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Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 417 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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e. c. from Phoenix, AZ
(6/9/2004)
"Not the best, but getting better" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 2004 marks my fourth Rock 'n Roll Marathon. The race organizers have improved their product from the 1998 fiasco. This year offered great weather and that makes all the difference in any marathon. This year the course did not seem as narrow and crowded as previous years and the aid stations were well-staffed and appropriately spaced. I still regret that a race held in a town as beautiful as San Diego can avoid views of the Pacific Ocean entirely. Course is challenging, often cambered and crowded. Not exactly a perfect forum for a PR but a nice 'event marathon'. Of course, this race is well-known for strong spectator support. Like most other races, the finish area is crowded and moves too slowly, but the iced towels were a nice touch. Logistics can be an issue here. You must have a bullet-proof plan for getting to the start and away from the finish. It was a long walk out of MCRD, but there really is no way to avoid the obvious security concerns. Not the fastest, not my favorite, but a nice race if you know what to expect. | |
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J. W. from AZ
(6/9/2004)
"Finish Line Needs A Lot Of Improvement" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The only problem I had was at the finish line - it was a big mess. Runners couldn't get out to meet their families because of spectators standing in front of the exit area. When I finally got out there were no signs saying family area. It took me 2 hours to find my wife. She saw me cross the finish line, and waited for me to come out. The family area was packed with people that were not even looking for anyone. Most of the people I seen were just sitting around drinking beer. I had a person tell me to get out of their way - they were lying on the grass and talking and she said I was in her way. I told her I was looking for my wife and she said, she not here, so I should keep moving - how rude! I ran the Phoenix R N R and didn't have any problems at the finish. I think the race organizers should take a look at how the Phoenix finish line was set up. I give 5 stars to the volunteers; they were all great! | |
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Scott Christ from South Pasadena, CA
(6/9/2004)
"Fans and bands pump up an apathetic runner." (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran cross country and track in high school and decided to try a marathon for the hell of it. My training and enthusiasm were sub-par. I'd run 5 miles here and there. A couple days before the race, I'd thought, 'I don't feel like running the full 26.2.' On race day, my fellow runners' excitement, the fan support, and the rockin' bands PUMPED ME UP! I was inspired to run the full 26.2 despite the pain and I broke 4 hours! This marathon was a fun experience and I hope to do more. The TNT people were friendly and great to run with. The fans did not discriminate. I love being showered with free Gatorade, Powerbars, and fruit. The concrete and unforgiving tar killed my legs. However, I heard the course was being changed to softer surfaces. I recommend this one for all runners. | |
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k. s. from california
(6/8/2004)
"Not bad for a first marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the SD Rock 'n Roll Marathon on 6-6-04, for my first marathon. Lots of spectator support, in my opinion. As for bands, it seemed that there could have been a lot more of them - I'm convinced I missed a lot of them. Plus, it seemed that a lot of them were taking breaks when I passed by. Music choices were nice, but when the bands weren't on the stage, they piped in some music, or none at all. The course is almost all pavement or blacktop. And a lot of it takes place on a freeway. Not the greatest surface, but not horrific, either. Weather was nice -- overcast most of the day, a few breezes, and just a little bit of sun off and on (of course I forgot to wear sunscreen and am paying for it now). I bring my own food so I don't have to depend on aid stations -- it's a good thing because the first few ran out of Gatorade, the last ones hadn't. I ate my own ClifShots and was pretty happy. Course ended and you had to walk quite a distance to receive your medal, cut off the chip from your shoe, and then grab some food. I ran as a Team in Training participant (TNT) and loved seeing so many people in purple singlets. Go Team! Although I swore at the end of this marathon that I wouldn't do another one, I'm already signed up for my second. Not sure if I'll do this one again, as there are so many out there to choose from, but I had a fabulous experience. | |
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j. g. from Seattle
(6/8/2004)
"Fast port-a-potty lines" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The long lines of 30-40 runners at the dozens and dozens of port-a-potties stationed at at least four locations in the Balboa Park start area quickly diminished in the one or two minutes before the 6:45am start so, as long as a runner didn't desperately need to start the run in an assigned corral, there was plenty of time to join masses of slower corral runners still moving towards the start. When I got to the timing mats at the start at 6:56, there were still hundreds of other runners still behind me. | |
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E. L. from San Diego, CA
(6/8/2004)
"Waste of 95 Bucks!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I would like to know were the Rock 'N Roll people spent my 95 bucks? Runner water was being supplied by the San Diego City fire hydrants then piped through 1" fire hoses and garden hoses into 25 gallon trash cans. The water people then dipped a dispenser into the trash can and into cups. On marathon day there were 2 fires in the area. Thanks for the ash-laced fire hydrant water, Rock 'N Roll people! Nice work Power Gel people waiting until the marathon is almost over to give out your nasty gel. And of course, thanks again for almost no trashcan, fire hydrant, too-strong Gatorade until the last half of the marathon. And thanks again for not cheering for everyone else, TNT people! | |
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Jonathan Bookspun from Atlanta, Georgia
(6/8/2004)
"I had an awesome time!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When I read the comments of runners from previous years before the race, I was kind of bummed out. It turns out I had an awesome experience! The negative comments were way off base. Frankly, either things have improved quite a bit over the years or some of the runners from previous years are a bunch of whiners. The course was relatively flat and a lot of fun. The bands were great. The crowds were out in high numbers and very supportive of all runners. The TNT folks were not annoying in the least and were inspirational. Getting to the start and from the finish was easy. I ended up having a super time and ran a PR in the process. People who complain must somehow be under the impression that everything should be perfect and easy. The difficulties of this race, like most any race, are minor and should be taken as a challenge, not an excuse. I say go for it and have a great time! | |
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E. B. from Chattanooga, TN
(6/8/2004)
"Great race! But could we change the finish area?" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, the first being the Country Music in 2003. Elite Racing knows how to put on a great event. Incredibly well organized for something with 20,000 participants. Great aid and support along the course. It's amazing how well organized Elite is and how much fun the musical marathons are. But could we change the finish? It was a little daunting running into the Marine Corp Depot and being greeted by a Marine with a machine gun. And it took my mother, a spectator trying to get to the finish line, an hour to get onto the base. They had to search everyone. In this time of such heightened security, can't we find a better finish area in beautiful San Diego? That being said, overall, it was a great race! I highly recommend it. | |
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Peter Gower from Kalamazoo, Michigan
(6/8/2004)
"I could have run 26.2 miles on Rt. 94 back East" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Overall, I was disappointed by this race. I thought that there would be better scenes, better bands and frankly a better course. Knowing that PC Chang is a #1 organizer of marathons and that this was in San Diego, I was really looking forward to a rock 'n roll filled beautiful Southern California landscape. This was far from reality. First, where were all the lovely beaches, bays and neighborhoods? There were no beaches and some of the neighborhoods were rather ugly. Second, I was personally disappointed by the music. I thought there would be better bands. I saw a few 13-14-year olds playing guitar and quite a few bands blowing out my ear with gigantic speakers. Maybe the idea is to blow your eardrum out so it lessens any aches and pains you might have from running. Third, the race was predominately on freeways... and banked ones at that! You can't tell me that the organizers of this race can't make this route more scenic. Fourth, I thought the start and finish areas were pathetic. Not the easiest access in the world. And what's with finishing on a desolate Marine Corps base? Fifth, What was with the huge water tanks on the course filling our water cups? Were they pumping this to us from the Bay? I think they could have gotten a better H20 sponsor. Sixth, I was not impressed by the fan support. I have seen better... even at rainy, cold, smaller marathons. This marathon does not compare with Chicago or New York. I would have even accepted just one glimpse of the San Diego Charger Cheerleaders rather than the numerous 10-year old pompom girls. (O.K., ding me on a rather macho, sexist comment... I'm allowed one). Lastly, and to end this on a good note, like most marathons, the thing that makes it great and that brings us sadistic types back for more punishment are the marathoners themselves. I am always in awe of the people I meet and run beside. Regardless of what time a person does, the people that make the decision to train and run a marathon are truly some of the most inspiring people in the world. I have already done Paris and the Flying Pig this year, and hopefully a few more in the fall. I hope to continue to run and improve my time from the support of the amazing marathoning community... truly a unique breed. | |
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c. c. from USA
(6/8/2004)
"A great marathon for the masses" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Because of the particular aspects of the marathon experience R'n'R emphasizes, this event perhaps isn't for everyone. It's as much spectacle as long, body-killing run, so for hardcore but non-elite runners I might think twice before entering this race. For the rest of us, it's a grand time and a well-coordinated production. Plenty of water and Gatorade (different flavors even!) lined the course. Lots of medical aid tents. I didn't run into a single volunteer who wasn't focused on his/her task at hand. The bands were enjoyable (I made a couple new discoveries I otherwise wouldn't have heard anytime soon) and the cheerleaders were attentive, loud, and very supportive. There's a lot to keep mortal marathoners motivated in these Elite races. And yes, free beer at the finish line helps too. Speaking of the finish line - it was at a military depot. People who wanted to watch the finish of the R'n'R had to arrive at the depot hours in advance. For the runners it was an inspiring way to finish 26.2 miles, but I wonder why security there is so tight for the spectactors... after all, as a runner I wasn't searched on my way in! The security mechanism is a logistical peculiarity, and of course the finish area itself is crowded, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and have no personal complaints about the way this is organized. My only negative comment about the course is the cambered roads, and I knew about those coming into the race. It is what it is, and it's not awful, just slightly annoying. Note that apparently the City of San Diego is telling Elite to change the course next year because of light rail improvements the city is planning to make, so keep an eye on that. I will definitely run this marathon again in 2005! Thank you to everyone who helped make the '04 edition as much fun as it was. |
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