As others have stated, this is a lovely course - albeit a tough run, given the high humidity (both before and after the sun comes out!), as expected. There are virtually no spectators, but the aid stations were consistent at every 2 miles and the folks who participated in the run very friendly, and thus functioned as athletes and spectators both! A definite lack of information about the start, which is a challenge if you aren't from the area. Those who look for the Tupelo Furniture Market realize it consists of several buildings and the it is a bit confusing - last thing you need with a 5 a.m. start time. Putting maps in the goody bags would help, or much clearer instructions online that warn of possible pitfalls (i.e., going to the wrong market building) in addition to details about how to arrive at the start. A very enjoyable experience overall and highly recommended!

Make no mistake - Tupelo may be a small town, but there is nothing small about this marathon that promises that you will "Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead." It is not for the faint of heart!
1. Be prepared, for it will be HOT.
2. Also be prepared, because it will be humid.
3. Wake up early enough actually to be alert, because the roads are open.
4. Bring a light source, for you are in the country and there are no street lights.
5. If you gather strength from the spectators on the sidelines cheering you on, then stay home, because there aren't any (except for the AMAZING volunteers at the aid stations!).
6. If you are energized by constantly passing and being passed by people along the route, hang it up. With a cap of 250 for the full, it can get pretty lonely if you run on your own!
7. Did I mention that it was HOT?
8. DO be prepared to be greeted by Southern hospitality every step of the way - from packet pickup, to your pre-race dinner, to the ALWAYS SMILING support crews at the aid stations, to the finish line folks who were as friendly and excited by the late finishers as they must have been to those who came in early.
9. You will have never tasted a better hamburger and beer than those awaiting you at the finish line!
10. The skull-and-crossbones medal says it all.

I will definitely be back for this one in the future!

Loved the 5 a.m. start. Nice to get 6 or 7 miles done before daylight. Great course support with water/Gatorade/GU. No spectators, but that was no problem. The best medal and shirt around. Fantastic to have grilled food and cold beer at the end. Also great: when we passed the winner, he told us that we looked great and were doing a great job! Made us feel like ROCK STARS!

Nice job, Tupelo. A must-do, low-key race for Labor Day weekend.

For those who are anal like me, a few comments to ease your mind. Since the race starts at dark, mile markers are very well marked with glow sticks. Mile markers are painted on the road, so look for those. Plenty of water and Gatorade stops. Very well organized, very friendly, etc. Rural route, but no dogs. Great shirt and medal for the 14.2-milers. Great time to start a run. Very HUMID, so if you are not used to that, prepare to sweat like you've never sweated before. Not a lot of folks on road for race support, but that didn't bother me. Only crazy folks like us get up that time of day to run.

Yes, it was hot, but I prepared for it and brought a bandanna (which saved me).

The course is really nice if you like to be on your own in pretty countryside. It has very small rolling hills on country roads and you can see horses and cows!

The volunteers were really great and post-race burgers and beer hit the spot.

I loved seeing all the 50 Staters and Marathon Maniacs show up.

I'm glad it started at 5 a.m., and the first hour in the dark was really majestic, almost surreal running.

This is a great choice if you need a marathon in Mississippi.

A wonderful small marathon for those who love to run. It started in the dark under the stars but the sun, and temperature, quickly rose to the occasion. I've never felt such high humidity BEFORE the sun was up. The course was tough with a good mix hills and flat areas and the course support was great.

The post-race food was excellent and the organizers were friendly and helpful. Finally, the medals and shirts are simply the best! The shirt is one that is so comfortable that I want to wear it every day - and the skull and crossbones logo is fitting and a great conversation piece.

I will definitely be back next year.

Mike and his crew pulled it together this year and had medals for the half marathoners. They are awesome - the traditional Skull & Crossbones! Add this marathon or half to your list of "have to run." Organized, friendly people, starts and finishes at a large furniture warehouse (inside restrooms!), with grilled hamburgers and beer at the finish, and a very fun start in the dark - to name a few highlights. Mike and his organizers also had a very nice tribute to "Calvin O'Cain" at one of the water stops along the way. Calvin was a long-time supporter of the Tupelo Marathon and has recently passed away. It was nice to see this personal touch and remembrance to Calvin. I had never met Calvin - but they had a photo of him on a huge poster at the water stop - and Calvin looked like a great guy.

Cheers to Tupelo!

OK, so everybody's got an opinion and is certainly entitled to it. However, no matter what you do in terms of "marathon organization," some will love you and some will NOT. I've read comments about medals and T-ahirts (and so on and so forth) either being great, or not up to the standards of previous years. Who cares?! After all, these poor race directors are trying to satisfy marathon runners, people who go out and say they "enjoy" running 26.2 miles... all at one time. Let's face it, we marathoners are a strange bunch and satisfying us all just ain't gonna happen.

So as a Tupelo "first-timer," I say "hats off" to Mike and his dedicated crew. Your passion for the sport really shows through. Pam, thanks for "adopting" my daughter and putting her to work at the mile 5/21 water stop.... Her stories about her experience working there put a smile on my face, tears in my eyes and make me wish I had worked with your crew.

I agree with all those who say this is a great race, like many of the "smaller" marathons you can find in states. There is no doubt that there are many fine larger marathons, with attentive, caring and organized staffs; however, you just can't beat the feel of a well run "small marathon." I attribute that feel to the passion and dedication of those who put on the events. With fewer runners, that passion is easily transferred and felt by each participant. So Mike, and ALL of your wonderful staff/volunteers, thank you for allowing us all to experience the joy of running on your turf. Although my clock time will show this to be the "worst" of all my marathons, I consider my marathon experience in Tupelo to be among my best.... After all, I consider any day that I don't get hurdled or trampled to be a good day!!

Oh, and by the way, Chuck Engle, you are a great athlete and a champion. Your love for the sport and humble attitude make us "mid-" and "back-of-the-packers" feel like champs too.

If you're a marathoner on a quest to hit all 50, you might as well stop here in September to collect your skull medal and start your fall marathon season off with a bang. Not a lot of distraction; just the good-natured sport of a marathon. The out-and-back provides for an opportunity to learn the course and see what is going to be waiting for you once you hit the wall, or if you're feeling great in the last 10K. Can't help but love the moonlight start. I've never seen or done anything like it, so it's great to have this experience. With 100% humidity, I sure am glad I ran in just a Speedo. There's a word of advice for ya folks: Wanna stay cool? Run in a Speedo! Someday, I will come back to this race, DEFINITELY!!

This was a great marathon with nice rolling hills and beautiful countryside and friendly people. Not a lot of spectators, but the ones who came were enthusiastic and helpful.

My only suggestion: the awards didn't make sense. Why were some awards given mostly in 5-year increments and sometimes in 10-year increments? That didn't make sense, as it wasn't consistent. Otherwise a nice race. I'd do it again!