New to the forum and am contemplating doing the Memphis Marathon after my tri race season didn’t go as well as I would have liked. Any feedback on the Memphis Marathon? Also, I am thinking about staying at the DoubleTree on Sanderlin Avenue or the Courtyard by the Airport…closer hotels were not available.
Great race that’s growing every year - typically a cool/cold race, if you like that. Essentially flat. I think it’s a good course, though passing right by the finish to go for the second loop is never fun…it’s a good ‘tour’ of Memphis though. Of those two hotels, I’d go for the DoubleTree - it’s in a better area with more options (food, shopping, etc) nearby. good luck
My GF did the 1/2 race last year and loved it. We will both be down there this year for the full. We are still looking at hotels so I don’t really have any advice. She stayed with friends last year.
New to the forum and am contemplating doing the Memphis Marathon after my tri race season didn’t go as well as I would have liked. Any feedback on the Memphis Marathon? Also, I am thinking about staying at the DoubleTree on Sanderlin Avenue or the Courtyard by the Airport…closer hotels were not available.
Double tree of the two nothing out at the airport except hookers and adult bookstores unless thats you cup of tea.
Double tree is much better area. Both are a ways from downtown start though. You might check across the river in west memphis,arkansas just short drive on the highway(6 miles).
I’d avoid the airport area. I’ve done MIM for 3 years and I did St. Jude last year and qualified for Boston. They’ve got really good pacers for all finishing times from really fast to just get it done. It’s got a fair amount of rollers, including a 1.5-2 mile incline from mile 17-19. (check the elevation map). My sister lives in Memphis so I just stay with her when I’m down there.
–Deb
Ironman Holmes: don’t tell him to go to West Memphis!
You said the airport has hookers and adult bookstores. I think the only thing West Memphis could add to that would be a dog track!
(not that there’s anything wrong with West Memphis, but it’s just a truck stop on I-40 motel-wise)
Stay at the Peabody downtown and see the ducks. Then have some post-race ribs at the Rendezvous.
Mark
Ironman Holmes: don’t tell him to go to West Memphis!
You said the airport has hookers and adult bookstores. I think the only thing West Memphis could add to that would be a dog track!
(not that there’s anything wrong with West Memphis, but it’s just a truck stop on I-40 motel-wise)
Stay at the Peabody downtown and see the ducks. Then have some post-race ribs at the Rendezvous.
Mark
MUSE reread the post. The ONLY hotels they could find with rooms were double tree hilton out east and marriot courtyard at the airport so looking for one or the other or alternatives.
Note Closer hotels in his post…
The double tree is about 12 miles from the start west memphis has a few chain hotel locations plus some restaurants and is a very quick drive over the bridge to the race start.
West memphis has about 6 or 7 hotel/motel types like holiday inn(at the convention center area across from dog track) ,Quality inn,days inn ,red rood and so on right off the interstate
all much better than out at the airport. The double tree out east memphis is great just twice as far.
Yea if you don’t have budget issues and they had rooms(which according to the post they didn’t) then I’d say peabody but thats not what was asked.
Any other thoughts on places to try if West Memphis (Double Tree) and the airport (Courtyard) aren’t good locations?
Any other thoughts on places to try if West Memphis (Double Tree) and the airport (Courtyard) aren’t good locations?
The double tree(which is east memphis is best option of above as far as location. based on west memphis or airport and that I’d choose the double tree.
But I wouldn’t get close to the airport I used to work out that way its not a good place to hang out.
I just threw out the west memphis since its a little closer/Its right there on the interstate west memphis is pretty much where i55 and i40 meet before going into memphis crossing the mississippi river… probably cheaper but not much there other than restaraunts,dog track and the like at least where the hotels are located.
Used to be nothing but truck stops there but they were moved up the road a bit where i-55/i-40 splits again before heading to the two bridges.
Its just 6 to 7 miles to downtown memphis from there. The double tree is about 10 miles so niether is far.
What is the weather like for the Memphis marathon?
I was a cop in Memphis for 6 years. STAY AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT, or anything on Brooks Road, Lamar, bellevue (hookers and dope) or close to Graceland! You can try Cordova/Bartlett. Probably 23 miles or so, but much safer and quieter. Downtown as you said will be full. Lots of culture in Memphis, but also lots of violence.
I went down there last December for the marathon. We stayed just over the border in Southhaven, MS. No, it isn’t right downtown, but the price was right and the drive into the city was short and very easy. Parking on race morning is abundant near to the start.
Southhaven is pretty blah, but our hotel was nice. As a bonus, you can brag that you’ve been to Mississippi… 
If you have a car, this is an inexpensive alternative. Save your $$$ for barbeque.
The race is great! Just the right size. The late miles are rolling, not all downhill as the elevation chart on the website would have you believe. Crowds can be sparse in sections, but the scenery is nice. The finish in the stadium is awesome – just a great venue. Excellent food and drink after the race. It was cold at the start, but I like cold so it was great for me. I’d do it again.
mm
Would the Courtyard in Southaven be a good place?
yes
.
Hop on I-55 north from southhaven, and you’re 15 minutes away.