I am surprised by all of the negative comments posted about this marathon. The only thing I agree with are the loops- seeing how far you have to go with all the faster people running back at you is kind of a bummer. But I found the course otherwise to be very nice, the spectators and volunteers wonderful, and had no problem with organization. I did the race through Team in Training and they provided shuttles that got us to the start and back to our hotels with no problem. Yes there was a decent amount of traffic but with that many people, I don't think they could have done it any better. People are being way too hard on this race. With the amount of people San Diego accommodated for this race, they did a great job and I had a wonderful experience! I was worried the crowd support would drop off after the half marathon because that is what people said about previous years, but I felt supported and cheered on from start to finish. Other than the sunburn I got, GREAT RACE!

Course - Little to no shade the last 6 miles. Miles 20 to about 23 were on a bicycle/walking path that was tight, and since it was concrete, you had to watch out for the expansion joints between the concrete sections. And that island from 23-25 was brutal - felt I was running on the surface of the sun.
Organization - RNR is a pretty well oiled machine in terms of start line, expo, water stations, mileage markers, course markings, etc. I don't like the options for getting back to the car or hotel from the finish though. In my case, it took at least an hour transit time and that is not ideal. Finish line food and drinks were unexceptional. The Finisher's medal is good.
Spectators - The spectator numbers are pretty much the norm for a non-major marathon.

I agree with all of the comments so far (re-merging of full and halfers, the toughest part at the end, and the great spectators (hey, SD is a great town), but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the insane traffic that occurred on the 5 South. I must have waited in traffic for about 40 minutes, and was lucky to get to the start point when my corral 16 was just getting ready to leave. No time for stretching, no time to get the jitters out. I can only imagine how the awful traffic screwed up other racers' days, as well. And the price. Since when are marathoners generally rich?

After 14 years in San Diego and countless new ones, RnR is a money machine that minimally takes care of its runners. Pre- and post-race transportation/shuttles remains a nightmare. Staging a half and a full doesn't work well here - the course is poorly marked. Volunteers are friendly but organization is embarrassingly weak. Post-race area is on unshaded black-top; really? Expo was crowded and had a vendor selling wood flooring - what does that have to do with running? Medal and shirt were high quality. The rest is an over-sized marketing machine with little regard for race-day logistics or runner experience. It's no wonder they're receiving such poor ratings.

Does anyone at Competitor read these comments? Anyone?

I know runners read these comments to get an idea about the course. So quickly, the course goes up and down for the first 20 miles and then flattens out to the finish. Too many out and back, seeing runners run by you who are 3 miles ahead gets old. Loop around Ellis Island the final 4 miles is a bummer because you see the finish line for a long time. What really irks me is the uptight organization. I tried to pick up my wife's bib at the Expo on Saturday. I had her drivers license (not a copy) and a signed letter from her, and they would not give me her race packet. Said only she could pick it up and if she wanted, could get it on race morning. That's just plain stupid in my book. Wife wasn't happy about those logistics either. In the starting corals, they didn't drop the rope separators when the race started, so we had to duck under many ropes to reach the start line (stupid). The finish area was under-staffed, drinks were warm, fruit cups were warm (no spoons) and the shuttle area was a good 0.75 miles from the exit of the finishing area. Hey race management, focus more on the runner as a human being, than a money generating commodity!!!

Though I love San Diego, this race unpleasantly surprised me. With 32,000 participants in the race and a finish line basically on an island with only two ways out and in, the end was pure havoc. My spectators couldnt even make it to the end bc of such horrific traffic. Ended up just picking me up with the car. Also, with such a beautiful location the race picked awkward and uninteresting parts of the city. Being from SD I know that there are much better options but the end was really nice. The redeeming qualities of the race are that the end was beautiful and breezy, the weather was amazing!!! A good amount of fueling stations, and wonderful fans. Also, SD is such a great location to visit if you are looking for an out of town race. All I can say is caution and beware of the complete lack of organization provided by this race.

We left our quarters at Pt. loma at 4:40 am but got stuck in traffic jam on I-5. Got to start at 6:10. Maybe start full and half an hour apart? Out and back portion on Morena seemed like forever. Surely a more scenic route could be found for latter part of race.

1-I loved the organ music, nice opening

2-Needed more bathrooms

3-I loved running on the 163, I lived here my whole life, and it was great!

4-The energy at the mall was great!

5-Loved the water and sport drink stations.

6-It was my first 1/2 marathon-just turned 50...it was a dream fulfilled!

The course: Running in downtown was cool but by mile 8 the course takes you to a freeway...uphill...for 3 miles. Boring, hot, and no fun. There were also a lot of loops which I personally hate.
Organization: Running parallel to the half-marathon runners was annoying. Parking annoying and took forever. There was no shade at the after party. And marathon runners had to walk 2 miles just to get to their car after the race.
Spectators: Were awesome!!! However, when you needed them the most...the last 4 miles...they were nowhere to be found!

This was my second and last Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego. I hate to echo others comments but hopefully RnR race directors pay attention.

1. Do a better job separating the marathoners from the half marathoners.
2. Do not have the toughest part of the marathon (the end) be were the least support is.
3. Do not end the race in a beat-up asphalt parking lot.
4. Figure out a better way to get 30K people, most who have spent the last four hours running, back to their cars in under 2 hours.
5. $130.00, seriously?

I must say there were good parts also. Like the starting organization, the first 3/4 of the course were nice, and the expo was well put together.