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May 18, 2024

Tupelo Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Tupelo Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.6

Number of comments: 156 [displaying comments 101 to 111]

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D. P. from Bartlett, IL northwest of Chicago (9/4/2006) "My new favorite marathon" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 With a 5:00 a.m. start, the first 9-10 miles are run in the dark. That was pretty cool because it was an out-and-back course, on the way back you actually got to see what you missed in the dark, so it was like seeing the course for the first time. The folks were very friendly at the packet pick-up and the t-shirt was great; they went back to the tie-dyed shirts - very cool. The medal is also outstanding. I love their running club's motto: "Hurdle the weak, trample the dead" - and it is on the back of every medal. Lots of parking at the start so that was not an issue. Rolling hills with plenty of long straightaways, so it was not too hard on the quads. It was also nice to finish a race early enough to get back and take a shower and clean up without having to make sure you were checked out in time to avoid getting charged for another day. Not a lot of spectators but the ones that were there cheered on everyone. Water stop volunteers were also outstanding. They had to be in place before the 5 a.m. start, so they had a very long day. I'm telling everyone that they should do this race sometime in their running schedule.
Nelson David from Fort Polk, LA (9/4/2006) "A true runner's marathon! Absolutely loved it." (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you love running, this is for YOU! The majority of my marathons have been high profile (i.e. Chicago, Disney, Country Music, etc....), yet this marathon rivals the best, largest of them. This event is a runner's paradise, almost like a rave run: alone with your thoughts, but in the company of those who have a passion for the sport. The 5 a.m. start was surreal - running under starlight, watching the nautical twilight transition into a morning glow across the horizon and watching the sunrise as you run. The only spectators (and yet the best) were the runners and we encouraged each other... that's all that mattered! The race committee did a great job of executing this event. Weather conditions were ideal. I LOVE the medal: Skull snd crossbones w/ motto: "Hurdle the Weak; Trample the Dead." The tie-dye shirts are awesome! Tupelo is a great suburban city (Elvis' birthplace) nestled in a gorgeous, Ozark-like scenery. The only - yet BIGGEST - recommendation I would STRESS are additional latrine facilities along the course. Oh... and specialize the runner's bibs.
B. M. from Missouri (9/3/2006) "Would do the marathon again" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 We would do the marathon again but most likely not 14.2. No medals for the 14.2, COOL medals for the marathon (the medals say 14.2-miler and marathon). Great t-shirts. Great course, country roads, mild hills, out-and-back for the marathon. No spectators at 05:00, but that is alright with us. If you are not finished by the time church starts, watch for fast cars. All lodging was close to the race start and packet pick-up, and they had great food.
D. M. from Asheboro, NC (9/3/2006) "The BEST darn T-shirt and Medal in the country" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've been to a few marathons and let me tell you that this is one of the best medals you will ever get and definitely the best T-shirt. This year it was a long-sleeve tye-dyed shirt with a big skull and crossbones and the motto, "Trample the weak, hurdle the dead." I mean, come on! How cool is that? The course is flat. The only problem is the potential for really hot and humid weather. In 2006 it was 62 at the start and 72 at the end. The race starts at 5 a.m. so part of it is in the dark. Many people brought cheap flashlights for the first hour. There isn't much to see in Tupelo (sorry natives but, it's kind of dull). If you are an Elvis fan you can see his two-room birth house there. The hotels are not near the start so you will need a car if you fly in. I liked the Courtyard by Marriott. The Olive Garden is right next door too. Food after the race was good but most of it was gone as the 14.2-runners scarfed it up. They did have McDonald's breakfast burritos and yogurt parfaits as well as apples and sodas. Beer was there too for those Hash House Harriers. All this for $40. There were about 150 marathoners and 150 14.2-runners. I gave it 5 stars for the specators because there weren't any! They just get in the way anyway. Also I would say there was more roadkill per mile than any other race I have run. Dead fox, squirrel, possum, armadillo, and even a skunk. Maybe the motto should be, "Hurdle the Roadkill."
Geoffrey Wood from Bartlett, TN, USA (9/28/2005) "Oh my God it was hot; I earned that medal!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Imagine a 4 AM start and it was already hot and humid. As the race began in the darkness my glasses stayed fogged over from the mist and humidity. No street lights, as we were running through farm fields and rural neighborhoods. It was mostly silent with only the plop, plop, plop of running shoes pounding a strangely arrhythmic beat to keep us company. I kept from crashing into other runners more by sensing their presence beside me than from anything I could see. It was surreal and I would not have missed it for the world! Once the sun rose the heat built up to crushing heights. By mile 16 I lost so many electrolytes that both legs began to cramp. Finished the last 10 miles with constant cramps from my feet to my hips. When I crossed the finish line I felt like I had accomplished something. I do not recommend this for a beginner, but if you already love to run marathons, then this one is not to be missed!
Anthony Dooley from Prince George, VA (9/20/2005) "My first of many marathons" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Although I live in Virginia, I grew up in the Tupelo area. The hilly course, and the risk of hot weather made this marathon more appealing to me, because I like a challenge. Who needs an expo or space blankets? The organizers did a great job with a limited number of support personnel and volunteers. They even managed to have cool weather! There were almost no fans cheering, but running isn't exactly a spectator's sport. The finisher's medal and long sleeved shirt are really cool. I would like to have more cold drinks, bagels, and bananas at the finish area next year. Other than that, I had a good time. I visited family and friends, met an ultra marathoner from Minnesota, and saw some people that I hadn't seen in years. One day, the Tupelo Marathon will be a huge event, but for now I enjoy small town get togethers.
A. E. from Alabama (9/15/2005) "the one to run in Mississippi" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is truly a marathoner's marathon. It had everything you want and nothing you wouldn't. The 5 a.m. start was perfect. That was one of the neatest thing I have ever experienced running. Since you are out in the country there are few if any street lights and you are running in the pitch black. So much fun. To this point I have to disagree with some of the other posters. The second half you don't really know what's coming next because the first time you ran it you couldn't see squat. :-) We were all joking, "Have we been here before? I don't remember SEEING any of this! Hahaha." Pros: Best finisher's medal I have ever seen anywhere. I thought my Mickey Mouse was cool.... it doesn't hold a candle to my skull and cross bones. Loved the logo on the back as well: 'Trample the weak, hurdle the dead.' Great course and volunteers, and the weather wasn't nearly as hot as I was scared it would be. You cannot beat the entry fee. It makes me wonder what Chicago or Disney does to deserve double or triple what this marathon charges. Also I gave the fans 5 stars because in the race packet there were Elvis fans in there. You can't beat a Elvis fan, now can you? (But there were zero spectators.) Cons: Mile markers on signs would be nice. Also in the dark miles, someone at the mile markers with a flashlight calling out times. It really didn't matter much. This really wasn't an issue for me. Once it got light I was pleasantly surprised to find out how far I had gone. Also, bring back the glow in the dark shirts!! All in all, this is one awesome marathon. Not one for first-timers (in my opinion), but everyone else, come on down and enjoy some good ol' southern hospitality. You won't be disappointed in Tupelo!
S. P. from Lucedale, MS (9/13/2005) "Great countryside no-frills marathon." (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Tupelo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Race start was dark, but there are enough people with flashlights,et.al. that you can find your way. Some of the roads on the first 5 and last 5 miles are banked and not on great asphalt, but no potholes. Did hurdle a carcass in the road--as yet unidentified small game. Temps were much better than I anticipated, and I train in southern MS. The race was very organized, but the miles could have been better marked. Nice respite after the Katrina ordeal we had been through earlier in the week. Great race and I will be back next year.
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.

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