calendar icon May 2, 2024

Rocket City Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rocket City Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.5 
 
 
Number of comments: 285 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 29 > ]

 

B. S. from Nebraska (12/18/2013)
"A good race." (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


They needed a bag check, to store sweats for after the race. I thought the course would be pancake flat, it is not. The spectators were sparse, but very enthusiastic. Glad I took a little vacation to North Alabama, I like the landscape there.
 

David Zajic from Alabama (12/18/2013)
"Rocket City Never Disappoints" (about: 2013)

50+ previous marathons | 6+ Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Another great job for the RD and the support team. Well organized and you can tell it's a marathon put on by marathoners. From the starting announcements to the copious food afterward you can tell everything is thought out and planned.
Looking forward to trying the new course next year.
 

B. D. from Tallahassee, FL (12/18/2013)
"Great Small Town Flat Race" (about: 2013)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Pros:
1)medal and hat with rockets
2)race support
3)spectators
4)pretty flat
5)hotel right next to start

Cons:
1)shirt

They're changing the course next year in 2014.


This was my 3rd and my wife's first. About 1400 runners (near 1800 but people didn't show due to weather). Great flat course through neighborhoods and downtown except for a 4.5 mi highway stretch. Spectators were more than expected for a race of this size, race was extremely well supported.
 

E. K. from Belleville, Ontario, Canada (12/17/2013)
"I was pleasantly surprised with the weekend" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


As I was unable to run a late fall marathon closer to home, I picked the Rocket City as the reviews were generally favorable. I was not disappointed. Best part was that we did not have to share the course with 10 k'ers or half marathoners-brilliant idea.
Weather was perfect for the race with 50ish temps, clouds and the wind at our backs for the second half, return trip to finish line.
Great pre and post race festivities and awesome to hear Bart Yasso at carbo dinner.
Looking forward to the changes they've got planned for next year.
 

D. N. from Birmingham, AL (12/17/2013)
"Solid BQ race" (about: 2013)

3 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Course (not sure it really matters since I understand its changing next year): A relatively flat course with a few moderate hills but not pancake flat (hilliness is pretty relative to what you're used to, though). The multiple turns are not a real problem except they do add to the length of the race, I suspect, since this course measured longer than others I have done.

Organization: Great organization put on by runners for runners. I really liked the 'escort' for each runner in the finish chute. It was great to have someone put their arm around you and make sure you were ok. I'm sorry I was too zoned out to thank that person. A little disappointed race-day packet pickup was axed after registration had opened. The website could be better updated.

Spectators: Not huge but enough for most of the course. There are some lonely stretches.
 

D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (12/15/2013)
"I recommend this race!" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Pros:
1) Nice medal and shirt
2) Nice PR course
3) Easy packet pickup
4) Well managed course
5) Friendly volunteers
6) Nice start - stay in hotel until 15 minutes before race!

Cons:
1) Some areas had fact-paced traffic, though well monitored by police
2) Needed more frequent cones in some places
 

W. R. from Winston-Salem, NC (3/28/2013)
"Well worth the drive" (about: 2012)

2 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I drove in from Winston-Salem, NC, and it was definitely worth it. The course seemed really flat for someone that is used to the foothills of NC; I only noticed one hill, and it was relatively minor. There, were, however, a ton of turns. My Garmin had the course about 1/4th of a mile long because of the turns.
The support on the course was what you would expect. Every aid station had Gatorade and water and two had gels. More aid stations in the last six miles would have been helpful. The spectator support was great with people just chilling in their front yards and cheering everyone on.
If you're looking for a fast, well-run, marathon with great weather, I'd definitely recommend it.
 

K. F. from Los Angeles, CA (3/15/2013)
"Flat...really?!?" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I enjoyed this race even though I went out too fast in this one and pretty much bonked in the end. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to run a marathon in Alabama.

But for the life of me, I can't figure out why some people consider this to be a flat course. There were way too many hills for me to consider this flat.
 

K. F. from Hopkinsville kentucky (3/4/2013)
"Great race even better with h20 every mile past 20" (about: 2013)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


I have run Rocket City many times and love the experience. I strongly suggest water stops each mile after 20. Regardless of temp - dehydration risk increases dramatically at this point. As you can see from comments from previous years, this is a common concern. Except for that, don't change a thing. Inviting Bill Rodgers was super! I will be back
 

J. B. from Mobile, AL (1/2/2013)
"Good race!" (about: 2012)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This race was very well organized and all of the volunteers were very friendly. This was my first race to run with a pace group (3:45), and my pace leaders were wonderful! They were chatty and motivational without being annoying.

The only things I did not like about the race was that the course was not quite as flat as rumored, but compared to the other 2 Alabama marathons (Birmingham & Mobile) it is very flat. The weather was not ideal either but obviously that is no one's fault.

I am generally a fan of smaller races, and I thought this one was great!
 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 29 > ]

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