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May 2, 2024

Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 3.5

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 74 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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T. J. from Boston, USA (9/15/2009) "could become an institution" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 They said attendance was up 60%(!) this year and it is easy to see why: beautiful course, early fall season, mostly flat terrain, very organized. To the other posts I would add that some are being stingy about the course. Between multiple cityscape vistas, the section on the race track, long stretches along the river, the part through Old Montreal, and the finish at the Olympic Stadium, I think you'd be hard-pressed to beat this course for scenic beauty. Another pro is the sponge stations. I believe there were more than at the other two marathons I've done, and they were very much appreciated. Finally, when there were fans, they were very supportive - a few sections of the course were good and noisy. ;-) I'd guess that fans are increasing with the number of runners. As an American, there was something very cool about being cheered along in French for just a couple-hour car ride. The major con I'd emphasize is the "sport drink." OASIS is the premier sponsor, hence their orange drink at the aid stations. But as they're owned by Coke, you'd think a PowerAde option would be easy enough. I've never suffered from cramping before, but I did here, starting at mile 16. My hunch is that it was due to a lack of sodium/electrolytes in the course-supplied hydration.
B. B. from VT (9/15/2009) "A good first marathon to run" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a good marathon. The course had MINIMAL hills and closed streets to cars. The end is downhill. The weather was great so there were spectators out. The number of runners was great - it was not too crowded, but I never felt alone. A decent number of water stations with ample water, food, sports drink (called "juice" by most volunteers, but it was a Gatorade-like drink), and sponges. I did not have to wait for anything (picked up race packet on Saturday afternoon). The shirt did run small. The hotel was adequately priced and close to the metro. The race did start late, so it was hard for my family members to know if they missed me or if I hadn't passed yet. The only con was that the wheelchair race and bike started AFTER the marathon. I felt pummeled by the bikes. And it was hard to get around slower people at the beginning of the race, but the narrowness did not last long.
D. K. from Ontario (9/14/2009) "Beautiful, and much potential!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Major pros of this marathon: The city (beautiful to visit and run through). The volunteers (thanks). The start (on the bridge) and the finish (at the Olympic stadium; it's wonderful to run the same finish as the 1976 Olympic marathon). Major cons: Registration (lineups!!!) - It was the first time that I've seen anything like it. I was not pleased to be standing and waiting the day before a marathon. They had a water station halfway up the largest hill - a terrible location for it - and there were far too few portable toilets at the start. Perhaps they could have some school buses to get the runners closer to the start from the metro. That would have helped. I was not happy to walk close to 2 kilometers merely to get to the start. They used a surprisingly small exhibit hall, given the number of runners; why wasn't there more activity? The weather was too warm - up above 20 degrees Celsius at the finish - which often happens in early September in Montreal. That's about it. The pros definitely outweighed the cons, and the city and course are quite spectacular. It also gives you a wonderful taste of the unique culture of French Canada.
M. W. from Boston, MA (9/14/2009) "Eh" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I had been told that this marathon was relatively flat, which is not true. Most of it is flat, but there are at least five regions of climb, three of which are quite steep. I will say that the water stations were well placed, and running into the Olympic stadium at the end was great. The overall organization needed a boost as well; the marathon was scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., but they had to push back the start time due to there being too many participants in the half-marathon. Overall okay, not great. I wouldn't go again, but I don't regret going.
H. F. from Canada (9/14/2009) "Perfect race! Breathtaking moments!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The start on Jacques-Cartier Bridge was amazing. Montrealers, spectators and fellow runners are very friendly. There were many fans at the starting line, a lots of fans along the course, and an amazing crowd at the arrival. I actually felt like an Olympic champion when I crossed the finish line, with the loud and continued cheering and applause. There were lots of service stations, with gel, water, bananas, sponges, medical support, port-o-potties and sport drink. I picked-up my bag at the expo on Saturday afternoon and didn't have to wait at all. There was a nice, blue tech-shirt, a beautiful medal, and a perfect post-race recovery lunch. However, the line-up at the lunch pick-up area in the stadium was definitely too long! But the race in general was so well organized that it was worth it. I will be back next year. The arrival in the Olympic stadium makes it one of the best I've ever run.
C. l. from Montreal, Canada (9/13/2009) "Great marathon... but it could be much better!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This race was my second marathon, and I have run plenty of other races, including a few half-marathons. The Montreal Marathon could be a wonderful, nearly-perfect race with a few improvements. Here are my pros and cons: PROS: -The start on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and finish in the Olympic Stadium were both unique and spectacular. -The course could be better but it is very varied. It includes the formula 1 circuit, bridges, downtown Montreal, parks, etc. -Bag check is efficient, considering the distance between the start and finish. -Metro makes the travel to the start and from the finish quite easy, although a 1K walk is required to the start (the price to pay for the bridge!). -The aid stations are not as plentiful as at other marathons, but they are well spaced - 3-4 with sponges, 1 with gels, 2-3 with bananas (I prefer oranges...), etc.. -Spectators were great in the last few miles of the course. CONS: - There was a very long line at the expo for the race kit pick-up. Considering that they are getting a very important increase of the number of participants, the extra money should be used to correct this. -Some parts of the course are extremely boring, with a few badly maintained streets. A few improvements would be great. -Spectators were not too cheerful inside of the stadium. :( THE WORST: -They use a local "kind of copy" of the Gatorade formula not available to try before the race. It is citrus flavor - not too good and sweeter than Gatorade. I had a hard time with my digestion. I prefer the lime Gatorade used in most races... and everybody is used to it. -The food in the finish area was a little cheap, considering the size of the event. I got a peanut butter bagel with a small yogurt, juice, a mini-pack of almonds, one apple, one banana, and a mini-mini piece of cheese. There is huge room for improvement on this score. Overall, a nice marathon, and a good experience worth a try.... but my first race, elsewhere, ranks well above this one.
B. P. from Montreal, QC (9/13/2009) "Nice run, but long lines for everything." (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I live in Montreal, but have never run the half-marathon until this year. Positives: 1. Nice course 2. Great volunteers 3. Water/gel/banana stations were well spaced and easily accessible (except the one hill on Berri) 4. Bag pick-up: shortest line Negatives: 1. Race kit pickup took 45 minutes, with many people wondering where the actual line was. Signs could have been clearer, and more space was needed 2. Post-race: More ridiculous lines. After a 30-minute wait, I was still so far away that I left. 3. There was a lack of medical staff at the finish, and it was very crowded. Conclusion: I think that they have too many events taking place and cannot handle the sheer number of participants. On a smaller scale, it would be great.
S. B. from usa (2/8/2009) "Fabulous!!" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race was very well-organized, in a friendly city, with great volunteers. My wife walked the half-marathon and loved it too. The arrival in the Olympic Stadium was a breathtaking moment.
S. P. from Mexico City (11/4/2008) "Highly recommended" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon; during the race I got PB's in the full, half, 10K and the mile, plus I managed to reduce 50 minutes from my previous marathon 10 months before, so I feel very happy looking back at Montreal and my comment may not be that objective. ;-) Overall, highly recommendable, you will not regret it. My experience was a bit damp and chilly since Hurricane Ike caused out-of-season pours in south Canada. The first kilometers were run under the chilly rain, and the cheering crowd was kind of scared away. That is why I rated 3 on the spectators, but surely they will turn out in larger groups in a "normal" September morning. Positives: 1. The expo was installed in the underground mall of the hotel I was staying, so it was very convenient. The same underground complex has a subway station, so no hassle on race day. 2. The subway is very convenient to reach the start line. It was full of other runners, so you may want to decide to follow the pack instead of following a subway map to know when you have to get off. A warning: there are several races going on the same day, all ending at the Olympic stadium, but with different starting lines, so the pack you are following may actually be going to the 5K starting line, or the 10K one! (That happened to me; I skipped a couple of stops inadvertently.) 3. The first 10K are very nice; I got to see some world landmarks from the 60's (I was born in the 70's and did not know much about the Expo '67), but the highlight at the beginning is running in the F1 circuit. There was only a handful of supporters cheering us on in that part, but I guess that many people didn't feel like traveling to the racetrack island on a rainy day. Anyway, now I can boast that I have actually - and literally - run in an F1 racetrack. ;-) 4. About 90% of the course is a beauty worth seeing. Lots of historic sites and beautiful neighborhoods. I recommend to look at the marathon website to get a first glimpse of what you'll see, so the sightseeing during the race is more enjoyable. 5. The course is very friendly to runners' companions. My wife and my mother went to Montreal to cheer me on, so we took a printout of the course the day before, and marked a few spots where they might see me at specific times into the race. They used the subway all the time, and we met at KM 22, KM 30 and KM 40, plus they were able to get on time to the finish line at my arrival! That helped a lot - not only because the lots of extra energy that I got from their support, but also because they were my "supply backup" and were handing me water, Gatorade and almonds in our meeting points. If you travel with companion spectators to your races, this one is for you - I hope all the marathons were this way, it is simply great! 6. The finish in the Olympic Stadium beats everything; you forget all the pain and exhaustion when you see you are almost there. I have finished a few 10K races in the Olympic Stadium of Mexico City (from the Mexico 68 summer games), but finishing a full marathon in the Olympic Stadium surely beats it. 7. Organization is very good. The website may not seem too flashy, but it's got everything. They also have a Facebook group. Combine the website with the FB group, and you are all set to get all your concerns and doubts cleared, and know what you can expect months in advance (except hurricanes, of course). 8. Volunteers. They deserve a BIG thank you. They endured the rainy and chilly weather to make sure that us runners were not lacking anything. Awesome; thank you, guys. 9. Medics/paramedics. I did not need them, but it was reassuring that they were present almost all the time. Paramedics were cycling the course back and forth making sure any potential emergency was immediately covered. I got to see them in action a couple of times. 10. Cheering crowd. Very thin, but once again, I blame the weather. The few folks that were out there were very supportive and nice to watch. Negatives: 1. I did not see any sports drink before, during or after the race. Only water and orange juice. I found this very, very weird. Maybe the stations were there and I just simply missed them, but the fact is that I don't recall seeing them. If I'm right, then I think that Oasis overdid it a bit; for next time I'd plan for a few sport drinks stations along the course 2. The Olympic Stadium is very deteriorated, worn out and looks poorly maintained. Its best times clearly passed 30 years ago; the stadium is not used for track competitions anymore. It seems that the venue is now only used a few times a year nowadays. The finish experience is still fantastic, but the backdrop is kind of gloomy. 3. I was expecting more "goodies" for the finishers besides the medal (very nice, by the way). No blanket. I had to figure out the procedure to get some food and drink. I had to wait in line with a cardboard plate to receive a meager portion of food and a banana; I felt kind of a hurricane refugee. 4. Entertainment during the course was scarce. It may have been the rain (one jazz band had to stay under a bridge to keep playing), but I was expecting more - I'm sure that Montreal can do better! Anyway, I've read that the marathon has been constantly improving, and I am sure that they can work around all of my "negatives" (well, perhaps point 2 is not that easy or under their control). Overall, it is a very positive experience that I highly recommend!
C. A. from Amarillo, Texas (9/18/2008) "Difficult run, but really good marathon" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Although I've run numerous half marathons, this was only my second marathon. Despite a pitiful performance on my part, I really enjoyed myself. Montreal is a wonderful city and the race was organized quite well. I was a little apprehensive about taking the metro to the start but it turned out to be no problem (with all the runners on the metro, even I couldn't get lost). The start on the Jacques Cartier Bridge and running on the islands in the St. Lawrence River were both impressive. The folks at the aid stations did a great job! The weather probably held down spectator support, but the people were all very friendly. Some might consider this course fairly easy, but to an old flat-lander with aching knees, the hills and inclines encountered are unforgiving. I would definitely encourage people to run this marathon - but be ready!

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