Memphis / St. Jude Marathon

We travelled to Memphis Friday to participate in the 15th anniversary of the St. Jude Marathon Weekend.

At the pre-race race Expo, we met several race directors/representatives promoting similar events nearby.  We picked up information for the Knoxville Covenant Health Marathon and the Navy 10NM, billed as the only foot race officially sanctioned by the USA Track & Field based on Nautical miles. (A Nautical Mile is 1.15 statute miles)

Saturday morning, we arrived at the start where there were 11,000 runners ready to go. It took over 30 minutes to get everyone across the start line.  The temperature at the start was 37 degrees, and it was windy and drizzling, increasing to a steady rain at about the 7 mile mark. I wore short running shorts and a short sleeve shirt and was numb by the time I crossed the start line. Needless to say, I will not show any photos of me during the run!! A little over 8,400 of these runners ran the half marathon.

The run started in downtown Memphis, directly in front of the Drake Hotel.  We ran down Court Avenue to Danny Thomas Blvd., turned left on Beale Street, past BB King’s venue then on to Riverside Drive, past the Bass Pro Pyramid, then through the St. Jude Children Research Hospital. There was incredible crowd support throughout the course, including several young patients outside giving the runners “high fives” as we passed.  St. Jude is a pretty amazing facility. The best part of running in these races is that you see areas of the town that the average visitor probably never views.  We wound through some pretty amazing neighborhoods, through the zoo, through parks and finished in Autozone Park. We ran up to the Autozone Stadium and thought we were (finally) finished, but alas,  the course turned right just before the finish line and we continued running up and down streets for another 3+ miles before finally entering the stadium.

After warming up and recuperating, we started back to Georgia on Sunday planning to stop in Red Bay, Alabama and pick up our Motorhome where it had been serviced after our Alaska trip.

On the way to Red Bay, we were close to the University of Mississippi “Ole Miss” and decided to make the 30 mile side trip to Oxford to see the campus and have lunch.  The area around the University was beautiful, very similar to Athens, with may antebellum and Victorian homes.

Of course we had to stop at a small bakery in the college area of the downtown, as there were lines of people waiting, so it must be good!

While Cathy was inside waiting in line to order, I walked down the street and took a photo of the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1837.  This building was erected in 1881 and was attended by three chancellors of the University.  Four pastors of this church have held national positions in the Presbyterian General Assembly.

Next, we had to make the obligatory stop at the Archie Manning sports facility and he asked me to pose with his statue  (that’s me on the right):

This in the Lyceum, which held the students for the first University of Mississippi class in 1848. During the Civil War, it served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union forces. It gained national recognition again in 1962 when, after a full day of rioting, James Meredeth, the first African-American to gain access to the University walked across its threshold.

After leaving Oxford, we stopped in Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley.  This is the 15′ x 30′ “shotgun” home of Vernon and Gladys Presley and the birthplace of Elvis. Vernon built this home for the (borrowed) sum of $180.00. Elvis resided in Tupelo from 1935 until 1948, whereas the family moved to Memphis seeking better employment opportunities.

Cathy with a statue of a 13-year-old Elvis.

This is the church where the Presley family regularly attended services. It is in this building where young Elvis was exposed to, and began to appreciate gospel music. This Assembly of God Pentecostal church was originally located about a block from where it presently stands.  It was moved onto the Elvis property and restored.

Elvis first performed in public in a radio talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair at the age of 10.  Urged by his elementary school teacher, young Elvis sang “Old Shep” and placed 5th. For his 11th birthday, recognizing his potential, Gladys bought him a guitar for $12.95 at the Tupelo Hardware Co. instead of the bicycle that he had asked for. Probably a good investment?

This is the Elvis Presley chapel, built with donations from fans after his death.  There was also a gift shop (similar to the shop at his Mansion in Memphis, but not as crowded) and a museum.

After leaving Tupelo, we stopped at the Visitor Center for the Natchez Trace Parkway.  We travelled half of this parkway a few years ago but wanted to get information about the feasibility of driving the trace in a motorhome.  We spoke with park representatives and picked up some literature for a future trip on this entire national parkway.