I ran Memphis because I am employed at a children's hospital. Next time, I may run it because it was such a positive experience. Memphis must have a very strong and active running club, plus excellent volunteers from a variety of orginizations. Honestly can't think of one thing to complain about, good job!

I enjoyed the scenic course and the pre- and post-race events. The organization was great. Friendly volunteers, great traffic control by the Memphis Police Department, and well stocked aid stations. I enjoyed the entertainment during the marathon - especially the Elvis impersonator near the halfway point. I appreciated the GU at 9, 15 and 21. It was wonderful having the shower facilities available at the finish. There was also plenty of good food at the finish line.

Such potential. This really could be a 5-star race if only a few changes were made. Some are:
(1) Inform the media that a race is taking place (3 days - no news).
(2) Take a lesson from Nashville. Have some bands and encourage some community involvement (like high school cheerleaders).
(4) No American flag at start.
(5) No gun start ('Ready... GO').
(6) Better traffic control - I was almost hit by a car (no joke).
(7) Marathon medal - add some weight to it. Flimsy.
(8) How about a pre-race pasta dinner? No feeling of race community established.
(9) Have diffent color ribbins for 1/2 and full marathon (like most combined races).

Great things about the marathon!!!!
(1) GREAT CAUSE - ST. JUDE CHILDREN.
(2) Aid station volunteers.
(3) Great finish location at a baseball stadium.
(5) Great refreshments - good spirit - very generous.
(4) Hang out at Beale Street post-race.
(5) One of the best marathon t-shirts I have.

From the start to the finish, the race organization was super (in my limited experience). The speaker system at the start allowed announcements to be heard from blocks away. Miles were well marked and each mile post had a race clock. Water/aid stations were at each mile post. Water was in white cups at the front, Powerade in the red cups at the rear. Course was well monitored, traffic control was good, course volunteers and workers were friendly. Finish at the ballpark allowed for reunion with family and friends while still being able to cheer other runners in. Finish area was well laid out with great support from volunteers.

The organizers seemingly are willing to listen and make changes for the better. The course this year was well thought-out and flowed nicely. I really like the fact that there are water stops at virtually every mile. I've run at Chicago, Louisville, and Quad Cities marathons, and yours is the only one with stops at every mile. Your volunteers are very courteous and helpful too.

I really was pleased to see the expo moved this year to a more spacious venue. The finish at Autozone Park is awesome -- the fact that showers are available is icing on the cake. Your website is good too -- I appreciated all the time split data you had posted by the day after the race.

My one suggestion for you is to attempt to grow your race at a measured pace. I know it is for a wonderful cause and growth is desired, but please try to grow it at a rate you can manage. Chicago's race, for instance, is completely out of control; it's a virtual cattle drive the entire way. You have a wonderful event going -- please take great care in how you manage it!

This marathon completely exceeded my expectations. This is the first marathon I have run where everyone thanked me for running the race and supporting St. Jude's. You run through gorgeous neighborhoods that you would not see during your average trip to Memphis. The water stops at every mile (with potties!) are excellent and all the volunteers were high energy (and even gave us a donut!). The post-race food is more than enough - pizza, bananas, cookies, oranges, soup, beer. This is the first marathon I've done (and I did 13 before Memphis) where I felt my tired little legs helped St. Jude's take care of their adorable patients. It's a great pre-Christmas marathon - your heart will forever be changed.

I am grateful for the spectators throughout the course cheering us on, and being announced at the end was FANTASTIC!!!

The restaurants do not anticipate the large number of pasta-eaters that the St. Jude draws. Runners do not eat a lot of ribs, steaks or catfish, at least not the night before the race.

I have run in the half marathon twice.

The course couldn't have been improved on. It rocked. This was my first time ever in memphis. OK, I would have loved to see Graceland...

The organization was top-shelf. Everything you could want was there. Water every mile (like clockwork). It was great.

My biggest complaint is the medal... it was a total joke. I have never seen a medal for a marathon so small and thin. Seriously... I would recommend the race, but be forwarned, the finisher's medal was a total letdown and joke... for 26 miles you deserve better.

I heard maybe three, four bands at the most. And those I heard were all rock bands and one Elvis impersonator... where was the jazz and/or blues? Country?

I also realize you can't force spectators to come out and cheer but it was Q-U-I-E-T!! This made for a boring run.

Speeding cars (especially along E. and N. Parkways) were an issue. One police officer yelled, 'slow down' to a car and runners around me applauded.

My wife and I also found walking to and from our hotel on Main Street to Beale Street very unsettling... we were followed and approached several times by shady characters. Again, not the race staff's fault, but something to think about if you plan to hang around in the evenings. We saw police officers in various areas, but these 'suspect characters' seemed to know exactly where to go, too.

Lastly, the lack of variety among expo exhibitors and the overall number was disappointing. Granted, I'm used to Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach.

All of that being said, you'll never meet nicer volunteers -- southern hospitality at its best. And let's not forget about the cause. For that alone, I'd come back in a heartbeat.