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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 161 to 171]
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J. E. from Indiana
(12/10/2007)
"Awesome, well-organized, worth it!!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Just ran the 2007 version of this race and it exceeded the expectations of the many who have spoken well of the race! Can't say enough about how well organized the entire weekend was, how supportive the community was and the way runners were treated. It was awesome. From the good value for the fee to the easy time of getting the packet to the layout of the course to the energy of the volunteers... it was well worth it. The tech long-sleeve shirt was terrific, and they gave a very nice hat and medal for finishing. They also provided great food. Wow. This year, 2007, turned out to be warm and humid, but not much the organizers could do for that. Yet they were out there with more than enough water and Gatorade and gels to hand out. This is a terrific marathon that is fun to run. | |
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D. M. from Phoenix, AZ
(12/10/2007)
"Convenience but Challenging Humidity" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First, I would highly recommend this to "check off" Alabama on your 50 states journey. Flying into Huntsville was pretty easy, which allowed me a quick "turnaround" (one night stay) to run the race. The race hotel couldn't be more convenient... the start is right outside the host hotel (Holiday Inn) front door and the finish leads right back into the hotel's ballroom! They also allowed late checkout to 2:00 p.m. and a free airport shuttle (on the hour). And of course packet pickup was also in the hotel, so everything was very convenient. The course itself wasn't bad, except for the long, straight, boring stretch in the middle on the highway. The historic houses at the beginning were beautiful. The killer was the humidity! I didn't realize what a toll it would take. The temps were supposed to be in the 50's, but the bank clock/thermometer at the start showed 62 degrees. I thought being "overcast" would help, but again I underestimated the humidity. On the plus side, some of the water stations were delightful, and they have to have the cutest little kids helping man them there! The finish area was very congested, so that would be an area for improvement. Also, the "personal attendant" at the finish was nice, but he really didn't understand when I kept explaining to him that I had my own personal Champion Chip (so I didn't need it cut off!). The one real complaint I have is the fact that you MUST attend the awards ceremony (starting at 2:30 p.m.) to pick up your age group award. I was thrilled to see I got 3rd in my age group, but couldn't stay because I had to catch a flight home. They made it very clear they will NOT mail awards, and your only option is to have somebody else pick them up for you. I understand the desire to have attendance, but I think it's kind of closed-minded to mandate it when some of us travel a good distance, and need to try to avoid paying for an extra night's hotel stay if possible. They said it was so they could take pictures of age group award winners, but I couldn't help wondering if this is a deal with the hotel to earn more money? Bottom line, it's a well run race, on a decent course, with lots of convenient features. But watch out for that humidity! | |
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A. S. from Minneapolis, MN
(12/10/2007)
"Very well organized" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my thrid marathon, and my first Rocket City. Would definitely do this one again! I found it to be well organized. Good race to do if you like things on a smaller scale (about 1500 runners). | |
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R. J. from New hampshire
(12/10/2007)
"A fast course" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race was everything I had imagined. No 5K, relay, or half-marathon events. Just a pure marathon. There were 1,500 runners competing against the distance and the clock. Great course with lots of little rises and gentle declines. Plenty of volunteers, aid stations, Gatorade, gel, and water. There were many turns early and late in the race, which did not bother me, and long straightaways in the middle, which made the race go by quickly. The only problem with this marathon was the weather. Race day began at 62 degrees and finished at 68 degrees with lots of humidity... something that I was not ready for while training back in New Hampshire! It was a tough day! Forgot about racing and just set a goal for cruising in at 3:30. Mission accomplished. On a more typical year with weather in the 30's or 40's, this would have been a PR day. By the way: There isn't a nicer bunch of people anywhere in this country. Hats off to Huntsville, Alabama and all of its citizens. Thank you. | |
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J. M. from Nashville, TN
(12/10/2007)
"Wonderful Marathon; Bizarre Weather" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just want to echo the first report. Rocket City Marathon is always wonderful in terms of organization, even with the sellout crowd this year. Huntsville is also a nice little city to visit, with good down-home and ethnic restaurants. December weather can been bizarre in the upper South, however, as it was in the 20's at the start in 2006, but in the 70's when I finished in 2007. I will be back next year, the Good Lord willing, to see what He serves up for us in 2008. | |
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Carol Gregg from Olathe, KS
(12/10/2007)
"What a quaint town and marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I did not research much about this marathon. I chose it because I wanted to run a marathon in December. I was slightly surprised how small it was due to the excellent website and e-mails sent prior to the marathon. Usually this is only reserved for larger runs. The aid stations and port-a-johns were plentiful. The host hotel was excellent (late checkout a plus). The start and finish are just outside the hotel. Small expo but well organized packet pickup. The line for food/refreshments at the end was long so I skipped it. Crowd support was low (probably due to the rain), but I truly enjoyed and appreciated the young lady playing the accordion a few spots along the way, once while on roller blades! I also enjoyed the course, which was not - but seemed to be - slightly downhill the entire route, and mostly on asphalt and not concrete! Overall a great marathon and I just loved Santa's Village, only 0.5 miles from the host hotel! | |
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N. T. from Atlanta
(12/10/2007)
"Perfectly Organized Event" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon as a participant, and I chose the Rocket City, in large part due to the rave reviews on this site. The start and finish are at the main hotel, which houses the event headquarters. So, you just have to get up in the morning and walk across the street to the starting line and off you go. The race packet you are given the day before the race includes everything you need, including carefully counted tickets for the pre- and post-race dinners, depending on the number of attendees you have specified. They also provide a high-end, long-sleeved Rocket City training shirt (not a cheap cotton one) and your race number with your first name on it - they call out your name and home town as you cross the finish line... regardless of when you finish. As you cross the finish line, you are also given a finisher's baseball cap and medal. When you're done, all participants get free sandwiches, soup, ice cream, and other goodies at the hotel. My family and I also attended the pre-race carbo dinner and post-race banquet. Good food. Low price. Well done - again. Because Huntsville is not a big city and the event has only 1,500 or so participants, there are stretches with few supporters. However, those that are there are enthusiastic. I loved the groups of high school kids with faces painted and offering high-fives as I passed by. Also appreciated were the large teams of Boy Scouts at the water stops - handing out drinks and cleaning up trash. The upside of the few spectators and participants was that my family was able to meet me at three different points on the route, and didn't have trouble getting there. The City of Huntsville, the race organizers, and the volunteers have a lot to be proud of. Thanks! | |
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Dean Shaw from Columbus, Georgia
(12/10/2007)
"Fast race and superbly organized!!!!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my fourth overall marathon and 1st in Huntsville. With the race being capped at 1500, the organizers of this race did a wonderful job of having many volunteers to staff fluid stations, and take care of runners as they finished. Not once did I feel like "just a number" before, during, or after the race! With two hotels right next to the start/finish, there is no need to get up 4-6 hours in advance to make the start. The food afterwards was awesome. Hot soup, fresh sandwiches, plenty to drink, and all sorts of snacks! The weather was a little crazy for December(62 degrees and 90 percent humidity at the start), but the course is flat, and the staff was great, with volunteers calling out mile splits at each mile. I will be back!!! | |
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R. C. from Alabama
(12/10/2007)
"Very Well Run, Small Marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 8th marathon and by far my most difficult. The warm temps and humidity made this event tough to even finish. But the organization and fans were great. I'd certainly do it again... in cooler weather. | |
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M. S. from Florence, Alabama
(12/10/2007)
"Great First Marathon!" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great course and unbelievably well-organized race. This marathon was a fantastic first for me. I can't wait to do it again! |
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