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Apr 28, 2024

Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 4.2

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 481 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 48 > ]

S. F. from Andover MA (7/16/2014) "Not bad for a RNR marathon!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As some others have stated, RNR races are pricy and they charge you for everything under the sun but despite all this, I enjoyed this race. Some of the bands were so awesome I thought they were DJs, until I took a final turn to realize they were a live band. Some others should have stayed home but they made it interesting nonetheless. Belichick ran the half, I did not know until I finish when I called my daughter and she jokingly asked if I saw Bill... Spend time in Nashville, it has so much to offer. If you are looking for a large race (due to the half) in TN, pick this one. It was a bit hot and yes, a few hills but nothing to cry about.
R. M. from Florida (7/11/2014) "The half is awesome, the marathon is just long." (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The half course is awesome and gives you the flavor of Nashville. I just wish it still went through the Vanderbilt campus and by the Parthenon. With a few notable exceptions (5-points, 'Mark's House' and the golf course), the new second half of the route is pretty boring. I don't know if I agree with some of the previous comments. It is expensive, but it costs a lot to put on a race this size. With 30,000+ people, you can't do race day pickup and that many people converging on one spot in the morning will cause traffic jams. I thought it was well organized. Make your hotel reservations at least 6 months in advance!
M. M. from Nashville, TN (5/21/2014) "A Nice Early-Season Race" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My first marathon in Nashville and by far the largest I have run in terms of total runners (around 30000). There is a wave start but nonetheless for the first several miles the pack is pretty thick. However, those running the half (comprising of a large portion of the total) splits off around Mile 11 to head to the finish thinning out the running field for those running the full. A few comments: 1. The Course: Hilly and even steep in some places (for a road race). One hill starting around Mile 15 was over two miles long which was challenging. These conditions would be rough if one has not practiced running some hills. The first several miles ran through some really nice historical parts of town, others were more residential, a few miles left me wondering why the route took us there. The regular music was a unique feature I enjoyed. The aid stations were regular and well equipped. Overall, a pretty good course. Temps at the start were cool (low 40s) but climbed to the mid-70s by the finish. 2. The Fans: Quite a few and enthusiastic, especially where the race passed through the downtown and residential areas, and at the finish. 4. Organization: In terms of registration and packet pick-up no problem. Biggest issue was parking. Luckily, as a local I knew to avoid parking at the stadium. It has poor access and the traffic jam on the interstate extended for miles from the entrance. My recommendation: Use the ample parking areas and garages downtown near the start line. Another issue is how the start was organized. Granted, I had never been in a wave start marathon before, but I did not expect to pass so many people walking who were placed in earlier waves. Either a lot of people lied about their estimated completion time, or the organizers did a poor job of assigning corrals. Another minor annoyance was that there were virtually no pace runners (I saw two). For a race this size I would have expected to see a wide selection. Be prepared to keep track of your own pace. 5. Value: I have seen some badmouthing here about this. It is a bit pricey, but most large marathons are. If you want to run this one, register early and avoid the high cost. If you prefer to procrastinate, don't complain. Overall, it is a pretty good race that I would recommend to anyone wanting to complete a marathon in Tennessee.
B. S. from IL (5/1/2014) "Very tough course, but well organized." (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The nature of the local topography is going to be hilly, so that can't be avoided, but this is a tough course. Coupled with temps in the 70s when most finished, it was grueling. I did find it to be very well organized, with good crowd support in the first half of the race and at the end. Nashville is also a very fun town to send time in. This situation isn't unique to this race, but it's ridiculous to be in an early corral and have to avoid walkers within the first mile that started ahead of you!
John Belardo from New Jersey (4/29/2014) "Challenging fun race" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My first marathon at 53 Have done 5 HMs in the last 2 years. Hilly undulating course. Started race at 49 degrees and up to 77 at end. Time 4:34 24,000 runners of which 3,000 were in the marathon. First half is spectator packed, not so much the last half. I am a glass half full guy. Volunteers were great as were the fans. If you want a race that may heat up, try it. This is not a flat course but, hey, take them as they come riight? i train in the Somerset Hills area of NJ so used to steep hills.First half is scenic, last half is not as it winds through East Nashville.
Adrian Roth from Virginia Beach, VA (4/28/2014) "WTF happened to my GPS?!" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. Yes it was very hilly and moderately hot. I expected it'd be awful to share the course with half-marathoners until mile 11 and then watch them finish. I knew my $150? registration was insanely overpriced for the tshirt and medal I'd receive. These things were given and I accepted them because I needed a marathon to run when a military training event conflicted with the race I really wanted to run (Shamrock in Virginia Beach). Given many of these terrible circumstances what really crushed my race experience was the poor course planning. At 0.87 miles the course ran through a block-long monstrosity of a building/tunnel called the Music City Center. I lost my GPS signal and could not get it back until mile 5. I 'felt' my race pace as best as I could but it was difficult with the hills. What really crushed me was not having a good GPS of my first marathon. Any race director and/our staff should've known how unacceptable the quarter-mile tunnel would be in the first mile of the race. Save your money and run elsewhere.
J. S. from U.S. - KY (4/28/2014) "Beware" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 As a veteran marathoner, I'll never do another RNR event. It's ridiculous that there is not some form of race-day packet pickup. For people traveling less than an hour, there's no reason (other than RNR's desire to pump hotel rooms) not to permit someone to pick up their chip that morning. Also, the total lack of an elevation profile on the website is just plain wrong-the race is brutally, non-stop hilly. First-time marathoners bewareeither train on hills or skip this event. I expected some hills, having done various iterations of the CMM in the pastbut they change the course every few years now so there is no telling exactly what to expect. The jaunt through Metro Center was just worthless and added unnecessary, steep climbs over highway overpasses and industrial-looking parts of town. Nashville has many other more scenic parts of townit's a shame that the course wasted time in that area. Lastly, ignore the admonitions to park at the stadium. You will pay alot of money for a 'VIP' pass that allows you to get stuck in your spot, unable to leave. Park in one of the many metered lots near the start line and walk over the pedestrian bridge after the race. Yes it's a little more movement, but you will be on the road, or in your hotel room, long before you would have been able to get out of the parking lot on the other side of the river.
L. B. from North Carolina (4/27/2014) "Well organized and fun!" (about: 2014) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Nashville marathon for the first time in 2014. From what I hear, the course was changed from last year, but for the better. There were some hills, but they weren't too difficult. The race was very well organized. I loved the wave start, water stops were frequent and well stocked, volunteers were very nice and encouraging, and the spectators were plentiful and motivating with very funny signs! Though this was my worst marathon finishing time (because it got very hot!) it was by far my favorite course that I have completed. My only wish for years to come is that they have more portable restrooms at the start as the lines were crazy long. Also, I wish the hotels were not allowed to gouge people race weekend as the prices were unreal (however, I realize there isn't anything the race directors can do about that.) Otherwise, thank you, Nashville! I have a new favorite marathon!
K. S. from Tennessee (4/24/2014) "Not a good value" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The Rock and Roll Series is overly expensive without a lot of value, and I've run several half marathons in different locations. I've run 5K's with better shirts and food at the finish line. The only reason I run it is that it's in my hometown, and this year I'm using it for a training run for a marathon. But no more - I've got enough butt-ugly shirts.
D. W. from Nashville TN (4/15/2014) "Dont waste your time" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race is well organized, but the fact that the marathoners finish about the time the throngs of 1/2 runners finish, makes for a very congested finish area. You have both groups grabbing water, fruit, etc. and at 3+ hrs these half people aren't really into the 'race'. The course is hilly and not very scenic after the first 10M. Also late April in TN can be hot.

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