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May 2, 2024

Andrew Jackson Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Andrew Jackson Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.0

Spectators 2.5

Number of comments: 47 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

J. S. from Jackson, TN (4/2/2012) "Loved My Hometown Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon in Jackson a number of times, but it never fit into my schedule to do the full until this year. And even though the weather was really warm for me, and I bonked pretty bad, I loved running in my hometown. It's only hilly depending on how you define hills. I like the up and down to give my legs a little break from the mainly flat course. It is mostly rural, and this is where I train, so the lack of spectators is not an issue. The race organization has been much better over the prior two or three years and I expect will only get better. Try this one next year as a warm up to another race.
Darren Webb from Hebron, Ky (4/1/2012) "Challenging, hills and heat." (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 10th marathon, 6th state in my quest for 50/50. I train on the hills of Northern KY and felt fairly prepared for this race. The mixed reviews on the hills were the big question mark for me. Some have said they are just rolling easy hills, others have said they are brutal. I was mentally prepared for both. As it were, with the HEAT (it hit high 70s/low 80s by mid race), the hills on this course became brutal. On a cool day, this course would be challenging, but with the heat, it's a rock polisher. As for everything else with the event, it's one of the loneliest races I've ever run. There is no one on the course other than the fraternities and sororities at the aid stations (which were good). Medal is terrible (there are some 5ks with better). The course is open and easy to get around for spectators (which was bizarre because other than my wife I saw NO OTHER supporters on the course!). Post race food is very average. Tech shirt is nice, yet unspectacular. I would not recommend, nor run this race again. They need to move this race to an earlier date, the heat the last two years are going to keep people away.
J. H. from Huntsville, AL (4/22/2011) "Great, small marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race director evidently read the reviews from previous years. All items that were not up to par from previous years were corrected this year. The finisher's shirt was a first-rate, technical T. The finisher's medal was very nice and the results were promptly posted. I enjoyed the race, with its rolling terrain and nice views. There were not a lot of spectators but this did not bother me. Like previous comments note, the cows were the main spectators. The water stations were spaced about every two miles with excellent volunteers at the helm. Things cannot be done about the weather, but this was a HOT one. To compensate for the temps, volunteers handed out cold, wet towels at the finish. THANKS!! The finisher's area was well stocked, with post-run food and drink. I did have a good time talking to other runners/Maniacs during the run. People were very friendly and this was a well organized event. Only recommendation I can add is to have a gel packet or two added to a few water points later in the course. I would recommend this to all, from the first-timer to the Marathon Maniac looking for a nice, smaller event in a great location.
D. S. from Georgetown, Ky (4/14/2011) "Great experience!" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for this race due to the reviews from past years. This was my first marathon. The course had a few slight hills and nice scenery, and was marked very well. There were volunteers stationed at intersections to direct runners and traffic. The parking was close to the start/finish area. The aid stations were every two miles, and stocked with orange slices, water and Gatorade. The volunteers were very encouraging despite standing in the hot sun (the temperature was unseasonably high). All of the above plus a nice medal, technical shirt and the results posted promptly. A great stress-free experience for a first marathon.
S. K. from Arkanas, USA (4/12/2011) "A very good event" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was brutally hot. Still, this was a very fine event. The support staff and volunteers were some of the best I've encountered in many years of running. The shirt and medallion were first-rate. I look forward to this event next year.
L. M. from Tupelo, MS (4/10/2011) "My overall experience was positive!" (about: 2011) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, and with the high temps, I am thankful to have finished! The organizers did a fantastic job of listening to past runners' suggestions in ways to improve. I was happy to see a tech shirt and especially happy to receive a medal at the finish. The course support was fantastic! The volunteers at the water stations were very encouraging. The water stations had plenty of water, sports drinks and even orange slices! At the finish, we were given an iced towel, which was awesome considering the temp was a near 85 degrees! The only negative of the race was the weather, and that is out of anyone's control; you just have to adjust expectations and goals a little! One suggestion I have is a possible earlier start time. :)
B. B. from Arkansas (4/10/2011) "Great experience!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.
m. 2. from Boston Area (5/3/2010) "Support these small marathons" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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.
W. W. from Memphis, TN (5/1/2010) "Good, Small Race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Andrew Jackson Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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.
c. g. from U.S. (4/27/2010) "typical small marathon" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 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.

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