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Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 481 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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J. Y. from Richmond, VA
(4/29/2009)
"A good race, but..." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My main problem with this race is that it seems to have outgrown the space on the course, at least in the first half with so many half-marathoners. Running practically shoulder-to-shoulder for 9 or 10 miles was pretty frustrating. Also, hardly anyone followed the corral numbers at the start, so there were a lot of walkers in the front of the crowd who would walk right down the middle of the already crowded roads. If they're going to have corrals and a wave start, it needs to be better enforced. One thing I can't say enough about, however, is how well prepared the organizers were for such a hot day. There was never a station without water and Cytomax, and there were plenty of extra misting stations, salt packets and Jolly Ranchers. I felt like I would be in good hands if anything had happened. | |
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S. H. from Minnesota
(4/29/2009)
"One of the best I've run" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I thought this was one of the best organized marathons I've run (I've run 91 in all 50 states and 7 continents). The expo/packet pickup was efficient and smooth. The morning of was a breeze with a shuttle from LP field to the start staging area. In fact, I was stuck in a line of traffic (on I-24 or I-40??) trying to get to LP Field. The line was about a mile long and it was 5:00 a.m. I thought I'd miss the last bus. It only took 12 minutes to park from there!! Then they had coach buses with comfortable seats to take you to the start area. The start staging area/runner's village was incredible. They had food and fluids for everyone (37,000+ runners). The start itself was well organized into wave starts, although I'm glad I was in the first corral, since when I passed Mile 10 there were still people starting. There were plenty of fluids at the stations and the stations were nice and long. Miles were marked with banners and clocks, which is also nice. The course itself was on par with most I've run. The so-called hills in the first 8 miles weren't bad at all. The rest of it was mostly flat. My only complaint is that between 19 and 20 miles we rejoined the other runners (that is, half-marathoners) who were running much slower. But more importantly, despite the organizers' best efforts to designate separate running lanes, the other runners spread out across the entire road making it difficult if not impossible to pass them. This is not the organizers' fault. But I want to send a message to the half-marathoners that when a marathoner is coming up behind you and politely asks you to move over, please do so. At a minimum DO NOT become offended when the marathoner elbows his or her way past you after you have failed to heed their multiple requests. | |
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S. W. from Caledonia, MI
(4/29/2009)
"Great Location for a Race!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Nashville is a great location for a marathon. Although this is geared for the half-marathon, I ran the full. Crowd support dwindles after the half field splits off. The bands and cheer squads were a nice touch. Aid stations were everywhere you needed them. It is a hilly course and the temps were in the mid 80's. This is NOT and easy course, but with proper training, a fun one nonetheless. Excellent organization and expo. Cool medals as well!! | |
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E. A. from NYC
(4/29/2009)
"Great organization, disappointing course/fans" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Good expo, and great organization on a HOT, HOT day. We had no traffic problems getting there (around 5:15 a.m.), but we didn't use the freeway. Porta-johns were lacking at the start causing long lines. There was always at least water at the stops, and the sprinklers were great. Medical volunteers were on the course with salt, pretzels, and candy. I didn't think the hills were bad (but I train in Central Park), but the out-and-backs were tough - to see people where you want to be and they're all struggling. Some runners have no manners - like 3 walkers who skipped forward 20 corrals and walked next to each other forcing runners to weave, or people who ran the half and then stood in packs chatting in the middle of the active full raceway (around mile 20). Spectators weren't half as loud as at the Flying Pig. I'd do my other races again (NYC, Pig, Berlin), but not this one. | |
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H. B. from Nashville, TN USA
(4/29/2009)
"5th and LAST Time to Run this Race!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Never again. This race has become unmanageable! Too many people are allowed to enter, and NO ONE was there monitoring the corrals. I started with folks whose bib numbers were 10,000+ higher mine. Those are not fair conditions for those who are running for time. If you suffer from allergies, you will be miserable during and after this race. The pollen count is always extremely high! Weather this year was HOT, and the course changes made for a very hilly race. Online tracking didn't work, and results were not available for hours. Goody bags were almost bare. Positives: the expo was nice and well run, the shuttle service to the race was prompt, and the sponges filled with ice water were a great idea. | |
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Marina White from Irvine, CA
(4/29/2009)
"CMM - a complete marathon experience!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course seemed pretty tough in terms of elevation, especially considering how hot it was. I didn't feel that the routes we took were that spectacular, so perhaps it could be done in a less hilly area! However, the bands along made it worthwhile, and were great and numerous. Organization was great also - aid stations were fully stocked with lots of water, Cytomax, and sometimes hoses to cool us down - which was so very needed in that heat! Also there were tons of people to help with medical issues that might arise. Restrooms were also plentiful along the course, although I think restocking them (especially at the start and finish) would be a good idea - if you get my drift. It's no fun to be paperless! Pre- and post-race areas were very efficient and enjoyable, and the expo - although crowded - was well put on. And this was a huge crowd, but to their credit they did handle it all very well, at the expo, pre-race, starting and on the course, and after. The post-race concert was also a blast! Spectators were awesome, very enthusiastic and helpful when passing out items at aid stations and between - such as pretzels, fruit, beer and gum - yum! I found the course photography sparse - and those that were there I almost didn't see in time to wave! There should be more, or they should be better marked please. Overall, a nice time, despite some uphill battles (literally and figuratively!). It could be good for a relative novice with all of the support and fun offered, but also for the more experienced runner who likes a challenge! | |
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E. S. from Chicago, IL
(4/28/2009)
"Fun marathon despite the heat!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After training in Chicago all winter, the hills and the heat were pretty shocking! The hills were rolling and probably would have been much easier if I had trained in a hillier city. The last 6 miles were relatively flat, which I appreciated. The spectators and bands along the first half were amazing and kept the energy high. There were fewer spectators in the second half (I heard somewhere that 75% of participants do the half), but when they were out there, they were very encouraging. The organization was great. They were prepared for the heat with plenty of aid stations, and also had hoses at almost every water station after mile 15, which was AMAZING! I met some fun people and enjoyed the southern hospitality. I would definitely run this race again. It was a great weekend in a fun city. | |
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B. S. from White Plain, NY
(4/28/2009)
"It was just ok" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 If you are the type of person who likes large crowds, waiting in lines, and fighting through a mass of runners, then this is your course. I got to the expo in the late afternoon on Friday to find the line to pick up my packet almost out the convention center doors. The start of the race went fine. However, around mile 4, the race went down to one lane, so it became very congested making it difficult to maintain any steady pace. I also found the course very troubling around mile 12, where the marathon joined up with the half-marathon. The half-marathon runners who were almost finished were suppose to stay to the right side of the road. However, they didn't. It was frustrating dodging and weaving around the half-marathoners. My only positive comment about the course was that the waters stops were well organized and the volunteers were very nice. Getting out of the LP Field parking lot after the race was a nightmare. Nothing was more frustrating than cramping up in the car because it took so long (nearly 2 hours) to get out of the parking lot. | |
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S. C. from Russellville, Arkansas
(4/28/2009)
"Brutal first-time marathon" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. Organization was great and the volunteers were phenomenal. The heat, hills and wind almost got the best of me but I finished (my goal). Thanks to Pam from Kansas City who helped me at mile 20.5 in my moment of distress. | |
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J. D. from Nashville, TN
(4/28/2009)
"Course change was a bad idea" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second time running this full marathon. I was really disappointed when the race organizers decided to add one of the largest hills in the city to the course so people could see the bars downtown. Adding these hills at the beginning didn't seem like it would make that big of a difference, but around mile 20, it really added up. If you are looking for a half-marathon with some hills, this is an excellent race that is well-organized and supported. If you are looking to set a PR for the full marathon, it would be best to go elsewhere. The fans and the scenery drastically drop off after the half-marathon split. Also, the temperatures were extreme this year, but the race organizers did an excellent job of adding extra water stations and even mist stations. |
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