May 18, 2024
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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 121 to 131]
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m. p. from Minnesota
(9/7/2004)
 "Beautiful course, nice folks, but where's the ice?" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course was pretty enough to make me think about moving to Mississippi. There were gently rolling hills with adequate water stops. It started at 5 am, in the dark, which was good because by 8 am it was so hot I'm sure I saw Elvis at mile 19! This was a small marathon so if one needs lots of encouragement from spectators they should opt for a larger one. | |
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A. K. from Atlanta, GA
(9/7/2004)
"Interesting" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I liked the 5am start time. Since this was an out and back course I didn't even realize how cracked the roads were until I was coming back. The heat/humidity wasn't a problem for me since I've been training all summer in it. But I was VERY disappointed in the t-shirt. I don't see what all the excitement previous posters have been talking about. It was LONG-SLEEVE deep purple with a glow-in-the-dark skeleton on the front! (I couldn't even think about wearing it after the marathon.) I just don't get that one. But I'm glad I did it. The people were fairly friendly. And I went to visit Elvis' birthplace! | |
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L. D. from Akron, Ohio
(9/7/2004)
 "Northerners should respect the race, not fear it" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very fearful of this race after training in an unseasonably cool summer in Northeastern Ohio that routinely saw temperatures top out in the upper 60?s / lower 70?s. I took the cautious approach and finished about 5 ? 10 minutes slower than my normal marathon time. The 5 am start beats the majority of the heat ? as a 4+ hour marathoner I did not feel the heat until abound mile 23. The course is wonderfully rural, passing some truly beautiful homes (and some scary looking ones as well). The middle half of the race is rolling hills throughout, and other than a 2 or 3 mile stretch around 18-20 there is very little shade. The aid stations are frequent for a marathon of this size and stocked water only at the start and water and Gatorade starting around mile 6. I cannot compliment the race staff enough. They had better ?collateral materials? than most big event races. The t-shirt is sweet (my wife immediately put dibs on it), the medal is probably the coolest I?ve earned and they offered a nice poster for sale. I?ve paid twice as much and gotten ½ the quality at other races. The bottom line is that if you are a Northerner and you?ve done marathons before just respect the weather and you will do fine. | |
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Paul Stackpole from New Orleans
(9/6/2004)
"Excellent Event!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Excellent late summer marathon! Unless the course changed drastically this year I found no significant 'pot holes'. But then again maybe it was too dark! A small penlight came in handy in some dark shaded areas during the first 4 or 5 miles, but I could have run without one. This was an event organized for the true marathon runner that is self motivated and not concerned with fanfare along the course. No bands, no crowds to worry about here. One or two aid stations had a boom box, (thanks for the Lynryd Skynrd!). The volunteers were very helpful, enthusiastic and supportive. But the sparse number of spectactors likened it more to a small ultra-marathon or even a training run. The event was well organized and thankfully started at 0500 sharp! As soon as the sun rose, so did the temperature. The aid stations were adequate but I was glad that I carried my own water. Anyone desiring more than water or Gatorade needed to bring their own (gels, candy, pretzels, etc.). Post race treats were appreciated, cold Coke, beer and food donated by local sponsors. A few comments by the RD prior to the start and a photographer somewhere along the course or at the finish line would have added a nice touch. Given the times that we live in, the absence of our national anthem prior to the start seemed a little unusual. In any event, kudos to the RD and his volunteers for an enjoyable marathon. | |
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R. h. from Auburn, Al
(9/6/2004)
 "Did not have Gatorade until mile 10." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Tupelo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Bring your own backpack with liquids if you will be taking 4 or more hours for the marathon. Lack of Gatorade at water stations. | |
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C. H. from Memphis, TN
(9/5/2004)
"Great Run" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Ran the Tupelo Marathon today and it was as advertised, a no-frills, tough, hilly event. The race was well organized and the staff was very helpful. I would highly recommend running this if you are a hardcore runner. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Tupelo, which actually opened at 3:30 AM for a pre-race breakfast buffet. Very nice. | |
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M. P. from Fort Benning, GA
(9/5/2004)
"Sweet Small Summer Race!" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Tupelo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I thought this race was great. Again, for people complaining of the heat and the dark... what else do you expect for a September marathon? I would prefer it start earlier so you do not catch the sun your last 7 miles or so. Comments: Organization: Great Water stops: Water/Gatorade stops every two miles Specatators: The water stop volunteers were the only ones. So if you need crowds to motivate you to run DON'T do this one. Medal/T-shirt: They rock and I am definitely going to wear my GLOW IN THE DARK t-shirt. Course: Back roads out and back along country roads with mild hills. Time: Started in the dark which was fine with me because it let you beat the heat. The roads are good roads (not sure what people are talking about when mentioning potholes). Do not notice any hills until it gets light. Food: Beer and McDonalds was great. Nothing like 3 beers to end a race. Awesome race. Would definitely do it again. It is in September so it is humid and warm. :) | |
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J. R. from Arvada, Colorado
(2/9/2004)
"Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 For all the wimps crying about the heat and the dark, stay home! This is what marathoning is all about with a sense of humor. And god bless the Ice Fairy (a member of the 50 States & DC marathon club) for the ice along the way. This is not an easy marathon, but after doing 51 marathons, it is one of my favorites. A great course, organization, and post-race party. The medal is awesome and people were fighting over the t-shirts. It is HOT and HUMID, but that makes it even more awesome when you finish. I'll be back! | |
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Frank Leggio from Atlanta, GA
(12/10/2003)
 "Good God" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was by far the toughest marathon I have run. It starts in the dark, on pot-holed country roads, with someone yelling go. It is an out and back with sparse water stops. It is humid before the sun comes up and hot and humid after. The out-and-back was mitigated by running the out in the dark. I ran the last 6 miles without sweating (none left in me) and I drank a lot along the way, just not enough stops. It definitely made me proud of my medal and shirt. I wear the shirt frequently. | |
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M. C. from Birmingham, Alabama
(9/11/2003)
"This is a seasoned runners' marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 If you train in the summer in the South for a marathon, you know you are a die hard runner. I ran this race about 5 minutes slower this year than last, and the only difference is that the sun was not as bright, but it felt more humid (of course I could have also been in worse shape). I stashed a couple of power gels this year - which I needed - and would recommend others do the same. Ditto on one more water stop at the end of the race. Three miles to the finish in as much of a sprint as one could muster left me woobly-legged as I crossed the finish. I would also like to see some type of pasta dinner for the out-of-town runners. A little camaraderie before the race for anyone brave enough to run this one would be welcome. Maybe I will get brave enough to run it again. Barely Brave in Birmingham |
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