) and quite serene, with the Milky Way glowing overhead and just the sound of footsteps, plus the occasional rooster crowing as twilight begins (you might want to carry a cheap flashlight for the first 10k and discard it at one of the water stops; there are a few places with some rough pavement). The countryside at dawn is just beautiful and temperatures are still cool. I will always remember the quiet dawn beauty of miles 6-10 of this race. Marathon runners turn around at the 13-mile mark and repeat the loop backwards, and by the time they hit the 20-mile mark the sun is up and it's getting warm. A cap is helpful for the last few miles, as it's into the sun. Don't expect any crowd support; there just isn't any, except for a few friendly dogs, and that's OK with me. Pros: Real flush toilets at start and finish. Fast, relatively flat course on good blacktop. Friendly, enthusiastic volunteers at water stations. Quiet serenity of the Mississipi countryside at dawn. Second half is same as the first, only backwards, so you know just what to expect. No problem with crowding, it's a small race and the pack quickly spreads out - at times you might not see another runner. Really cool medal, and long-sleeve T-shirt with just the race logo and no sponsor ads. That's rare! Tupelo - birthplace of Elvis. Don't miss the museum! Finally, friendly and accessible staff and volunteers. This is the nice thing about a 'small' race. They made allowances for the people who couldn't make it due to Hurricane Katrina. Nice touch. Cons (these are minor): Sometimes-hard-to-see mileage marks spray-painted on the pavement - a few upright signs at regular intervals, even every 5 miles, might have helped with pacing. More porta-potties - I waited for a couple of minutes at mile 15, and it almost cost me a 4-hour time (I don't really want to urinate on someone's lawn). The hot food was gone by the time I finished, all eaten by the 14-mile runners. Hey, they deserve it too, but maybe you could save some for the marathoners! Overall, a memorable race that my wife and I really enjoyed. | |
|
Russ Johnson from North Georgia
(9/5/2005)
"Good small race!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This race provides all the basics of a good run, with none of the 'fluff'--no timing chips, no photographers, no cheering crowds, no expo. If you need those things, don't run this race. It's a relatively fast course, entirely on quiet country and residential two-lane roads with gently rolling hills, but nothing too difficult. The first 10k is in the dark (5:00 start) and quite serene, with the Milky Way glowing overhead and just the sound of footsteps, plus the occasional rooster crowing as twilight begins (you might want to carry a cheap flashlight for the first 10k and discard it at one of the water stops, there are a few places with some rough pavement). The countryside at dawn is just beautiful and temperatures are still cool. Marathon runners turn around at the 13-mile mark and repeat the loop backwards, and by the time they hit the 20-mile mark the sun is up and it's getting warm. A ballcap is helpful for the last few miles, as it's into the sun. Don't expect any crowd support, there just isn't any, except for a few friendly dogs, and that's OK with me. Pros: Fast, relatively flat course on good blacktop. Friendly, enthusiastic volunteers at water stations. Quiet serenity of the Mississipi countryside at dawn. Second half is same as the first, only backwards, so you know just what to expect. No problem with crowding, it's a small race and the pack quickly spreads out, at times you might not see another runner. Really cool medal, and longsleeve T-shirt with just the race logo and no sponsor ads. That's rare! Tupelo--birthplace of Elvis. Don't miss the museum! Finally, friendly and accessible staff and volunteers. This is the nice thing about a 'small' race. They made allowances for the people who couldn't make it due to Hurricane Katrina. Nice touch. Cons: (These are minor): Sometimes-hard-to-see mileage marks spraypainted on the pavement--a few upright signs at regular intervals, even every 5 miles, might have helped with pacing. More portapotties--I waited for a couple of minutes at mile 15, it almost cost me a 4-hour time, and I don't really want to urinate on someone's lawn. The hot food was gone by the time I finished, all eaten by the 14-mile runners. Hey, they deserve it too, but maybe you could save some for the marathoners! Overall, a memorable race that my wife and I really enjoyed. | |
|
RICK Karampatsos from Salisbury, NC
(9/5/2005)
"Worth the long drive to get there!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I'm a 60 year old kid who loves to run - and this marathon was one of the best overall times that I ever had! The crew was great - quick e-mails to update us and answered questions about gas,weather, etc--the early start was GREAT! Seeing and sharing a meal with the '50 States Marathon Club' was an extra to add to the perfect weekend. I do not understand why anyone who runs marathons does not belong to one (or both) of these great clubs. The team at Tupelo worked very well with the clubs -THANKS! You should be proud of your marathon. I am proud to have been part of it!!! | |
|
Michael Lacour from Baton Rouge, Louisiana...USA
(7/6/2005)
"When you run this one...run for fun" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Nice marathon...very friendly atmosphere. No pressure to perform...(is that not just great). If you get a chance...go into town and try the barbecue chicken pizza from Dr. Pizza. WOW! I will run this marathon again...you never leave your first love. | |
|
K. F. from Melbourne, FL
(3/12/2005)
"peaceful country run" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I learned a lesson from this run: find out for yourself what a marathon is like. Everyone has expectations that may or may not be met. I'd read previous years' comments and thought, 'Hills and too hot' but still went ahead because it was the nearest one to FL on Labor Day weekend. And that's what my novice training had led me to. I'm so glad I did it! (It was a nice distraction from Hurricane Frances that was going over my house that day!) Not so hot (after FL summer running) and not so hilly. Just a little glitch in pre-registration that had me paying more the 2nd time around (hmmm), some speeding churchgoers the lone officer had to track down, and no pizza. But the glow-in-the-dark shirt is SO cool and the ninja-star medal is GREAT. Neat people like Frank (MN). Thanks for the experience. | |
|
R. F. from Cincinnati, OH
(9/10/2004)
"This one is special" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Tupelo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Hey. It was hotter in Boston in April! The skelly shirt makes up for all the blandies I?ve been saddled with. The rolling course is all country; the darkness gives way to misty fields as the sun rises after the first hour ? it looks like something out of ?Fried Green Tomatoes?. Very nice organizers and volunteers. My fellow runners were the best. There is a different marathon vibe to this baby ? kinda the equivalent of what alt. country music is to a slick Nashville production. It?s refreshing. Everybody?s ego is at rest. Fluids were quite adequate, but bring your own gel. The last 5 miles are a bit isolated, but I never really... enjoyed...that part of any marathon. Friendly farm dogs kept me company at the end. There?s a good Greek/Italian smorgasbord at a place called Vanelli?s the night before. I?m coming back to this one. | |
|
J. B. from Auburn, AL
(9/9/2004)
"Fun Little Race!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This race starts at the Tupelo Furniture Market at 5 am on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The start set-up is nice because there are plentiful flush toilets in the furniture market building (I never waited in line), and the start line is just a short two tenths of a mile away. Yes, it is dark when you start, and no, there aren?t many street lights ? but I never felt like I was in any sort of danger of tripping over anything. Actually, it was kinda fun running in the dark! There is a light-up clock at the first mile marker so you can adjust your pace accordingly. The remainder of the mile markers are spray-painted on the road in a bright color ? making them easy to see once there is a little bit of light. Water is offered by enthusiastic volunteers at mile 3 and every 2 miles thereafter. Gatorade is offered at all stations once there is enough light so that runners and volunteers alike can tell the difference between Gatorade and water (mile 11 for my pace). The website made it clear that Gatorade would not be available on the first half of the course, so those whining about this really should have just planned ahead and carried their own. The race director did add a station at mile 25 this year in response to comments from last year about wanting another aid station closer to the end. The out-and-back course is hilly, but none of the hills are all that bad. There are no monster climbs like those at Cherry Blossom (Macon, GA) or Mercedes (Birmingham, AL). It is not a PR course, but not necessarily a PW course either. It can get hot, but if you are a sub-4 hour runner you will finish before it really heats up too much. Don?t expect any spectators ? all sane people are still asleep at 5 am! Talk to your fellow runners instead ? this race attracts a really neat group of people. The finish is back at the furniture market, where you receive your finisher?s medal (very cool medal!) and enjoy free beer (and Gatorade and bananas and McDonald's if beer isn?t your thing). Cash awards are given to overall winners along with some really unique awards for the age group winners. After the race, you can wear your Tupelo Marathon T-shirt with pride. As others have said, the T-shirts are great! This year?s glowed in the dark! Probably my only complaint about the race is that the T-shirt didn?t come in size small. Overall I found this race to be very well organized and well run, especially considering the early start time. I have no idea how they convinced all those volunteers to get out of bed at 4 am on a Sunday to hand us water! I would not recommend this race to people who like to whine about heat, hills and darkness, but I would recommend it to 50 states runners looking for a Mississippi race, and to anyone in the South looking for a fun and challenging marathon. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
