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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 201 to 211]
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Tom Lawry from Auburn AL
(12/10/2006)
"PR and very well run marathon" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I am sure that a 30-minute PR makes a runner a little less than objective, but I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this marathon. It was the little things. As I staggered across the finish, a very sweet, concerned young lady approached to make sure I was OK and guide me to where the chip was taken out of my shoelaces. That said a lot about the attitude toward the runners. The course is not scenic, but it is pleasant and flat. The expo is not exciting, but there are some good deals; and the post-race snack was very good. Overall, my best marathon but also the best run. Contrast that with Traverse City (I got medical attention at the end and got a bill!). I recommend Huntsville wholeheartedly. | |
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Math Instructor from New England
(12/10/2006)
"Lots of value for your money!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I did not PR but I learned much about how to train. The City of Huntsville definitely was good natured towards the runners. The race directors and host hotel were VERY organized! I enjoyed the little girls who cheered while we ran in front of their homes in the neighborhoods. Everyone should do this race for Alabama - it is a good representative for the state. | |
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d. c. from Chicago
(12/10/2006)
"This race is "cool"!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I would never have predicted that the coldest marathon I would ever run would be in Alabama. Despite the chilly weather (low 20's at the start) I had a great time in Huntsville. The Huntsville Track Club and the city do a great job with the race, the people could not have been nicer, and it is a flat, easy course. Overall, a terrific experience. I would highly recommend it. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(10/12/2006)
"An Excellent Marathon at a Bargain Price!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Saturday, 12/10/05, Huntsville, AL. This was the 29th edition of the Rocket City Marathon, the oldest marathon in AL. NASA's Space and Rocket Center is located in Huntsville, and thus it is known as the Rocket City. Temperature was 28 degrees at the 8 a.m. start and reached 40 degrees by noon. Sunny. Light wind. I warmed up quickly and very much enjoyed the weather. The course consisted of an approximately two-mile downtown loop, then five miles south to a 14-mile southeastern loop, then retracing the same five-mile route to the finish. Huntsville, located in the Tennessee Valley, is hilly but the course was relatively flat. Ten aid stations. Enthusiastic volunteers. Split times were given at every mile. I must salute Huntsville Track Club for organizing an excellent running event. As an out-of-town runner, I found all aspects of the race very convenient. The race hotel provided free airport shuttle. Packet pick-up, expo, pre-race dinner, post-race refreshments, awards ceremony, and post-race party were in the hotel. Start and finish lines were outside the hotel. All runners received Nike Tech shirts. Finishers received very nice medallion keychains and embroidered race hats. Information book had been mailed to all pre-registered runners. A few weeks after the race, I received an individualized 5" x 7" finish-line photo, as well as the official results book. All these, and the "early" entry fee was only $40! | |
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J. T. from Atlanta, GA
(1/11/2006)
"Best organized marathon I have run yet" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was completely amazed at how well this marathon was run. The pre-race set-up was fantastic. It was cold the day of the race and the host hotel let everyone wait in the lobby until the start. The day warmed up quickly to perfect running weather. The course winds through residential Huntsville and there was at least one volunteer at every turn. The police managed traffic as we crossed several major roads. The people of Huntsville were not put off by traffic and in fact seemed to welcome the event. The course was fairly flat and there were plenty of aid stations with plenty of volunteers. At the finish, I had my own personal greeter who got me my medal and great running hat and walked me into the hotel where the food and drinks were. That was a great touch. Do not miss this race. | |
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w. d. from Asheville, NC
(1/5/2006)
"got to be one of the best small marathons" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very well done race in every respect. Organized as well as, if not better than, most much bigger races. A lot of bang for the buck: Great shirt, finisher's hat, medal, and free finish-line photo. Very good pre- and post-race amenities. While there is little crowd support, those out there were vocal. A nice course; very gently rolling, with lots of turns, but perfectly marked and monitored. Very easy for fans/support crew to get around to see you often. | |
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W. H. from Georgia
(1/4/2006)
"It's really true!!!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Every positive comment you've read about the 2005 Rocket City Marathon is true. It was (by far) my best marathoning experience. Also, there simply isn't a better value. For example, I received a FREE 5 X 7 color finish-line photo in the mail last week. I have the utmost respect and admiration for this marathon's organizers. It blew the socks off '05 Chicago for a sheer running purist experience. | |
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Jim Skibo from Cedar Hill (Dallas) Texas, USA
(12/19/2005)
"Magnificent Small City Race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Of the 16 marathons I have run, this is by far the best run and most enjoyable of all of them. It is what running is all about and I hope it stays as pure as it is for years to come. SUPPORT: I don't have any cons for this race; it all works as smoothly as you'd want a race to be run. The race directors are totally accessible throughout the year, the course is extremely well-marked and staffed, plenty of hydration, sufficient porta-potties, and really nice after-race eats & hot soup, made to order bagels with peanut butter and jelly, fruit, hydration, etc. One of the unique things about this race is the start line location and its proximity to parking. There is free parking and it is possible to sit in your warm car until race time and simply get out and walk 100' to the start line. Or, the hotel lobby is also 100' from the start. COURSE: There are the normal shallow dips and hills found in any city/suburban environment, but essentially the course is flat. It leaves downtown Huntsville and ventures through the city's historic district and then out through beautiful older suburban neighborhoods. There are mountains to the one side but you never get near them so there are no hills. AFTER RACE: There is an evening meal after the race that is well worth your attendance. It is very informal but you get to discover (or rediscover) what racing is all about. I keep thinking that I am lucky to have the experience of running this race because it is what honest running is all about. No one is in this for the bucks & it's all about running. Many small races (1,000 runners or less) have the same persona as Rocket City, but what separates this from all others I've run is fact that it isn't a show & it's a race & and ONLY the full marathon - no half, no relays, no 5K, no walkers (runners only). Everyone at the start line is there to run 26.2 miles, and as a result it attracts some really good runners. This race is deeply committed to the runner's well-being. This is the only marathon I have ever run where someone at the finish does a one-on-one with you for several minutes to make sure you are OK. VALUE: I don't know how they do it for the money. You get a long-sleeve Nike Dri-Fit technical shirt, a Finisher's hat and neat finisher's medal. Also, the speaker at this year's pasta party was by himself worth the cost of entry! SPECTATORS: Only a few spectators, but in smaller races you aren't going to get the "Chicago" cheering masses. If you must have them, then this isn't your race. If you like an appreciative few, then Rocket City is your race. WEATHER & CLOTHING: It was chilly, but I was dressed appropriately and felt great the whole race. This year started at 22 and made it up to 40 but with an 11 mph wind, so it stayed chilly. If you over-dress or like to start a race in sweats, the race is so well run that if you shed clothes as you run, the aid stations will get your clothes back to the finish line for you. | |
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D. W. from North Georgia
(12/19/2005)
"Great marathon - everything as advertised" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I selected this marathon because of the date and the convenience. I was completely satisfied with my marathon experience. From the hotel staff (Holiday Inn Select) to the volunteers, police, and spectators everyone was supportive of a good marathon experience. I went to the start line full of self-doubt. I was worried about being able to finish in the 6:00 cut off. The positive energy generated by the marathon organizers, the other runners, and the crowds eliminated any doubt as soon as the gun went off. There are LOTS of turns, the course IS relatively flat (as advertised) and, for those of us at the back of the pack, there is no traffic control at busy intersections over the last 10K or so. This is spelled out in the detailed race booklet mailed well ahead of time. It would have been nice to know at the time I was selecting the marathon. But, then I might not have registered and missed this wonderful experience. Each runner is treated as an individual and, despite finishing toward the end of the race, I felt supported and cared about. There was even plenty of post-race food left! The salty vegetable soup was a stroke of genius! The course is neither 'scenic' nor boring. It is challenging enough to give one a true sense of satisfaction. Yes, there are 'hills' (as advertised), but I never really felt them. | |
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Todd Hamby from North Carolina
(12/18/2005)
"My Favorite Race Ever" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I cannot say enough good things about this race and the community of Huntsville. I had a great day and had a 13-minute PR. The hills are nothing to worry about here. The value that you get for this race is amazing. Great shirt, great hat, great food, great medal, great speakers, pre-race booklet, finisher's picture and booklet. WOW! Great folks on the course in freezing weather making everyone feel like a rock star. And for everyone in Huntsville on race day, you are rock stars. Thanks Dink and Suzanne. I'll be back. |
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