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Apr 28, 2024

Knoxville Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Knoxville Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.1

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 138 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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James Lehman from Coppell, TX (4/2/2014) "I recommend Knoxville" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The 26.2-mile course is great for the first 13 miles, whereas the second half is on the dull side (warehouse districts). But still, for me, it's better than repeating loops. Good expo with much to offer considering the event's rather small size. Post race amenities for marathoners was good (separated from half marathon participants). Arrived less than one hour prior to 07:30 start and was able to park in the UT Garage near 11th and Clinch Streets. I don't recall an elevation table on the race's website, but considering the race location in Tennessee I was anticipating more hills and I'm glad there weren't so many. Largest single incline was between miles 6 and 7. Reasonably good bling before and after run. Tech shirt and real (not just a bogus electronic rip-off) goody bag provided prior to race, then a finisher baseball-style cap and standard medal provided upon completion for marathoners. Not sure if half-finishers received the same cap. I was pleased with Knoxville's event and city offerings and recommend the race even for individuals traveling from out of state. It's not a crowded event, but it's also not too small either. Pretty good weekend.
D. L. from Ohio (4/2/2014) "Great Marathon: Will Run Again" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I would absolutely recommend this marathon to other runners, and would run it again. Pros: 1. Finish on the 50 of Neyland Stadium. Entered stadium to 'Rocky Top' = Even if not from Tennessee, its a great experience. 2. Post-Race Food: Loved that there was a separate room for the marathoners. This kept feed from being seriously depleted by other event runners that came in before marathoners. There was also far more food than I could possibly have eaten: pizza, bagels, apples, bananas, granola bars, muffins, Rita's flavored ice (my favorite), powerade, milk, and alot of bagged snacks. 3. Expo: The expo had enough booths that is was manageable, but not too large, nor too crowded. 4. Course: The course does have 1 steep hill at mile 7, but the rest of course I would describe as rolling hills. I am from flat country farm land, and had no problems at all with the course elevations. Course Support: WOW! Several places passed out gu's, and bananas. I think I took 4 gu's on course and had bananas twice. Plenty of fluid stations and porta-potties. 4. Logistics: I stayed at downtown hotel at the start. Walked to start, and walked back to hotel after race. Very convenient. Cons: 1. I believe the race needs to add runner tracking so family members can get updates at check points. 2. Mile 25 weaved through town, and I was slightly confused how to navigate. Need to place more visible volunteers to direct runners. There were arrows painted in pavement, but these are only visible about 25 ft away. I would absolutely endorse Knoxville marathon and I will strongly consider running it again. After the marathon race, I had enough time to get to Pigeon Forge and have a pancake brunch, then I drove down to the Smoky Mountains and spent a couple hours auto-touring. Made for a great day!
S. L. from Kennesaw, Georgia (3/31/2014) "Superior Aid StationsWell Organized" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Knoxville Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A well-organized race with great spirit. Pros: 1. Great themed aid stationssome of the best I've ever seen 2. First half is scenic 3. Good variety of vendors at expo 4. Finish in the stadium 5. Plenty of high quality - even for us slower marathoners 6. Nice spinner medal Cons: 1. Hilton Knoxville would not allow ANY late checkouts. This hotel MUST be removed from the recommended list. I've run 100 marathons and been turned down ONCE. 2. Second half not very scenic 3. Hard to find expo-lack of signage 4. A marathon finisher shirt that only Richard Simmons could love Overall, a great experience. Race Director, please re-evaluate your hotels.
J. M. from Robbinsville, NC (4/24/2013) "Superbly Well Done" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just could not believe it! A live band every few miles, tons of water/refreshment stops, tons of encouragement, great people, superb experience.
C. K. from Illinois (4/10/2013) "Wonderfully varied course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pros: Very good course support for a race this size. People came out of their houses to cheer us on and there was lots of amusing signs along the way. - Lot of LIVE bands with REAL music. No canned electronic noise they blast into your ears at a lot of races. -Course was varied, something for everyone: hills, flats, residential, city, business, parks, highways, you name it. Last mile through town with people cheering along Market Square was great. Really cool approach to the stadium in the last several tenths. -Great food and a place to sit down and visit with fellow runners afterwards. -Volunteers superb. -Hotels very close to start and finish. -Timers for 10K, Half etc. splits Cons: The mile markers could have been better marked. I didn't see a mile marker until Mile 4. Some were high on a banner and in the latter miles they were low to the ground or marked on the pavement. You really had to be looking for them. Definitely recommend this.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (4/9/2013) "First Class" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A great race! Loved the course, which was interesting and very challenging. There were a few very significant hills through the first half, second half flatter. Plenty of fluid and food on course and a wonderful post race spread. Nice on course entertainment and lots of community support, including more yard signs that I've ever seen. Lots of pace groups as well. My new favorite shirt, nice medal and cool finisher's cap. Most of the perks of the big races with the conveniences of a small race, including easy, free parking. My first race in TN., but I can't imagine that there is a better one.
C. H. from Lafayette, NY (4/8/2013) "Be ready for hills!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I train 4 days a week on hills and nothing quite prepared me for this course. This marathon is one of the prettiest I've run, so well organized, only 700 marathon runners, music trickled along the way, water stations every mile, fruit and goo's for those who need them. There were not a lot of spectators, but I prefer that. I am so impressed with the race director! He really cares about the runners having a good time, be really well taken care of in every part of the race and safety was awesome w/ police officers at every major intersection. Also for the first time (I've run 27 marathons), I got to experience a room set aside for just marathon runners afterward for hydration and food. That was a really great touch because typically when there are other races going on at the same time, as there was w/ this marathon (5K, 1/2 marathon and relay's) most of the food is picked over & sometime gone...not to happen at the end of this one. You are given a huge banquet room off the side of the football stadium with plenty of room and seats. I also apprectiated the vegetarian choices. The course is brutal though. This race was really tough for me. Everytime I caught my breath at the top of an incline, it was short lived because here came another hill. The downhills were not much better, it was painful to break. Typically I can run a marathon in 3:40, this one took me 4:02. Overall a great race, but prepare yourself for 'rolling hills' as they call them...should be called unrelenting or unforgiving hills! :)
d. l. from Montreal Canada (4/8/2013) "First Class Marathon" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We do not usually write up comments but this marathon deserves lots of praise. It is very well organized and very runner friendly. We have run almost 600 marathons between us so have experienced the good, bad and the ugly. This Marathon ranks a TEN. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, great aid stations, nice expo, great finish line and post race party was great with lots of everything for back of the pack runners. Yes it is hilly but very runnable. The city of Knoxville is behind this race and makes runners feel very welcome. The mayor even comes out to the start to welcome us. Wonderful experience. The Race Director should feel very proud.
Mike Weaver from Bremen, GA (4/7/2013) "Well organized race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The good: Yes, there are a few hills over the first half, but what do you expect for a city in the Smoky Mountains? Do your hill training; Atlanta's hills are MUCH worse. This race was well organized; lots of water, powerade, and GU. The spectators are great through the nice hilly Knoxville neighborhoods of the first half; the second half is flatter, but much fewer spectators (a few supporters from mile 21-23, and great cheering crowds running by the downtown eateries at mile 25). The finish inside Neyland stadium is fantastic and for me was the high point of the race. The bad: The only redeeming characteristic of the host hotel (Holiday Inn) was at least you walked out the door to the start line. They did not allow late check-out (even for Priority Club members) and finally started checking in runners at 2:30 PM on Saturday. There are plenty of other nearby hotels that I will check with first when I run again next year!
J. P. from Sioux Falls, SD (6/18/2012) "Hills galore" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The first half of this marathon is extremely difficult, but the course is what one would expect for the Knoxville area. Downtown accomodations were excellent and easy to navigate to the start/finish lines. Finishing at the stadium where Payton Manning played his college ball was very cool. Would definitely recommend this for any 50 stater looking for a nice TN marathon.

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