Having run this marathon a number of times, this is a decent marathon. Granted, this is no Boston, New York or Chicago, but the fun is still there. There are more than a few hills on this course. Previous posts suggest that the course is flat, giving the impression that mile 8 is the only hill. It's the largest, but not the only one. Most people shouldn't expect a PR on this course.

Yes, the temperature is on the warmer side for this one and, depending on your speed, you can end up running quite a bit of this in the sun. I would say that, generally speaking, the sun tends to come out about 3:15-3:30 into the marathon. People that are out on the course longer than that had better wear some sunscreen. It's bad enough to hurt after a marathon, but to also be sunburned? OUCH!

The finish line area is pretty well organized. At NY, for example, there is no place where you and friends can meet up, even though the race finishes in Central Park. They make family wait outside the park, and runners can't stop and hang out. You've got to keep it moving. Here, one can sprawl on the lawn at MCRD, drink beer, eat food and listen to bands. Oh yea, all your family and fiends get in free.

If you're a "big" marathon runner, this race is for you. I'm from San Diego and have run this race twice (2006 and 2007), and was support in 2008. The course is not the "scenic highlights" of San Diego, but it "is" what it "is!" It's a Rock & Roll/Elite Racing Event, and it's the same as every race they put on: Thousands of runners; primarily flat (with the exception of mile 8); lots of spectators; mediocre music (but very organized); lots of "purple";f great support; great medals; blah, blah, blah. I'm a "Rock Star" Medalist and have "ump-teen" Elite races under my belt. Here's my only complaint: I can't believe, with the amount of money Elite Racing brings in for each event, that they are still giving out COTTON T-SHIRTS! Come on, Elite Racing! Get with the program! Even small marathons are giving out technical T's. Who runs in a cotton t-shirt? I've made a "quilt" with the cotton T's I have accumulated over the years. ELITE is not so "elite" with the cheap t-shirts they give their runners.

This was my 4th marathon and I PR'd (although I did not hit my goal time). Elite Racing (Rock 'n' Roll series) always puts on a good race with lots of perks, and this was no exception.

Pros:
1. Pretty flat except for mile 8, but I'm from the rural northeast, so it wasn't too bad.
2. Enthusiastic spectators.
3. Nice race expo.
4. Nice medal/shirt.
5. The whole city really caters to the event. Most restaurants feature a "marathon menu" option for dinner the night before (pastas and such).
6. Post-race area was pretty cool.
7. Parts of the race were very scenic and nice.
8. Bands on the course!

Cons:
1. Very humid at the start (even when there was no sun yet).
2. Hot at the end. Definitely saw a person or 2 being carried off the course at the end. (THANK YOU to the spectators handing out cold, wet sponges towards the end of the race!!! And the cold, wet towels at the finish line. Nice!)
3. A good deal of this race is on highways. Not fun to run on and not very scenic.
4. Loooong way to walk back to your car (even just from the finish area to the spectator parking lot).
5. Getting out of the city post-race is AWFUL!!! We stayed outside the city and it took us over an HOUR to get out because highways and roads were closed FOR NO REASON!!!

Good race, fun course, great city, and good crowds. My only complaint was the finish; they must fix how you get home from the finish line. Walking 2-3 miles after running a marathon is just silly. Be prepared for the very, very long exit.

I ran the 2008 Rock and Roll Marathon as a part of Team in Training. I had a fantastic time and I have very few complaints. The bands and course support was amazing AND THE COURSE LAYOUT WAS VERY NICE. The only complaint I have was the freeway part of the course. I enjoyed running it but it was hard on the ankles and I tore a tendon in the race, but then again I had trouble with it before. All in all, I had a fantastic time and would definitely run it again. By the way, a tech shirt would be nice.

Okay, I am running the Heavy Medal series. I generally avoid the large races for various personal reasons... they seem too impersonal to me... and too purple. This was no exception.

Nice enough course. Loved the neighborhood where like every 5th house had a sprinkler out! Very nice neighborhood involvement, even if I personally avoided the sprinklers.

Okay, I had just run CMM. I expected the granddaddy flagship run to be THE event of the series. WRONG! CMM put this race to shame in almost every aspect. I loved the CMM course, the music, and the spectators - everything was just better in Nashville. Phoenix was a very good run... but then we had a great run in Nashville. I guess my expectations were just too high. The traffic getting to the race was a nightmare, and while the entire event was good, I expected great. I know, a personal problem, so shut up.

Still, if you are only going to run one large marathon a year, you can do better for your money. We did get a nice finisher's medal; it was a nice expo, it was a great city to visit for a week... but think about Nashville if you can only do one race. It is a better course, and also has a great medal, better music, and although it has the worst finisher's area of the three by far, it's a better event in general. (And there was traffic getting to that race too!) I was glad that I was walking and not trying to drive to the buses at Nashville. But that was due to where the hotels were; you could walk to things, unlike at San Diego.

At least I gave the race great scores, even if I will never go back.... It IS a good event, don't get me wrong.

Had a great time. I was injured (torn meniscus), but I was determined to finish. I hope my next marathon will have a better time. Got to do this once a year! Thanks!

Jerry

Weather was great: low humidity and pleasant breeze most of the way. Most water stops were well organized, and plenty of food at the end, and I am a 5-hour marathon runner. Long uphill on 163 seemed to take forever, but then we got the downhill side. Packet pickup at the expo was the fastest I have ever seen.

Great race for new marathoners! A lot of fun!

This was my second marathon (my first was Phoenix, last January), and I was a little nervous after reading last year's reviews. Most of the negatives were about the camber in the road on the hill from mile 7-10. I must say this was a complete non-factor. I followed the advice of staying to the left shoulder of the road, and I had no problems whatsoever! Organization was excellent, as was the crowd support and expo. Thank you, San Diego and Elite Racing! See you in San Antonio!