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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 71 to 81]
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P. B. from Northport, AL
(2/15/2010)
 "Great experience for my first half marathon" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Awesome race experience at the 2010 Mercedes Marathon this month; I would highly recommend it to runners of all abilities. The organization of the run was amazing, and I really appreciate the encouragers at the water stations - thank you!! | |
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Chris Trawick from Georgia
(2/15/2010)
"This marathon is a fantastic experience - A+" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Mercedes Marathon experience, and I absolutely cannot adequately detail how exceptionally run this race was. From the organization of the expo, to the communications pre-race, to the on-course logistical support, I cannot find a single complaint about this race. While some people have not liked the "hilly" course here, it was by far my favorite marathon course I have run to date. The downtown course contains so many twists and turns that it provides a welcome relief to the common 3-4 mile, straight stretches that are found in major, big-city venues like Atlanta and NYC. The hills are not significant, and are a welcome component, in my mind, of the overall experience of the course. There are several small rises that help alleviate muscle repetition and fatigue. This is a personal observation, of course, and I'm sure there are others who greatly prefer flat race courses. I'm just not a flat-lander at all. If you want a fantastic experience, with great runner perks, in a city that has a lot to offer for a weekend family trip, Mercedes is your race. I'll certainly be running this race again in 2011. | |
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G. R. from Atlanta, GA
(2/15/2010)
 "Good but not great..." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Overall, this marathon is well organized and should provide you with a good marathon experience. As with most races, the volunteers were exceptional (thank you). Fluid stations were in abundance... you won't finish dehydrated on this race. The police did an excellent job manning the roads and keeping the runners safe. The finisher's long-sleeve tech t-shirt was really nice and the finisher's medal was a highly polished Mercedes symbol (nice touch). The course was mediocre - nothing to rave about. I've never run a double loop, but it actually isn't bad at all. My only negative comment: 1/3 of this course takes you through some pretty desolate areas. However, it seemed to be more a problem of the city and not the marathon. The camber in some parts was severe; make sure to stay on the middle of the road. A big caveat to those traveling to Birmingham for the first time, and one major observation that is not so much about the marathon itself but more about the City of Birmingham: this is definitely not a destination marathon. BHM is a desolate and tired-looking city. It's like a ghost town. Very creepy! | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, FL
(2/15/2010)
 "Miss th old course!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was the second year for the new course. PLEASE go back to the old one! The steep hills of the old course beat the long, gradual hills that never stop. Views were fantastic; downhill running was like flying! This new course, although it has some nice areas, is boring, and then you do it twice. The second time was like a bad dream, as I could visualize each long hill, the trash in some areas, and the wind. PLEASE go back to the old course. Also NO food was left for slower runners! Hey, I pay more than the half marathoners who get the goodies! | |
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S. F. from Birmingham. AL
(5/10/2009)
 "I don't like the new course" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The old course went over Red Mountain twice. In between the two huge hills, it was mostly flat and scenic. The challenge was part of the fun. The new course has a lot of long up or down inclines, and the pavement outside of downtown is very rough. It was not scenic in the least, and actually pretty boring. Previously, the best spectator spots were Crestline and Homewood, but the new course doesn't go there, and I miss that. However, one plus on the new course is that the residents of the downtown shelters came out to cheer us heartily. They seemed sincerely glad to have something to watch, and we were sincerely glad to have their encouragement. Organization was super as always, but I think I'll skip next year to run somewhere different. | |
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J. H. from Mississippi
(4/23/2009)
"LOVE THE DOUBLE LOOP" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Mercedes Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Because of the double loop, there are twice as many spectators. I've run in some bigger races the Birmingham. At times I have even been running by myself, but that was not so with this race. The new course is much easier. My old Birmingham time was about a 3:40; my time for the new course was 3:15 (it was a lot easier). I would recommend the marathon to anyone wanting to run in the south. | |
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E. D. from Baltimore, MD
(4/10/2009)
"Fun time & well organized" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed seeing Birmingham the first time around, though the second loop was a lot harder because I'd already seen everything. The race was well-organized with great swag, and it is one of the cheaper marathons. I did not like the fact that the after party was down a lot of stairs (I didn't even attempt to go down them). That just seemed like a cruel joke. Everyone was very friendly, and I found it amusing that when I crossed the finish line they said my name, where I was from, and then, "WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM!" I also liked the huge pile of orange slices. It was a nice touch (I can never peel my own oranges after a marathon). | |
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D. R. from Cumming, GA
(3/25/2009)
"Very well organized marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Birmingham Marathon and my 3rd Alabama Marathon to complete the 3 N 3 Challenge (running all 3 Alabama marathons in 3 months). Birmingham was a great course - especially running by the Merita Bread Company. The smell of fresh bread was a plus! I ran with some great guys doing the 4-hour pacing. Thanks, guys! The medal and shirts were a great match and everyone was friendly. Birmingham, you have a great marathon! | |
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C. P. from Indiana, USA
(3/9/2009)
 "Fantastic" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a fantastic race. This race was really well organized. The aid stations were great - plenty of water, PowerAde, and later on, GU (etc.). The people manning the stations where inspirational. I loved this course; it was mostly flat and well marked. Everyone was very friendly and I will come back. | |
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Dick Rawdon from Georgetown Kentucky
(2/28/2009)
"Great race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mercedes Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One of the truly super organized marathons I've run and I have been in some of the famous ones. Great volunteers at aid stations and intersections controls, best post-race party anywhere (it's going in full blast when you finish the race). Two shirts (and the finisher's shirt is the best I've received at a race). Great medal. The course is mostly flat, or at least it seemed that way to me. It had two long, gradual hills - not too bad. The section of the race through the residential area was a sight to see - large mansions. Only negative was that there were not many spectators for a city marathon. This year the weather was a perfect 48-55 degrees. |
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