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Rocket City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rocket City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 285 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
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Janet Cherobon from Rome, Georgia
(11/20/2008)
 "2-time winner says Rocket City is a winner too!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run this race twice and had good but very different experiences both times. The first time was my first marathon, so it was all new for me. My husband kind of tricked me into doing it, and I trained a little halfheartedly. As an invited athlete, I was very pleased with the treatment we got - I really felt like the race organizers wanted me to be there. The expo is great for a race this size - I'll probably go to the expo this year and I'm not planning to run the race! The first year (2006), the weather was brutal - especially for my first marathon. It was about 20 degrees at the start, but very sunny. My biggest problem was that the water and Gatorade kept freezing on my gloves during the race. I had to run in tights and long sleeves, and with a hat and gloves. It was nice and sunny, but it never really seemed to warm up for me - but then again, I HATE the cold. For 2007, it was a bit warmer and humid - perfect for me, but not really hot at all. The first time around I went out conservatively for the first 17 miles, then made the mistake of thinking that I should speed up because I felt so great. It felt good until mile 23, and then THE WALL. I went from running 6:30 per mile to running 8-minute miles and wanting to stop! I was saved by my father-in-law who was cheering at the 24 mile mark, and I managed to finish in 2:51, just missing my goal of 2:50. 2007 was much better. My training was better, the weather was better, and I knew what I was getting myself into. I went out conservatively, and despite feeling great again at the 18 mile-mark, I didn't let myself take off until 22 miles. I finished with a 5:30 on the last mile and a 3-minute PR of 2:48. The course is good - great in terms of elevation changes - and I love running through the tunnel! There are a lot of turns in some parts of the course, but this shouldn't effect you unless you're trying to run like 2:10 or something, and I like running from turn to turn during the latter stages of the race - it helps me have little goals to work towards. The organization is superb, but what would you expect with a bunch of rocket scientists in charge of stuff? I do like how this is just one race - no half-marathon to get lost in and the size of the race makes for a really pleasant start. As for the post-race, the first year I was only worried about getting warm and off my feet, so I didn't get the whole experience. The second year, I really enjoyed the snacks. I also like the fact that people actually show up at the awards ceremony - they do it at a scheduled time and in a nice comfortable room with plenty of seating. It's so much better than those awkward things at some races where the award winners are lost in the crowd when their names are called. Overall, I would say that Rocket City is a wonderful race for people who are interested in the running aspect of things - no concert, no big events, just a great opportunity to run a great marathon. I would highly recommend it to my friends and will probably run it again in the future. | |
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R. K. from Nashville, TN
(10/5/2008)
 "Great first-race experience" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was a great expereince even though I did not finish in the time I trained for. The temperature was a tad warmer than planned, and I should have taken better advantage at all of the water stations. The first 15 miles were textbook, but the next 11 were a personal nightmare. My bad! I signed up and I'm looking forward to redemption by saving my second marathon to be a re-run again at Rocket City. The tech shirt, hat and medal were nicer than what I received at the Music City Half. Food was great. Wonderful experience. | |
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C. H. from Brentwood TN
(9/26/2008)
"Ran this in 1979, 1982 and 2007" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My third race on this course, and I've been pleased each time. It's a faster course than my hometown Country Music Marathon. In early years, Rocket City was a regionally elite race with winning times around 2:15 to 2:17. My 1982 time was 69th place finish; this year, it would have been sixth, so the field has dwindled with the explosion in big payday marathons. I got my BQ in 1982 and 2007 on this course. Crowds and support were great. Unlike some races where you have a kids' race and/or a 5K or half, the Rocket City Marathon is only one race. Line up, shut up, and run. I loved the accordion player - she rocked. | |
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M. B. from Nashville, TN
(9/3/2008)
 "Terrific PR course and a lot of fun!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon, and I set a PR by 26 minutes! I got that PR as a combination of better training, a flat course, and terrific cooler December weather. I'd definitely run this race again. The medals weren't anything spectacular, but the technical race shirt and free 10-minute massages after the race were nice. The course gets a little boring from mile 15-20 or so, but other than that, I really enjoyed myself. | |
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James Patton from Clinton, MS
(3/6/2008)
 "Enjoyable First Marathon" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon ever, so automatically it is probably less relevant for more experienced runners. It was a very flat course, perfect for newer runners. Being a smaller-city marathon, it had fewer supporters, but the few that were present were very encouraging. My only dislikes were: running on a road with traffic, and being on the one side of the road hurt my hip a bit. I also had a bit of trouble finding the race location from the interstate, but despite being late for even the late packet pick-up, staff were still there and I was able to race with no trouble whatsoever. Altogether an enjoyable experience that I will gladly do again. | |
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J. G. from Jacksonville, NC
(2/19/2008)
 "All was well until I finished" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 No real complaints until after I had finished. I was not provided with a 2007 finisher hat as advertised nor was I sent one in the mail as promised. In addition, the post-race food was very picked over and looked extremely unappetizing. | |
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J. H. from Rome, GA
(2/6/2008)
 "Hype on this race lost on me" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Ran this race several years ago, after hearing what a great race it was. Big disappointment. Do not get what all the hype is about at all. The course was very boring, running mostly through unremarkable neighborhoods with no spectators. Had to run about 12 miles in them before ever seeing a port-o-let! When you finally get to the finish line - nothing. No post-race celebration, food, etc. You just go home. For those who love this race, more power to you. But, there are much better marathons out there. | |
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B. H. from Minneapolis, Minnesota
(1/8/2008)
"Extremely well run, very flat" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We chose this race based on the rave reviews on this guide, and they didn't disappoint. The race was very well-supported... great water stops, buffet at the finish, plenty of fans along the way, and a well marked course with volunteers. There are quite a few turns on the route, but it was the flattest course I've ever seen. You can't beat a long-sleeve technical shirt, medal, finisher's hat, and photo mailed to your home for the comparatively low registration fee. We stayed at the Embassy Suites right across the street - very convenient and a good special rate. Highly recommended! | |
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D. W. from Houston, TX
(1/8/2008)
"Nice race, great organization" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a very nice race, with a reasonably flat course in an area with some prety high hills that the marathon avoided. The race hotel is very convenient, with the start and finish just outside. With the expo, pasta dinner, post-race food, and after-race party all in the hotel, it was one of the best set-ups I've seen. The race organizers were great and did a lot of extras that you don't get in a small race or a mega-race. I finished in the back of the pack and they were out of finisher caps but gave us ones from the previous year. I was jealous of the pretty red ones for this year, but I got an email later saying they were sorry and would mail us 2007 caps. Yesterday the cap arrived! That is a small thing but shows the attention to detail and how they understand how those little things can mean a lot to runners. The food after the race had a lot of variety and some unique items that were very enjoyable. Despite finishing near the back, there was still food available. My only complaint was the fairly low turnout of spectators. Much of the race goes through neighborhoods and almost no one was out in front of their house cheering us on. The City of Huntsville needs to recognize they have a world-class event that they could make into an even bigger success with a little participation by the community. Fargo is a good example of how a small city can turn people out to cheer. The weather was warm (60's) and humid but at least it wasn't sunny. The year before was freezing, so watch the weather forecasts the week before the race! | |
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J. B. from IL
(12/31/2007)
"Good race, well organized, PR" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The only disappointment in AL was the warm and humid conditions. I could have probably made Boston otherwise, but was happy knocking off 4 minutes from my previous PR. Well organized, great police keeping us safe, and crowd support was good for the size of race. Hat and shirt were nice, price was very reasonable, and the pasta was good. Hotel across town was reasonable and you could park within yards of the finish line. I am not a big iPod runner, but the ban was taken too far and took away from the race start. |
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