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☰
Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 153 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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C. S. from Raleigh, NC
(1/18/2009)
 "Great course and welcoming people" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall, this is a great marathon. I found this to be an ideal loop course: It was pretty; the first ten miles were flat, the last uphill occurs just after 20 miles, and then it is downhill transitioning to a flat finish. Almost all of the course is on asphalt with less than a mile on cement concrete. The traffic control was excellent and the race organization was superb. This is definitely a great, small marathon. Then again, I may be biased by having run my fastest marathon since 1995. | |
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B. C. from Medford, NJ
(1/15/2009)
"Great Small-Town Race" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great race for a great cause! We stayed at the Radisson Hotel, site of the expo and starting line. It was convenient to stay warm on race morning and be so close to the finish line as well. The smaller field of runners allowed for easy movement throughout the race. The weather was perfect for runners, with clouds and temps in the high 40's. The course was well marked and quite scenic. I enjoyed the massive oak trees and southern neighborhoods. Both college campuses were a hit. All of the water stops and aid stations were well manned. I would recommend this race as a 50-state club member. I won my age group, and getting a Boston Qualifier was the icing on the cake! Way to go, Mobile! | |
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J. F. from Louisiana, United States
(1/15/2009)
"Great organization for small race!!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run several small (less than 1,000 total runners) marathons, and Mobile was by far the best organized. The route was excellent, well-marked, and extremely well manned by police and volunteers. Aid stations were frequent and top-notch, with plenty of volunteers. The few spectators that braved a somewhat cold, windy day were very enthusiastic. I have no problem with the "unique" finisher's medal, as the race supports a very good cause. My only negative comments are that the pre- and post-race food was not great and the sports drink used was very sugary and I had to switch to water. Overall, I will likely run this event again in the future. | |
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D. Q. from New Orleans, LA
(1/14/2009)
 "Great small race" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first Mobile Marathon and 5th overall. I've done large marathons like New York and Boston, smaller marathons like Memphis, and now very small marathons like Mobile. First, the weather for the race was great. It was overcast and in the 40s the entire time. The only drawback was the presence of some wind. The course is very scenic. You pass through historic downtown parts and through two colleges and other nice little neighborhoods. The reason I didn't give it a 5 is that there are a couple of long stretches on roads that aren't that pretty, and they only close a lane of traffic, so cars will be passing right near you. I did at least get encouragement from some of the drivers though. Downtown Mobile is flat, and only when you head out do you hit some hills. There are a couple of tough ones, especially one around mile 17, but once you start heading back downtown, it is all flat again. I was running near the front of the race and I actually ran the last 13 miles all by myself since the leaders were several minutes ahead and nowhere in sight, but you do pick up the half-marathon course for the last 4 miles, so I was able to feed off passing some of the slower half marathoners. Organization is wonderful. The course is incredibly well marked on the ground so that you could run it without anyone being there to guide you. Plenty of police to block traffic. Plenty of water stations - 18, I believe. I agree with a couple people that the "Gatorade" drink was not mixed well, but it didn't bother me too much. Post-race, they had pulled pork, red beans and rice, pasta salad, beer, soft drinks and live bands, so there's nothing to complain about there. Fan-wise, the ones that are on the course are great and supportive. My favorite were the St. Paul's cheerleaders with their "L-E-T-S-G-O... LET'S GO!" cheer. The only problem is that you won't see too many fans most of the race. There was a relay, so at the relay spots on the course you got nice support from everyone waiting. Overall, running a well run marathon on a pretty nice course featuring great weather more than makes up for the lack of runners and spectators. I'd definitely do it again. | |
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k. m. from GA
(1/12/2009)
"NICE!!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have no complaints... it is all good! For a five-hour marathoner like myself, it can be lonely at times, but with a water stop every mile or so, it made it easy. I have never seen such a well marked course with lots of traffic control along the way. NICE JOB, MOBILE! | |
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a. j. from birmingham
(1/12/2009)
"Very good race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I never got tired of looking at the scenery. Lots of water and potties. Volunteers were great!! The only negative is the sports drink. No one had ever heard of it much less trained with it. Please, race directors, stick with Gatorade or PowerAde. These are what runners train with. Over all, this was a wonderful small race and I would recommend it! | |
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L. R. from Los Angeles, CA
(1/12/2009)
"Lovely, interesting, Southern course" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well-organized, delightful marathon. The course is interesting and quite beautiful, traversing many interesting, old, Southern neighborhoods parks, boulevards and college campuses. There are a few rolling hills in the middle, but it's mostly flat. The weather was perfect for a January marathon - in the cool 40s. There was a free pasta-load dinner in the city hall atrium and a welcome BBQ feed at the end. The shirts were good. The "unique wooden medals" - hand-decorated by the challenged children whom the race sponsors - were memorable (though they might disappoint some). Mobile is an interesting town with good food and a surprising amount to see. (I brought my son, and we had fun exploring nearby parts of Mississippi and Florida, as well as Alabama.) | |
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D. S. from Tennessee
(1/12/2009)
"Great Race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed Mobile. Nice town with very friendly people and a very well organized race. The course has just enough hills in the middle of the race but nothing too bad. The first half and the last 6 miles are very flat. The host hotel was awesome, allowing for an early check-in and a late check-out. The race starts just a few yards down the street from the hotel. The temperature was almost perfect throughout the race, but the wind did make for some cold hands. That was my fault, as I should have worn gloves. The spectators were few but very supportive. I would highly recommend this marathon. Thanks, Mobile, for a good time. | |
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T. E. from Columbus, GA
(1/30/2008)
"Great small-town race!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great small-town race. Good weather, beautiful course and it is all for a wonderful cause. Volunteers were great. Water stops were frequent and well staffed/stocked. Port-o-let at every water station! Start and finish are close to hotel. Homemade wooden medal is unique. Finish at the park with live band, free massage and food/beer. If you are looking for a "big race" feel, this is not the race for you. But if prefer a small, well-run race, good organization and a beautiful course, seriously consider this one. I'll be back. Chip timing would be nice. | |
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Bobby Volante from Slidell, LA
(1/28/2008)
"A diamond in the rough!!! And for a great cause." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mobile Marathon (prev. First Light Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a race I almost didn't run. Boy, am I glad I did. This is a scenic route through a beautiful little, oak tree-lined Southern town. There are a few hills that make this a fair challenge to anyone. The organization was pretty good except that no one knew exactly where the starting line was (no big deal). The volunteers were fantastic!!! There were ample port-o-potties (always a concern for runners), the mile markers were good, and there were more than enough water stops. Did I say the volunteers were great?!!! At the finish line there is a picnic-like atmosphere in a park, complete with a live band. Oh, and the medal. If you just look at it, you think it is a cheap wooden circle. But when you find out who made it with their own bare hands and their hearts and souls, it is a medal that I am honored and humbled to have been able to earn. L'Arche of Mobile, Alabama ROCKS!!! |
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