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Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 241 to 251]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 23 24 25 26 27 .. 40 > ]

 

P. A. from Fairfield, IA (1/14/2007)
"Truly Flat and Fast" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


If you are looking for a flat and fast course, this is the one. There are no hills. That's right - none. I have run many marathons and I just ran a PR by over 7 minutes today. I rated the course a five due to it being flat and fast. Other than that, it has some nice scenery but certainly isn't overwhelming. Elite did a nice job with the marathon. Started on time, plenty of H2O at well-manned water stations, ample medical help if it was needed. Finish area was smooth and efficient. Food was plentiful with a nice variety. Free sandals were nice. Medal was awesome and the shirt was just okay. These guys do enough major events that they should know to give out a nice technical running shirt, not a cheap cotton T-shirt. Spectators were friendly, but sparse in many places. My wife ran the 1/2 and said it started 30 minutes late. Don't think they totally have the shuttle and traffic thing worked out or people just don't believe them when they say to get there early. All in all, great if you want to snag a PR, but if you are a 50-stater looking for a cool Arizona marathon, try The Lost Dutchman a few weeks later.

 

K. D. from Louisville, KY (12/30/2006)
"Would not recommend this marathon" (about: 2006)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


This marathon was the worst marathon I have ever run. The air quality was bad since they had not had rain for more than a month, and it was HOT! (Which is obviously out of the race director's hands.) But asthmatics need to beware. The course was FLAT! And boring. Their neighborhoods are surrounded by walls, so you are running through streets that are only half closed off (traffic going one direction and you are going the other), with a corridor of walls around you, and the only thing interesting to look at is Camelback Mountain in the distance (until you make a couple of turns, and then there is nothing). The crowd support was only in the areas where the bands were, and besides that you were on your own. There were only 3 port-o-pots at aid stops, which resulted in 10+ min. waits. On the plus side, they had water and sports drink interspersed religiously along the course. The bands that were staged toward the end of the race seemed uninterested in being there.

I had two friends who ran the half and they pretty much had the same opinion of the race. I did take in some sightseeing and took advantage of the spas in the area, which was the best part of my weekend. The Sedona Marathon might be a more scenic route for someone trying to knock Arizona off their 50 states.

 

B. C. from Connecticut (11/27/2006)
"A good time in the sunshine!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I enjoyed this race. Spectators were supportive and volunteers and cheering squads were first rate! I enjoyed the bands, the diversity of music was good. The sun got to me at mile 14 but I also had a bad trip out (flight cancelled, just made it in night before) so I was dehydrated and cramping. I'd definitely wear a hat next time and maybe shades. I finished in 5:45 but there was still plenty of food and support at finish line. Scottsdale was beautiful, and the finish was well done. I would have liked more of a mountain view route; it was mostly through city/residential area, but still nice.

 

J. S. from Vancouver, BC (11/9/2006)
"Hated it" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 3


Listened to the organizers - we were there on time and yet the race started late. Buses went by half empty. The end was very disorganized.... They must make a good profit from all the salmon swimming upstream in this marathon. Never again. I am glad Vancouver does not allow this kind of marathon.

 

T. E. from Billings, Montana (10/1/2006)
"Fun course" (General Comments)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This course was fun. I think the organization was fine. If they tell you the bus leaves at 5:45, be there at 5:00 or earlier. The procrastinators come at 5:45 and then complain about the organization. Take responsibility for yourselves. The marathon was fun and flat, organization seemed great, and the spectators were really supportive. Some of the bands were good, but others were loud and awful. It's just a matter of opinion. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to do a marathon.

 

b. w. from New York, NY (9/27/2006)
"Flat and fast (if you can make it to the start)" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


Ran the 1/2 here last January. Great weather. Course was fast and flat as advertised. Race organizers want you to park at the finish and then take a shuttle back to the start. We arrived nearly 1 1/2 hours early and barely made it to the start on time. The line for the shuttle bus behind us seemed endless. Either improve this situation or reverse the course so people park at the start and take the shuttle back from the finish after the race when there are no time constraints.

Ran a PR and hiked Camelback Mt. the next day so I can't complain too much. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

 

Ryan Ford from Ottowa, Canada (9/8/2006)
"Flat Course, Perfect Weather & Free Sandals" (about: 2006)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Course was sooooo flat!

Awesome organization at expo & finish. Start shuttles were a bit lined-up, but I guess that is the reality of running a big race.

A great touch was the free Spenco Sandals at the finish!!! Man, my feet LOVED that! Thanks Spenco!

 

O. B. from Vancouver, BC (8/1/2006)
"Flat course" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


This is the flattest course I have ever run. Only "climb" was a bridge over a reservoir in Tempe, near the finish. I found the bands on the course to be annoying, partly because most of them were loud, and not all that good. There was a race clock at every mile marker, though, and the volunteers were great. My main problem with the organization is that, at the awards ceremony/concert, they were searching people's bags to make sure people did not bring water to the event. People were told to either finish drinking the water found on their bags prior to entering, or they had a handy trash can for people to dispose of their water bottles. That way we would have to buy their overpriced water inside. That is simply unacceptable, and I will not be doing this race again.

 

D. R. from Boston, MA (6/28/2006)
"The view was beautiful and the music was a blast" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran this as a 50th birthday present to myself and it was such a blast! The bands were great, it was well organized, the course was flat, and the scenery was beautiful.

 

b. W. from Tucson AZ (6/8/2006)
"Wow, great times!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


They have really improved this race from the first year!! Great support, great, flat course, great fun. Perfect for a first-timer, better for a not-sure-if-I-want-to-do-it-again, and perfect for us addicts who don't care about a PR.

 

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