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Rockfest Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rockfest Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 38 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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R. M. from Boston, MA
(10/1/2012)
 "Great organization, solid marathon, A+ volunteers" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Lots of rain but still a great day running. LOCO did an amazing job with organization, water stops were right where they said, plenty of port-o-lets on the course, and the views along the ocean were spectacular even through the raindrops! Awesome post race spread of Smuttynose beer, lobster rolls, clam chowder, and minestrone soup plus plenty of fluids and fruit. Volunteers were OUTSTANDING and there was solid support along the course, especially considering the weather. Two thumbs up for the 2012 Smuttynose Rockfest Marathon! | |
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S. F. from Boston
(10/1/2012)
 "Best value in racing!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is billed as a flat and fast course. Being a New Englander, I will agree that it was very flat by New england standards. Only a few very slight, short hills and a couple sections where you knew you were climbing, but never to the degree that you had to work any harder. Agreed with prior comments, too many 90 degree turns and a pointless loop down a side street and around a cone to consider this a fast course. A PR is always possible though, I did! I got to the race 1 hour early. Easy parking in a public lot. I could see the start from my car so no need for bag drop, just left my gear in the car. Easy number pickup, and a nice jacket I will actually wear. The race starts with a loop through Hampton Beach proper, interesting area. No jet flyovers, just an ice cream truck with music playing and bells ringing. Very Hampton Beach. Post race was fine. The medal is just alright. The beer was tasty and free. The food was good! Hot clam chowder and a lobster roll. I wasn't expecting much if they were serving lobster to 5000 runners, but was pleasantly surprised. The band was odd. 1970's cover band? Really? In costumes? Whatever, it was entertainment. Long story short, Jacket=$40, 2 premium local beers=$12, Seafood lunch on the shore=$15. Kinda makes the race free. | |
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D. G. from Richmond, VA
(10/13/2011)
"decent race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is a decent small/mid sized race Goods: Even with all the turns, I thought is was a respectable course. The stretch (9-11 and then 22-finish) along the coast was good People out on the course even with the steady rain were enthuastic though small in size Medal is ok, not spectacular No real expo so getting your number was very easy. Nice jacket for the marathoners Not So Good Don't know why, but there were no water stops between mile 9 and mile 13+ and then again nothing after mile 22 The race is two loops, with the first 11 miles or so with the much larger half marathon. Some people like this, it drives me a bit crazy The finish seemed a bit disorganized to a runner who brain was a little fried after 26 miles. There were some cups of water but you had to ask to find anything else (food/heat blanket/ medals). No one directing the runners where to go For a good part of the race you are running with traffic at your back on open roads. I never had a problem and the cars behaved, but it was a bit unnerving at first It seemed like every runner had ear buds (personal pet peive) Be careful of your travel plans. Many of the hotels have 11:00 check out (and our hotel was not real friendly about late check out) and with a 9:00 start, you need to be prepared. (though the race does make deals with some of the hotels so you can shower) | |
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c. a. from Maine, USA
(10/7/2011)
"tooo many turns" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The bib pickup was simple and easy. the spectators were wonderful in the rain. It felt like the full and half marathoners were treated equally. Port a potties and all amenities were adequate. However to me a marathon comes down to the course. There were some short stretches of wonderful scenery. BUT I counted 52 turns. Not curves in a road but 90 degree turns from one road to another. Hard to get in a rhythm when every half mile you would have to slow and make a sharp turn.My GPS said 26.7 miles which I assume came from not running the tangents on the corners. | |
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j. j. from MA
(10/5/2011)
 "Still needs some work" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This marathon is still going through some growing pains and there is still plenty of room for improvement. Pros: Great Marathon jacket included with entry. Great volunteers Plenty of free parking Plenty of public rest rooms Cons: The course is flat, but not as fast as you would think. There are way to many turns on this course. I'm not making this up. At one point they have you turn into a street, go down 20 feet turn around a orange cone and go back out to the street you were just running on and continue in the same direction, I'm not kidding. Water stops need improvement: Water stops that should have been at mile 11 and 24 were not even there, Marathon web site states crew never showed up. They should consider using larger cups at the water stops. Using 6 oz Dixie cups, and only filling them half way is not going to cut it. | |
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R. M. from Boston Suburbs
(10/5/2011)
"Bravo!!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed this race, despite the bad weather. The course was great and well marked. There was plenty of water (and thanks to the locals who set up extra water stops in front of their homes!), and the people who stayed out and worked the water stops and/or cheered were awesome!! We even had a dry place to wait before the race. | |
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M. Z. from Hampton, NH
(10/4/2011)
"Great Time!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and even though the weather was LESS than ideal it was an amazing time. I was inspired and thankful to each and every spectator and volunteer and especially LOCOs who braved the conditions and cheered, directed, poured glasses and handed out gels to us lunatics who run no matter what. From the bottom of my heart thank you for making this day so spectatular. | |
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B. I. from NH
(10/3/2011)
 "Spectacular Course" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rockfest Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course was spectacular even in the poring rain. Only the course could keep my mind off mother nature's cruelty. Second year marathon and the second time I have run the marathon. Couple of course changes did were not really felt either way. Medal was mildly better this year as was the amount of beer left for the marathoners. There was also food for the tail end marathoners this year which was improved. Really great job for the second year. Look forward to running it again next year. | |
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V. F. from Delmar, NY
(10/3/2011)
"Nice course even in the pouring rain." (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Rockfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I am a 50 State marathon finisher. I enjoyed this marathon course even in the all day rain. My best finish time this year. | |
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B. C. from Connecticut
(10/2/2011)
"Pretty Course" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 IMO I wouldn't describe this course as flat. The first half of the course was very hilly. Other runners were commenting on the same thing along the way. Miles 9-13 were definitely flat, right on the water. It was beautiful! For improvement, I would have wanted another water stop around mile 12. Not much in the way of music or spectators because it was pouring rain and chilly. Small medal, but that's okay for a fun hometown-type of race. Race organizers communicated very well on race details, maps, etc. Packet pickup was well organized. |
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