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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 281 to 291]
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E. L. from San Diego, CA
(6/7/2004)
"Don't waste your time and money!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 As a San Diego native, I had to run the Rock 'N Roll. what a waste of money and time! Better to just hit my knees with a hammer. No Gatorade for more than 15 miles for us back of the packers, nice heat exaustion, thanks Rock 'N Roll people! Thanks for not cheering Me on, Team in Training People! Nice freeway and skid row area run. You will have a much better time running the San Diego Marathon - it's 4 stars. | |
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Super Woman from Washington, DC
(6/7/2004)
"They take care of runners well!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Organization: The expo was very well done, and it was the best-organized race I've done. Nice goody bag. Good stuff at the beginning - bananas, bagels, coffee, water, Gatorade, etc. All the water stations were very well stocked. Nice extras at the end - ice cold wet towels to wipe that salt off your face, Powerbar protein bars, bananas/bagels, 1 free beer for runners, various food vendors. They really know how to take care of runners and they know what you need! I was impressed that they had a water station right after the Powergel station - I've been afraid to take the gel in past races, for fear I wouldn't have water to wash it down for awhile. Having the start & finish 3 miles from each other makes things a little harder, transportation-wise. Ending the course at Balboa Park would be a huge improvement, logistically at least. Course: The race is more challenging than you might think from the description and elevation profile. The first long dowhhill was not really noticeable to me, and the uphill at mile 6-7 was long, but the gradient wasn't too harsh. The worst were the many small ups & downs, you don't really get a sense of these from looking at the elevation profile, but the course goes up/down many exit/entrance ramps and short hills that make it a not-so-easy course. Scenery was ok, although I was expecting a bit more from lovely San Diego. A lot of highways and neighborhoods and malls. Despite the 17,000 participants, I didn't feel as crowded as I did in the Marine Corps Marathon, which is the same size - but I started in the 3:40 pace corral, so the run/walkers were pretty much all behind me. If you're not a Team in Training member, you feel a little left out, as the other team members/coaches are all along the route cheering for their team. Spectators: The spectators, bands, and cheerleaders were all a lot of fun to have on the course. There are some long empty stretches, yes, but it's a fun race. It seemed like a lot of the bands were on break when I ran by though - if I can run a marathon, then they should be able to sing & play music for that long too! The weather was great, overcast/sunny, 65-70, but you get some nice cooling breezes so it feels pretty good most of the time. It's the best weather you'll find in a June marathon. | |
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Craig Williams from Palo Alto, California
(6/7/2004)
"City marathons are all the same" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I came to San Diego with one purpose: To qualify for next year's Boston. I achieved my goal but I would like to offer my comments. My perspective may differ since I am a serious racer at any distance except the marathon. I have only run 5 marathons in 22 years. Organization: flawless. The race expo went smoothly and there were lots of great booths. Race morning, a friend dropped us off 1 block from the starting line. Finding things (gear trucks, toilets, water, etc. were not a problem. With 20K people you have to expect some lines but I felt that things were efficient. Getting to the corral worked though I noticed they weren't being policed at all. My friend came with me into my corral and he was in a completely different corral. On the course, the aid stations were plentiful. I don't run with a belt or carry anything extra so I am very critical of the course logistics. Mile markers were mostly visible except when there were a lot of spectators crowded around that area. I missed two of the mile markers. The finish area seemed great, but my perspective may be skewed since I came in at 3:30. Things were not crowded. The shuttle bus line did not exist. I am sure that all changed. The volunteers were up there with the best. Spectators: I am spoiled. I ran the Boston 8 years ago. The spectators are 3 deep on both sides of the course for 26.2 miles. Anyway, I think the enthusiasm level at Rock 'N Roll was tremendous. There are many parts of the course that are not easily accessible to the spectators but they would get there anyway. Thanks to all the spectators. COURSE: All city marathons get similar reviews. 'They miss all the best parts'. Well, there aren't too many cities that are 26 miles in size so the course designers have to kill mileage somehow. If you want scenic, then pick a scenic marathon (Big Sur is one. Crater Lake is another). San Francisco is the same as Rock 'N Roll. A real SF marathon would go up and over all the city hills - it would be brutal. The other problem is with street closures. I don't run a marathon for sites - though they do help break the monotony. This course is just another marathon course. Great would be a nice soft grassy surface. I actually think this is a good marathon for anyone to participate in. Do some hill training beforehand, including the downhill. One last thing - TEAM. I like seeing all the support and cheering. I am starting to see many TEAM spectators/coaches cheering for other runners as well. That's what it is all about. As a runner I always thank volunteers, spectators, police, etc. As a spectator I cheer for ALL. So thanks to the TEAM members that are following that trend - be inclusive! | |
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R. C. from Tucson, AZ
(6/7/2004)
"Great weather, nice course." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 OK, my wife and I have figured out what motivates us, and it is plenty of enthusiastic spectators. We just ran LA Marathon, where we finished a full hour worse than at the RNR, due to EXTREME heat. For the size of this event, there was a lack of spectators. You can't beat a 'big city' marathon for sheer exuberance. That aside, we had a great time in San Diego. It's my hometown, and I love it. Weather was cool, windy, and 98% cloudy. We train on the hills of Tucson, so were not at all bothered by the rolling hills of this course. We prefer it, actually. But, one gripe. This is our second Elite racing event. Their organization is top-notch, all the way until the end, where the whole system seems to break down. Why did I have to walk (or waited 45 minute for a shuttle to drive a mile) 20 minutes to get to my transportation (trolley)? I avoided the fiasco of my Phoenix event by NOT using drop bags. I likened the ending of the PF Chang race to the fall of Saigon. All in all, a great run highlighted by fantastic running conditions. And the course is not bad at all. I challenge other native San Diegans to come up with a 26.2 mile course that does NOT cross freeways, strip malls, etc. | |
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P. A. from Redlands, CA
(6/7/2004)
"A fun time" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I had a great time. The volunteers were excellent, and the organization was about as good as could be expected for almost 20,000 people. The bands were entertaining. The course isn't scenic the whole way, but it is relatively flat. The weather was perfect for a marathon. I would make shuttle plans well in advance... the hotel I was staying in assured me there would be shuttle space, but when I arrived, there was none, and I had to take a taxi to the start area. | |
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D. f. from Chicago
(6/7/2004)
"Why? Why? Why? Why?" (General Comments)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Why does this race end on the Marine Corp Recruit Depot??!?!?!?! This was a logistic nightmare! | |
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alfredo sandoval from orange county, california
(6/2/2004)
"The best experience in my life " (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran it last year and I have to say it was the best!!! The course was fantastic, the runners were very motivating, and I wish I could run it this year. I will go and see the race. Good luck to all the runners this year. | |
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K. B. from Milwaukee, WI
(4/22/2004)
"This race was rewarding on many different levels!" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was only my second marathon and my first one away from home. Although I believe that the hills are underestimated on the elevation chart and I suffered for my lack of hill training, I feel that the course was wonderful. Race support was more than adequate and the fans were amazing. The music was good but some of the stages needed more production and stronger PA's. I should disclaim that I work in the concert industry and my expectations are pretty high, but I was in no way disappointed by the entertainment value of this race. As a marathon newcomer and a entertainment professional,I strongly recommend this event. I will be back in 2004 to conquer what conquered me 2003. | |
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Rebecca Kur from San Diego, CA
(2/6/2004)
"The fans were the best part" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 OK - I live in San Diego, so I was a bummed by RNR's attempt to best promote our city. In addition to being a severly overcrowded marathon, here's a list of PRO's and CON's: PRO: You get a free ticket to a concert (one that you may not have wanted if you had to pay for it, but, hey, it's free???) That is, if you're up to a loud concert after pounding 26.2 of pavement. PRO: All those sweet fans that have camped out in the early morning, just to cheer on family and strangers alike. They were wonderful. School kids slapping your hands as you ran by. Little old ladies in lawn chairs, amazed that you're running for no good reason! PRO: At some point, you'll get to see the ocean... I think? Unless it's foggy or cloudy... PRO: I'm out of pros. CON: Where was the nutrition? Gatorade is NOT enough to last you until the last portion of the race... I bonked. I bonked hard. There were NO gel's, food, anything for at least the first 1/2 - a stranger gave me a gel. Thank you, stranger! CON: That music gets irritating after a while. Bring a CD player or your iPod... drowned out all the loud music as you get tired. I KNOW it's the RNR, but, after 13 miles or so, your head is simply tired. CON: The scenery was blah. You run through some really dirty parts of town. I live in a great town, with fabulous views, and incredible places to run. This course avoids all that! Running on a freeway is not thrilling. Running down 8 lane roads is not pretty. Running by strip malls and strip bars is gross. I saw more road trash and road kill on the course that I bargained for. The only pretty part was Hillcrest, Mission Bay and part of old Pacific Beach. You can keep the rest. PRO/CON: All the TNT people. I felt like one of the only NON-TNT people. I really appreciate their cause, but they were so loud and - well - everywhere! All I saw was purple in the crowd. Loud, yelling, loud. CON: The body and bag search - people were searched at random and upon entering the base. Why have the race finish on a military base with all the terrorism scares? This should have been avoided. It could have been somewhere less, well, violating. Like at Mission Bay! CON: REALLY, REALLY POOR FINISH LINE ORGANIZATION!!! It's jammed! No in and no out. I was alone, injured and crying (ok - a little fatigued, I admit), and I could not get to my family. They were not allowed to drive anywhere near the finish (a military base, jammed and crowded area). My mom is handicapped, and could not walk a couple miles to the finish. They missed me crossing the finish line. It was sad... just sad... I ended up walking a couple miles to a train station, then taking a bus to a place they could drive to. This was done barefoot, as my toes were bleeding in my shoes and I had to take them off. Imagine: Girl walking in Downtown San Diego, crying, no shoes, smelly and ragged, with a Mylar blanket. I looked fab... I just expected better. I really did. To end: I need a Boston qualifying race in this June, and though I live minutes from the start of this race, I will travel to another race to qualify. Suzuki RNR has left a bad taste in my mouth. Or maybe that was the finish line food?? | |
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E. B. from Cypress, CA
(11/4/2003)
"Painful, but fun" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The spectators and the other runners were what made this race fun. Parts of the course were great; there were only a few areas that were really scenic. My training leading up to the race was a disaster - one injury after another, but the having a good friend hanging back with me kept me going. The Jamba Juice bananas were fun too! Even though the start/finish areas were awkward, the shuttles ran on time and we got to the race early enough. A great first marathon for me! |
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