Overall, I feel the entire event was very well organized?from the health expo, corrals at the start, bands, aid stations (yummy flavors of energy gels!), SPECTATORS (very motivating), finish line (its so nice to stumble onto everything you need right after a race . . . FOOD), etc.?considering it was the inaugural race. Yes there was a bit of a delay in the start because of parking/shuttle issues, but thank goodness they did so that those people were still able to participate.
I am also very grateful for the clock at every mile. It's very helpful in keeping pace. I look forward to running this one again!!

Not quite as nice as Suzuki's in San Diego, but not bad for a winter marathon. Only 2 complaints, they ran out of goody bags by the time we picked ours up. And Rock and Roll goody bags are great! I wrote about it to organizers and they sent some goodys to me in the mail! Nice! Also, road to parking/shuttle area wasn't very well marked. Signs should be begin at freeway exits. Lots of folks got lost and this domino effect caused a late start. Course is improved for this next year. Some mentioned hills, but I don't remember any. Maybe if you don't train hills/grades at all, then you'd notice. I'm pleased with it overall and signed up for next year!

Although I watched my sister run a few, this was my first time as a runner. And this was the PERFECT course & location & race for me. Great weather, lots of support (H2O, Gatorade, snacks) and first aid stations and wonderful fans. I recommend a RnR marathon - the bands are a nice distraction. The course was mostly flat execept around mile 16...but it was a beautiful 70 degrees out and 10 degrees back home - so who cares about a little hill?

This was my 11th marathon, but my first time in the state of Arizona. I am from Virginia where humidity reigns. I loved the scenery, especially the mountains and cactus plants. I felt like I was in another world. Great course. Little too warm for my taste, but you cannot control the weather. The spectators were awesome and the Popsicles after the race were the best. All warm weather races should have them. Thank you, RnR, for a wonderful experience. I will be running the Nashville and the California RnR this year.

It was my second Rock N Roll Marathon (did San Diego) and the start/finish line transportation needs work (same complaint with San Diego), but that said, I LOVED the marathon and think for a first time marathon with 25,000 runners, they did a great job. Wonderful spectators, nice scenery, nice weather (did get a bit warm there...) and that deceiving hill near the end... but I would do it again. My one word of advice - get to the finish line parking very EARLY to catch the shuttle to the start.

I am reading some of these comments and am in shock. The ONLY bad thing was the delayed start.

The course was great. Spectators all acted as if they were your best friend.
LOVED IT!

FOR YOU 1st timers - this is a great marathon! Please run it! :)

This was my fifth marathon and the flat course helped me get a PR. The fans and spectators were out in full force and there was never a lonely or dreary moment on the course where you felt like you were running alone! Getting to the start line was a big stressor! I followed their instructions to a T about parking at the finish line and taking the shuttle. I thought I had allowed plenty of time. I was staying four miles from the finish and left my hotel at 6am. By 6:20 I was less than half a mile from the parking area and caught in major gridlock traffic. The lots were closed by the time I made it to ASU stadium so I had to park down at the Best Western and hoof it. The police, however, had closed the lot before it was full because cars were coming in to park when I was waiting in the never-ending line for the shuttle! Thank God they postponed the start for the sake of myself and the several thousand other runners who got caught in the same mess!

However, this was the inaugural year of the race and I feel confident that Elite Racing will get that worked out. I have done their Nashville event several times and have found that race to be extremely well managed! Look forward to doing more Elite Racing events.

This was my 4th marathon and I was looking for 'flat'. Except for the zoo area, it was flat. It was also warmer than expected. No one can control that but let me give ideas (based on other 'hot weather run races': ICE, SPONGES, more water stops.

This IS Arizona. The organization was very good, especially the 'secured' runners area at the finish. Loved the picture taking at the end. But need a way earlier start and ICE. Oh, and I will be back next year. Nothing beats a run in the desert.

This is the perfect time of year for a marathon in Arizona (why didn't anyone think of this before?). The crowds were adequate, more water stops are needed, the organization was great for an event this size. Put this one on your race calendar for next year.

I did enjoy the marathon and I think they did a good job since it was their first year.

The start: I like the corrals based on past marathon times. I was in the second corral and didn't feel like I had to squeeze by slower runners in front of me.

The spectators: I thought there was great crowd support with the exception of miles 23-25.

The bands... rocked! At times, it was a little loud as we passed by... but hey, it's the RnR Marathon, so that's OK!

The course: I was expecting a fast one. My time was a bit slower than expected. The hills came at a bad time. I really think they downplay how hard the hills are in the section through Papago Park. This year there was a headwind that took it's toll too. I also felt there were a lot of runners in a narrow lane. I think the 1/2 can be considered 'fast', but not the whole.