calendar icon Sep 20, 2024

Memphis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 14 15 16 17 18 .. 39 > ]

 

ANDY WALKER from GUERNSEY (12/16/2007)
"NOT AS EASY AS YOU MAY IMAGINE" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Great city to visit.

PROS:
* Good expo.
* Friendly locals on shared course (no cutting up on junctions).
* Water every mile and food.
* Very well marshaled.
* Totally fantastic post-run nosh bash in the local baseball stadium (never seen so much food; you could have sat and watched runners come in).

CONS:
* Course a bit tedious. If possible, they should bring more of the Mississippi River into the route.
* Also, tough (very up and down).
* The camber of the roads was deadly!!
* Sharing the course with traffic a lot.
* Cups instead of bottles for water.
* No pasta party.

 

Greg McGrath from Winston-Salem, NC (12/12/2007)
"Great Organization!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I did not wait in a single line the whole weekend. The photos of patients at St. Jude's along the course were inspiring. From packet pick-up to post-race refreshments, my experience went smoothly. No confusion! It figures that race volunteers in Tennessee would be the best. There weren't a whole lot of fans on the course, but those who were there THANKED the RUNNERS. Usually it's the other way around. I don't believe it's reasonable to expect race organizers to entertain marathoners on the course. Just the same, the musicians were a joy. Great, great finish line. Hot soup and cold beer! Heaven!

 

J. W. from Tennessee (12/11/2007)
"Good overall; could be v. good w/ improved details" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Overall it was a good experience. Four things would have made it very good: 1. Wider running lanes, and not having to share the road with oncoming traffic. 2. Water stations on both sides of the course, not just one (at least every 2nd or 3rd). 3. More and better parking, enough said (sorry to hear that you got a boot on you car, run a race, have fun only to fight the parking cops). 4. Day of race packet pickup for those who drove in on race day (I had to make two trips!).

 

S. W. from Louisville, KY (12/11/2007)
"Good run... Well organized... Great spectators" (about: 2007)

3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My first time running Memphis. More hills than I expected - none too steep but plenty of gradual grades, especially, it seemed, between miles 13-20. Uggghhh!!!! I thought the run was very well organized and appreciated the aid stations every mile. Would like to run again sometime.

 

M. S. from Keokuk, IA (12/11/2007)
"Memphis rocks - and souls" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran the half-marathon for a change of pace.

The course was not flat, but I certainly wouldn't call it challenging or hilly. Expo was well organized. Shirts are nice. Wave starts were appreciated; the start would have been overcrowded without the wave start. Course was good; water stations were good; splits were provided every mile, which was very nice. Crowd was supportive. Weather was perfect. And to top it off, Memphis and Beall Street are a blast. Be sure to visit the Rock and Soul Museum.

 

e. z. from colorado (12/10/2007)
"Fast, Well-Organized Marathon" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Memphis was my 5th marathon and best overall. There was a perfect combination of easy pre-race logistics, fast course, super-supplied aid stations every mile, enthusiastic (but not plentiful) spectators, and good post-race set-up. A great marathon for anyone looking to check out an amazing city (birthplace of Rock and Roll/Beale street/Elvis) and a fast, no-hassle marathon.

 

L. H. from Louisiana (12/10/2007)
"Pretty, but give me a break with the hills!" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Since this was my first marathon, I didn't know what to expect. The course was pretty, but the hills just kept coming. The volunteers were very nice and helpful!

 

R. G. from Smyrna, TN (12/9/2007)
"Good cause; not a good race" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


This was my second half-marathon. I ran my first in Nashville and I have to say it was better. Memphis was a little bit of a letdown for me.

At mile 8 and 9, they were out of cups. I even saw one of the volunteers trying to gather cups that didn't look too used off of the ground! YUCK!

I didn't like how the roads were not blocked off. I mean, come on, it's just one day. There were not many spectators, and I guess I just expected too much.

In Nashville you don't get to run into a stadium, but for the last 1/2 mile you are surrounded on both sides with many spectators cheering you on.

The food was excellent!!! However, I'm there for the race and not the food.

I will do this race again because of the great cause.

 

E. A. from Pittsburgh, PA (12/9/2007)
"Awful" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I was sent in the wrong direction. Volunteers had no clue - do not run if you want to compete.

 

M. E. from San Juan, Puerto Rico (12/9/2007)
"good but it can improve" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


What really bothered me about this race was the aid stations on the outer side of curves. One should not have to choose between hydration and following the shortest route. I have to agree with previous comments that the course is not as flat as one gets to believe from the website. Yet it wasn't all that bad. Other than that, it is a beautiful course and the people of Memphis are very nice.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 14 15 16 17 18 .. 39 > ]


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