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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 101 to 111]
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Rob Lundien from Joplin, MO
(12/16/2008)
"first full marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed this race very much, as this was my first time to do a full 26.2 mile marathon. I loved the finish of running through the Auto Zone Park. The course was awesome, and the water stops and fan support were great. Would have liked to have seen more bands, but I know it's hard to get enough for all the entire course. I would definitely do this one again. My family did the 5K race and also enjoyed their experience as well. All of it was a very, very well organized and great running experience. Great job to all of those who were responsible for putting this together. | |
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A. C. from Memphis, TN, USA
(12/15/2008)
"Fun, well organized, and raised $2M for sick kids." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a fun and very well organized event for a fantastic cause. It was a cold (36F) start but I felt warm after 2 miles and rolled my long sleeves up later in the race. Not totally flat but not very hilly either. Hills are easier than the Nashville. Aid stations at EVERY mile were very cool. Excellent stadium finish too, with your name announced as you enter the stadium! The full/half/5K were all sold out early this year. Can't wait for next year! | |
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T. M. from Des Moines, Iowa
(12/15/2008)
"Excellent mid-sized marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The expo was top-notch. The staggered start by pace kept the flow of the race going and allowed for a smooth start. The course was somewhat flat but with meaningful inclines and hills. The spectators were awesome. The finish in the ballpark was fun (running on warning track was a refreshing break for the legs!), and the post-race festivities were great. I highly recommend this race. | |
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F. M. from Chapel Hill, NC
(12/15/2008)
"An incredibly well organized race." (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Of the four marathons that I have run, this one was, by far, the best organized. As far as I know there was water, PowerAde, and porto-johns at every mile. The online registration, check in, etc. were flawless for me. There seemed to be plenty of personnel and they were all great. Based on comments, I expected the course to be hilly. It did not seem that way to me but I live in the Piedmont region of NC. My guess is that this marathon picks up a lot of Midwestern folks who do their long runs in pretty flat places. I did not find most of the course to be particularly interesting or attractive but the view of the Mississippi River in the early miles was great and it was also a kick to run through Beale Street a couple of times. The wave start is a great idea, especially since the full and half marathoners start together. The pace teams were great (although I could not quite keep up with the 3:30 team as I had hoped). The finish at AutoZone Park was fantastic and it was great having such an abundance of high carb, low nutrition stuff at the end (I have never met a Krispy Kreme donut I didn't like). I tend to not repeat marathons but this could be an exception. If I still lived in Memphis, I might stay marathon ready to do this every year (or at least the half). My only gripe (really minor) is I am convinced that the 20-mile mark was misplaced. I was knocking out eight-minute miles consistently, but my 20th mile came in at 9:00+ and my 21st mile came in at under 7:00. Just a bit of demoralization at a time I did not need it. I would be interested in hearing if others thought the 20-mile point was off. Bottom line: the St. Jude's people have nailed this and are doing it right. I would recommend this for the first-timer or the 50+ marathon veterans. It starts and ends in downtown Memphis, which is a great destination for a weekend. And, to top it off, St. Jude's Children's Hospital is a fantastic cause. | |
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t. k. from texas usa
(12/15/2008)
"St. Jude rocks" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Memphis Marathon slogan: "Let's Rock!" But the truth is that those kids at St. Jude rock, and running for them gave me the strength to train and run hard. It's a superb course, surprisingly challenging and... well, it was very cold, so if folks say that there weren't a lot of people out, that's why. Runners I spoke to afterward were in the showers trying to warm up! It was fun and the city provides lots to do for a fun-filled weekend for runners and their families at discounted prices. I live in Texas, so I felt great during the whole thing. | |
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D. T. from Memphis, TN
(12/15/2008)
"Inspiring" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I came away inspired - by the number of St. Jude "Hero" runners, by the enthusiasm of the spectators (favorite sign: "You're all Kenyans to me!"; Second favorite: "You are all crazy."), and by the camaraderie among runners along the way. Well done! (And I agree with the comment below regarding the soup - that REALLY hit the spot!) | |
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D. S. from Memphis
(12/15/2008)
"Great event but..." (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Positives totally outnumber the criticisms. Positives: -Challenging course -Hospitality was second-to-none -On-course support at mile markers is first-rate -Course was lined with wonderful folks offering support -The flip-flop of finish lines was a good idea, eliminating backup to get the chip timer removed.... The one negative: -The Autozone Park concourse is a logistically terrible pre- and post-race. Pre-race check-in is very difficult because the concourse is too narrow to form a line. AFTER the race it's almost like a cruel joke... you run your 26.2 or 13.1, and THEN you have to take on the long row of stairs to a jam-packed concourse. Half-marathon supporters best not try to see their runner cross the finish line until this is fixed because you will not be able to find a place where you can see. I'll be back, but PLEASE adapt the concourse to be user-friendly. | |
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M. M. from St Louis
(12/14/2008)
"Great cause, great race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. Well-organized, convenient race day parking, and the best spectators I have ever seen. Course was interesting and I got to see parts of Memphis I would have never seen any other way. Only course complaints are that running through the park was a little crowded and the camber of the roads was a little rough; but those are very minor issues. Perfect weather made it even better. | |
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G. C. from Columbia Il
(12/13/2008)
"First-timer 1/2 marathon" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race, great organization, great cause. This being my first race, I was more than impressed with all of the assistance and drink stations. The support from the spectators was unbelievable, and the signs of "thank you" were great. I remember one little boy with a sign that said, "Thanks for helping my brother." It made my tired legs not so tired anymore. I thought running into the stadium made you feel big-time. We will be back in '09. My goal for that race is a full marathon. | |
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Bart Rinkenberger from Morton, IL
(12/13/2008)
"a MUST for every marathoner!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Memphis is the poster child marathon for all middle-sized marathons. It's not Chicago or New York, but then again, nothing compares to those. For the 1,000-5,000-participant races, Memphis is A+. the finish is the highlight of the day (you must try and eat the food). And by the way, I am the guy who made a big deal about my Garmin 305 watch being way off in 2007. Interestingly, they redid a couple portions of the race course in 2008, and this year my Garmin showed .6 less distance. Problem fixed. :) Great job to all race organizers and volunteers. You are rock stars in a town that is "all shook up." :) |
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