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Rocket City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rocket City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 285 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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Michael Martin from New Freedom, PA
(12/16/2008)
"Must-do Smallish Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow, you couldn't ask for a better marathon experience! This was my 18th marathon and I would honestly rank it as one of my favorites. From the efficient race packet pickup to the extremely plentiful buffet food line after the race to the caring support of the finish line personnel, this race was top-notch! I mean, how cool is it that you could hang out both pre-race and post-race in the comfortably warm host hotel? The disposable timing chips were a nice touch as well, enabling runners with "jelly legs" at the finish to focus on getting their bearings rather than fumbling to get their chip off. Another huge plus for the race was the free massage at the end. I have had a number of massages after races, but this one was definitely the best. These folks definitely knew how to give a thorough massage to work out the lactic acid. Besides the slight wind that occasionally blew during the race, the conditions were ideal for running a marathon with temps in the 30's and 40's throughout the race. This is definitely a PR course if you train well and in cooler temps. Although personally missing a PR by about 3 minutes with a 2:59, this was due to this being my 4th marathon this year and my lack of extensive training versus any difficulty of the course. In fact, this course, with its relative flatness, lends itself to PRs. Summing up this race, all I can say is YOU MUST DO THIS MARATHON!! This is a great race for first-timers, 50-staters, or PR-seekers. Trust me; you will not be disappointed. | |
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William Moran from Springfield, Virginia
(12/16/2008)
"fun and friendly race on a forgiving course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I have run the big ones - Boston, Chicago, New York and Marine Corps - but there is something very nice about a well run smaller marathon too! This is a well organized, friendly race event on a very easy course. It's also nice to run a race where you don't have to worry about falling at races where there are so many runners all bunched up at the start line and without the few at those big events that feel the need to dart across in front of you and cause near accidents. Another plus: with the smaller entry field of this one, there is no great difference between the chip time and the official time because it doesn't take 5 minutes to get to the start line. I would definitely run it again. A bit more race memorabilia would be nice, though - like a glass beer mug with the race logo and a polo-type shirt. | |
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S. N. from USA
(12/16/2008)
"Great Marathon!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great organization, great course, great weather! I enjoyed every minute of it. The pre- and post-race meals were also worth every penny. Thanks for putting on a such a good race. | |
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K. C. from USA
(12/16/2008)
"Very well run event" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had a great time. I made this just a day trip, so I did not get the chance to explore Huntsville at all. Spectators are limited, but the ones that do come out are great!! The course is very well marked, both with permanent paint and volunteers at every turn. I ran a 5+-minute PR and placed in the top 15 overall (6+-minutes faster than I ran in Chicago). Weather was perfect here. The finish area leads you right into a massage, food, and a warm area - great idea. My only recommendation would be at the aid stations to put the Gatorade on one table and then the water on the same side of the street about 100 meters down the road, so people can use both if they need to. | |
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L. G. from Maryland, USA
(12/15/2008)
"Wonderful experience!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon will give you a great running experience with no hassles. Registration was easy. Expo, packet pick up, race start, and finish line all take place at the same hotel, which makes it very convenient if you are coming from out of town. It is a huge plus to be able to stay inside until right before the race starts and be able to go inside a warm hotel right after finishing instead of having to stand around outside in the cold. Everything was well organized, the course was pleasant and flat, and the volunteers and spectators were very enthusiastic. Police and volunteers did a great job of keeping the course clear. The food line at the end was a little slow, but food was plentiful and there was a good variety. I especially appreciated the hot soup. Another nice touch was having volunteers ready to fix your bagel for you (plenty of choice for spreads) instead of grabbing one out of a box. The shirt is a Nike tech shirt, the medal is nice, and you get a finisher's hat. Overall, a great experience!! | |
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a. j. from birmingham
(12/15/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a very good small marathon. The small ones are SO much better than the big ones. Very organized, very friendly volunteers, and a flat course. The only thing is: runners need a beer after the marathon!! Where was the beer? They did have a great tech shirt and very cool cap. Pretty nice medal too. I'm glad I did this marathon! | |
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R. C. from Nashville, TN
(12/15/2008)
"Great, flat course. Perfect for 1st-timers." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my second time to run Huntsville. It was my first marathon two years ago, and third overall. Again it was a good race. The expo is small, and there aren't many folks out along the course. But if you can do without the cheering crowds (Nashville was a great one!), it's a great marathon. I had a PR of 3:59:15 this year. Thanks to all who hosted! | |
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N. A. from Nashville, TN
(12/14/2008)
"PR course for me!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had heard great things about this race from the local Nashville running community. I was not disappointed! The weather was perfect for me (a native New Englander) - in the high 30s at the start, rising to the high 40s. The expo was small, but full of bargains. I stayed at the host hotel, which made it incredibly easy to get to the start (and the finish line was right there, too). I was not expecting a lot of spectators, but was pleasantly surprised. My favorite scene? A lawn covered with plastic cows and a sign saying, "Keep moooooo-ving!" The people that came out (especially the high schoolers!) were super enthusiastic. As everyone has said, it's a mostly flat course. Many turns, but very well-marked/monitored. The finisher's medal was awesome, and so was the hat. My only complaint was that the food afterward (a great spread!) was inside, in an area that was very crowded. I started feeling faint after waiting in line in the hot hallway after being so cold outside. I felt much better after a lemonade and getting away from the crowd! I got a 24-minute PR on this course! Would definitely recommend this marathon. My favorite race so far! | |
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Kevin Felton from Hopkinsville, Kentucky
(12/14/2008)
"Best small marathon - don't change anything" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second Rocket City Marathon. I came back after seven years to qualify for Boston. After I arrived, I realized why I chosen this particular race. It is a great race. It is very well organized and everyone is super friendly. The scenic course is mostly flat to gently rolling and the weather is usually cool - just the way we like it! Great pre-race pasta dinner and post-race food has something for everyone, too. Race organizers and volunteers really make you feel welcome and special. While Boston will always be the standard, Rocket City reminds me why I run marathons. I will run this race again and I hope they don't change anything! | |
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Wade Morris from Birmingham, Alabama
(12/14/2008)
"Good Run" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Perfect weather for a marathon. The expo is small and crowded but you can get your packet and get out fairly quick. The course is fast and flat with a few rolling hills that are no problem at all. The spectators are few, and they just look past you waiting to support the one person they came out for. The best cheering noise came from a cross country team and the dogs barking in the yards. If you go for the run and not the support, you will enjoy a good day of running. |
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