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Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 401 [displaying comments 391 to 399]
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C. H. from LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ
(1/12/2004)
 "This was a great marathon - loads of fun!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was really impressed with how well organized this first marathon was for Arizona. This was my third full marathon and I was pleased with the number of water stations and port-a-pots. From the expo to the finish line, it was great. Will be there next year. | |
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R. S. from North Carolina
(1/12/2004)
 "Excellent build-up; disappointing course" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 For first time, the organization was extremely good. Due to warmer weather, I would suggest a much earlier start (possibly 6:30 - 7:00). The course was actually kind of boring, and was mostly flat except for a 3-mile hill, in the middle of the desert. The expo was fantastic with an extremely huge selection of marathon logo clothes; best I've seen (much better than New York, Chicago, or Marine Corp). I'm sure they'll get better as time goes along. I would caution anyone who is not used to hot, dry weather, to be extremely careful, and train accordingly. | |
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c. n. from Flagstaff, AZ
(1/12/2004)
"Race was great - fans were weak!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was the second time I ran in an RNR event, the first being San Diego 2003. In Phoenix I ran the 1/2 and was really happy with my time and I really enjoyed the course. However, the fans and supporters on the 1/2 marathon course were weak. I was surprised at how few people came out to support runners, especially with as much coverage as it got in the Republic. When there happened to be a few people watching, they were just watching. They didn't cheer for the runners or give any support. It also seems like there were not very many bands and I remember thinking that I liked San Diego better because of the number of bands that played. For such a warm day, there also wasn't enough water. I will probably do the 1/2 again next year, but only as training for the San Diego RNR, and only because it is such a close trip. I hope the people of Phoenix will come out and support the 30,000 or so runners next year. | |
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J. B. from Los Angeles
(1/12/2004)
"Great Well Organized Event" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For a first-time marathon and given the large number of participants, this was a very well organized race. The temps were slightly above average for this time of year, but after all, this is Arizona. Course was relatively flat, support was very good. Put this one on your winter marathoning list. | |
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J. D. from Connecticut
(1/12/2004)
"You'd think Elite Racing (or I) would know better " (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 There really is no excuse not to start a marathon on time. It is not like this race was put together at the last minute. I sent in my entry at least six months ago. Too much preparation goes into getting ready for a marathon to have it screwed up by poor planning by inept coordinators. The logistics should have been worked out. This is totally unacceptable. Especially for the expensive entry fees they charged. Shame on them. The race itself was pretty good. The course was fairly scenic except for the last 5 miles or so. Much of the second half of the course was open to traffic on the opposite side of the streets. The course was mostly flat (there were some uphill sections from about miles 18 to 20) but the headwinds got to be pretty bad after a while (as did the heat - that extra half-hour would have helped). Thankfully there were a number of clouds that kept the sun in check a good deal of the way, otherwise there would have been lots of medical emergencies. There was also a band every mile or so and almost as many cheerleading squads from various local schools providing welcome and sometimes amusing support. The water stops seemed somewhat less frequent especially toward the end when they really could have used one every mile or so (c'mon it's the desert... let's have a water stop between 23 and 25 and a half miles, because by that point it?s too late). On the plus side: The expo was one of the better ones I've been to. The medal was among the nicer ones I've received (a heavy-duty Arizona-shaped medallion only slightly marred by a bright yellow advertisement from the sponsor) and Phoenix is a great place for a winter vacation. However, I will NEVER run an inaugural Elite Racing event again (I also did the '98 fiasco in San Diego). FYI: This was my 18th marathon in 14 states. | |
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Eric Schneider from Los Angeles
(1/12/2004)
"good race, can't help the weather" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well-organized. Start was delayed 25 minutes due to clearing the course--beyond director's control. Generally attractive urban and suburban until miles 17-19 where there was gorgeous desert. Resumed suburban until mile 22 where course was ugly desert. Last mile on University Blvd. was very nice as was finish adjacent to Sun Devil Stadium. Crowds and volunteers were terrific. Only flaw was insufficient water last 8 miles of race. On hot days (77 degrees when I finished) water needed at least every mile. | |
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s. s. from Phoenix
(1/12/2004)
 "Can't wait for next year!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is a new race off to a great start. There were a few MINOR weaknesses that experience should correct, and a lot of wonderful creative details that should make this a favorite run for many years to come. The location and timing alone should have a huge draw... combine that with 40 squads of wonderful local cheerleaders, bands everywhere along the route culminating with a Goo Goo Dolls concert in the park that night, excellent medical support, locally sponsored runner support zones, and this is sure to be a hit. Notable (but easily correctable) weaknesses include confusion resulting from an unexpectedly large turnout at packet pick-up, a shortage of porta-potties in the first 6 miles that sent runners into every local business along the route, a shortage of medals at the end (who knew they would really come close to the 30,000-runner limit) and really annoying headwinds on a relatively unprotected course for all but the first hour of the race. There may have been some timing difficulties because my time doesn't appear to be in the database yet, and parking at the finish was next to impossible for people who were picking up runners. Even with these minor issues, the race was great. I can't wait until next year. | |
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Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, AZ
(1/11/2004)
"Impressive for its' huge size & first-year launch." (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When you rate this marathon, I hope you'll keep in mind that this was Year One--and by all indications, aside from a few snafus, the organizers pulled off a terrific event. Almost 30,000 signed up (including a half) and it would be hard to be disappointed with the results. Yep, the weather was very warm; about 66 at the start and near 80 at the finish--but that's what you get in Phoenix in the winter. And there were some late busses to the start and hence a late gun, but they'll figure that out. The course is flat with a lot of gentle downhills. There is also a long hill (not steep) and some rolling hills at Miles 17 thru 19, but still manageable. All in all, a good course--the winner came in at 2:10 despite the heat so yes, it's fast as advertised. There was water in 'biblical proportions' and sufficient Gatorade, first aid, and all roads had plenty of room for runners. The expo was excellent; they sold out of a lot of stuff; a sure sign of success. T-Shirt and medal were top-notch. Volunteers were VERY friendly, helpful, and abundant. There were hundreds on the course at aid/water stations and there were loads of bands and cheer leaders as promised. The finish line and area were a bit congested because you had to manage both the full and half finishers; the path to the reunion area was a little hard to navigate, but there were directional signs, tents, and volunteers to manage the crowds the best they could. Parking was an issue for many pre- and post-race. Access back into town was also a challenge, but I'm confident they'll pow-wow and figure it all out. The local paper and TV stations featured many articles and news stories all marathon-related. And usually apathetic Phoenix came through with loads of spectators; a great surprise. I'd say this race wil become a destination/must-do event, especially given the winter date when it's staged. Post-race area was VERY well stocked with cold water, popsicles, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Gatorade, protein Power Bars, photographers, message boards to help reunite people, beer, and the requisite souvenir tents. Volunteers took the time to hang medals on finishers and wrap the mylar blankets around runners (though we really didn't need 'em). I'd say they pretty much thought of everything, and aside from a few lapses, this marathon was better staged than most than have been in existence for years. Kudos to the organizers and the army of volunteers. | |
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D. P. from Scottsdale, AZ
(1/11/2004)
 "WAAAAY too many entrants, poorly managed" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Totally unsophisticated planning. The only way to get to the starting line was to park at the finish and take a shuttle (ok, sounds like no problem, right?). After sitting in the traffic jam on a surface road leading to the parking area for over an hour (BTW, I got in the traffic jam at 6am and barely moved over the course of the entire hour!) and being nowhere near the entrance to the parking lot with just a sea of tail lights ahead of me (and the shuttles had stopped running by this time - 7am for the 7:45 start!) I bailed. Total nonsense - they had 28,000 runners registered and no capacity to manage that number with parking and transportation. They should have a) limited the number of runners to a manageable number - especially for a 1st-time race where their plans weren't tried yet and b) provided many more parking/shuttle locations to minimize this mess. Even having transportation after the race from the finish to the start, would have let the runners park near the start area to disperse the masses of cars over a wider area and avoided this nightmare. When I bailed, there were at least another 500 cars behind me backed up onto Scottsdale Road and out onto the freeway! Wonder what happened to them? |
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