calendar icon May 10, 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 51 to 61]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 .. 39 > ]

 

M. M. from Verona Island, ME (12/17/2009)
"A Great Race Worth Running!" (about: 2009)

3 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is a wonderful, early winter marathon and I would definitely do it again. I loved the southern hospitality, the friendliness of the runners, running for a good cause, the stadium finish, the pacers at 5-minute intervals, the long-sleeved t-shirt and hat, the Elvi, and the fans. The first half of the course did have more fans and was generally better than the second half, but this isn't an uncommon phenomenon at marathons of this size. Run Memphis if you ever get the chance!
 

L. R. from Iowa (12/17/2009)
"Second Time Around - Still Great!" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Memphis Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my fourth marathon and the second year in a row that our group traveled to Memphis. The overall race organization is great. We stayed at the Marriott across the street from the expo, so once we parked our car when we arrived, we didn't drive again until we left to go home. The trolleys weren't running as promised in the morning, so we walked to the start, which wasn't a problem as we used that as our warm-up. Splitting the half marathon and marathon bag drop was an improvement from last year. I agree with the prior post that the camber of the roads seemed worse this year. Aid stations every mile were wonderful! Post-race food was great, as was the picture with Elvis afterward! We loved downtown Memphis and Beale Street afterward; however, next year we will do a different race for variety's sake. I highly recommend this race - it's well worth it!
 

W. R. from Shreveport, LA (12/15/2009)
"One of best races I've done" (about: 2009)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was one of the most well organized races I'd ever participated in; the race director did an excellent job. Expo was small but had a good variety of exhibitors, and there was plenty of parking in downtown area near the race start/finish area. It was really nice to have AutoZone Park available for bag drop and relaxing before and after the race, and indoor bathrooms were great to have for last-minute race attire changes. There was plenty of space at the race start area to stretch and get lined up in the proper corral without being jammed into a "cattle chute" - like the start of the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Course had a lot of slightly hilly sections, but you get to see beautiful residential areas of Memphis and spectator turnout was very good, considering the chilly weather. And having the hot showers in the baseball team's locker room was really great; with that and plenty of food afterward, it was a perfect way to end the race.

Only bad things are having to go up a ramp to get to the finish in the baseball park, and having the race on a Saturday, which means taking a day off from work to make it to the race expo. Other than that, this is a great marathon.
 

K. K. from Birmingham, Alabama (12/15/2009)
"Amazing experience" (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I am 40 years-old and this was my second marathon. I had a goal to qualify for Boston, which I did! I improved my PR by 9 minutes. I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience, but the following are a few highlights:

1) Outstanding Course - I read about the rolling hills in previous postings, but I never noticed them. This course is essentially flat.

2) Pace Group - Incredibly encouraging pace group leaders that knew the course and how to motivate their flock late in the race.

3) Great Finish and Post-Race - Finishing in the ballpark was a blast and the post-race food/drink was great.

4) Crowd Support - Support was strong for a race of this size and the performers stationed along the way were very motivating.

I would recommend this race to anyone, no matter your skill level or training. I will definitely be back.
 

C. W. from Phoenix, AZ (12/14/2009)
"Put Memphis on your MUST-RUN list!" (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The organization of this race was excellent. The fans were amazing - especially the children from St. Jude who left their hospital beds to line the road and cheer the runners. And the course couldn't be better. I was especially impressed with how they handled a snafu with the shirts. This race is first class from start to finish, and if you are a marathoner, it is an experience you must not miss!
 

B. Y. from Holly Springs, NC (12/14/2009)
"Great Cause, So-So Course" (about: 2009)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Memphis is an amazing town and running for St. Jude's was really worth it. The course was not great past the half marathon mark. I felt like there really wasn't enough to see in the town, and they had us run past the same landmarks multiple times. The finish in Autozone Park was cool though.
 

M. M. from Clinton, MS (12/13/2009)
"Very, very well done" (about: 2009)

2 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Being able to take a shower in the stadium prior to driving home was a nice touch. I got to walk by the medical station under the stadium. It looked like a hospital. Glad I didn't need it, but nice to know it was there and well done. There were 26 PowerAde stations on the course. Nice. I might suggest moving the 5K start a few more blocks away; it made things very congested as we were trying to get around prior to the marathon. This was a perfect location for a weekend get-away run. Plenty to eat and see and do.
 

M. C. from Huntsville, AL (12/13/2009)
"Great Cause, Great Race." (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is a great race for an even greater cause. The trip through St. Jude was awesome. The crowd support was also great. The roads leave a little to be desired. The slant is the worst of any race course I have ever run. The worst experience was getting robbed for parking. I have been road racing for 29 years and running marathons for 20 years, and this is the first time I have ever paid for parking. I paid to park for the expo, paid to park for the St. Jude Hero's dinner and paid to park for the race. I would not have a problem with this if the money for parking went to St. Jude. Show your visitors hospitality and they will return and bring a friend. Screw them over and they will not be back. Overall the cause, organization, and support makes this a race worth running.
 

J. P. from Geneva, IL (12/11/2009)
"Great Organization and Cause, but Bad Roads" (about: 2009)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I love supporting St. Jude and this was a well run marathon with lots of volunteers. However, the roads were so bad that I may not run this one again. I know it is not under their control. Maybe if the economy improves, then Memphis will fix their roads.
 

Mary Ann Briggs from West Point, MS (12/11/2009)
"Loved my first half-marathon!" (about: 2009)

1 previous marathon | 1 Memphis Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first half-marathon and just three months ago I thought running 13.1 miles was unimaginable! I finished the marathon with a smile on my face, and I enjoyed taking pictures with my iPhone throughout the course! I loved the crowd support, and I was one who gave a high-five to any offering hands! I'm very proud of everyone who took the time and energy to support this run! I absolutely LOVED running through the St. Jude Campus.
 

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