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May 2, 2024

Andrew Jackson Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.0

Spectators 2.5

Number of comments: 47 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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

G. B. from Lexington, Ky. (4/26/2010) "Great race!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
K. P. from Tennessee (6/8/2009) "Wonderful marathon and experience." (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 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.
C. T. from Tennessee (5/2/2009) "Great Hometown Race" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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!
Jeff Mescal from Indiana, USA (4/25/2009) "Great race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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.
S. F. from Birmingham. AL (4/19/2008) "Friendly, down-home kind of run" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
J. M. from Murfreesboro, TN (4/8/2008) "Great Little Marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
C. C. from Booneville, MS (4/7/2008) "A great little country run" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Andrew Jackson Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a community run through beautiful southern country. No extras, but none are needed here. The folks are friendly and provide all you need at aid stations. I've done it for many years and always intend to be back.
M. F. from Vine Grove, Ky (4/7/2008) "A pleasant, low-key event" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I decided to run this race at the last minute and the late registration afforded me that option. The race fee was reasonable, compared to the over-priced bigger marathons. There are lots of hotel choices and I stayed in the Best Western, which is only a little over a mile from the start/finish. Some of the benefits of this marathon include: 1. Post-race sandwiches, brownies, fruit, drinks at the end. 2. Indoor facilities to keep warm in and lounge around before/after race. 3. Showers available. 4. Beautiful course in the rural countryside of Tennessee. 5. Few runners, which allowed for no congestion at the start. 6. No chip timing, but not necessary. 7. Finisher's medal to all, and trophies that go three deep in age groups. 8. Start/finish in the same area on the Union University campus. Things that were not necessarily problems, but you may want to note: 1. It's an open course to traffic. Be careful. 2. No clocks/timers at mile markers. If you want splits, wear a watch. 3. Headphones are discouraged, but people wore them anyway. 4. No pre-race meal. Overall, a really nice race. I would run it again. Course has some gentle hills, but not anything too difficult, daunting, or intimidating.
Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado (4/7/2008) "A Small Race in a Small Town" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Andrew Jackson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I'd like to be realistic about this. This was a laid back race - not my first - but this race needs more organization. The Jameson Hotel (host), did not have information available for the runners when we started showing up late Friday morning, and they had difficulty getting a race official on the phone. No information about "packet pickup" was available through the hotel or online. The course map had the US 45 Bypass on the wrong side of the starting line so it was not clear where the starting line was. These are easy things to fix. Check-in started at 5:00 p.m. at the Jameson, and numbers were assigned as you got to the table, which was fine. No timing chips were used - no big deal. Ten minutes before the start of the race, there was nobody at the starting line. A few of minutes later, a car pulled up, and a guy got out with a bull horn, and directed the start of the race. Wow! The race course was runner-friendly, a back roads-type event run north of town, with only one major intersection to deal with coming back - and no law enforcement help on that corner either. Anyway, there were uphill sections the first mile, a couple inclines during mile 14, and a less significant incline last half mile. There simply were no spectators, but that was not surprising. There were water/Gatorade stations every 2 miles, and later stations had orange slices for carbs. The water station volunteers were cheerleaders too - the only fan support we got. I understand that there were only about 90 marathon runners, and folks got pretty spread out. I ran the whole second half alone, except when being passed by other runners. The 26-mile marker was right by the starting point, but after you passed the 26-mile marker, you kind of had to chart your own course through a couple of unmarked turns to get in line with the finish gate. There were flags, and right at the end you could see the clock, which helped. This was a good race, and I recommend it, but if you are used of a highly organized race, come prepared and with an open mind, and you should do fine. A couple of added notes: I missed one of the turns heading back, and some friendly neighbors and a runner's husband, stationed at that corner, were right on top of it, keeping me on the straight and narrow, for which I am much obliged. Also, being from Colorado and alone, it was really cool that my brother and his wife came over from Nashville to meet me and cheer me across the finish line. At the finish line they gave me a card with a number on it to take inside. It was 86 (I believe), probably my finishing position. I put my name on it, turned it in, and hoped somebody correlated that number to my finishing time.
s. k. from MEMPHIS,TN,USA (4/6/2008) "Small race but efficiently organized" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran this race for the first time and liked the way it was organized. It was funny when the organizer mentioned to 200+ half marathon participants that you are the biggest crowd so far. :-) The organizers ensured there are no complaints and the course is beautiful landscape. Must run once. Probably they should think of having this race during fall time as this race conflicts with the Nashville Marathon, and most of them may not opt for this race. Run once and you will know the difference.

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