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May 1, 2024

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 41 to 51]

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S. C. from Portland Oregon USA (1/10/2012) "Fantastic value" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I did this one the day after doing Jackson MS. Great combo deal. This was a flatter course than Jackson, which was appreciated by the 100+ people doing the back to back. Excellent organization. No chip, but so what, it's a small group. Finish 'medal' was somewhat dissappointing until I 'got' that it involved local folks and wasn't made in China. Now I love this finisher 'medal'. They should take a lesson from Jackson and make the Marathon medal twice the size of the 1/2 marathon medal. Fantastic finish 1/2 mile. Very enthusiastic support and a GREAT party in the park after the run. And how do they put this all on for so little money. BOTH entry fees were less than ONE Rock-N-Roll. And check the comments from the Vegas RNR. YIKES!!! They should be giving refunds. Mobile did a great job. THANKS!
Patrick Weldon from Brandon MS (1/10/2012) "Good race, GREAT cause." (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this the day after the Mississippi Blues Marathon, so I arrived kind of tired and worn out. But good southern Alabama hospitality was abundant, and I felt right at home. The expo was small, but friendly and well-organized. Shirts and swag bag stuff was pretty typical, nothing too fancy, but pretty good. The highlight was the plaques for the 'Back 2 Back' runners (Mississippi Saturday, Alabama Sunday). They were individually hand made by the Special Needs adults of L'Arche. They were so wonderful it literally made me tear up. The race starts simple, a group singing of National Anthem, followed by a 'okay, go...'. No chip time, just a starting watch. Others have complained about this but really, doesnt everyone have a GPS watch these days? Course is nice, flat, very scenic. The trees alone bump the course a whole star (yes, the trees. No, I'm not nutty, there are 500 year old sprawling live oaks that are magnificent!). Plus some really nice old southern homes that are architecturally stunning. The finish is in a little park 'downtown.'. You get a cute little handmade medal. Yes, it's the same medal for everyone, full, half, relay, and 5k, but when a young man with Down Syndrome puts it on you and and thanks you for running, its worth it's weight in gold! I found the realization that everyone got the same medal to be special and noteworthy. Here we are running different races but all to support a wonderful charitable organization. Big thumbs up ! Also, if you are a 50-stater, the Back 2 Back is tough, but fun. About a three hour easy drive from Jackson to Mobile.
B. L. from Houston TX (1/9/2012) "First Class Race Organization" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)s COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From arriving in Mobile to leaving after the marathon, everything about this event was great. Good packet pickup; small, but nice expo; delicious pasta dinner. Race start preceded by the National Anthem The entire course had people cheering us on, and Police protection throughout the course. Passing through old and new neighborhoods, parks, golf courses, and two college campuses. Finish line area was really impressive. The clients of L'Arche were handing out the finishers medals. The food and drinks were great. Nothing left out. Looking forward to my 2013 trip to Mobile!
B. S. from Little Rock, Arkansas (1/9/2012) "Good race but needs a timing chip!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The First Light Marathon could step it up just a bit to make this a GREAT race... it wouldn't take much. There are several great hotels within blocks of the start/finish line. The course was flat and scenic, like taking a 13.1 mile running tour of Mobile. The cause of the race is noble and humbling. Plus the race medal is a handmade, wooden medal given to you by L'Arche residents (the organization that the race benefits). First Light needs to in invest in a timing chip!!! We would pay extra for the timing chip... I promise. OVERALL: this is a great race and I ran it in conjunction with the MS Blues Half marathon the day before ... you receive a discount if you run both races.
T. L. from Dallas, Texas (1/9/2012) "Highly recommend ths race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 31st different marathon. Pros: 1.Ease of everything: packet pick up, walking distance to start/finish, free pasta dinner, etc. 2. Gorgeous course with varied terrain. Only one hill (mile 17) that leaves a mark. 3. Excellent organization! Police everywhere. Water stops spot on. Flawless start (we sang the national anthem in unison), and festive finish area. 4. Great cause. Medal is one of my favorites. Race swag: long sleeved T and drawstring bag nice. 5. The crowd at this race is very laid back: lots of 'doublers' and ultra runners, a lot of conversation on the course amongst runners, very friendly! 6. Only one band on course, a marching band at mile 13, which was fine by me. For the most part, the course is quiet and serene. Cons: 1. Plastic cups at some early water stops: my pet peeve. Hard to drink out of and a menace on the ground. Hate them! 2. Results: problems with them would be resolved if they didn't continue to rely on pull-tags and use chip timing. (Currently their un-offical results don't match up with their awards handed out at the race and I am wondering if I need to mail back my grandmasters award!)
R. M. from Florida (1/17/2011) "A first-tier event IF a few gaps are filled" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The First Light Marathon could be a top-tier event because: * Several great hotels are within blocks of the start/finish line * It has a course with a varying landscape/terrain that winds through historic sites and neighborhoods, and parks and college campus * Excellent police traffic control and chalk markings on the road keep you from getting run over or lost * You run for a great cause and the people who benefit are out there, cheering you on and greeting you at the finish line * Ample and well-staffed water stations/medical stations * A handmade, wooden medal given to you by L'Arche residents It's not a top-tier event because: * No chip timing provided * The marathon and half-marathon medals are exactly the same (folks, it's much harder to run a marathon, and the medals should reflect that) * No bag check was provided * No marked starting line/no organized starting event (e.g., no national anthem, pre-race pep talk, no starting gate). If the race organizers fill in the gaps, this event will swell with participants.
Brian Edmison from Carrollton, TX (1/15/2011) "Southern hospitality" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Right off the top I must point out that the phrase "Southern hospitality" isn't something someone constructed from a myth. Everyone involved with the race was incredibly pleasant and welcoming. I also highly recommend staying at the Candlewood Suites on Royal. If it's not the closest hotel to the finish line, the difference is negligible... and again, very hospitable folks there. The race is not chip-timed, but even when you include the half-marathoners, it's not a very large event and the starting line stretches all the way across 6 lanes of Government Street, so anyone who cares about his/her time is over the line within seconds. By the time I went back to my room, showered, got dressed and walked back over to race HQ, some results were already posted. I had read comments about the Gatorade-like product that was available along the route, so I stuck to water for every stop but one. Big mistake on that one. The taste, though familiar, is way too strong. It couldn't have been a bad mix because others had written about the same thing. Go with just the water and take an extra gel or two if you think you'll need them. This is not a race for the person who must have a shiny memento. The wooden medals are painted by the members of L'Arche Mobile, a local group that meets the needs of the developmentally disabled. They also design the plaques that go to the age-group winners. The awards are simple and may not appeal to everyone, but they are certainly unique and memorable. The goody bag is an actual drawstring sling sack, with a long-sleeve cotton event T. I chipped in a few extra bucks for a long-sleeve tech shirt with a 10th anniversary logo. That's all you get for stuff, but the draw is the free night-before pasta dinner and free post-race lunch. Granted, the food was very bland for my tastes, but I heard praise from others. The massive setup in the atrium of the government building encourages visiting with your fellow runners.
J. P. from Birmingham, AL (1/15/2011) "A "Must Do" Marathon" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The couple of things about this race I didn't care for won't be mentioned, because I feel they fall under the category of personal preference. OVERALL, this race is wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a great marathon experience. The best part for me was the medal. I am a rehabilitation counselor that has worked with people like those who benefit from L'Arche, and they have a special place in my heart. The fact that they made the medals for us makes it one of the most special in my "collection." Keep up the good work with the marathon and at L'Arche! Thank you!
K. T. from Meridian, MS (1/11/2011) "First Half Marathon" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first half marathon, and I am so glad that I chose the First Light! The host hotel was great, and only a block from the race start point! The course was flat and the aid stations were numerous, well stocked and manned by very nice and supportive people! The pre-race pasta meal was great and the t-shirts and backpack were very nice. I did not get to stay for the after-race activities and food due to icing on the roads in the direction that I needed to go to get home. Left as soon as the event was over in order to be able to get home. The medal "woody" was good. It is not big, nor shiny, but it has a lot of soul behind it! I will definitely be at the First Light next year! Great event! The race director, volunteers, host hotel and police department did an excellent job!
S. L. from Colleyville,TX (1/11/2011) "WOW! Impressed by the personal touches!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Handmade medals and plaques for doublers - I'm SO IMPRESSED. What a nice surprise. The free dinner was just one more extra perk. I didn't look at the course elevation and was so pleasantly surprised by the L-O-N-G downhill to the finish. I loved that the beneficiaries handed out the medals. I wish I would have been coherent enough to seek out the person who made my plaque. The food looked great, but I had to rush out to the airport. My only request would be an early start, especially since they were advertising the double.

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