calendar icon May 20, 2024

Memphis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 331 to 341]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 32 33 34 35 36 .. 39 > ]

 

T. P. from Kansas City, MO (1/13/2004)
"Great Marathon - Fun Course" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


My 4th marathon (Chicago/San Diego/Twin Cities) and this was as good an experience as the previous three. Nice people, nice goodie bag. Great course (sort of a double-loop, but you only retrace 4-5 miles). Some rolling hills but none too long or too steep (more than Chicago but less than SD or Twin Cities). Good entertainment along the way. Sparse spectator support in places but enthusiastic and plentiful aid stations. Great hotels within walking distance of start and finish. Nice weather. Running on the field of the Liberty Bowl (Mile 21) and entering Autozone Park through the center field fence to finish were great. I would highly recommend this marathon.
 

Bridget R. from Morganfield, KY (12/26/2003)
"Awesome Marathon -- Memphis Rocks!" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This marathon is one you must add on your list 'to do'. It is very well organized and for a very worthy cause. St. Jude's Research Hospital is on the course and as I ran by I prayed for every patient that has ever entered or will enter the hospital, for every patient's family and for every physician, nurse and medical personnel who administers to these critically ill patients. All the while, giving thanks to God for my healthy body and ability to run!

The course was awesome, beginning with running along the riverfront, to running through the park, into Mid-South Coliseum while the band was playing, and I LOVED finishing inside Auto Zone Stadium. This was marathon number 12 for me and I definitely will return to this one. Thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Memphis' finest police department for keeping the course open.
 

D. S. from Twin Lakes, Wi. (12/24/2003)
"Great crowds - great cause" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The course is a little deceiving with the semi-double loop but this made the spectators more accessable. The support on the course was excellent with mile splits and water stops. There are more hills (overpasses/underpasses) than the elevation chart would lead you to believe.
 

D. W. from St. Charles, Missouri (12/21/2003)
"Great Half-Marathon" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As stated above, I ran the half-marathon, and it was a wonderful experience! The crowds were somewhat sparse outside the downtown area, but were quite enthusiastic and certainly kept me going at times. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were very friendly. It's likely I'll be back in 2004 to make this event my first full marathon. And to top it all off, it benefits a wonderful organization! Cheers to Memphis.
 

B. O. from Cincinnati, OH (12/16/2003)
"Great marathon" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I enjoyed the marathon and Memphis. High points include: Traffic control, well stocked and staffed aid stations, and central location of hotels, expo, start, and finish. The uplifting song and dance numbers you pass twice in the park, running through the stadium and the finish at the ball park that allowed for friends and family to have a clear view of the finish (they even called out your name as you enter) were simply outstanding. A very positive experience!
 

Rodger Walker from Carterville, Illinois (12/11/2003)
"Great, well organized, Saturday marathon" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Great course through the heart of downtown Memphis. Starting at 8:00 am I thought traffic control would be a problem by the time I finished. But no! The Memphis Police controlled the route so very, very well.

The volunteers were awesome! The water stops were located almost every mile and were all well staffed. Course marshalls held signs at all turns (this is in addition to police traffic control) and there was a manned timer at every mile.

The course took in all the major downtown sites. Running on the field through the Liberty Bowl was a nice touch.

When you run marathons at my speed (4:47), it's the little extras that make them special and Memphis had all the extras.
 

Cory Schmidt from Madison WI (12/10/2003)
"Great race in Memphis" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


My wife and I wanted to run another marathon in 2003 but were having trouble finding one near Wisconsin this late in the year so we decided to head south to Memphis.

While some southerners were complaining slightly about it being cold (in the 40s) we thought it was perfect running weather. This appears to be a pretty average temp for the time of year.

The course takes you by, or through, pretty much everything noteworthy in Memphis - Beale Street, the national Civil Rights Museum, The Pyramid, Sun Records, the zoo, Mississippi River, Liberty Bowl, Autozone Park, etc., etc. It does a great job of showcasing the city. The only Memphis landmark it misses is Graceland, but only because it is not located that close to town.

The aid stations and time clocks appeared about every mile which was very nice. The aid station by the zoo has to be the most energetic aid station I have ever encountered. Plus you get the added bonus of going by it twice.

The rolling hills near the end were a bit unwelcome but I have to remember people do not run marathons because they are easy.

The post-race food consists of the usual: bagels, oranges, bananas, etc., but also includes pizza, beer and Krispy Kreme donuts.

All in all a great event.
 

Frank Leggio from Atlanta, GA (12/10/2003)
"Best supported race I have run" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Although the course covered some of the same ground, it was generally interesting with enough activity around me to take my mind off the running. There was a water/Powerade stop every mile. This allowed me to take water on my schedule more than the races. I enjoyed the run through the Liberty Bowl and into Autozone Park. There were fans scattered along the course although it got lonely after the half-marathoners broke off.
 

C. P. from Little Rock, Arkansas (12/9/2003)
"Memphis is a good place to start running" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I ran the half marathon. Very well organized. The course was well set up and while some thought quite hilly, I would say it was as described, rolling hills, none that steep.

Autozone Park is awesome and having the nearby hotels makes traveling from outside of the city of Memphis very easy. The fans were clumped in certain spots, and for the most part were loud and supportive. The bands playing were a nice touch.

Good organization. Well run. Average expo. Great start and finish.
 

C. M. from Pensacola, Florida (12/9/2003)
"Great marathon" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Being my 16th marathon this year, I have a fresh memory for comparison to others... this one is a definite must do. One I will consider again in the future.

The temperature was cool, and it was a bit windy in a few places, but the sun was out and the course was beautiful. The Autozone Park was a perfect venue with plenty of room for the packet pickup, restrooms and showers. The double-loop was not bad, as it was not exactly the same both times, nor were the hills that bad. In fact I can't think of anything negative about this entire event. Congratulations to the race director, planners, volunteers and city of Memphis.
 

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