There are 4 of us from the board running the half together. I'm undertrained so I'll be mostly walking it along with the other undertrained person. The other two will run.
I arrive in Memphis at like 11:30pm Thursday and leave Sunday at 4pm
I'm very interested in this race. I saw someone from St Jude speak at a conference earlier this year and it got me really excited about doing something that would benefit them.
The full had plenty of water stations, which were much easier to get to once all the 5k runners split off, then later the half runners. Crowd support was sporadic (some residents had water stations, beer, candy...I was craving orange slices, but the closest was some orange juice). Aid stations were minimal to Vaseline and band aids. The biggest issues with this course is 1)corral anarchy, too many people chose to be in an earlier corral which caused tons of congestion. 2)Complete congestion once the 5k runners/walkers merged in with half and full...it was far too packed and unfair for the distance runners. 3) hydration stations on only one side of the road at the beginning, thus meant many times water was unattainable due to the congestion.Definitely an incredible experience especially if St Jude is important to you. The energy that the city brings to this is incredible and running throuh the hospital and the emotions around the cause is incredible
I did the half and thought the course was pretty fair with good support. I am not sure what the full would be as you split off about mile 11.
The post race was also very well done.
The full had plenty of water stations, which were much easier to get to once all the 5k runners split off, then later the half runners. Crowd support was sporadic (some residents had water stations, beer, candy...I was craving orange slices, but the closest was some orange juice). Aid stations were minimal to Vaseline and band aids. The biggest issues with this course is 1)corral anarchy, too many people chose to be in an earlier corral which caused tons of congestion. 2)Complete congestion once the 5k runners/walkers merged in with half and full...it was far too packed and unfair for the distance runners. 3) hydration stations on only one side of the road at the beginning, thus meant many times water was unattainable due to the congestion.
I chose corral 7 because it is my half pace, and I maintain that pace until around mile 10 when I do a full (eventually I slow to save energy for the long haul). Never appreciated Disney's proof of time requirement until this raceYeah. Totally agree. I started in Corral 5 and was shocked at how packed the first couple of miles were with walkers already. Kid of disappointed. I also agree about the hydration was kind of wonky and created some havoc. I totally missed the second station until it was too late which after skipping the first caused me some problems.
Yup, already did the survey with mention of congestion.I know that congestion in the 5k corrals was an issue the last few years. If I recall correctly, last year the 5 and 10k started together. This year they were separate (YAY!). But people seem to hop in wherever they wish and disregard the pacing signs. I did a fair amount of weaving around walkers the first mile, and I am not fast. I started in coral 8, maybe 9. There are plenty of people who also have no clue of race etiquette, and many that do continue to disregard it. I see it at many of the local (Memphis) races. I think that they need to change the start times so that the half/full runners start first and are off the first part of the course before the 10 and 5 K start to reduce the crowding and weaving that the distance runners have to do around the walkers/4 across groups.
Check your email for a survey regarding the race. Improvements can't be made unless they are known.
I wasn't in the market to buy merchandise there (dopey next month), though thought it odd that there was a variety of brands (usually it is just one, i.e. nike, new balance, etc).I completed the survey as well and provided feedback around merchandise at the expo.