Three months ago Scott and I joined our friend Jessie to run the Margarita Madness 5k in Memphis. Between an insanely busy work schedule, packing up my house, and moving from Arkansas to Florida, my recap is a very long time coming. Maybe there was another reason for the delay though... Finding out information that I would not have had if I had posted it in a normal amount of time.
Before I go on with our personal experience, I think it would be responsible to mention that apparently the organizer of this race is not the most honest. Early September I found out that there have been MM5k's in other towns that have been canceled for one reason or another and the participants were told they could get a refund but never did. On top of that, he didn't get permits to sell the liquor. I am not trying to spread rumors, so I found two links from reputable sites.
The reason I share this is because, while WE had a good experience, it seems that ours is rare. It goes to show that it's worth it to do a little research into the races we want to do. Not just in a blog recap like this, but through sites like the BBB.
Okay, business stuff out of the way, let's get on to the fun stuff. :)
Back in December Jessie texted me about this race. They were having a super early bird special and registration was only $10! We figured, for 10 bucks, if our schedules didn't work out we weren't out too much money and if they did work out then great!
The race was a Saturday evening in June and we decided to make the little over 2 hour drive to Jessie's house after lunch. Having no idea what to expect in terms of where exactly the race was in a very large park, how long it would take for us to get from Jessie's to the park, and how exactly parking was going to work, we ended up arriving fairly early. Even for me, who regularly annoys my running companions about getting to races early.
Even arriving early there were still so many people there already. We checked in and got our bibs and shirts. Everything was well marked and easy to find. The volunteers we helpful and kind. While we waited we scoped out the food trucks that were around, thinking about what we may want to have after the race and also people watched. There was a DJ and people dancing. Eventually there was an announcement made for participants to make their way to the start. There was a little confusion here as there was not a designated area roped off and the start was in the field surrounded by chairs, tents, and food trucks. The race began in waves- runners, runners who also walk, and walkers. We placed ourselves somewhere in the middle of runners who walk.
The course was very pretty, with a mix of terrain. We began on grass, made our way to a path that goes around the park, and over the course of the next 3.1 miles went back and forth between the two. It was also full of rolling little hills. Jessie was suffering from allergies and was quite stuffed up which made it hard for her to breathe, so we walked a good amount. Scott and I really loved the scenery and the time we had with Jessie, so even when she apologized for walking a few times we assured her that we really were having a great time.
There had been a chance of rain all day and all along the course I was watching dark clouds roll by. As we passed the 3 mile marker a few large drops fell. We barely crossed the finish line when all of a sudden rain came pouring down. Big fat rain drops. Racers were handed medals and a margarita as they finished. You could see the rain splashing people's drinks out of their cups they were so big. We took cover under a tent, hoping the storm would pass. There was little to no room for moving, and because we were barely under the tent we still got soaked. I love the rain so other than being a little cold and a lot hungry, I didn't mind.
The rain wasn't letting up so we decided to head back to the car and get dinner somewhere else. I was a little disappointed that we weren't hanging around to experience any post race happenings, but also ok with it because we still had a two hour drive back home.
I really enjoyed this race. Until I heard the unfortunate news going around, I was thinking I'd look for another Margarita Madness after I moved. I won't be doing that, but I will definitely keep an eye out for lesser known races that have super cheap early bird specials. And before I sign up I will most definitely do some extra research to make sure everything is legal and well reviewed! ;)
The race was a Saturday evening in June and we decided to make the little over 2 hour drive to Jessie's house after lunch. Having no idea what to expect in terms of where exactly the race was in a very large park, how long it would take for us to get from Jessie's to the park, and how exactly parking was going to work, we ended up arriving fairly early. Even for me, who regularly annoys my running companions about getting to races early.
Even arriving early there were still so many people there already. We checked in and got our bibs and shirts. Everything was well marked and easy to find. The volunteers we helpful and kind. While we waited we scoped out the food trucks that were around, thinking about what we may want to have after the race and also people watched. There was a DJ and people dancing. Eventually there was an announcement made for participants to make their way to the start. There was a little confusion here as there was not a designated area roped off and the start was in the field surrounded by chairs, tents, and food trucks. The race began in waves- runners, runners who also walk, and walkers. We placed ourselves somewhere in the middle of runners who walk.
The course was very pretty, with a mix of terrain. We began on grass, made our way to a path that goes around the park, and over the course of the next 3.1 miles went back and forth between the two. It was also full of rolling little hills. Jessie was suffering from allergies and was quite stuffed up which made it hard for her to breathe, so we walked a good amount. Scott and I really loved the scenery and the time we had with Jessie, so even when she apologized for walking a few times we assured her that we really were having a great time.
There had been a chance of rain all day and all along the course I was watching dark clouds roll by. As we passed the 3 mile marker a few large drops fell. We barely crossed the finish line when all of a sudden rain came pouring down. Big fat rain drops. Racers were handed medals and a margarita as they finished. You could see the rain splashing people's drinks out of their cups they were so big. We took cover under a tent, hoping the storm would pass. There was little to no room for moving, and because we were barely under the tent we still got soaked. I love the rain so other than being a little cold and a lot hungry, I didn't mind.
The rain wasn't letting up so we decided to head back to the car and get dinner somewhere else. I was a little disappointed that we weren't hanging around to experience any post race happenings, but also ok with it because we still had a two hour drive back home.
I really enjoyed this race. Until I heard the unfortunate news going around, I was thinking I'd look for another Margarita Madness after I moved. I won't be doing that, but I will definitely keep an eye out for lesser known races that have super cheap early bird specials. And before I sign up I will most definitely do some extra research to make sure everything is legal and well reviewed! ;)
