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Apr 29, 2024

Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 3.5

Spectators 3.4

Number of comments: 286 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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B. G. from Washington DC (4/16/2013) "First and last rock and roll marathon" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 The DC rock and roll marathon was the most expensive race i've run. It was also the most disappointing. There were huge lines for the pre-race port-o-potties, the back half of the course had few fans, and i waited about 45 minutes to get my bag at the end of it. The race was clearly geared for the half-marathoners and the for-profit nature of the race is sickening. The bands along the course were terrible and especially sporadic the final ten miles. The pittsburgh marathon does a much better job of having music along the course. The post-race concert started long before the majority of the full marathoners were done. Hopefully the district will pull the permits on this joke of a race. Don't waste your money.
k. m. from NYC (3/25/2013) "So-So Marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Running prior Rock & Roll events I was looking forward to this marathon. The race did not impress me or disappoint me. I expected the majority of the runners are for the half. This made the first half much more enjoyable to run but very difficult to get water/gatorade. The stations in the first half were a mess. This was aleviate in the second half due to less runners but without proper hydration early and when taking GU's hit hinders your performance in the later stages of the race. As for other problems that others have mentioned, I did not see many of them. Being from out of town and staying at a hotel (Hyatt) clase to the start. I was albe to wake up later than most and walk up to the start with no problems. No need for bagagge, port a johns, or warmup. Actually got there too early at 7:15, did not start my corral until 8:00. The course was fine, the first half went through the tourist areas and some college parts (the hill at mile 6 was a killer), the second half went along some of the waterfront (little breezy) and by the Nationals stadium, the last few miles were residuantial then back to RFK. Psot race was fine, plenty of food , chocolate milk was gone for us slower runners(4:45) but plenty of the rest. Note always good to carry the goody bag they give you, fold it up and put in your pocket if you can. this enables you to take as much food as you can carry, leave the area and find a spot to sit and eat and recover. The post race beer was a nice touch even though the weather was chilly. Did not use the bagage so I cannot comment on the delays others had. Getting back to my hotel was easy, found a cab. Overall needs some improvement, but since it gears to the half more than the full it is understandable. Maybe run the full 1 hour before the half and have a seperate food and recovery area.
C. C. from D.C. (3/22/2013) "overcrowded / understaffed" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon)s COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Volunteers/support staff: (The good) These people were extremely helpful, motivated, and genuinely tried their best to satisfy all requirements in a professional manner. (The bad) They were absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of people on race day. Water/Gatorade stations for example; I did not get my first cup of Gatorade until after the marathon separation point near mile 13, it simply wasnt available when I approached a table at any of the previous stations. Runners were actually waiting in line for cups. At some water points I had to pick up an empty cup and hand it to a volunteer who then filled it up from a hose that was dribbling water. This was the first marathon where I had to actually stop and wait while someone filled up a cup. Information/directive signs: (The good) Mile marker signs were visible and there was no confusion at the marathon/half marathon split. (The bad) Unlike other marathons I have run, I did not see any signs informing me that a water station was near. There were so many people running this race it was hard to see ahead. On more than one occasion, it seemed as if I was halfway through a water station before I even realized it was there. Port-a-johns: (The good) There were port-a-johns. (The bad) Not nearly enough. Ive never stood in a line that long before a marathon, not even close. Baggage check: (The good) There was enough space for everyone to check in a bag. (The bad) much like the port-a-johns, the lines were extremely long and slow moving. Check-in points were lined up in alphabetical order (first 3 letters of last name); I think the whole gear check process would have been less confusing if check-in stations were arranged in numerical order of the bib, just like packet pick-up at the expo. The course: (The good) First 16 miles. (The bad) last 10.2. Not sure if planners care to do much about this since this event is definitely catered to the half-marathon runner; less than 1/4 of all participants actually signed up for the marathon. Race tracking service: (The good) It was offered. (The bad) It was not free. Marine Corps Marathon, which is by far a better marathon experience in every single aspect, does not charge extra for this service. There is a reason why MCM sells out 30,000 tickets in less than 3 hours and R&R has tickets available a few days prior to their marathon. Transportation: (The good) Metro stations opened early enough and were in close proximity of both the start line and finish line. (The bad) No complaints
T. A. from Dover, DE (3/22/2013) "I could have been better" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Pros: Its DC - scenic T-Shirt Expo Cons: Some people behind me didn't run the whole course. Course was too crowded No Chocolate milk by the time I finished After the course split it was very dry Water points under staffed or something, very poorly organized No Chocolate milk by the time I finished No Chocolate milk by the time I finished No Chocolate milk by the time I finished No Chocolate milk by the time I finished Yeah I meant to say it all those times!
M. E. from Maryland (3/22/2013) "This is a business...Not a runners Race" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon)s COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 RnR series has become way too crowed. Too many people to really enjoy the course. I was lucky to have a decent bag check in my but the lines for other check ins were ridiculously long. Not to mention the line for pick up. Waiting 20-30 minutes after racing 13.2/26.2 is totally unacceptable. There should have been Gatorade at every water stop instead of every other stop. I got a cramp in between stations and went to a medical tent. I asked for salt packets and they looked at me like I was stupid. It took me 40 mins to cross the start line and I wasn't happy. I believe that this series has become more interested in turning a profit and packing as many people as they can into a race. I left the race feeling as though the RnR serious is less concerned about the runners' experience and more concerned about $$$. I have participated in several RnR events but this will definitely be my last! Oh, the course was probably one if my least favorites. I don't think it's professional to cut a course in a way where the runners have to hop over a curbed median at an angle. I forgot what mile it was but it was before mile 6. I hope the race director really gives my comments some consideration. I will definitely discourage others from running this race. On a positive note, the bands were fun and the volunteers were great!
K. L. from Connecticut, USA (3/21/2013) "A fun race with some issues" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I am no grizzled vet, so I cannot tell you how other big races are. So let me give you my impressions: Big port o let lines. Nice wave start. Good, mostly downhill course (anyone who complains about the hill at 6 must never have trained on a hill). Some water stations inexplicably unmanned. Good fans. Great clear running after the halfers went away. A wonderful run. I didn't check a bag and I didn't drive, so I cannot address those issues. But from a running standpoint, I had a great time.
J. H. from Michigan (3/20/2013) "Very disorganized" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half marathon and enjoyed the course. I had to pick up my own water since the aid stations fell behind. The organizers need to provide more incentive to volunteers to get enough to man the volume of runners. It appeared to me that the race organizers were not prepared to handle the number of runners. They need to employ some runners to tell them how to conduct a race with big numbers.
j. k. from new york (3/20/2013) "R&R Organization laughs all the way to the bank" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon)s COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This for-profit organization laughs all the way to the bank. They charge top dollar and then rely on volunteers to make the race work. The lines at bag check took forever. I just made the start and there were thousands still on line to check their bag. Picking up my bag was worse! I was fifth in line and still waited over 40 minutes to pick up my bag. Volunteers were inside the bus ignoring us as they seemed to just begin organizing hundreds of bags. The course is fine but if you are a runner who likes Rock n' Roll bands, just remember, they're volunteers too. They might show up; they might not. They may be playing or not. And they may have no talent. Once again, the for-profit owners don't really care. They're counting their dough and laughing while volunteers carry out the race. This 'Competitor Group' seems to be intent on buying up every race in the world too. What a shame. Especially when the take over excellent races with long histories like the Philadelphia Distance Run where they tripled the price. They smell profit!
T. Z. from NJ, USA (3/20/2013) "Run the HALF- NOT the FULL" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Horribly organized race. All was well until mile 12.2 when the race split. 20,000 did half, 3,500 did full. The second half of the course was bare- w/ few runners, little support, and horrible water stations. I hit the wall at mile 24 and walked the last two. If I passed out on the side of the road, no one would have been the wiser. Expo was good, but they charge for every little thing. Skip this.. RUN DISNEY (if you are a one and done marathoner)
M. W. from Allentown, PA (3/19/2013) "It Actually Rocked...And Rolled" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon (formerly the National Marathon) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Wow, so much negativity...but whatever. This was an urban marathon, where parking was already going to be scarce and costly (although free parking for packet pickup at RFK was really cool). The expo was what I expected, a lot of variety and had to get some gear to prepare for rain (hat, arm sleeves, better socks). Thankfully, it didn't rain in the event, but those items did their job well. Also bought GU from their stand. Drove back to the hotel in Rockville, MD. The Subway opened up at 5AM race day, which is a nice touch for someone who is a bit further than most others. Got on around 545 and made it to DC around 630. Followed a group to the start and saw little lines at the porta potties at the corrals and took advantage even though I didn't need to go. It was neat seeing the Capitol and Washington Monument dark like that. I was in the 4th corral for about a 3:30 time, and we started 3 minutes into the event, they did a great job to control each corral and the road closures on the main roads. Not too familiar with DC, but the course did a great job to cater me what was to be seen. Best part was a 3-mile trek on the Rock Creek Parkway; very peaceful, relaxing, and mostly flat. The hill on mile 6 was a nice change and went into a rustic neighborhood. Only scary part were miles 10 & 11, but it was on a main road and loads of police helping out. Going though the 9th St. Tunnel and seeing Nationals Park were nice touches in the 2nd half. Weather turned out great for the event and can not complain! Free beer and nice medal at the finish...okay spread too. My only issue of the whole event was the baggage pick up afterwards. They did a good job using the buses and splitting the alphabet evenly, but there seemed to be logistical issues as it took me a half hour to get my bag. But that can improve. I guess the lack of people at some water stations too, but I can't complain since most cups were already filled so I don't need someone to give me a cup...as long as there's water or Gatorade, it's all good!!

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