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May 20, 2024

Memphis Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Memphis Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 382 [displaying comments 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 39 > ]

cortney carlson from arkansas (12/6/2009) "first marathon" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 First off, let me say that they put together a great race. It was very well organized. I do want to voice my concern though. This was the first marathon for me and my husband, and we have been so excited and nervous! I have to say, though, that I almost cried at the expo. I feel that since we pre-registered, that should ensure a proper count of participants, including the correct sizing for their shirts. We registered back in August. You can imagine my complete disappointment when I arrive at the expo to be told they didn't have any small or medium shirts. I could have taken a large or extra large. (I registered for a small.) I know to some people it is just a shirt, but to me there is nothing like running your first marathon and not having a shirt to remember it by. Again, it was a great race, but I am still very sad that I completed my first marathon and have no shirt to remember it by. Maybe next year they could place the shirts with the bibs to ensure that those who registered get their shirts.
L. D. from Tampa, Fl (12/6/2009) "5 stars are not enough!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A wonderful experience!!! Great organization, easy packet pickup, just-the-right-size expo. Nice long sleeved tech shirt, Nike running cap, and beautiful finisher's medal. Enthusiastic volunteers, and lots of "thanks for running!!" Race day was perfect - cool temps, sunny, with plenty of shade along the course. Lots of entertainment, water/porta-lets at every mile - you can't beat that!! VERY enthusiastic spectators, especially in the first half. One thing to note: the camber of the road between miles 17 and 20 is fairly steep in some places. If you have ITB issues, it could be aggravated here. All runners have their name/hometown announced at the finish line. HOT post-race showers in the Memphis Redbirds baseball stadium locker rooms make this an overall GREAT marathon experience!!!
M. K. from Mississippi (12/6/2009) "a great first marathon for a wonderful cause" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I ran as a St. Jude Hero. One of the best parts of the marathon was running through the St. Jude campus. There was a huge cheering section with families and patients, and it was an incredibly powerful reminder of why we were running! The expo was fabulous. Packet pick up was organized and quick, and I enjoyed shopping at the booths. The spectators helped keep me motivated. We finished in Autozone Park with our names being called, and Elvis gave me my medal. The food after was good - pizza, doughnuts, cookies, fruit, etc. This was a wonderful first marathon experience for the best cause I could imagine.
Kevin Knapp from Lees Summit, MO (12/6/2009) "Add Memphis to your list!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Loved having aid stations at every mile! Lots of great spectators in the downtown area, but rather sparse in other areas. Fun to finish on field for the AAA baseball team! Largely flat, really good run!
David Reinhart from San Antonio, TX (12/6/2009) "Gem of a Marathon!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow! I was so impressed with the race organization! Everything was perfect: nice cool race in December, for a hilly city the course was laid out with the runner in mind, great expo, plenty of port-a-johns, great finish line food/drink... I can go on and on. I highly recommend this race.
L. R. from USA - Iowa (7/30/2009) "Great Marathon! Highly Recommended!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The cool temps were perfect (I'm a cold weather-runner), and fan support was great - I can't remember how many times we were thanked for supporting St. Jude's by spectators! The post-race food was great; they had the marathon and half-marathon food separated, so there was plenty left. Fan support was a bit sparse after the half-marathoners broke off and the industrial area was a bit boring; however, there was music periodically and the fans that were there were very supportive. The expo was great and well organized. Downtown Memphis was a breeze to get around in. We parked the car Friday and walked everywhere; we didn't get back in the car until it was time for the trip home. This was my third marathon and we are considering coming back again this year because we had so much fun! I'd highly recommend this race!
F. J. from MS (4/28/2009) "Ran the Half - 5 Stars" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half in prep for a full a few weeks later. Packet pick up and expo were well organized. Race start with pace groups were well displayed. It was around 32 degrees at start - perfect for me after we got started. The half-marathon course was fun. Beale Street was very cool - 4 or 5 rows deep with spectators. This was a fun course. It consisted of a nice mixture of hills and flats. Plenty of aid stations. Lot of entertainment on the course. The finish was at the minor league baseball park. Cool medal. Great food at the finish. Best cause of any marathon. Must do.
D. S. from Illinois (3/27/2009) "Good winter marathon except..." (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this marathon. It is my third marathon and it is favorite course. I was disappointed in the refreshment area at the end. The marathon and half-marathon run together for the first 12 miles and finish at the same location. There are way more half-marathon runners and most of the goodies were gone by the time that I finished. And I finished in 3:55. I had a few friends who ran the half and raved about the delicious soup that I should try. But there was no soup left by the time I crossed the finish line, and the pizza that remained was cold and gross-looking from sitting out. Also, the fan support fizzles out after the half-marathoners break off.
R. R. from Collierville, Tennessee (3/17/2009) "Cold Weather, Warm Hearts!! Will Run Again!!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon so I waited to comment on it until I ran 4 more in order to be more objective. My first impressions has only been confirmed. This is a great race. Yes, it was COLD and windy. What do you expect in middle America in December? Dress in layers. The first half of the race is amazing! Beautiful! The second half is more industrial but still more interesting than an "out and back" marathon. The best part about this marathon is the fan support. They are out there despite the cold calling you a "Hero." Lots of bands and even an Elvis impersonator or two. Fun. Well-run from start to finish. The "hills" are small and limited to the areas around the Mississippi River. Nothing too difficult, even if you train in flat parts of the country like me. I also like running with the "halfers" for the first half of the race. Kept my pace and spirits high. The finish in redbird stadium is dramatic and well supported. Easy to become emotional!! Keep up the good work, Memphis!!
b. n. from hot springs ar (3/16/2009) "excellent - will do it again" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Memphis Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first 1/2 marathon. The spectator support was phenomenal, and organization was excellent. I did not try to eat downtown, but I have to say the word needs to get out to the restaurants that even if they don't offer spaghetti on there menu they need to make the exception and serve it that one night before the race each year. i just ran the race in Little Rock and i could not believe that each restaurant downtown didn't have spaghetti on their special board.

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