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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 461 to 471]
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Mark P. Gershman from Scottsdale, Arizona
(5/1/2001)
 "Heat,Hills,& Hospitality...what a race!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This being my ninth marathon, I've come to expect almost anything, but even the ghost of Elvis couldn't alter the heat. Nevertheless, Nashville knows how to host a race, amazingly, much, much more organized and well-staged than other marathons that have been doing it for alot longer. The citizens of Nashville are genuinely warm and friendly. A passerby at the finish line noticed that I was a bit overheated, and asked if I needed assistance, etc. and all I asked was 'Do you know where the transit/taxi cabs are? to which he replied ' I'll take you anywhere you need to go.' That rarely happens anywhere. The Centennial Park pre-dawn set-up was also outstanding; abundant coffee, bagels, power bars, water, etc. And despite the heat, Nashvillians were out in force cheering us on. The concierge at the hotel clapped when I entered the four-star lobby, myself replete with layers of dry, salty sweat, and she stood up and clapped when she saw my medal. Later in the day, while wearing the marathon t-shirt, passers-by asked 'Did you race today,etc?' and gave me a high-five, words of congrats, etc. from total strangers...that's the kind of town Nashville is. Television and newspaper coverage were significant; it's great to travel to a city and know that the locals know that a marathon is going on in your town. It seems that in the past few years that there are more and more multiple marathon runners than ever, so comparing races becomes an artform. I think many runners would like to see someone resolve the powdered-drink issue; it's obvious few runners like what's out there. We'd love to see a tent or something at the finish line, especially in hotter climates, and please, more ice on the course, and cups of water that haven't sat in the hot sun. Finally, maybe a list or pamphlet included in the sign-up or with the final instructions relating to running courtesy; no running ten abreast, moving to the right if you have to stop, no headphones, starting at the back of the pack if you're a slower runner or plan to walk most of the race, being careful with dousing yourself with water, spitting,...you get the idea. And please, everyone tell a novice runner to wear Coolmax garb; the sooner they learn the tricks of the trade, the sooner they'll become happy and satisfied runners. Together, we can all build that ever expanding brotherhood of runners better and faster than ever. | |
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A Runner from Ferrum, VA
(5/1/2001)
 "Great town for a race." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was my second one. Although I train on hills all the time, the heat and humidity got the best of me and a lot of other runners. Thanks to the people of Nashville for your support. I would not change a thing, but I would make one recommendation to consider. At each stage, have some speakers pointed in both directions so that we runners can hear the music a little better as we approach and leave. As I approached this one band somewhere around mile 24, they were playing 'Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress' I heard it way before I could see them. Helped me forget my pain, a little. Their stage was pointing at the runners as they approached, but as we soon as we went past the stage the only thing that could be heard was the shuffle of feet. I highly recommend this race and would do it again. | |
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A Runner from Washington, DC
(4/30/2001)
"Top-notch organization with attention to detail." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The management of this race was unsurpassed, and the people of Nashville did their city proud by their phenomenal enthusiasm and support for all participants. Heck, nobody can control the weather, but the runner support, local news coverage, and general enthusiasm was fabulous. I ran this marathon and was forced to stop at the halfway point due to an ankle injury. I expected a long dejected and hot trudge back 4 miles to the finishing area. Instead I was treated to kind attention, a half marathon finisher's MEDAL, bottled water and fruit, and a deluxe motorcoach ride back to the finish area, where we cheered in friends as they arrived at the finish line. If the half-marathon finish option were developed, this event could attract another 3000+ participants easily. Don't listen to the nitpickers. I spoke with dozens of runners who agreed that they had seldom, if ever, been to a better-organized race. Forget your obsessions with PRs -- THIS RACE WAS *FUN*. A few minor suggestions, not to detract from the event as a whole: - Put the start and finish nearer to each other. In 2001 they were several miles apart, which was a bit of a hassle to participants. - Rearrange the course to keep it flatter for the last 10K. - Provide a single comprehensive schedule of events and timetable on the website and runner's information packets. - Don't 'require' disclosure of travel data from participants on the required check-in form. Annoying. - If possible, work on including more scenic areas and fewer industrial areas in the course - Provide more food/drink for purchase (and shade/shelter) at the finisher's area - Put comprehensive local hotel, restaurant, and local attraction information on the website and keep it up there. Information on the website was sketchy and came and went. Slick graphics aren't enough! - Add multiple-event awards for Rock'n'Roll Half and CMM to the current 'Golden Note' and 'I rocked 39.3 miles' awards (now only in conjunction with San Diego's RnR Marathon). | |
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A Runner from Centralia, IL
(4/30/2001)
"Limping and Grinning" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Nobody said this would be easy. I trained running 200 laps around a 12 laps to the mile square indoor track, and on snow encrusted midwestern back roads. At Nashville I get on a roller coaster in a steambath. Hot damn I love that town. Sure I got beat up out there, but as my daddy always says, 'Come home with your shield or ON it. Train for hills, people...but those folks cheering really were wonderful. Please keep the cheerleaders! We'd run across the desert barefoot for those smiles. The band at Shelby Park was so good I wanted to high five 'em and buy CD's on the spot. Nashville's really alive on Saturday night, too. I brought five people down and we love the place. All the support and organizational work was stellar. Runners- the course can be mean, but you've got friends in Music City and Nashville really does ROCK. Thanks. | |
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A Runner from Chicago
(4/30/2001)
"Twang" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Although the course contains a lot of hills, you can't beat the organization. From the packet pickup through the post race everything was top notch. God bless those spectators that sprayed the runners with their garden hoses and all the volunteers at the aid stations as well as the Nashville police and fire departments. the numerous bands and cheerleaders throughout the course provided a real boost. A great marathon. | |
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A Runner from Springfield, Missouri
(4/29/2001)
 "The sun was angry that day, my friends." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Country Music Marathon was the second marathon I have run, with Chicago in 2000 being my reference point. I cannot imagine a better run event then Chicago, so any comparison would be almost unfair. The people of Nashville are wonderful with genuine southern hospitality and kind support. My wife and I fell in love with the city. Nashville is clean and beautiful. The marathon was a great experience. If Chicago is a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, CMM is probably an 8. Too hilly for many personal bests, but the bands were terrific, and the event was fun. I am not a big country music fan, but I enjoyed every band-quite a showcase! The course was hilly, don't let anyone kid you, and with mid-morning temperatures in the 80s the hills seemed gigantic. A few suggestions for the organizers. 1) Better coordinated transportation. 2) Starting corrals were too congested, particularly given lower than expected turn-out. 3) There was no music to pump you up at the starting line, and could not hear the speaker. 4) 15 year old cheerleaders screaming in your ear at the last 200 yards, telling you 'you can make it' was probably not necessary. 5) College students handing out beers in their front yards made the event more fun for some. 6)Replace nasty replacement drink (forgot the name) with power-aid or gatorade. Yikes was that other stuff nasty. 7) Event organizers should run the Chicago marathon, and compare notes, Nashville can be every bit as good! | |
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J.Gardner from Athens, Georgia
(4/29/2001)
"HOT and HILLY!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 One tough course with all the hills! As mentioned before the scenery gets VERY boring, as you wind around industrial parks, and long uphill stretches. Organization was awesome! And the medics/volunteers were top notch. | |
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Jerry Sumrell from Atlanta, GA
(1/17/2001)
"A near perfect debut in 2000" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 In my quest to run a marathon in ever state, I chose this one because it is close to my hometown. I rarely run 'first' races because there is a danger of bad organization (as anyone who ran the first Rock'n'Roll marathon will attest). However, the R'n'R people pulled their experience from San Diego and put on a fantastic race. The course is interesting, except for a dull stretch in the last third while coming into the finish, but for the most part there is something to see nearly everywhere. Watch out for the first few miles - that hill will take it out of you. Even with that hill I still broke 5 hours... a good time for me. | |
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A Runner from Nashville, TN
(10/24/2000)
"come on down and join our fledgling race!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I live here, and this was my first marathon, as well as the first Country Music Marathon. Elite Racing did a great job of organizing, they had 26 bands to break up the monotony. Great food and drink and plenty of it. Fans are great, not as many as some cities, but that will improve as Nashville learns to love the marathon the way Chicago does. Best thing: due to the newness, field is still very small! Only 7500 of us ran it in 2000. Course is hilly as heck, so try to train for it or it will get you. Some parts are very boring, but not hopelessly. Medic tents are everywhere and very helpful. Post-race entertainment was lame in 2000, but will hopefully get better. Coming around the last turn and seeing the finish line at the Adelphia Colliseum is a great kick. | |
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A Runner from Bahamas
(8/21/2000)
"Very good overall" (about: 1999)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon in 2 years and even though I did not finish, I thought it was very well organized. However, the course was very boring in the Metro Center area - mile 13 - 18. Needed some bands there definitely. But had a great time and I plan to run it again next year and COMPLETE. I will know to train for hills. |
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