The weather kicked my tail. Record high temps and 20 mph winds. But the people I ran with made it a great experience despite being over an hour off my goal. Even one of the veteran Marathon Maniacs said it was one to remember because it was going to be impossible to forget. I really appreciated the large towel dipped in ice water at the finish. I gave a 3 for the fans because the only fans I saw were cows standing in cool ponds, looking at us like we were crazy. Which was kinda cool.

The marathon field is under 100 runners. It starts on the campus of Union University and quickly heads off to suburbia for 5 miles followed by 15 miles of rural country roads, back through the development and a finish on campus. You will see more cows than spectators. And unless you are lucky to find someone doing your pace, you will also be running alone for the duration. It features easy rolling hills at worst - nothing on the course you'd call a hill. To say the road is open to traffic is true but misleading - there is no traffic. There is no chip timing and it is not really needed. It is informal but well managed. The course had reliably placed and well staffed aid stations with water and Gatorade every 2 miles. Porta-potties were on the course as well. Once off campus, the road was marked with arrows on the pavement so there was never a doubt about which way to turn; the university did not want their roads marked up, so directions were lacking there. Next year I think they will have arrows staked in the ground. I never missed a mile marker. A new race director just took over this year and was very interested in hearing reviews and suggestions from all the runners. Improvements could include: a technical shirt, and a medal instead of a paperweight (although I was able to trade my paperweight in for the medal given out years ago, which is excellent), and finally, it needs someone to boost up info on their website and get the results posted.

The race attracted local people and those who drove from neighboring States as well as the obligatory handful of 50 Staters and Maniacs. Trophies were given out three-deep in age categories. The host hotel, the Jameson Inn, held the "expo," which was really just the packet pickup-in the lobby and directions for the pasta feed. The Jameson had a runner-friendly breakfast on race day. The Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse benefited from the race, and I always like running where my fee is put to good use. The course was patrolled by police and bicyclists, so I never felt like I was out there on my own, at least in that sense. A trophy, a medal/paperweight, a shirt, post-race food and beverages, easy parking, a gym to hang out in... this race has a lot going for it. The only thing it could use is more runners.

The course has not changed over the past few years, so I knew what to expect. It has some low, rolling hills but is mostly level. Water and Gatorade were about every two miles, with numerous porta-johns. There were also a number of roaming dogs after you leave the city limits, but they were all friendly. The university gym/restrooms were available before and after the race. Showers were also available post-race.

The registration fee has increased over the years, but no increase in services and perks. There is no timing chip, but their timer was identical to the second to my watch at the finish. I have had better food at post-race. The finisher's medal was awful. It was a plastic sticker on a plastic medallion, glued to a hard, plastic paperweight. I know this race was for charity, but don't get too cheap here.

As mentioned in an earlier post, it took a while to post the results. Twelve days to be exact.

Improve the website, finisher's medal and post-race food and you will have a quality race, again.

The website was greatly lacking in information. I had to email the RD to find out where to go and when for the packet pick up, and to ask if there was an expo. Also, no finisher's medal but a paperweight instead.

Course was mostly flat and well marked with volunteers at most turns. I would guess more than 15 miles were on country roads, but all were well marked. However, during the last quarter-mile, there were no signs to the finish line. I had to ask people in the parking lot for directions to the finish line. I was one of the last finishers in the full and had no one to follow. This is one of the few races that still gives out cotton finisher shirts.

It's now 10 days after race and race results are still not posted.

This is a great race if you like running in a nice country setting! I like running alone in the country and this small race is just that. The organization is great, and the course and volunteers were amazing! I will run this race again for sure and would recommend it to anyone!

This was the least "stressful" marathon or endurance run I've ever participated in. I can't say enough positive things. It has a small-town feel to it that was pleasantly appealing. As I was told, the hills aren't too bad, and there are more cows than spectators. The only downside is that, at the faster pace, it got pretty lonely out there. :) Maybe it's ideal for 4-hour runners. I will definitely do AJ again.

I did the half-marathon (this was my third half). It was a small race but very well organized. The crowd support is minimal but great nonetheless! I live in an area that is pretty hilly so the course was flat compared to what I normally run. There are a few rolling hills, but the course takes you on some scenic country roads, which makes for a nice run. I drove 4.5 hours to get here and I'll definitely come back to run the full next year!

Great race. The course is awesome. It does have hills, but they are rolling and my legs never felt better after a marathon. I've done 11 or 12 marathons and was able to get a PR. The hills combined with the scenery and the turns make this race go by quickly. The awards are great. The accommodations at the start and finish are perfect. You can't ask for better - 5 minutes before the start I was able to go to the bathroom without waiting in line. I parked literally 30 yards from the finish line. The course was well marked with plenty of water stops.

If I would have to make a suggestion it would be to have bigger cups at the water stops. I just grabbed 2 each time, but I was by myself at most of the water stops. Other runners may not have been able to do that.

I drove 8 hours to get to this race and it was worth it. I stayed at the host hotel and they provided a late check and all of the info I needed. Excellent job on their part.

I gave the spectators a low rating only because there weren't that many, but the ones that were out there were great.

Thank you to the directors and volunteers. Great experience.

Only 89 runners, but by the end of the run I felt like I had met half of them. Roads were not closed to traffic, but this was not an issue except for three or so short stretches on busy streets near the end. The middle 14 or 15 miles were on very straight country roads with almost no cars and really great sight-distances (more horses than cars). These stretches were very pleasant, even though I do almost all of my training on dedicated green-ways and get paranoid around cars. Large portions of the beginning and end were in neighborhoods. The volunteers at the (well-stocked) aid stations were cheerful, friendly, and helpful. The stations were reliably placed every 2 miles. Even though the runners predictably got really spread out, when we did encounter each other we tended to run along together and converse for awhile, comparing home towns and race experiences. It made the hours go by quickly.

The weather was perfect for a marathon - cloudy and in the low 50's. There were almost no fans, but at around mile 24 a family and neighbors had decorated a yard with balloons and signs, played music, and met us at the curb to offer water and cheer us on. Also, with the roads being open to traffic, there were a few runner family members slowly circling the course in cars from time to time to check on the progress. The organization was really good, and the brownies at the end were worth the run. The age group awards were three deep, and since it was a small race there were only three women who did not get an age group award. (Nice trophy.) I'll probably do this one again. It was definitely worth the trip.

I always have heard that AJM is a great little marathon, and it really lived up to its reputation in 2008. It is difficult to figure how they can put on such a fine race with fewer than a hundred competing. I have never run a marathon with better support; they must have had more volunteers than runners. The course is rolling and pleasant, though with just a bit too much hugging the side of busy roads. No spectators to speak of, but the few made up for it with their enthusiasm. After-race activities, refreshments, and awards were all nicely done as well. Jackson's AJM was twice as much fun as Nashville's CMM for half the cost.