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Apr 29, 2024

Knoxville Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 138 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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R. G. from Birmingham, AL (4/4/2009) "GREAT MARATHON!!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This course was brutal, even harder than the old-school Birmingham marathon course. But the organization was fantastic, the post-race party was an all-you-can-eat buffet, and the city was totally great. Weather was tough this year, but the course was incredibly scenic, although all hills, and I set my PR by 25 minutes - a function of training, though, rather than the course. Definitely give high, high recommendations for this race. I would certainly do it again!!
Cory Adams from Southaven, MS (4/1/2009) "Beautiful; already planning for next year." (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The first half of this marathon is beautiful, and even prettier than the brochures. This is a must-do for all sports fans. The spectators are wonderful and the police force could not have been better. You're going to run through a factory district and some college kid neighborhoods, but it's still worth doing. There were some hills on the course, but the biggest hill is the one outside the stadium parking lot. This is a kick-ass course. If you can get here for it, DO IT!!!!!
A. G. from Knoxville, Tennessee (4/1/2009) "Knoxville Rocks" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first year running the full Knoxville Marathon. I ran the 1/2 two years ago and had a relay team last year. I also live and train in Knoxville, so I had a pretty good idea of what the course would be like. This year's starting line had 4 corrals. This kept the slower runners and walkers toward the back and made for an easier start. Overall, the course was challenging and well marked. It seemed like there were more police officers directing traffic than in years past. Aid stations were properly staffed and volunteers were very helpful. The weather in Knoxville can be hit or miss during March. This year, it was very windy. For the second half of the marathon course, I was running into the wind it seemed like most of the time. But the race director can't control the weather. Also, this added to my bragging rights that I finished a challenging course where weather conditions were pretty miserable. I was very thankful that it didn't rain! The neighborhoods has a lot of spectators in spite of the weather conditions. Around mile 16 there were some folks handing out GU while they grilled hot dogs on the street corner. There were also a lot of encouraging signs planted throughout the course. There was usually something to read or look at to keep your mind active. The medal is very nice. All marathon finishers received a very nice technical finisher cap at the finish line. This cap might as well have been a tiara... I felt like a a queen when I finished. I definitely want to run this marathon again.
N. S. from Milwaukee WI (3/31/2009) "Ok marathon, but I have run better" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This course has a lot of hills. I have run on hilly courses, but none as hilly as Knoxville. The weather was not favorable for a marathon: 40 degrees, with strong winds. If you are up for a challenge then this one is for you. The only negatives to this course is that the mile markers were not accurate. From miles 1 to 4 there weren't any markers at all. Spectators were sparse due to it being a smaller race (which is expected), but the weather was a big factor. The course could have been marked better at turns. For most of the race, I was running by myself, and at turns, course officials did not tell me where to go. I had to ask. This was my 4th marathon, and my least favorite. Not much fun, and I will not be going back.
M. A. from Loveland, Ohio (3/31/2009) "One of the hilliest courses in the country" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Knoxville Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Knoxville Marathon in 2009 not only was on a cold day with very harsh winds, but had an endless array of hills over the entire course until the bitter end. This really needs to be stated in the course description. I had run it in 2005 and had forgotten how tough it was. The hills are just never ending. The finish sums up the entire race as you blast downhill and then are met with another hill to get to the finish. I have run 38 marathons in 15 states, and this is as difficult a course {YES, TOUGHER THAN Boston and Cincinnati} as I have run. The crowds were great in limited areas. The water stops were fine, and the volunteers were excellent. The other issues were not only improperly placed mile markers, but also that I did not even get a split until mile 4. The 6-mile and 10K were almost right next to each other. I had one split in 13 or 14 minutes... which is not possible. The design of the course is ridiculous, as you start running uphill the first mile. This is horrible, particularly for a first-timer. If you want to improve the course, be creative and change it so it is runner-friendly and gives the runner a mental and physical break from the hills. I wish you good luck, but I will never come back and run the race. Also, I am an okay runner, having run 19 sub-four-hour marathons (including this one) and qualified for Boston six times in the last two years.
Mike Chaudron from Johnson City, TN (3/30/2009) "Tough Challenge" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the Knoxville Half on Sunday, March 29th, 2009. It's a very challenging course. Please take it seriously when you read that it's hilly.... It is very hilly. I live in the mountains of NE Tennessee and it was still hilly for me. I was able to PR, but that was due to my training, not the course. It was cool and very windy, which made it very challenging. The race is very well organized, especially on the course. Water stations were well marked and staffed by good volunteers clearly yelling out which cup was PowerAde and which was water. Police at every intersection really took good care of us and the bands on the course were a nice touch. Lots of crowd support, especially in the swanky neighborhood from mile 4-7. The trails through the greenspace are awesome and a nice part of the course. The run along the river in the early part of the race is really nice except for the sewage treatment plant - not the smell you want at mile 2. Be advised that the hills between mile 7 and 8 and during mile 11 are brutal. The downhill and then circle uphill to the finish in Neyland Stadium are difficult. Finishing on the 50-yard line is really cool, and the after-race party in Thompson Bowling Arena is a nice touch. The expo is a little weak, but not bad. Decent swag in the goody bag and good prices on logo merchandise at the expo. The medal is really nice. Post-race food was a little weak, but still very well organized. The band at the post-race party was very good, and the stretching areas were a nice touch. Overall, this is a very well done race in a nice city. If you're looking for a challenging course in a well organized, mid-sized race, this is a good one.
M. F. from Indiana (3/30/2009) "Good challenge, and variety in scenery" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course has a great variety of scenery and challenge. The weather yesterday was challenging, with the strong winds. The mile markers were hard to see, and many times did not seem to be accurate.
T. L. from Vinton, VA (6/13/2008) "Knoxville Homer" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I grew up in Knoxville and always dreamed of running onto the field at Neyland as a kid (and still do as an adult). This was my first marathon and I couldn't have picked a better race. Being able to fulfill my goals as a runner and as a Tennessee fan couldn't have left me more fulfilled. Yes, the course is up and down, and in stretches it's as lonely as those 5 a.m. long runs, but the neighborhood energy you get going through Sequoyah Hills on the front, and Island Home on the back, can't be beat. A great race, and I'm looking forward to coming back next year.
C. H. from Lino Lakes, MN (4/11/2008) "Awesome Race, Fun and Friendly" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The organization was great. The course is hilly and you probably won't PR, but it is a very beautiful course. The variety in the scenery and in the terrain make this course fun and challenging. It is definitely worth traveling to Knoxville for this race.
R. R. from Northwest Pennsylvania (4/10/2008) "I LOVED KNOX-HILL - AKA KNOXVILLE!!!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As I am one of those goofy 50-staters who needed Tennessee and an early spring marathon, Knoxville fit the bill nicely. Even though there was NOT ONE level mile the whole marathon, the friendly volunteers, plentiful and varied fluids, and diversified neighborhoods more than made up for the terrain... and you even served fruit punch PowerAde!!! Also, the fact that this relatively small marathon had pacers was really HUGE - and helped me get a 2-minute PR on a challenging course. KUDOS to Jason the RD for a very well-organized race!

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