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Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.6 
Organization 3.3 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 203 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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J. W. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/17/2011)
"Disappointing" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I gravitate towards smaller marathons, but in my quest to complete the 50-states, the RnR San Antonio 'fit' into my schedule. Unforunately, I chose poorly. As stated previously, this race was designed for the 1/2-marathoners. I am an average marathoner - finishing ~4-hour mark. By the time I finished (~4:16), the headlining band had already finished their concert! Seriously? Not that I run races b/c of the band, but this was pretty crummy. Post-race food was crappy (at best). Nothing you can do about the weather. I don't particularly care about shirts or medals, but these were so-so. All in all, I wish I would have done a smaller TX marathon - they typically do them better when they are smaller. I doubt I will ever do this one again. | |
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B. L. from Houston TX
(11/16/2011)
"Will run this one again" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this marathon since the early 80's. Arrived at A T & T at about 4:15 AM, then rode downtown on the buses. After the race we rode the buses back to the parking area, great. For a back-of-the packer like me, this was a great experience. Plenty of water, cytomax, pretzels. At 20 miles, there were hot, fresh tortillas, fantastico! The different types of bands all through the course were great. The finish line crew was very good. Cold wet rags, cold water,corn chips, energy bars, beer. Already planning for next time(2012). Yes, it was hot, this is South Texas in November, get over it! Negative parts: Expo closes too early. Some of the 'bandit' runners were no doubt those that couldn't get in to the Alamodome before 5. Should stay open until 7 PM. Retrieving your bag should should not be an agonizing trip down and up and down and up stairs right after finishing a marathon. I have run marathons in all 50 states and in the Carribean. This is one of the better ones. | |
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G. L. from Kentucky
(11/15/2011)
"Medical Disaster" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 As our 24th marathon, this should have been a great weekend. However, due to the temperature one of our runners experienced heat exhaustion and began vomiting at the finish line. There were no medical personnel there, and he was told to 'move along'. He collapsed outside the finish line and lay there semi-conscious, cramping, and dizzy for over an hour with no one checking on his condition. Luckily, we found him as we finished - spent the night at the hospital, something that could probably have been avoided had anyone cared to check on him. If you can't support this many runners, then maybe the field should be limited. In addition, my friend was running her first marathon. The time limit was listed as 7 hours - we did it within that time limit, but experienced many closures of water stops within the last 10 miles. With the heat this really could have meant serious medical issues; luckily, we found the ice bags at the medical tents and were able to cool down - how many people around us were not so lucky? 7 hours means 7 hours chip time, not clock time. Again, runners must be supported or you get what we saw at the emergency room - a sea of runners suffering the consequences of poor race planning. | |
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J. R. from Alexandria, VA
(11/15/2011)
"Corporate greed really ruined this one" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my first Rock n' Roll- and my last. So much could have been done better. Let's remember that first, this was a business deal: Competitor Group is in this to make money. That said, my major beefs: 1. This is really a half marathon with a small minority of marathoners. Just over 4000 marathoners out of a field of 23,000. So many walkers, so little marathon ettiquette. It would have been so much easier- and safer- to start the 26.2 crowd out at 6:30. A pre-dawn start which would have really helped in the heat. 2. Aid stations. By mile 18, the water was coming out of garbage pails. Really? Couldn't find a water company to sponsor? A few salty snacks (pretzels...) would have really helped, too. 3. Fan support was really spotty. After the 13.1 crowd broke off, the course got barren, fast. I get it that the organizers were trying to send us to see 'the Missions', but this meant a long, lonely stretch through a golf course, then past a cemetery, airport, and refinery at mile 18. Woohoo. 4. Finish. I finished under four hours, but still couldn't get anything more than a bagel, corn chips (no thanks) and water. No fruit. But to dump everyone in an asphalt parking lot with no shade on a day in the mid-80's? Lots of folks in the medical tents, but the air conditioned Alamo Dome was locked. Why? For those who trained in heat, this was rough. The thousands of walkers finishing hours after I did were at serious risk. Competitor, Inc. could have done much more to prevent heat casualties: more electrolytes, ice, shaded shelters, etc. Can't recommend this one at all. | |
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M. D. from San Antonio, TEXAS
(11/15/2011)
"Bandit runners should NOT be allowed at event" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 There were too many bandit runners this time. Its not fair that the ones that pay don't get accommodated accordingly. For example no toilet paper in portal potties. At the finish line it was sooo congested with runners. 10 ft after the finish line you have to come to a complete stop to get your medal, with no room to cool down, and then get through the congested photos and snack area. There was no room to stretch or cool down or even breath. And I think there should be a large gated area for payed runners to have the privilage to stretch/eat/drink/reunite with friends and family runners after the finish line. The snacks and drinks are right after finish line..and then they kick you out right after you walk through that area, so rude. Who wants to eat right after a marathon anyways. The other thing was to get your Gear check you have to go down and up flights of stairs..REALLY? I dont know about you, but after a marathon, stairs hurt. No compassion what so ever. I have ran all 4 Rock n Rolls in San Antonio and think the Rock n Roll group needs to step it up. | |
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J. B. from OK
(11/14/2011)
"Horrid course, gear check 1/2mi from finish" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran the San Antonio RnR on Nov 13, 2011. Pros: - Large expo Cons: -Horrible course. We went through some sketchy-looking areas of town, nothing pretty to look at, and the second half was mostly an out-n-back on some deserted roads near a municipal airport. -Gear check was nearly 1/2 mi from the finish line and required you to climb down and up some stairs yet the Dodge cars display was literally at the finish line. RnR's priorities are clear: money from sponsors is more important than racer comfort. -Women's participant shirt sizes ran significantly small. I usually wear a small in Brooks women's shirts but I need a large in this shirt. They would not let me exchange it at the expo. -No sports drink at the finish line when I came in at 5 hours. It was 80 degrees by then, I really could have used a drink. | |
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A. K. from Portland, Oregon
(11/14/2011)
"Really Hot! Person Died from Heat! Great Fans!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 First time running and San Antonio is great city to visit :) Pros: Well organized for a big marathon. Great Tech shirt! Adequate aid stations and support. Great Fans! Make you feel like a Rock Star :) Free Beer! Cons: Really hot! The heat made me walk 2 miles late in event and I have never walked in a marathon before. I usually do well in the heat. Very crowded early which is typical for a marathon of this size. Not good for PRs. Gear check pickup a long ways away and they make you climb up and down stairs to get your stuff. Very weak finishline offerings. There even wasn't any bananas. Rock and Roll should use Portland,Oregon Marathon as an example of a finishline area that is done right. For as expensive as this event is, what is offered at this finish line is just sad. I would not do this event again. | |
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K. L. from San Antonio, TX
(11/13/2011)
"Caters to Half Marathoners" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 27th marathon so I have many to compare. I was a little disappointed because of the lack of attention to the marathoners. Everyone starts together which I think the marathoners should start at least an hour earlier. We received the same T-shirt also. The half marathon part of the course was fun with many spectators. However, once the marathon course started after mile 11 the race became very boring. I'm not saying the course was bad, I just wish there were more bands and/or cheerleaders. All in all, it was a positive experience. The parking shuttles went smoothly and the start was nice with the wave starts. I would have rated it a 5 if it wasn't for the hot weather when the sun came out. Thank goodness for the sponges and wet towels. | |
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W. S. from San Antonio, TX
(12/8/2010)
"Dangerous" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 PROS: 1. Water stations and volunteers were great! 2. Fans were great for the first half and at the finish. 3. Weather was great. CONS: 1. The train stopped my corral and many others. This was very disappointing (4 months of training plus $100). What's not mentioned are the numerous amounts of people jumping dangerously close in front of the train (to get across the tracks). 2. I stuck with the 3:45 pace group and they made up the 5-plus minutes lost during the first 10 miles. So the pace was pushed 30 seconds per mile. I hung tough, but the pace group dwindled quite quickly. I'm sure several people bonked at mile 20 or so. 3. The same t-shirt as the half-marathoners? With the amount of money spent on the marathon you would think they wouldn't cut corners on the shirts. 4. Last part of the marathon is uphill; it starts at about mile 20, so be prepared to run the last 6 miles uphill. 5. Lack of bands on the full marathon; where are the bands after mile 13? Not sure if I'll run another. Might try the Big D or Houston. | |
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F. B. from Mississippi
(12/2/2010)
"The TRAIN" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Never again! I just got my "train" adjustment. It does not and probably cannot tell the whole story. It did not make up for the total train time lost, nor the bunching back up and go-slow factor, nor the blown pacing strategy to try to make up the time. When you pass mile two pushing 25 minutes trying to maintain an 8:45 pace, YOU PANIC!! Why didn't they have a big sign at mile three: "RUNNERS, WE'RE GOING TO ADJUST; MAINTAIN YOUR PACING STRATEGY?" After enduring the train and running too fast to make it up, I got behind a van at approximately mile 20 that WAS GOING SLOWER THAN THE RUNNERS BEHIND IT! In an area where my only option was to jump up on the sidewalk and run through spectators to pass it. What was that all about!?? Drive to parking lot, walk half of a mile to the bus, walk half of a mile to the gear check, walk a quarter of a mile to the corral, then find out I'm assigned a different corral from my pace group leader??? Also, $10 bucks to park at the expo. Relatively high entry fee. Guess I'm just not cut out for big-city marathons. The good: beautiful city to visit, and for this year at least, perfect running weather - and the bands were great. And I trust there will be no more trains (nd without it, my ratings would have been 4/4/5). |
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