This was the first run I had ever done longer than 5K, and the most recent of those was in 1997. All in all, the run itself was everything I expected and more - great crowd support, more than enough eager water-hander-overs (oddly, it seemed that most of us aimed more for the water than for the Cytomax), course was relatively flat (a blessing for those of us who live in flatlands and cannot train on hills). Runners themselves were extremely polite to each other (at least those of us who average 10-11 minute miles; I'm sure those that were trying to BQ were too far ahead anyway). This was a new course, so of course the race organizers, city leaders and the railroad forgot that the course STARTED at the railroad as a freight train passed through only a few minutes after the race started. I'm sure they will figure that one out.
However, I really wasn't thrilled with all the digs into my wallet, from the high entry fee (sorry, the swag didn't make up for it as it was mostly tiny sample sizes and coupons), parking fees, the expo that seemed to have some odd vendors (restaurants, car stereos), and after the race, the ridiculously overpriced finish photos (over $25 for ONE picture that you have to download). Perhaps this is normal, but it seemed off.

People complain about the distance from the start and finish lines, but it's not that bad. My hotel was near the Alamodome (finish line and expo), and the starting line was simply a 10-minute walk away, perfect for me to warm up and walk off some jitters before the race. I *might* do this one again next year, though the cost of the entry fee alone might keep me closer to home.

This was my second marathon and also my second RnR event. I, too, am a little discouraged at how much RnR caters to the halfers at the expense of the marathoners. At least when I ran New Orleans, the race shirts were different. San Antonio's shirt even forgoes that distinction. The finish and finish line fest were a disaster. It was pointless to finish on the steepest uphill grade of the course. It was more pointless to herd people who are finishing/walking nearly 3.5-hour half marathons with those of us spending the same amount of time in the full. No one knew what to do or where to go. If I hadn't had local friends to guide me, I'd still be trying to find the exit from the finish area. But the course (minus the train I just missed) was all that could be expected and actually better than I thought it would be.

This was my 14th marathon and my 6th for 2010. I expected a very well organized marathon considering the price and HUGE advertisement effort in running magazines. The first thing that caught my attention was the $10 parking fee at the expo (first fee I've ever seen). The expo was huge and lacking a station to see if your timing band was functional. The waved start was well thought out. However, the train cutting through the marathon in the first few minutes was a first. I was in the 3rd wave. The 3:40:00 pace group leader was not professional and was actually vulgar. I pulled ahead of the group to tune him out. The course was boring and led through some of the city's most decayed areas. Runner support at aid stations was a plus and more than I have experienced in any previous marathon. Thanks to the volunteers. Overall, I would say: pass on this marathon unless you really need it to complete 50 states.

This is my third SA RnR and I am a local.

The pluses about this race:

1) It is great for our community. We appreciate the tourists during the beginning of a slow hotel period. The weather is nice for a vacation, and there is lots to do near downtown. Also, our fat city rallies around getting in shape to run this race every year, which is good for us.

2) Good organization. The downtown start is easier for everyone - out of towners who can walk over and locals who have better drop off and parking options. The RD listened to complaints and fixed the problem with the old start. Also, packet pick up was easy with so many volunteers.

3) The volunteers. Abundant and great! The town turns out to help make this race work. I saw all kinds of Boy Scouts and high school kids.

4) The location. SA is a great place to visit in November. Lots to see and do over a long weekend.

The minuses:

1) The weather can be hot for runners. We were lucky this year, but be warned. The temps are great for vacationers, but not always for runners.

2) Expensive. Register early. If you want to run an RnR race, they just cost more.

3) Big race with many first-timers. Now, this isn't a disadvantage to everyone, not to first-timers or people who like big events, but to runners hoping for a PR and a low0key experience, it isn't optimal. There are crowds to fight. Most runners are doing the half, so it thins out at mile 11.

4) Course is hilly at the end. This doesn't have to be a minus either, but be warned that the backside of the course is lonely and hilly.

I didn't like that marathoners and halfers got the same shirt. I also miss the Sunday night concert - not that I had the energy for wild partying, but I liked knowing that I would get a surprise of a music act I could go see.

I know there will be complaints about the train, too, but that was Union Pac's mistake. The SA course can't be a true tour of the town unless it crosses some train tracks. We'd be stuck running to the north where there is nothing to see.

Rock and Roll San Antonio is great. Did the first, second and third one and plan to do the fourth. Am 78 and will do San Antonio, if no other, for as long as I can. Thank you for a great race. Great volunteers and spectators, also.

My first half-marathon, and I went with a group of 5 co-workers from the Houston area. It is Tuesday evening and I am still excited! The course was challenging, and support from crowds was great! I cannot say enough good things - maybe because I have nothing else to compare to. The water was plentiful, and the expo was great. Fellow competitors were polite. The streets were clean (not including race trash). I am not one to be easily pleased, but no complaints here. I hope to be able to attend next year's event. Thanks to all.

I have 11 half marathons and 10 full marathons to compare to. Ran the half in this one.

The Good:
1. Fast course; I set a PR on it.
2. Corral changing was easy - I wanted to move up to the corral that would have the 2-hour pace group in it, and they were very accommodating of this request.
3. Nice medal!
4. Start was well organized, and food at the start was easy to find - bananas, water, sports drink. (Weird: they only offered full bottles of water and sports drink... who wants a FULL bottle before the race? Pour it in cups next time for appropriate portion sizes.)

The Bad:
1. The "unscheduled freight train" - I know, it won't ever happen again....
2. Cheering sections were very loud, but a lot of lonely sections on the course too. Overpasses and industrial areas were pretty dull.
3. The otherwise great course had a nasty hill half a mile from the end, and a hard right turn for the last .1 to the finish line. Hard to time your kick when you can't see the finish 'til you're there.
4. Ran through to the finish mat, and hit a wall of non-moving people. Spread out the medals, water, etc. farther down the post-race line and have folks keep walking.
5. Where's the free beer? Apparently it was in a tent far, far away from the clearly obvious tent near the finish line with a large sign saying, "Beer $4." Fine to sell beer to spectators, but put a sign up pointing runners to the free beer. A BIG sign that's easy to see. Maybe next to the BIG sign announcing $4 beer?!

The Mercenary:
(I give organization 1 star above as I feel the organizers are the ones responsible for these decisions.)
1. $7 processing fee to register. The registration is via Active, but you have to create a Competitor group log-in, so your Active Advantage membership won't save you any money on this fee.
2. No outside drinks allowed at the expo. Really? At a runner's expo where everyone is hydrating? Sure, they were selling drinks inside, but I've run Chicago, ING Miami, and a lot of other large/corporate races, and never once not been allowed to bring my own water/sports drink inside to the expo.
3. $5 sign up fee for runner tracking. I didn't pay, but my friend did, and it didn't work any better than the free ones from every other race I've ever run. Finish time was texted to those tracking 2 hours after she finished.
4. Think you'll get a bagel at the finish line? Nope. Just 1/4 of a bagel! I respect that the local sponsors have limits, so Competitor Group should pitch in some money to supplement the finish line food.
5. Price of race for the experience = fail. Given the insanely high $90 to register for a HALF - even with the early bird discount - made me expect a bigger deal Event Race (vs. a local/track club based race). This was a good race, but I didn't see what I was paying the big bucks for. Nothing was bigger or better than races at which I pay $45-$75 for early bird. I understand part of the money went to charity, but the same happens at many races.

Overall, I didn't see anything in RnR that I can't get at any other race for less money. Add in the extra nickel-and-dime-ing along the way, and I won't run an RnR again.

This is my second time running the SA Marathon, and I will say that the organization has improved from last year, but overall it could use a lot of work. The course is pretty uninteresting except for the few miles downtown, but it is fairly flat. Crowd participation is great around the Alamo, but is almost non-existent around the park.

My main complaint is really with the R&R series - it seems too big and just aimed at getting the most money out of you as possible. Specifically, consider the mandatory expo, with $10 parking fee and forced entry into the merchandise area. It really seems to be aimed at first-time half marathoners, which is fine, but I think I'll look for some smaller local races in the future.

Participated in the 1/2. The weather was very cooperative, which made race day so much more enjoyable. The crowds were large, but not loud in some areas. The only reason the course doesn't get 5 stars is the cruel hill at the very end of the race! That was brutal. Great, organized start... the interruption of the train was handled very professionally. Highly recommend this race and city.

I have run more than 15 marathons and 30 half marathons. This was my first RnR sponsored race. I am not impressed. The $120 entry fee doesn't get you much. The expo requires participant pickup, winding you through various lines to pick up packet and separate line for shirts. The start line was in waves, in which I was in corral 8 of 30, passing walkers at mile 1. Found myself weaving in and out of walkers to find a place to run. The finish line was a mess. Again, weaving 30,000 runners through gated fencing and couldn't find the exit.