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☰
Mercedes Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mercedes Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 267 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
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D. Rudy Mansfield from Sandy Hook, CT
(2/13/2004)
 "Well Organized, But Hilly!!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was hilly. The first climb at mile 7 wasn't bad, but the rollers from mile 16 to 21 never seemed stop. Its a beautiful medal to finish, and you earn it! The organization was topnotch. Gatorade and water every mile, GU's in at least one spot, cookies early on, and someone even was passing out Krispy Kremes if you wanted. Vaseline, fruit, and medical tents seemed to be more frequent than any of the last five marathons I've run. Thumbs up to Birmingham. There were over 2,700 runners altogether for three events, and there seemed to be that many volunteers, especially on a frigid day. This had a decent crowd showing around the water stops. They were so loud, I couldn't even hear what they were shouting (water or Gatorade) as they handed out cups. They had spirit, but they didn't line the ENTIRE course, like they do on the big events (NYC, Marine Corps, etc). This might be a great training race for the hills of Boston, but don't expect to produce a qualifying time there. Marathons to date: Stowe, Pittsburgh, Ocean State, NJSM, Hartford. | |
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E. J. from Montgomery, AL
(2/13/2004)
 "Great fun and spectators were great" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first race ever (I ran the half) so I can't relate it to anything, but fans who brought out their boom boxes at 8am and the kids and families out on their front yards were amazing! Water and Powerade every mile, and snacks were plentiful. Well organized and the course was fun! I trained in cold weather, and running with tights and a zip top was perfect! T-shirts were awesome and so was the medal. Would love to do the full marathon. | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, FL
(2/13/2004)
"Didn't win the car, but race is a real winner" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was disappointed I didn't win the Mercedes, but it could have been worse... could have had my name called as one of the 10 and then not win! This was my third Mercedes Marathon, my fourth marathon for 2004 and 49th total, so I know a little about marathons. I enjoyed this course more than the old one, but there were still plenty of hills. I am a marathon 'completer', not 'competitor', so hills are just a part of the fun. Even with the hills, I finished this one 8 minutes faster than the previous week's marathon that didn't have many hills. As usual for Birmingham, the crowds were in a happy mood, and there were more than enough water stops. Enjoyed the 'Piggy Zone' with Mr. Pig, 'the wall' and, of course, 'Elvis.' Can't forget the balloon lady... didn't have to worry about her this time, but she is a good friend, and when race walking at her top speed, often passes me as I run! Got lots of pictures for my scrapbook. This marathon will probably be an annual event for me, because it is always so much fun. I always recommend this one for a first-timer. | |
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R. C. from Ain't no place I'd rather be.....Hunter/Garcia
(2/12/2004)
 "What goes up, comes down too fast" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Good hydration, but a lot of ice around the water stops in the early miles. Watch out for the downhills at mile 23 or so, we are talking steep - out-of-control, get-hurt steep. The roads in the warehouse district are in bad shape and very crowned - stay in the center. Great fans!!! Expo space was poorly organized. The checkout line for merchandise prevented folks from shopping and the packet pick up was narrow at best. Loved the wall at mile 20 and the supporters in the hard hats... nice theme... I laughed until the downhill ski slope at 23... | |
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D. R. from Washington, DC
(2/11/2004)
 "Good folks, poor course" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I ran the Mercedes half in 2004. Despite being advertised as less hilly than the previous course, miles 6 through 10 were daunting. The final 3 miles (which both courses shared) were on a downtown street that is in serious need of paving. the weather was awful (17 degrees wind chill at the 7 AM start) and the winds kept up. The hilly miles noted above were not a secret--the organizers had good elevations maps and route info, and some of those hills were in stunningly beautiful neighborhoods full of very nice & enthusiastic people. The police were wonderful, and the huge number of water/'ade stops (most with chewable goodies as well) were terrific. My objection was to the high cost of this (and so many) marathon, the very poorly-organized website, the laughable FAQ, which was nothing more than a message board, and the very long lag time in getting useful information to registrants. Oh, and then there's the expo! I don't care if an expo is huge or not, so long as it's well-organized and has decent hours. This expo only ran until 7 PM Friday night and didn't open until noon Saturday--no doubt due to the Olympic Trials. These short hours created a mob scene when the expo did open Saturday, and definitely cut down on my shopping. This is a definite do not repeat race experience for me and the friends who flew down to run it. | |
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Carolyn B. from Atlanta, GA
(2/11/2004)
 "Torture was never this much fun!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 OK, so this is not the race to get your marathon PR but it is still one that every marathon junkie should do. It was my sixth one and my time was horrible, but that's OK because I didn't set any goals for this race since I had just run RNR Phoenix and had a PR there. The new course was more scenic that the previous one, though no easier. Having grown up in Birmingham, I know that there is no way around hills. Besides they build character in a runner! I thought the fans were great. Though the cold may have kept some away, the ones out there were very enthusiastic and creative. One group had even camped out in tents the night before on the bike path part of the course. There were both live bands and sound systems at many points on the course to pump you up with music. Birmingham really embraces this race with hospitality and enthusiasm. The post-race party actually served beer and barbecue. I'm glad someone finally wised up the the fact that once a runner crosses the finish line s/he is SICK of water, Gatorade, Gu, fruit, etc. Give us some beer and real food! Kudos to race director Valerie McLean for dreaming this and making it happen. A big round of applause to her staff and volunteers. Great job Birmingham! (Atlanta, when are you going to put on a marathon of this caliber?) | |
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K. S. from Iowa
(2/10/2004)
"A great experience" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Mercedes Marathon was a great event in my experience. As it was for most everyone, the course itself was a challenging with many hills. But the tough course just made finishing that much more satisfying. The race organization was superb. Packet pick up was organized, plenty of water, sport drink, and gel on the course, and a great party for runners afterwards. The race organizers worked hard to make us happy. All in all, I highly recommend this marathon. | |
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M. M. from Fultondale, Alabama
(2/10/2004)
"It was great!!!!! And my first." (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was well organized and, true it had some tough hills, but the sites on the course were great! Everyone from the workers to the fans did a good job. I plan on running this marathon next year. Thanks for a great memory. | |
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S. C. from Flat, flat Florida
(2/10/2004)
"Holy S**t!!!!!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I can't comment much on the race expo, though I DID find it a bit dinky for such an epic race. The course was amazing, though my ankle flamed out around mile 18 (despite getting it taped up by a trainer there--incidentally, there was AMPLE staff to get whatever attention you needed) and I had to walk until the last mile. No one will ever believe this, but I was well on-track for a PR there. You DEFINITELY have to learn to run hills, especially the downhills--I thought many were unfairly steep. I'll climb UP whatever you put in front of me, but I don't like having to brake with every stride on the way down. Overall, loved it and will be back. | |
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Lewis Grell from Houston, Texas
(2/10/2004)
"it wasn't easy, but it was worth it" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. This was my fifth marathon. Thank you, Birmingham, for your hospitality. The Olmypic Trials were a great way to start the weekend. The race started on time. There was more than enough excitement to make up for the cold weather. The spectators were great, lots of 'future' marathoners out on a cold morning handing out orange slices, candy, cookies!!! Great views along the way, including the trail along Lakshore Drive, the old-style million-dollar neighborhoods. Great water stop themes, piggly wiggly, the coconut girls, and I loved the WALL at 21. I think that the hills are an very important part of this marathon. The hills are part of what makes it worth running. My 14-year old son and 17-year old daughter ran the half marathon, and although all of us are still walking a little stiff, we all agreed that the 10-hour drive and the run was worth it... I will run this marathon again. Thanks again, Birmingham. |
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