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May 13, 2024

Knoxville Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.1

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 138 [displaying comments 81 to 91]

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B. s. from Nashville, TN (3/30/2008) "Very Nice Race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon and overall, it is a great race. As has been said many times before, it is quite hilly in sections, some very steep, so be prepared. Otherwise, this is one race to add to your list. The organization is second to none, the expo is the perfect size (not too large, not too small), and the goody bag contains some nice treats that I didn't expect. The location of the start and finish is ideal and convenient to all the downtown hotels. The food at the post-race party was a bit sparse, but I didn't come to Knoxville for the food. Hats off to Jason for being one great race director and putting together one of the best race events out there!
M. B. from Ohio (9/24/2007) "I liked this marathon" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I liked this marathon a lot. But make no mistake about it, it's hilly. Also, it's a small marathon; most people run the half, so at mile 12 you're pretty much on your own. Pros: -Expo was the perfect size, and packet pickup was easy. -Parking was easy at the start and finish. -Ample water stops. -Terrific post-race party, and they take care of the full marathoners here. -I liked the short-sleeve, green, cotton shirt. I don't need another technical shirt, and I don't need another long-sleeve shirt. I wear the green shirt around with pride. Cons: -It's hilly; most are short hills, but it is hilly. -The weather can be unpredictable. In 2007, it was warm with on-and-off light rain. The rain actually felt good. -If you're borderline about qualifying for Boston, then this race isn't for you - it's hard to PR here. It's a great, fun race.
B. S. from Birmingham, AL (6/25/2007) "Glad I did it... but will not attempt again." (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Knoxville is a nice city... very clean, which is surprising for a college town. Course was fine. I really liked running some of the neighborhoods, but why not run more through the city? I loved running over the bridge - very pretty. It's really beautiful downtown; they should show it off more and loop through the historic district. Some of the course was run through a construction zone, which was not a lot of fun. Should have more porta-potties along the course, and more food along the way too. Luckily I took food and some guy offered me a lot of money for my banana... but I didn't take the $50. Yes, my banana was worth more to me at that point. The hills were fine. I'm used to it being hilly from the Magic City. What I didn't appreciate was folks yelling "last hill" when it wasn't. Nice finish... running into the stadium was neat. It rained at the start, and was very humid by the end of the race.
M. P. from Boone, NC (6/13/2007) "Nice mid-size run. Great neighborhoods!" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The neighborhoods were beautiful. The residents/fans were spectatular. The hills were plentiful! This is a very well organized event and I would recommend it for anyone who does not need a "big city" feel with all the glitz and glam to push them through. This is still a young event for Knoxville, and I imagine that over time it may have a chance to compete in the league with Nashville's Country Music Marathon. It definitely has the potential. The only downside was having to run about a half-mile on the highway at mile 20 (I fell victim to muscle spasms). I understand that we had to get back over the river, but surely there is a better route! Anyone who is looking for small-town charm, enjoys the challenge of hills, and is not actively seeking a PR... this is for you. And remember, you're in the South. So be sure to expect and welcome the Southern hospitality!
E. M. from North Carolina (4/21/2007) "Really nice marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very nice mid-sized marathon on a pretty, varied and interesting course (don't believe what you read about the hills - they're just not that bad!). Very good organization and facilities - especially at the start line, with access to the convention center (real bathrooms!). Good aid stations, orange slices the last couple of miles and very nice volunteers. Not too many spectators because of the rainy weather, but those who were there were very enthusiastic. Thanks to everyone who put on such a great race!
Brian Bartholomew from Charlottesville, va (4/18/2007) "A great way to see Knoxville" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a great run despite the wet weather. The spectators were great, although a little sparse. Thanks to the runners of the half because without their numbers (and dollars) there probably would not be a marathon. It was my first-ever trip to Knoxville and it made for a positive experience. Great pre-race meal on the downtown mall, which looks like it is undergoing a revival. Free parking for all the events and a great parking garage halfway between the start and finish. Finishing on the football field was a special treat. I ended up running with one of the pacers and his timing was phenomenal. He was within 3 seconds of the predicted time. Very user-friendly marathon, which to me is a far more attractive option than the mass participation Rock and Roll type if looking for a marathon in Tennessee. There was also a lot of live music along the course. Thanks. The course itself gave us a nice feel for Knoxville. We saw the river, an elite neighborhood, a great trail, a student neighborhood, an industrial area, more river, downtown, the university and the stadium. Hills? A few, and as one fellow runner pointed out, nothing big - just a whole lot of little ones put on top of each other.
M. P. from Ohio (4/9/2007) "Nice town; nice race" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I agree with all the preceding comments and would recommend this race to anyone prepared for a few hills and unpredictable weather. After 26.2 I don't walk any extra distance so I didn't even try to locate the post-race party. There were PowerAde, water, bagels, pretzels, etc. at the finish anyway which was what I needed when I needed it. Excellent finisher's hat. Medal was fine. Mighty friendly folk down there. Thanks Knoxville.
D. h. from Maryland (4/8/2007) "Great Place To Run" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I bike more than 60 miles and run more than 25 miles per week. Still I had difficulties to complete the half-marathon in Knoxville. Well, the course was quite hilly and since I am from Maryland, I was training over flat distances.... Anyway the organization was perfect and Knoxville is a great place to visit. Really I loved this race. Food was OK but not perfect. Why don't they have the post-race party inside the stadium? In addition they have to put more signs to show where the party was located. I was very confused trying to find the party area.... Medals look nice, but very similar to the 2006 Ocean City Marathon medals. (Did the same company make them?)
J.R. and Peggy Ankney from Charlottesville, VA (4/7/2007) "Good Course; Great Organization" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My wife and I traveled to Knoxville from VA to run the marathon and were generally delighted with the overall organization and attention to details in the race. From the packet pickup (which was a breeze) to the small but well managed expo, everything was top-notch. They even had a guy giving out prizes! Very cool. Although the entire city has yet to fully embrace this marathon as their own, there was really good support from many neighborhoods along the course. Volunteer course marshals were outstanding in every way, and the policemen along the course made runners feel completely safe (even at the more difficult street crossings). A word about the course - mostly thumbs up, but why does it seem that every marathon we've run routes us through the grottiest section of the city (after mile 17) when what we really need is beautiful eye candy and spectators. That said, there was some wonderful sections to run on the course - especially the old neighborhood along the river, and the section through the park with the running trail. Great aid stations were plentiful throughout the course with water and a variety of sport drinks, and the volunteers were passing out GU like candy. The finish was incredible with your image on the Jumbotron, and there was exceptional care given to the runners as they crossed the finish line with volunteers standing by to give you your medal, hat, and offer medical assistance as needed. The small amount of recovery food at the finish line was adequate, but it would have been nice to have more substantial food in the immediate vicinity. Why not have the post-race party in the stadium? Overall, a top-notch event. It's hard to believe that it's only the third year. As more businesses in the city get involved, this will certainly turn into a must-do marathon. Congratulations.
D. H. from Pittsburgh, PA (4/7/2007) "A well-run race; needs a few thousand more runners" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Knoxville Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I've run many different marathons, and I was generally very impressed with this one. The expo was good for a race of this size, with a couple of other events in the convention center to visit also. Nice, low-stress start: nearby free parking, and you get to hang out in the convention center before the race, with sufficient bathrooms and the start literally right outside the door. Plentiful and well-staffed aid stations. Visible and accurate mile markings (no, this is not a given, as even bigger races like Detroit can't seem to get this right). The course is tough, expecially the first 7 1/2 miles, but it's not brutal and the decline at the end may actually bring a smile to your face. My only complaints involve the post-race experience. Instead of making us walk 1/2 mile or more to the after-party, how about a couple of shuttle buses? And the glitch that delayed the awards ceremony 45 minutes or more was annoying, especially when we got no word for the first 30 minutes as to the nature of the delay and when it might be resolved. Overall, though, the organizers do a nice job, and I hope the numbers grow. I would run this race again.

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