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Jun 30, 2024

Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.6

Organization 3.3

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 203 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

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J. T. from Austin, TX (11/18/2009) "Nice course, bad weather!" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thought the course could be a fast one if the weather would have allowed. Unfortunately, the 95% humidity nailed most runners in the full marathon. I don't like point-to-point races, but was lucky the start was only 1.5 miles from my father's house where I was staying, so I didn't have to deal with parking/shuttles. I hated the expo location and layout. I thought the fans were fantastic.
M. S. from Washington, DC (11/18/2009) "Typical R'n'R Marathon Event" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Of the seven marathons I've run, this is my third Rock 'n' Roll series full marathon and fourth Rock 'n' Roll full or half marathon I've attended. Change the name of the city and they're all pretty much alike: large running crowds mostly running the half (organized in a LONG wave start); a very well organized expo with lots of exhibitors; hit or miss transportation to and from the start and finish lines; lots of enthusiastic volunteers, cheerleaders and bands; good race support at the water stops and finish area; and good medical support along a boring, ugly course. I experienced no shuttle delays to the start or from the finish area to and from my downtown hotel. In fact, I was way too early to the start fearing a potential problem with the shuttles. The walk to the start area is pretty far from the shuttle drop off area, but like I said, I had plenty of time to get there so I took my time. I was at the downtown shuttle pick up area at around 5:05 and was on a shuttle by 5:30 at the latest for a 7:30 race start time. At the finish area, after a short walk up a long flight of stairs, I hopped right on a bus and was back to my hotel in 20 minutes. All of the volunteers were great and the weather was hot and humid, but that's luck of the draw. The wave start does provide some running room at the start but it took 28 minutes to get to the start from my corral (#16 of over 30 corrals), which I find a tad slow. The start area also had plenty of water, bananas, bagels, and port-a-johns. Parts of the first half of the course are interesting but miles 11 through 24 are fairly boring with no spectators. Again, fairly typical of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathons I've been to. All in all, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon races are generally well run and organized, are fun to attend, and have large crowds. I will probably run at least another one in a different city but don't plan on returning to this race. The city is a nice place to visit and the people are also very friendly.
GIANLUCA TRINCO from ROMA (11/18/2009) "SAN ANTONIO ROCKS" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This one has been my second chance to participate in the R'n'R San Antonio Marathon, and it was perfect and improved compared to the inaugural edition of 2008. The organization was top-notch. I loved the expo, and generally the crew along the course. Great job, San Antonio. The weather was very humid in particular in the park section, but we runners found water and energy drink everywhere. Well done.
G. T. from Beavercreek OH (11/18/2009) "Second Time is the Charm" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well done, ER/CG! Well done, San Antonio! I'll be back.
S. K. from Atlanta, GA (11/17/2009) "Too hot; too boring" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The first half of the race is through parts of downtown San Antonio, passing The Alamo at mile two. It has lots of curves and turns, and a few small hills, but nothing to get worked up over. It started warm but cloudy with a little breeze. We hit our predetermined 10K and half marathon time marks and were feeling pretty good about our progress. The second half of the race then leaves downtown and follows Mission Road, where many of the old Spanish missions are located. The roads turn bad - dirty, dusty and pretty much uninteresting. About 11:00 the clouds broke, the breeze stopped, the sun came on strong and the temps went up, fast. We ran forever through some park-like area but there was nothing but scrub brush and dirt. I thought I was running through the desert - not the Sahara, but maybe with Clint Eastwood in the high plains. The sun started beating down on us and there was zero shade. Then we went around some local airport, past a bunch of warehouses and finally north back to town. Around this point in time, with the sun baking me, I stopped at an aid station, got a bag of ice, put it on my head and started walking. Miles 21 through 26 were pretty rugged but I clocked on through them at about a 15-minute-per-mile pace, which obviously did away with our first half results. I later learned the temp hit 80 degrees for the official high, and two people collapsed during the race. Thank God both are reported to be in stable condition.
p. g. from usa (11/17/2009) "Visit Boston to learn how to bus runners" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 We were warned about the bus shuttle problems from last year. Didn't expect the same this year. It was a disaster, and it's absolutely mind-boggling how they can't figure out how the best way to load runners. After waiting in line for 45 minutes after arriving at 6 a.m. and seeing the writing on the wall, we ran and jogged the two to three miles to the starting line. For future runners, just make your way to the starting line on foot, really a nice jog/walk warm-up. As far as everything else, it was perfect. Enjoyed the city, the spectators, all the volunteer help along the course, and the sponsors at the finish line. The only other problem I had was getting out; it was really congested.
J. G. from Colorado (11/17/2009) "Jail-House Rock and Roll" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 After running in numerous boutique marathons, I wanted to see what all the hype was about by running in a mega marathon. It's very motivating having such large crowds cheering on the participants. The large number of runners ensures that you always have people to run alongside, or pass, or be passed by. This can also be very motivating! The music along the course meant that I never once missed my MP3 player! Given the large number of participants, I was extremely pleased with the attentive, well-stocked drink stations, energy gel being passed out, and having a race clock at every mile. Having pace-teams was also very cool. I found that this race was very good at gearing runners towards their personal goals. The medal was probably my favorite of all I've received. It was quite eye-catching, and nice to have the date of the event engraved on it. The two things about marathons people always complain about are shuttles and restrooms - so much so that I usually go out of my way to avoid commenting on these things because I figure these are the typical complications that go along with many running events, particularly the larger ones. However, I feel the need to comment about both the shuttles and the start-line restrooms with this run! I felt that the shuttle line was a bit too long, and it lacked sufficient volunteers explaining how the line worked. I observed a lot of people scratching their heads as to where to go. I know the excuse will be that it takes time to load up thousands of runners on buses, which is understandable and true; but, it seemed like a whole lot of waiting to only be transported a mere 2.5 miles. Why couldn't the start line be the same place as the more-conveniently-placed finish line? That would curtail much of the problem. There probably wouldn't need to be any shuttles at all if that were the case. All of this mumbo jumbo about going green only to make hundreds of gas-guzzling trips back and forth for 2.5 miles seems contradictory to the event's conservation-minded efforts. If it's impossible to coordinate a unified start and finish line, then, I would recommend simply providing more volunteers at the shuttle line. They could explain the system and pass out water and condiments and such. For as well-stocked and volunteered the stations along the course were, surely there could be a mobile station of sorts at the bus line providing goodies. I found that the line-up for the portable restrooms was not well-planned. With 10,000 runners, I'd surmise that there should easily be 300-400 portable restrooms provided, as well as some volunteers directing the restroom line. The setup looked like there were only 30-40 portable restrooms, and no one coordinating anything. Let's just say that a lot of grass got killed that morning by rebellious racers! An additional problem I had at the start-line was that there was no water (or condiments) in sight. I suppose I would have stumbled upon them had I not taken a short-cut to my corral, but with 10,000 runners and scores of corrals, it would make more sense to have multiple stations, set up alongside every four or so corrals. (The same could be considered for the portable restrooms - staggering them instead of having one central pee plaza.) The third problem I had was with the last three miles or so of the course. All of a sudden, the half marathoners unexpectedly met back up with the marathoners. For as well coordinated as the rest of course was, I suddenly began second-guessing myself nearing the end as to if I was at the right place. Marathoners were trying to get their fleeting sprints in, and then suddenly we were meshed up with hundreds of three-hour-plus half marathoners. This could be a bit frustrating for both groups. The last and paramount problem I had was the finish-area. I literally felt like I ran into a jail cell. Spectators not allowed to mesh with the racers. There was only one ill-defined exit out of the finish-area. People kept thinking that the exit was actually the beer line (because of the big balloon beer arch where people were supposed to magically know was the exit). Volunteers shouting to move one direction, then another. It was all very chaotic. And I recognize that it's going to be chaotic, given that there are thousands of runners and tens of thousands of spectators converging into one place; but things should have been set up in rows/chutes more than it was, with multiple entry and exit points to make a quick, non-claustrophobia-inducing escape. It's honestly easier getting through TSA at an airport than joining up with my friends afterward. I don't get the security side of it. It really killed the marathon high. Why not evenly direct race finishers into one of six chutes at the finish line - with each chute leading directly to medals and refreshments and photos for that specific chute only? Upon the end of all the fanfare, each chute could trickle back down to three chutes: exit right to the family waiting area, exit left to the exit - period, and exit forward to the vendor/massage area. Furthermore, bags should have been handed out at the end. It was hard to carry fruit, bagels, water bottles, vendor freebies, etc. without a bag to put it all in! You could probably get people to move along faster, too, if that was the case. In summary, I would definitely recommend the run. San Antonio is a very enjoyable and hospitable vacation destination; and this run had its perks. However, I can't say that bigger was necessarily better.
Haley Brown from USA Round Rock Texas (11/17/2009) "By far the most organized race I have done to date" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was so impressed by how well this race was organized. I was really surprised by how many products were given to us throughout the race - endless packets of energy GU, an endless supply of salt packets, Cytomax, and the two sponge stations were absolutely incredible. If that wasn't enough, we were given an entire bag of bagels, organic chips, pretzels, fruit roll-ups, and chewy bars at the finish line. I am just so amazed at how San Antonio was able to accommodate that many runners. I would definitely do this run again.
l. r. from Texas (11/17/2009) "Hot and humid" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year the weather stank. Weather will always be a wild card with this race - know that at the outset. The rest of it? Pretty good. Big starting area, clearly marked and the staggered start prevents excessive crowding on the course. Good support on the course, especially on this awful hot day. I think this is a better half than whole, too. The second part is much less scenic, and has some little hills. Didn't stick around the finish, but what I saw I enjoyed. Lots of food and drink, music, and a place to call for a ride. I am a local, so I avoided the shuttles and the official drop off. Hope they worked better this year.
B. C. from Houston, TX (11/17/2009) "Not my favorite R'n'R so far" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my fourth half-marathon (two of which have been part of the Rock 'n' Roll series). The volunteers were great and the spectators were cheerful. The course was fine, and I had no issues with the expo, but the overall organization of the race lacked the crispness of other races. Hard to believe this was an R'n'R event. Pros: * At 5:10 a.m., the buses were plentiful and arrived quickly to the drop off point. * Porta-potties were abundant at the staging area. Seriously, I've never seen so many. Water and fruit were plentiful. * Each band I heard (even band members have to take breaks) rocked and provided a good (albit brief) musical escape as we ran on by. * No, it's not just about the medal or the t-shirt, but it's those little things that help us brag about our accomplishments and speak well about the race. Kudos to both aspects. The tech t-shirt was nice, and the finisher's medal... well, it rocked! Cons: * The morning shuttle drop-off point was about a mile from the staging area. Once there, it was a two-hour wait for the start time. Then it was another 45 minutes for Corral #25 to get to the start line. * The start line is in a place that's not conducive to having support/spectators? Are you kidding me? * Wave start took way too long. Next time I'll just park my butt at the front and wait for my corral number to reach me. Make the race smaller (20,000 runners) or start the marathon and half-marathon courses from different streets. * Who was the genius who put a water station at the top of a hill? Water + a couple of slick downhill blocks + runners = a recipe for disaster. Just ask my bruised hip from the fall. * Point-to-point races can only work if you provide free shuttles on the front AND back end of the race. Offering return rides for $15 is insane, and having to walk another mile to get back to civilization is just as bad. Make it a circuitous course next time. * The only way to leave the Alamodome on foot was to cross directly in the path of runners still on course. I personally witnessed two runner/pedestrian collisions. The last thing a runner wants to do with a half-mile to go is expend energy dodging people crossing the street in front of them. * Finish line was chaotic and disorganized.

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