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Marathon Details - Rock N Roll Denver Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CO > Denver > Rock N Roll Denver Marathon

Rock N Roll Denver Marathon

Janus Rock N Roll Denver Marathon & Half-Marathon, Relay

location icon Denver, CO USA

calendar icon October 16, 2016 - CANCELLED

calendar icon http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/denver

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Marathon Results

By Year: 2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010   Top 3 Finishers

Contact Information

Name: Competitor Group
Address: 9477 Waples Street, Suite 150
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone Number:  800-311-1255
Fax Number: 858-450-6905
Email:

Runner Reviews (48)

Course Rating Course 3.2 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 48 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

 

j. d. from Bay Area, CA (10/22/2015)
"Horrible Course" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 1  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


2015 race organization was horrible.
1. They changed the course last minute and we ended up running 26.2 miles north of Denver only to end in City Hall.
2. They wanted to save money and reduce costs so we ran along side the riverbed bike path the whole time.
3. Website confusion on where the start line was
3. No food at the stations, only water and Gatorade.
4. Saw only 1 medical station, may have been more but not as many as I would thought.

SLOWEST time ever. This was my 14th marathon and the elevation got to me. My average time is always 4:15-4:30 and I finished in 5:15.

 

J. R. from Boulder, CO (10/19/2015)
"Well-organized, but new route is just meh" (about: 2015)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Unlike previous years, this year's route didn't loop around downtown. Instead, it started way up in Brighton and ran down through Thornton into Denver. It was okay - a lot of it was on a partially shaded concrete trail along the South Platte, so it didn't get too hot compared to exposed asphalt. Running on concrete for that long sure makes a noticeable difference to my knees and hips though. Also there was kind of a sulfur smell around miles 15-16, possibly blowing over from the Suncor refinery in Commerce City (that plant always smells when I drive past it on 270). The last few miles of the route got into Denver proper and were pretty nice. The spectators got more numerous at the end, but there were plenty of people cheering along the route and being very supportive and enthusiastic.
The organization at the race and expo were excellent, as they have been for the other Rock n Roll events I've done. The marathon finisher's jacket is pretty sweet, and the medal is nice too. I'm a little sad that this is the last year the full marathon will run, but I can understand - the old route just shut down too much of downtown. I'm still planning to do the half next year.

 

A. L. from Colorado Springs, CO (10/19/2015)
"I can't find much to complain about!" (about: 2015)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I ultimately enjoyed this race a lot. There was a course change from a loop course to a point-to-point course, beginning in Brighton and running into downtown Denver.

The views of downtown are great as you get closer and closer to the city.

I read previous reviews and I anticipated no on-course food, so I packed my own. Perhaps some food on-course would be beneficial to other runners.

I just can't find much fault. I found most of the organization to be seemless! The bus transportation to the marathon start had virtually no wait. The course markers were accurate and thorough. The chip timing was flawless.

The only thing I take issue with is the idea that they wanted us to pay $5 to park at the expo just to pick up the packet.

I'd run this marathon again, but they are not holding it next year. They are focusing on the half-marathon instead. That's a shame, because I probably won't travel to Denver for only a half-marathon.

 

B. S. from Florida (11/1/2014)
"Great course for Full spectators...too costly" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


2014 full marathon was beautiful course (including the hills) through Denver parks and neighborhoods. Fans were sparse in places (mid-pack runner) but friendly and helpful. The runners were POLITE; always a plus. My family met/saw me at 4 locations (convenient for them on foot) and we had an easy reunion at the finish area. Expo was well run over a two day period.

I suspect the cost (which is really expensive, even compared to other international RnR's I've run) was due to the numerous intersections closed for the entire event. Police/auxiliary support were apparent at just about every street crossing. (I feel sorry for the Denver motorists that were not aware that the event was closing down most access to downtown). I'm not sure what else could have driven the costs. Perhaps the Civic Center Park fees are just too greedy to make this a sustainable event.

I suggest that RnR organizers share a breakdown of their costs so that future runners will know what their registration fees are going to cover. Otherwise, I would advise 50 Staters to sign up for the Revel Rockies run in July.

I enjoyed this year's event a great deal, but I cannot say that it was worth the money.

 

A. D. from Colorado (10/27/2014)
"Awful" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Rock N Roll Denver Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 2


It's a shame RNR races are so ubiquitous, because they are always bad. Avoid them at all costs.
Fewer bathrooms than most marathons a fraction of the size
Cheap t-shirt
No Gatorade
No Gu
For the very expensive race entry these are unfathomable.

 

j. m. from Denver, Colorado (10/25/2014)
"Disappointed in the Denver R & R Marathon" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 3


What a disappointment. First, there were supposed to be two nutrition stations but there was actually only one. How do you not have a single nutrition station (GU) until mile 19.5? Where was the GU station at mile 9.5? It is wrong to tell runners that ther will be nutrition stations and then not have it. Cheesy.
And where were the bands? There was supposed to be a band every mile. HARDLY!!! There were two bands for the entire 2nd half of the race. And the 'mile of music' in City Park was nothing but static on the speakers. Save your money on the Denver Rock and Roll and go with a local race. This marathon was very disappointing.

 

M. H. from Denver (10/23/2014)
"Fine race, nothing special" (about: 2014)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I ran the 1/2 marathon (this was my second).

I found the course interesting enough, but hillier than I expected. Weather was great and I got water and Gatorade at each station. There were no energy gels, which was surprising.

At the finish line, there was no fresh fruit, but water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, and some other snacks were on hand. The burrito folks had run out before I got there (about 2:30 after the race started). In addition to the lack of fruit, I was disappointed that they didn't provide a bag. I walked down the line, collecting snacks, but had nowhere to put them.

As for the bands, I wasn't too interested in them. If you want to listen, they're a fine diversion. If, like me, you prefer quiet, then they can be quite annoying.

I'm glad I did this race, but probably won't do it again.

 

A. B. from CO (10/20/2014)
"Nice race, disappointing for the cost" (about: 2014)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


I ran the 2014 race (yesterday)and enjoyed the experience, mostly because I ran with a couple friends. The race course was pretty nice for the first half, but we ended up running through an industrial part of Denver in the second half - not very exciting. I don't see why City Park was dropped from the course.
There was no food at any water stations, which was a bit surprising.
The most disappointing part was the post race - no bananas or bagels at the finish. I've never ran a race that didn't offer fresh fruit at the end. There was fruit in a cup that didn't seem appealing at all. They did have vegan burritos, which was nice.
In general, I feel that RnR is over-hyped, over-priced, and just focused on making $. Will not be running this again.

 

N. R. from NJ (10/19/2014)
"course gives great tour of denver, but..." (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


Typical RnR event. They do a fine job, but this time I left feeling like I might have preferred a race put on local runners to check off CO.

Pros:
Nice course that loops around different neighborhoods/parks
Lots of opportunities for your friends/fam to see you as you double back to downtown several times
Some bands were great
Nice brooks tech tee

Cons
Drinks every 2 miles, Gatorade not offered at all - pack your own
Hill in the last mile, always a bummer
Out and backs to the different neighborhoods/parks were a bit lonely
Corrals need to be much bigger/better organized
Clocks were not working in the second half
Race didn't start on time

 

T. H. from Orange County CA (10/21/2013)
"Mountain High Marathon is a Hit!" (about: 2013)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Rock N Roll Denver Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I went to Denver in my pursuit of my 50 states and was very satisfied with the experience. The course winds through three city parks and nice neighborhoods and wasn't overcrowded along with the half marathoners. The weather was cool and comfortable for running. The hotels by the convention center are priced right and close to the expo and start/finsh line so no rental car is needed. A good option for a weekend marathon in Colorado. The addition of bands and cheer groups on the course (Rock'N'Roll) is always a plus compared to no entertainment. As expected the number of spectators is minimal but the few were very supportive.

 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

 
 
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