This was my second time to run Huntsville. It was my first marathon two years ago, and third overall. Again it was a good race. The expo is small, and there aren't many folks out along the course. But if you can do without the cheering crowds (Nashville was a great one!), it's a great marathon. I had a PR of 3:59:15 this year. Thanks to all who hosted!

I had heard great things about this race from the local Nashville running community. I was not disappointed! The weather was perfect for me (a native New Englander) - in the high 30s at the start, rising to the high 40s. The expo was small, but full of bargains. I stayed at the host hotel, which made it incredibly easy to get to the start (and the finish line was right there, too). I was not expecting a lot of spectators, but was pleasantly surprised. My favorite scene? A lawn covered with plastic cows and a sign saying, "Keep moooooo-ving!" The people that came out (especially the high schoolers!) were super enthusiastic. As everyone has said, it's a mostly flat course. Many turns, but very well-marked/monitored. The finisher's medal was awesome, and so was the hat.

My only complaint was that the food afterward (a great spread!) was inside, in an area that was very crowded. I started feeling faint after waiting in line in the hot hallway after being so cold outside. I felt much better after a lemonade and getting away from the crowd!

I got a 24-minute PR on this course! Would definitely recommend this marathon. My favorite race so far!

This was my second Rocket City Marathon. I came back after seven years to qualify for Boston. After I arrived, I realized why I chosen this particular race. It is a great race. It is very well organized and everyone is super friendly. The scenic course is mostly flat to gently rolling and the weather is usually cool - just the way we like it! Great pre-race pasta dinner and post-race food has something for everyone, too. Race organizers and volunteers really make you feel welcome and special. While Boston will always be the standard, Rocket City reminds me why I run marathons. I will run this race again and I hope they don't change anything!

Perfect weather for a marathon. The expo is small and crowded but you can get your packet and get out fairly quick. The course is fast and flat with a few rolling hills that are no problem at all. The spectators are few, and they just look past you waiting to support the one person they came out for. The best cheering noise came from a cross country team and the dogs barking in the yards.

If you go for the run and not the support, you will enjoy a good day of running.

I've run this race twice and had good but very different experiences both times. The first time was my first marathon, so it was all new for me. My husband kind of tricked me into doing it, and I trained a little halfheartedly.

As an invited athlete, I was very pleased with the treatment we got - I really felt like the race organizers wanted me to be there. The expo is great for a race this size - I'll probably go to the expo this year and I'm not planning to run the race!

The first year (2006), the weather was brutal - especially for my first marathon. It was about 20 degrees at the start, but very sunny. My biggest problem was that the water and Gatorade kept freezing on my gloves during the race. I had to run in tights and long sleeves, and with a hat and gloves. It was nice and sunny, but it never really seemed to warm up for me - but then again, I HATE the cold.

For 2007, it was a bit warmer and humid - perfect for me, but not really hot at all.

The first time around I went out conservatively for the first 17 miles, then made the mistake of thinking that I should speed up because I felt so great. It felt good until mile 23, and then THE WALL. I went from running 6:30 per mile to running 8-minute miles and wanting to stop! I was saved by my father-in-law who was cheering at the 24 mile mark, and I managed to finish in 2:51, just missing my goal of 2:50.

2007 was much better. My training was better, the weather was better, and I knew what I was getting myself into. I went out conservatively, and despite feeling great again at the 18 mile-mark, I didn't let myself take off until 22 miles. I finished with a 5:30 on the last mile and a 3-minute PR of 2:48.

The course is good - great in terms of elevation changes - and I love running through the tunnel! There are a lot of turns in some parts of the course, but this shouldn't effect you unless you're trying to run like 2:10 or something, and I like running from turn to turn during the latter stages of the race - it helps me have little goals to work towards.

The organization is superb, but what would you expect with a bunch of rocket scientists in charge of stuff? I do like how this is just one race - no half-marathon to get lost in and the size of the race makes for a really pleasant start.

As for the post-race, the first year I was only worried about getting warm and off my feet, so I didn't get the whole experience. The second year, I really enjoyed the snacks. I also like the fact that people actually show up at the awards ceremony - they do it at a scheduled time and in a nice comfortable room with plenty of seating. It's so much better than those awkward things at some races where the award winners are lost in the crowd when their names are called.

Overall, I would say that Rocket City is a wonderful race for people who are interested in the running aspect of things - no concert, no big events, just a great opportunity to run a great marathon. I would highly recommend it to my friends and will probably run it again in the future.

This was a great expereince even though I did not finish in the time I trained for. The temperature was a tad warmer than planned, and I should have taken better advantage at all of the water stations. The first 15 miles were textbook, but the next 11 were a personal nightmare. My bad! I signed up and I'm looking forward to redemption by saving my second marathon to be a re-run again at Rocket City. The tech shirt, hat and medal were nicer than what I received at the Music City Half. Food was great. Wonderful experience.

My third race on this course, and I've been pleased each time. It's a faster course than my hometown Country Music Marathon. In early years, Rocket City was a regionally elite race with winning times around 2:15 to 2:17. My 1982 time was 69th place finish; this year, it would have been sixth, so the field has dwindled with the explosion in big payday marathons. I got my BQ in 1982 and 2007 on this course. Crowds and support were great. Unlike some races where you have a kids' race and/or a 5K or half, the Rocket City Marathon is only one race. Line up, shut up, and run. I loved the accordion player - she rocked.

This was my third marathon, and I set a PR by 26 minutes! I got that PR as a combination of better training, a flat course, and terrific cooler December weather. I'd definitely run this race again. The medals weren't anything spectacular, but the technical race shirt and free 10-minute massages after the race were nice. The course gets a little boring from mile 15-20 or so, but other than that, I really enjoyed myself.

This was my first marathon ever, so automatically it is probably less relevant for more experienced runners. It was a very flat course, perfect for newer runners. Being a smaller-city marathon, it had fewer supporters, but the few that were present were very encouraging.

My only dislikes were: running on a road with traffic, and being on the one side of the road hurt my hip a bit. I also had a bit of trouble finding the race location from the interstate, but despite being late for even the late packet pick-up, staff were still there and I was able to race with no trouble whatsoever.

Altogether an enjoyable experience that I will gladly do again.

No real complaints until after I had finished. I was not provided with a 2007 finisher hat as advertised nor was I sent one in the mail as promised. In addition, the post-race food was very picked over and looked extremely unappetizing.