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Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 153 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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M. C. from Buffalo, NY
(1/14/2015)
 "Mobile gets two thumbs up!" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran this as part of the back to back, with the Mississippi Blues marathon the day before. The folks were all very friendly. I know I heard that it was a flat course somewhere, but I certainly found the hills. Roads in some areas were in tough shape, but all in all Mobile is a winner. The back to back medal is TERRIFIC! The lack of chip timing is a tad weird but if it keeps the costs down and the associations involved benefit greater, I am cool with that. Great food, fun people, and a nice race to do to knock Alabama off the list of 50. For those doing the back to back, I would recommend flying in and out of New Orleans. Was a terrific weekend in the heart of Dixie. | |
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E. w. from Meridian, MS
(1/13/2015)
 "Beautiful race-excellent cause" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I love this race. The course is through beautiful downtown Mobile, several universities and the Botanical gardens. BEWARE of the crazy hill around mile 19. But the aid station there is stocked with lots of goodies to keep your mind of it. The medal is simple but perfect. It is handmade by residents of the Le Arche home for adults with disabilities. If you run Blues & first light, you'll also receive a handmade plague made by a resident. | |
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j. e. from PA
(1/12/2015)
 "small, organized, pretty course w/ few long hills" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had done Mississippi Blues Marathon the day prior so having the shuttle bus to Mobile was terrific. Expo was small, Hampton Inn was the nicest I've ever been in and in a perfect location. The medal and plaque for the B2B was extra special because it had a photo and information on the artist. Some were upset that there was no huge medal, but the personal 'gift' made the event even more special and unique to me. I had never done a B2B and this was the perfect place to do so, as it was well aided, supportive volunteers and helpful RD. I'd especially like to thank the aid station at mile #18 for the broth, skittles, & fig newtons...you're obviously distance runners. There were a few long hills, but it was mostly quite flat. Weather was perfect, it was easy to navigate from the Hampton Inn, a great value for the money. | |
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T. C. from Maryland
(1/12/2015)
"Lovely and low key" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Southern architecture, beautiful neighborhoods, gorgeous live oaks, and friendly volunteers/spectatorswhat more do you need? This was a very friendly and well-organized race. The L'Arche facility for intellectually challenged adults benefits from this race and I love the finisher's medallion which was made by the residents. They also made plaques for those who did the Back to Back Challenge. Plentiful aid stations and every volunteer gave an encouraging word as I passed. The finish line venue, Bienville Square was a lovely place for the post race party, complete with a live Dixieland band. I'd run it again. | |
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T. R. from Standish, Maine
(1/11/2015)
 "Nice, small, well done!" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Did this race as part of the back-to-back with Mississippi Blues. This race is unpretentious but don't let that turn you away. They do a good job for a small race! It was my birthday and they included a handmade birthday card in my packet!! Over the top in my book! They don't use electronic timing but still pull tags off your bib. Expo was very small but friendly. We stayed at the Hampton Inn just a few blocks from the expo and start/finish. I would highly recommend the Hampton, although they would not give us a late checkout. Race course was virtually flat compared to Jackson with only one hill at mile 18 that was a challenge. I live in New England so this course seemed flat to me. Very few spectators along the course but it was scenic. Would recommend if you need to pick up Alabama, as part of the back-to-back, or if you happen to be catching a cruise ship in New Orleans later that day! | |
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B. L. from Houston TX
(2/26/2014)
"Job Well done!" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)s
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon before and I plan on returning next time (2015) The course is one of the most diverse and changing that I have run on. Starting and finishing downtown, running through upscale neighborhoods, low-income areas, colleges, golfcourses, parks, and some awesome hills, especially at 18 miles. The finish line is staffed by L'Arche Mobile members. Mentally challenged and downs syndrome people hand out the handmade finishers medals. Nothing better. Love Mobile and the marathon committee. Thank You | |
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Suzanne Bansley from Brattleboro, VT
(1/23/2014)
 "Nice Fundraiser" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The First Light Marathon was a great local fundraiser race. I ran the Mississippi Blues the day before along with a bunch of others. I especially love that there was a special shirt and plaque for the back2back marathon runners. I thought the Expo was easy to find, easy to walk through, I really liked the pasta dinner, and especially liked that it was included in the registration. I thought the entertainment at the finish was wonderful, but would have liked it to continue a bit longer for the back-of-the-pack runners, same with the food. Those trekking the course to the final minutes deserve just as much food and entertainment. Maybe run them 30 minutes more, that's all it would take. The start line could have used a little more excitement, maybe and announcer of something. The course itself went through some rundown neighborhoods and past many eye sores, I didn't like that much. The college campus was great and the bulk of the second half was nice. I lost the course at one point because the person directing traffic didn't wave me in the right direction. I went over a mile out of my way!! I really liked the finish food and party, but there wasn't much vegetarian options. The medals really should be nicer. It's okay that someone makes them, but it should have been high quality over arts-n-crafts type, even if this is a fundraiser. Still though, a good event and I would recommend it to another runner. www.empoweredbyrunning.com | |
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S. G. from San Diego
(1/16/2014)
"Beware of free pasta dinner at Expo!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This is my first back2back marathon challenge (Jackson and Mobile. I have low expectation, I just want to finish and have a good time. Mobile is not as hilly as Jackson but the second half have some hills especially around mile 18-19. I could have run the race faster but I have to stop on almost of all the porta potties. I think I lost 30 or more minutes with my trip to the porta potties I think my roommate and I both had food poisoning from the free pasta dinner. We both very sick we were unable to sleep the night before the race. The Mobile Health department is currently investigating. From what I heard, lots of other runners were sick as well. It's bad enough to do two marathons in two days but being sick while running is a nightmare. The mobile organizer need to find out what causes lots of runners to be sick from the expo food. | |
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B. M. from Mobile,AL
(1/15/2014)
 "scenic course with great medal for great cause" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I live in Mobile and run this marathon every year. The course is outstanding and showcases all the hot spots of Mobile. The race begins and ends in downtown Mobile, runs through the graveyard of 'famous' Mardi Gras figures, runs through University of South Alabama and Springhill college and goes through several neighborhoods. The organization is excellent, water stops are plentiful and well stocked and crowd support is terrific. The medal is awesome and the residents of L'Arche design the medals and present them. The shirts are dri fit and size is perfect. The busy intersections are controlled by cheerful and helpful police. Race is AUsome!! | |
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David Zajic from Alabama
(1/14/2014)
"Great Race - Wonderful Volunteers" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My hat's off to the RD and his volunteers. The course was interesting (I really like running thru old towns) and traffic control was outstanding. I don't need spectators all along the course so I was OK when they thinned out. Water stations were well manned and plentiful. It was a great alternative to the mega races. I'll definitely be back! |
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