Marathon Details - Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > TX > San Antonio > Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

San Antonio, TX USA

December 8, 2024

http://www.runrocknroll.com/san-antonio

More Info:	News
Results:	2021 \| 2019 \| 2018 \| 2017 \| 2016 \| 2015 \| 2014 \| 2013 \| 2012 \| 2011 \| 2010 \| 2009 \| 2008 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:	Competitor Group
Address:	Competitor Group c/o Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio 9477 Waples Street, Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92121
Phone Number:	(858) 450-6510 or (800) 311-1255
Fax Number:	858-450-6905
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 3.6

Organization 3.3

Spectators 3.9

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Number of comments: 203 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 21 > ]

J. H. from Austin, TX (12/6/2021) "for the price, this marathon is worth it" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One thing in marathoning is you can't control the weather. With race start about 70 and very high humidity, this year the weather wasn't on our side. Thankfully it was overcast the whole race. However, the race had fluid stations so often, I knew I could take a couple sips and be ok since the next station was just 2-3 miles away. The crowd support was definitely better the first half before the half/full split. The full takes you a few miles on a beautiful greenway trail with zero support, but they still managed to have a band or two scattered. It is the Rock-n-Roll series after all. Course has some hills, but nothing too steep. However, enough to say it's medium challenging compared to other marathons. The price point is one of the lowest reg fees I have seen. Because of that, I feel this race is a good value. P.S. the volunteers it takes to put on a marathon is extraordinary. This race was stocked with volunteers to make the race go super smooth.
Wayne Wright from Palmdale, California USA (1/22/2019) "Remember, No Alamo!" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:22:25. The Rock n Roll San Antonio Marathon was my fifty-third 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: 47 degrees, 76 percent relative humidity, calm with clear skies at the start in downtown San Antonio. Unlike other Rock n Roll events, our start was without intervals between corrals. The first four miles of the course was in and around downtown before proceeding north to the Pearl shopping and dining complex, which was reached at mile 6. We went further north to Brackenridge Park and at mile 8 turned to a generally southward direction east of downtown. During this time, we encountered our only notable, but short, incline at mile 11 in the Dignowty Hill neighborhood. Past mile 14, we continued south on the Riverwalk Mission Reach. Perhaps the most scenic and quietest part of the marathon, the bluffs on both sides prevented any breeze into the river canyon, and with increasing temperature, no cloud or shade cover, made our trek a bit more difficult. We exited the paved trail at mile 19, turning around back toward downtown shortly thereafter, finishing three blocks south of our starting area. Weather at the finish was 77 degrees, 15 percent relative humidity, winds from the northeast at 9 mph with clear skies. ORGANIZATION: Typical for a Rock n Roll event. Efficient bib pickup and wide selection of marathon merchandise at the expo. Good course support and traffic control. SPECTATORS: Bands at regular intervals except along the Riverwalk between miles 14 and 19. Especially notable in Military City USA were the memorials honoring our fallen veterans culminating with a long line of cheering spectators holding American flags on both sides of Red Oak Road just before mile 8. CONCLUSION: Better than usual course layout for a Rock n Roll event, but given the 7:15 a.m. start, given The Alamo does not open until 9 a.m., and given The Alamo was a very small distance from the start line, we could have gone by San Antonio's (and perhaps Texas's) most famous landmark without any inconvenience to non-participants. Other than that oversight, it was an enjoyable race. Well done, San Antonio.
F. M. from Houston, Texas (12/3/2018) "Great Race!" (about: 2018) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event was exceptionally organized from the expo through race day. In terms of the course, the first half had lots of fan support and was relatively flat. The back 13 comprised of more hills and the amount of crowd support wavered. With that being said, it is a course you can PR on and I would highly recommend participating.
G. K. from Texas (12/12/2017) "Great running tour of San Antonio's landmarks" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Other than the expo being pretty congested and parking reliant on local knowledge of the city, this was a top notch marathon. It was great to run by many of the famous SA landmarks, the bands and enthusiastic spectators topped off the experience. The turnaround on the course was rather circuitous but other than that minor annoyance, support and organization were top notch, capped off by a roomy finish chute with plenty of post race nutrition and entertainment. It is worth the visit!
T. K. from USA (12/4/2017) "Memorable Race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is technically my 50th marathon, and the race is definitely a memorable one. Organization is top notch, and the volunteers were amazing. It poured on us at one point, but the volunteers' enthusiasm never wavered! Easy access to start and finish line. You can stay in any of the downtown River Walk hotels and walk to the start/finish line without problems. Race course had changed for the better! VIP package was a splurge well worth it. The memorial pictures/flags at Brackenridge park almost brought me to tears, especially when a runner in front of me knelt down in front of one of the pictures of a fallen soldier, and had to be helped to get up to keep running. Will be back in the future!
B. L. from Texas (12/12/2016) "It is a race designed for me" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this marathon many times before. The course change for this year eliminated the numerous hills in Mission District and the River Trail. The last few miles through King William were beautiful. Looking forward to next year. Thank You Rock n' Roll
M. O. from Austin, TX (1/26/2015) "Should have been a half (as others stated)" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 As others, before me, have reviewed... I agree that this should only be a half marathon course. The first half is quite enjoyable. The scenery includes some of historical downtown, The Alamo, by the Zoo, Trinity University, and some great neighborhoods. It's after the turn for the half (where the full marathon keeps going) that things fall apart. It runs along basically a drainage creek (not scenic at all) for the majority of the second half. Worse, this part is fairly inaccessible for spectators. So, if you have anyone coming out to see you, fuhggedaboutit. Unless they do some major reconnaissance beforehand, it is very difficult to access this part of the course. And even where there are streets somewhat close, it is a hike to get down to the actual course. This part of the course was practically devoid of spectators. That, in and of itself doesn't bother me. I don't feel the need for spectators to keep me going. But if you're going to make it inaccessible for spectators, then WOW me with some scenery. Put me out in the middle of nature. I would run this race again, as a half, because it was well organized and the first half is nice enough. But I couldn't recommend this as a full marathon. Part of the point of a Rock'N'Roll marathon is to showcase what a city has to offer. To INSPIRE with the scenery of the run. This completely falls flat in this regard. Save your money, do the half, and pick a better course for your full marathon.
J. R. from Boulder, CO (12/8/2014) "Mostly good, but ouch, that concrete trail" (about: 2014) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first-ever full marathon, though I've done numerous halves before. It had excellent organization and logistics, both at the race and the expo; this seems to be Rock n Roll's strong suit. Aid stations were well-placed and most had gatorade, plus a couple had gel packets. Crowd support was very good, though it trailed off a little after the halfway point. Weather was perfect - overcast, slightly breezy, and in the mid-fifties (I'm glad they moved the race back to December). The one downside is that most of the last quarter or so of the course is along a concrete trail beside a creek. The surroundings were nice, but oh man, my leg muscles were not prepared for that much concrete and I ended up walking most of that part. Getting back onto asphalt for the last mile was a relief and I managed a slow run going into the finish line. This might just be my inexperience as a marathoner but I'd probably have been able to run more of the time if they'd kept it on roads most of the way.
K. L. from Texas (12/3/2013) "Should only be a half" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I think they should just get rid of the full marathon for this race. The only reason I decided to run this race again was because of the course change. However, it was worse. The marathon part of the course is just bad. The are very few runners, few spectators, no shade, and the last part of the course was on a concrete bike path. The heat really came out after mile 13 which means the marathoners should have started much earlier. Even when I got to mile 24 and merged with the half marathoners, I had to weave through them since many of them went to the marathon side of the road. They were walking slowly, not running, which made it even harder. They should just get rid of the marathon and keep it a half only.
M. M. from Argyle, TX (11/21/2013) "Run the half, not the full" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I want to preface everything I say by telling you it ended up being 90 degrees for a full marathon, so this one had no chance. Mistake #1 is they start the race at 7:30. That's too late. I truly am not one to complain as I am easily satisfied in these things, but I totally agree with most others that have reviewed this race. I stayed in a hotel downtown near the start/finish, the expo was great, the city is great. But the back half of this full marathon course is just terrible not scenic at all, not well supported and just a poor course. Any time you have to run 2 miles out into a park on the bike path and two miles back, with no trees, etc, that is not fun. The staff was great and helpful, the volunteers were great, and I mean it when I say the first half of the marathon was just outstanding. After that, it was a dud, in my opinion. The finish line, at the Alamo Dome, was very, very poor. There was absolutely nowhere to sit down, no shade and just a crowded mess. They had it fenced off in such a way that it was difficult to move until you go out of the area. With all that space to use I just can't believe a better job couldn't have been done. There is potential here, but the full course needs to be changed in my opinion, and I just read they are changing the date permanently to Dec. 7. That will help.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 21 > ]

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J. H. from Austin, TX (12/6/2021) "for the price, this marathon is worth it" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One thing in marathoning is you can't control the weather. With race start about 70 and very high humidity, this year the weather wasn't on our side. Thankfully it was overcast the whole race. However, the race had fluid stations so often, I knew I could take a couple sips and be ok since the next station was just 2-3 miles away. The crowd support was definitely better the first half before the half/full split. The full takes you a few miles on a beautiful greenway trail with zero support, but they still managed to have a band or two scattered. It is the Rock-n-Roll series after all. Course has some hills, but nothing too steep. However, enough to say it's medium challenging compared to other marathons. The price point is one of the lowest reg fees I have seen. Because of that, I feel this race is a good value. P.S. the volunteers it takes to put on a marathon is extraordinary. This race was stocked with volunteers to make the race go super smooth.
Wayne Wright from Palmdale, California USA (1/22/2019) "Remember, No Alamo!" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:22:25. The Rock n Roll San Antonio Marathon was my fifty-third 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: 47 degrees, 76 percent relative humidity, calm with clear skies at the start in downtown San Antonio. Unlike other Rock n Roll events, our start was without intervals between corrals. The first four miles of the course was in and around downtown before proceeding north to the Pearl shopping and dining complex, which was reached at mile 6. We went further north to Brackenridge Park and at mile 8 turned to a generally southward direction east of downtown. During this time, we encountered our only notable, but short, incline at mile 11 in the Dignowty Hill neighborhood. Past mile 14, we continued south on the Riverwalk Mission Reach. Perhaps the most scenic and quietest part of the marathon, the bluffs on both sides prevented any breeze into the river canyon, and with increasing temperature, no cloud or shade cover, made our trek a bit more difficult. We exited the paved trail at mile 19, turning around back toward downtown shortly thereafter, finishing three blocks south of our starting area. Weather at the finish was 77 degrees, 15 percent relative humidity, winds from the northeast at 9 mph with clear skies. ORGANIZATION: Typical for a Rock n Roll event. Efficient bib pickup and wide selection of marathon merchandise at the expo. Good course support and traffic control. SPECTATORS: Bands at regular intervals except along the Riverwalk between miles 14 and 19. Especially notable in Military City USA were the memorials honoring our fallen veterans culminating with a long line of cheering spectators holding American flags on both sides of Red Oak Road just before mile 8. CONCLUSION: Better than usual course layout for a Rock n Roll event, but given the 7:15 a.m. start, given The Alamo does not open until 9 a.m., and given The Alamo was a very small distance from the start line, we could have gone by San Antonio's (and perhaps Texas's) most famous landmark without any inconvenience to non-participants. Other than that oversight, it was an enjoyable race. Well done, San Antonio.
F. M. from Houston, Texas (12/3/2018) "Great Race!" (about: 2018) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event was exceptionally organized from the expo through race day. In terms of the course, the first half had lots of fan support and was relatively flat. The back 13 comprised of more hills and the amount of crowd support wavered. With that being said, it is a course you can PR on and I would highly recommend participating.
G. K. from Texas (12/12/2017) "Great running tour of San Antonio's landmarks" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Other than the expo being pretty congested and parking reliant on local knowledge of the city, this was a top notch marathon. It was great to run by many of the famous SA landmarks, the bands and enthusiastic spectators topped off the experience. The turnaround on the course was rather circuitous but other than that minor annoyance, support and organization were top notch, capped off by a roomy finish chute with plenty of post race nutrition and entertainment. It is worth the visit!
T. K. from USA (12/4/2017) "Memorable Race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is technically my 50th marathon, and the race is definitely a memorable one. Organization is top notch, and the volunteers were amazing. It poured on us at one point, but the volunteers' enthusiasm never wavered! Easy access to start and finish line. You can stay in any of the downtown River Walk hotels and walk to the start/finish line without problems. Race course had changed for the better! VIP package was a splurge well worth it. The memorial pictures/flags at Brackenridge park almost brought me to tears, especially when a runner in front of me knelt down in front of one of the pictures of a fallen soldier, and had to be helped to get up to keep running. Will be back in the future!
B. L. from Texas (12/12/2016) "It is a race designed for me" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this marathon many times before. The course change for this year eliminated the numerous hills in Mission District and the River Trail. The last few miles through King William were beautiful. Looking forward to next year. Thank You Rock n' Roll
M. O. from Austin, TX (1/26/2015) "Should have been a half (as others stated)" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 As others, before me, have reviewed... I agree that this should only be a half marathon course. The first half is quite enjoyable. The scenery includes some of historical downtown, The Alamo, by the Zoo, Trinity University, and some great neighborhoods. It's after the turn for the half (where the full marathon keeps going) that things fall apart. It runs along basically a drainage creek (not scenic at all) for the majority of the second half. Worse, this part is fairly inaccessible for spectators. So, if you have anyone coming out to see you, fuhggedaboutit. Unless they do some major reconnaissance beforehand, it is very difficult to access this part of the course. And even where there are streets somewhat close, it is a hike to get down to the actual course. This part of the course was practically devoid of spectators. That, in and of itself doesn't bother me. I don't feel the need for spectators to keep me going. But if you're going to make it inaccessible for spectators, then WOW me with some scenery. Put me out in the middle of nature. I would run this race again, as a half, because it was well organized and the first half is nice enough. But I couldn't recommend this as a full marathon. Part of the point of a Rock'N'Roll marathon is to showcase what a city has to offer. To INSPIRE with the scenery of the run. This completely falls flat in this regard. Save your money, do the half, and pick a better course for your full marathon.
J. R. from Boulder, CO (12/8/2014) "Mostly good, but ouch, that concrete trail" (about: 2014) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first-ever full marathon, though I've done numerous halves before. It had excellent organization and logistics, both at the race and the expo; this seems to be Rock n Roll's strong suit. Aid stations were well-placed and most had gatorade, plus a couple had gel packets. Crowd support was very good, though it trailed off a little after the halfway point. Weather was perfect - overcast, slightly breezy, and in the mid-fifties (I'm glad they moved the race back to December). The one downside is that most of the last quarter or so of the course is along a concrete trail beside a creek. The surroundings were nice, but oh man, my leg muscles were not prepared for that much concrete and I ended up walking most of that part. Getting back onto asphalt for the last mile was a relief and I managed a slow run going into the finish line. This might just be my inexperience as a marathoner but I'd probably have been able to run more of the time if they'd kept it on roads most of the way.
K. L. from Texas (12/3/2013) "Should only be a half" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I think they should just get rid of the full marathon for this race. The only reason I decided to run this race again was because of the course change. However, it was worse. The marathon part of the course is just bad. The are very few runners, few spectators, no shade, and the last part of the course was on a concrete bike path. The heat really came out after mile 13 which means the marathoners should have started much earlier. Even when I got to mile 24 and merged with the half marathoners, I had to weave through them since many of them went to the marathon side of the road. They were walking slowly, not running, which made it even harder. They should just get rid of the marathon and keep it a half only.
M. M. from Argyle, TX (11/21/2013) "Run the half, not the full" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I want to preface everything I say by telling you it ended up being 90 degrees for a full marathon, so this one had no chance. Mistake #1 is they start the race at 7:30. That's too late. I truly am not one to complain as I am easily satisfied in these things, but I totally agree with most others that have reviewed this race. I stayed in a hotel downtown near the start/finish, the expo was great, the city is great. But the back half of this full marathon course is just terrible not scenic at all, not well supported and just a poor course. Any time you have to run 2 miles out into a park on the bike path and two miles back, with no trees, etc, that is not fun. The staff was great and helpful, the volunteers were great, and I mean it when I say the first half of the marathon was just outstanding. After that, it was a dud, in my opinion. The finish line, at the Alamo Dome, was very, very poor. There was absolutely nowhere to sit down, no shade and just a crowded mess. They had it fenced off in such a way that it was difficult to move until you go out of the area. With all that space to use I just can't believe a better job couldn't have been done. There is potential here, but the full course needs to be changed in my opinion, and I just read they are changing the date permanently to Dec. 7. That will help.

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Marathon Details - Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon