First time to run this particular race, and I will likely repeat. The course is flat with good if not great fan support. Enthusiastic volunteers at all stations. Last 4 -5 miles are a little quiet (view-wise, fan support, few bands), but his can be overcome.

Typical for what you might expect for a relatively new race. The basics are there, however, and even as it is, it is very worthwhile running. I expect it to only get better each year.

The finish are was very well organized compared to some of the more established races I've run recently. Efficient.

Just ran the '06 edition. The race is well organized, clearly marked, and I think spectators were in abundance. This race is apparently growing exponentially in its popularity with the locals....

The course itself is quite boring and uninteresting, and I was not thrilled that the road was pretty heavily embanked for major stretches of the course. They also could have reversed it so we didn't run west to east in the morning, as the sun was quite annoying.

Aid stations were phenomenally staffed and always stocked, and there were more than enough. You don't have to stop at every one and I never felt like I was waiting for one to appear.

I don't think the RNR part lived up to expectations. There were a lot of good bands but not much more than I've seen at other big marathons. Based on the hype I should have been hearing two bands at once!

If you're looking for a nice race to PR with great organization, I say go for this one. However if you're a 50-stater looking to knock AZ off the list, then look for something more interesting, where you can take your time and appreciate the course.

Course was lame, except the mountains. The lack of organization with the buses before the race put a lot of people in a bad mood.

Overall: I love this event; I plan on running it every year for the next 100 years. All comments below are meant to be constructive; RNRAZ improves every year and I'm sure '07 will be even better than '06!

Expo: Not crowded, painless number/t-shirt/goodie bag pick-up, and a vast array of interesting and useful exhibitors.

Pre-race: Shuttle service was flawless. Half marathon's new, later start time meant bathroom lines were still a little long (~10 mins) after the marathon starting gun went off, though those in the half were friendly and let marathoners go first - at least where I was....

Race: I had more fun this year on the course than I did in the first two RNRAZs. Crowds seemed larger, bands were fun and talented, amateur and non-sanctioned musicians along the route brought extra flavor to the day's events, course was super-fast (but please spare us running ugly 7th Ave again!!!), ubiquitious Team in Training coaches were supportive of ALL runners and I talked to a bunch of their participants during the race. I think TNT and the other charity runners bring a great spirit and honor to RNRAZ. (Though TNT's putting their own loud cheerleader squads right next to the high school cheerleaders in a couple spots was lame - the kids are in a competition too, why make them work harder to be heard?)

Post-race: Plenty of finish-line drinks and food, reunion area and gear pick-up were well organized. Why put the beer tent so far away from the entrance to the reunion area? It hurts to get all the way over there after the race!

Concert: Award ceremony started late. Tempe Beach Park is a great venue for the post-race events and was set up very nicely. Organizers claimed this was the biggest running event in the country; I'm pretty sure that's inaccurate. Collective Soul show was great, they played about 90 mins including an encore. The vibe the whole night was mellow, relaxed, and happy.

Next year: Can't wait! I will for sure be back. Rock on, Elite Racing!

When you're looking for a solid race mid-winter, then look no further than the RnR AZ race. It's not fancy and lacks the history of other races that have been staged for years, but it has everything you'd expect in a big marathon.

The expo is huge, has ample space, and packet pick-up is a breeze. Race-day logistics are more than competent. In only their third year, Elite has worked out most of the "bugs" and it shows: Transportation to the race is efficient, the race started exactly on time, there was a great, nicely-stocked-with-everything-you-need staging area, manageable corrals at the start, abundant water and PowerAde stations staffed with very friendly and cheerful volunteers, clocks at every mile, plenty of medical tents/personnel, and clear, blue skies with temps in the 50s/60s.

The finish line area was smooth; Mylar wraps, water, chip removal, plenty of food (the popsicles are back), and they put the medal on you. The reunion area is adjacent--a bit crowded with 33,000 runners (11,000+ in the marathon, 23,000+ in the half)--but they managed. UPS trucks, more medical tents, souvenir tents, etc. complete the picture. There were directional signs everywhere, too, to navigate the crowds.

So why do I hype this race? Simple; many other races simply don't deliver the "value" like they once did. Some have rested on their laurels and their mystique. These guys are trying to put on a race that matters; and they have delivered. Yes, they're a business, but they know how to react and adjust--mission accomplished. There were the 40+ bands as promised and they were always playing. The medal and t-shirt are first-rate, too.

This race may not appeal to the quieter, more intimate races--but this race isn't supposed to; it's a big city race with all that accompanies it. The 7:40 starting time helps avoid the heat and cope with the shadeless route. Spectators are thin, but where they gather, they are enthusiastic.

Put this on your calendar; it's flat and fast as advertised. Look at the finishing times; they're awesome, and the world record was broken in the half this morning.

RnR does a great job with organization and race gear (other than the cheapo race shirt) and they definitely rally some great volunteers.

The course needs some serious design work and the finish-line food needs to improve.

The lack of post-race food can easily be overcome; just bring a few goodies in your car.

I'm glad that Phoenix finally has a potential world-class marathon. It is the 5th largest city in the US now! I ran the half in 2004, and the full this year. The course is about as flat as you can possibly get. I know that some people complained about the industrial section toward the end, but the pretty scenic section that they cut out was the hilly part that so many people complained about last year! So I guess we have to take our pick between pretty/hilly and ugly/boring. The organization was so much better than the inaugural race. We started on time and I liked the staggered half and full marathon start. It really eased the crowding. Volunteers were plentiful and friendly. The bands were decent and the cheerleaders were good too. I think the parking and pick-up/drop-off situation has definitely improved. Last year my poor husband picked me up in Tempe and it took him 45 minutes to find a place to pick me up. Then we got stuck in the middle of the course and couldn't find a way out by car! This year, it was a piece of cake. We were able to meet quickly.

A note to out-of-towners: I recommend that you get lodging in the Camelback/24th St. area for this race. Restaurants are plentiful and the lodging is better there than in Tempe or downtown Phoenix. Also, don't depend on cabs, public transit or hotel shuttles to get around. You will save yourself a lot of grief if you rent a car. We're a big city but immature in a lot of ways. It's easy to find your way around by car here. We'll have light rail in about 5 years.

This marathon does have some growing up to do but in a few years it will be a really good destination marathon. I'm glad it's in my hometown!

I love AZ, and having run the only other marathon in Phoenix (Valley of the Sun) makes me want to rate this race highly because there are so many people and yet you don't feel crammed or suffocated. Organization I had no problem with. If you love spectators, well, this is only mediocre for that. I love spectators, and they are pretty spread out here. The course is very flat, hence a great Boston qualifier. I love AZ, so while I liked the course due to familiarity, many others haven't.

The expo was fun... lots of fun stuff and samples. The right size for a new race of this size. End of the race goodies sucked. Who wants a Krispy Kreme donut at THAT time?! Ugh.

The PF Chang's Rock-n-Roll Marathon still has some growing up to do. The course is an absolute dud. The last 4-5 miles to the finish were really sad through an empty industrial area devoid of sites, bands, or spectators. Not enough porta-potties on the course. Water/sports drink locations were inconsistently placed, but enthusiastically staffed. Volunteers were great. Bands were good, but not numerous enough to make it feel any different than other large races.

Expo was fun and well run. No trouble with parking and the shuttle to the start. Finish line goodies were really disappointing - 1 bottle of water and 1 bagel? For $100??? What a rip. I've run 5K's with much better post-race goodies. I felt that my money would be better spent elsewhere. Wouldn't run this one again without major changes.

This would be an excellent choice for one's first marathon (as was the case for myself!!!). Top-notch expo, easy course, well placed drink stations and first-aid tents, great music and plenty of support! I will never forget how wonderful my first marathon experience was and would like to thank all of the people in the 'Valley of the Sun' for such a tremendous event!!!