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Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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P. R. from Arizona,USA
(1/18/2010)
"Well organized but ran out of medals/goody bags" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a perfect event, in almost every respect, BUT for someone who travels a long distance, struggles in some manner, or is completing their first event, the last thing that they should hear (twice in one weekend) is, "Sorry, but we ran out!" No goody bags at the expo on Saturday after 3 p.m., and no medals for the last 150 or so participants. I have run 30+ half marathons and I am always encouraging others to come out and participate. If I were successful this time, for this event, there may have been no medals hung on the participant's neck at the finish line to commemorate the successful completion of the race. As stated previously... THIS WAS A PERFECT EVENT, in almost every respects. However, the five teens girls who I saw struggling to cross the finish line because their friend was painfully dragging behind (and threatening to quit) needed to receive their medals at that moment to unify them in victory. Instead... that fifth girl probably incurred the wrath of her friends, and will vow to never participate again. The "back of the pack" folks are often those who are overweight, injured, elderly, first-timers, or those who lack confidence. The medal is the symbol of completion, and "overcoming obstacles" to completion. Receiving it 2-4 weeks later is a bummer, to say the least. I understand that some people register late at the expo, and that race organizers can be caught ill-prepared for these late registrants. However, I think that late registrants should have to wait (until 15 minutes after the expo ends to receive goodie bags and tee shirts, and until 15 minutes after the race to receive their medals), since they often throw off the count, and create the shortage of these commodities. | |
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M. G. from Arizona
(1/17/2010)
"All your needs (that really count) are met here" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was their 7th year; this race has hits its stride without any hiccups. Mild temps and thin cloud cover made it even easier. Water stops were well-manned, well-stocked, numerous, and consistent. Volunteers were exceptionally friendly. Mild weather brought out more spectators this year, as well as abundant pre-race coverage. Packet pick-up was a breeze; the expo had loads to chose from; race-day transportation was organized and efficient; the start line had plenty of bagels, coffee, bananas, and porta-johns; there was an easy drop-bag area and monitored corral entry, etc. As always, the race started on time. Bands and cheer squads were located all throughout. Streets are wide and flat, flat, flat. Separate half start and finish did not affect the full. Nice tech shirt for all registrants. Post-race had plenty of goodies, and the medal (very substantial) was cheerfully placed around your neck. For 27,000+ entrants (6,000 in the full, 21,000 in the half), it was handled quite smoothly. A definite winter stop for anyone looking to escape the cold. Great job, R'n'R! | |
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e. g. from AZ
(1/1/2010)
"Flat and not all that exciting. But I enjoyed it." (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was my first and second marathon. There's not a lot to look at, if that's important to you. Great aid stations. I used an iPod, so I cant speak for the music. I don't really have to have constant crowd support but it seemed fine to me. | |
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Bob Delava from Los Angeles, CA
(12/14/2009)
"Great half marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is one of my favorite races. I love the fact that there are so many half marathon runners. The event is extremely well organized. The course is flat and fast. The organizers do a great job of getting you from ASU (the finish line) to downtown Phoenix quickly. I have run the race each of the last three years and will continue to do so. I am looking forward to the Rock 'n' Roll LA that is starting next year. - Bob Delava | |
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R. H. from Overland Park, KS
(10/12/2009)
"Well organized, but not overly scenic" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I actually managed to injure myself (stress fracture) during this race, and although I made it through, I had to limp the last 12 or so miles, so I finished with a pretty slow time. Pros: 1. I really liked the expo. Good guest speakers; I had a chat with John Bingham, had Bart Yasso sign my book, and almost ran over Shawn Johnson. The one booth handing out beer samples was a bonus. Packet pickup a doddle. Decent bag of stuff. 2. Well marked course. Good volunteers. Sympathetic and observant medical staff. 3. Well organized. Everything was well set up. Equipment drop-off was convenient and quick. 4. Liked the medal. T-shirt was so-so. 5. Very good weather. Nice to be there in January. Cons: 1. Course was flat, but surprisingly dull except for the Scottsdale Arts District at around mile 20 (and I couldn't even enjoy that because of my leg. BAH.) 2. Support was OK, but noticeably thinned out as I went from being a medium-pace runner to a slow-pace limper. 3. End seemed to have been partially abandoned by the time I got there, even though there were plenty of runners still coming in and it was still quite a way before the time limit given on the website. 4. Pretty expensive. 5. The bands were OK, but there didn't seem to be anywhere near as many of them as were advertised. Wonder if some didn't show up. Overall, a good marathon if you want a flat, if rather unexciting course, a big, well-organized race and decent weather in January. | |
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R. D. from Chicago
(9/22/2009)
"Fast, well organized but also boring..." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I've run this race a couple of times as Phoenix is a great place to visit in January and while out there - hey why not run a Marathon! That said the course is very very boring and to make things worse, the fan support is virtually non-existent. Phoenix and the valley of the sun should be extremely embarrased about this turnout given that it is now the 4th largest city in the US. However the course is flat and you should be able to get a decent time. It is also quite well organized - one of the best. | |
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Daniel Scherbel from Afton, Wyoming
(5/17/2009)
"Amazing Atmosphere!!!!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was an amazing experience. It was so exciting. I'm from Wyoming and was not sure how it was going to be in this big city, but the weather was perfect, and the course was pretty flat. Stations were set out clearly and there were plenty of volunteers. And talk about some amazing support from the community; you feel like the whole city of Phoenix (and Scottsdale) came out to cheer you on. I felt like I had conquered the world. | |
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CHRISTINA ESLICK from ARIZONA
(4/13/2009)
"GREAT JOB" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was very impressed. I felt like my donation was returned with medals, t-shirts, a discount at P.F. Chang's, the certificate, and the most impressive post-race food and enthusiasm. I will run in 2010. I want my family to volunteer. It was very organized. I felt recognized in spite of the number of people who ran it. | |
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d. s. from Coram, NY
(3/8/2009)
"Boring" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Elite Racing is doing business good business. For instance, the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll is a big success! Not the Phoenix one. The course is very boring. It was convenient for the organizers - just a straight line. But hey, Elite people, we came here to see and run the city of Phoenix. So please design a nice and scenic route. Not many bands, and the ones that there did not show any enthusiasm. Medals and shirts: Nothing special. Actually, if you do many Rock 'n' Roll Marathons, you will realize that the Elite group has one single concept: No matter were you run, they give you a white, short-sleeve shirt that has the marathon name; and the medal is a heavy piece of metal with some bright colors. Boring.... | |
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h. h. from Jackson, MS
(2/4/2009)
"Fast, flat, boring course- great for beginners" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 PROS: Well organized, good corrals, good stations, great medal, and good post-run runners' area. Great, cool, dry weather! CONS: Boring, straight-line run through standard suburban-appearing America. |
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