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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 141 to 151]
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George (Ted) Hobart from Arlington, VA
(12/30/2007)
 "Awesome Running Event!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Rocket City Marathon and I will definitely come back. I love the small feel of this running event and the wonderful hospitality of the race organizers. The course reminded me of the Vermont City Marathon with its neighborhood feel. The weather was not too bad for me, even though my time was about 20 minutes slower. I ran with a group that called themselves the "Nashville Girls" and we had a blast together. I loved the post-banquet and open-mic that evening. How often can you talk about your "back of the pack" race experience to the elite runners. Awesome running event! | |
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R. G. from Phoenix, AZ
(12/26/2007)
 "Great Time!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I entered this marathon with two expectations of the organizers: Keep me safe on the roads and keep me hydrated. Mission accomplished! More than that, this marathon was fantastic! The attention received at the finish line was great. From the pre-race booklet, to the race starting on time, this race was a winner. The organizers mentioned MULTIPLE times that iPods would NOT be allowed. Anyone feeling threatened on race day did NOT take the time to read the countless warnings about this. I applaud the organizers for enforcing this rule. I PR'd this course by 8 minutes. Anyone complaining about the turns taking time away should focus on weekly mileage and train harder. The turns posed absolutely NO obstacle for myself and my circle of friends who ran it. I've run 8 marathons and this one ranks #2 to Boston. Not for the course... but for the organization and passion the folks in Hunstville gave to this race. | |
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V. L. from Kentucky
(12/22/2007)
"Very good medium-size marathon." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Rocket City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very good, well run marathon. The long-sleeve technical race shirt was nice, the expo was small but had some good bargains, the race organization was flawless, and the post-race food was good and plentiful. A lot of people complain about all the turns - and there are a lot in the beginning and end of the race - but there is a long out-and-back in the middle of the race with no turns. You may you lose a little time because of the turns, but you will gain back much more due to the flatness of the course. Some people give the race a low rating because of the weather even though it was only 62 at the start (not 70 as some have said). It was in the mid 60s at noon. There was a nice breeze and it was cloudy, so it never really felt hot. As much hot weather as we've had this year in Kentucky and the rest of the South, the weather for this race was cool by comparison. I have run the Country Music Marathon in Nashville the last two years in much hotter conditions. I would love to have the Rocket City weather for next year's CMM. If you want to want to run a medium-size marathon, not deal with a bunch of half-marathoners, get good perks for the money, and enjoy Southern hospitality, this race should be on your list. | |
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M. W. from TN
(12/21/2007)
 "Okay but not spectacular" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This race was pretty much as advertised, but I will not do it again. The organization and support were great, but the course definitely was FLAT. The weather has proven very unpredictable - 18F last year, and 70F with 90% humidity this year. Numerous runners had slow times - up to 20 minutes off of PR or expected pace due to dehydration. This year was tough. Over 200 runners had dropped out before the 1/2-marathon point. | |
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D. S. from South Carolina
(12/20/2007)
"Sorta flat; bazillion turns; well organized" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Loved it. An excellent small race. High on amenities and the small touches. Delicious soup at the finish was to die for. More "gently rolling" than truly flat. Man, there were a ton of turns. Run those tangents! | |
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T. R. from Clarksville, TN
(12/19/2007)
 "Lots of turns! Unmotivating start!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I entered this race after not being able to run the Louisville due to illness. I was very impressed by the Huntsville area - a beautiful place to visit. However, the race fell far short of my expectations. There were so many turns. I do not even remember running a one-mile stretch without at least 2 or more turns. Although the police did a wonderful job of controlling traffic, I felt like I was constantly slowing down for a turn or an intersection. I was 14 minutes slower than my first marathon in Nashville. I heard many people conversing about how their times were very slow. I have to say that the beginning of the race was almost depressing. The announcer was threatening disqualification, so I handed over my MP3 and ran without music. I always train with music, so naturally this made for a long race. Yet, on the course I spoke with a marathoner that said she heard the director say he was not going to enforce the rule. (I wish I knew that before mile 20!) To add to the race start excitement, I heard the director say it is ok to quit, or even just step aside and not start at least 2 or 3 times, what was that? I understand insurance warnings, but come on. This was totally un-motivating! The expo was just ok, but it is a small race. I did enjoy the tech shirt in a women's size and in pink - kudos! The finish line was really nice - I got to carry my one-year-old across, which was important to me. All in all, this was a friendly race that was well organized, but because of the course, I would not run it again. | |
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j. c. from schenectady,new york
(12/15/2007)
"An Event Well Done" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 After reading all the positive comments on this race, I decided to enter. I was not disappointed. It was a very pleasant experience. I will echo a comment made by another: this race received better reviews than the Great Wall in China! Helpfulness, hills and humidity are what I found. The hills were not overwhelming. The volunteers were helpful and welcoming. The humidity was unavoidable. The city has some attractions to offer. They had a historic homes tour the night of the race, a good way to loosen up after. If you like to travel to interesting places where you will feel welcome, this is a good race. | |
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Brian House from London.Kentucky
(12/13/2007)
"Wonderful event with great hospitality!!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon after years of being a competetive cyclist. What an overall wonderful experience. I will leave the technical observations to those who have run more marathons. The crowds were super friendly and the route was varied and refreshing. I particularly enjoyed running through the residential neighborhoods. Less time on the open highway would be appreciated. The fluid stations stayed well stocked. I know this because I ran in six hours, and if there was water and Gatorade for me, then everyone had a chance at it! Thanks to the Bavarian girl who played the accordion on the hill climb. Great comic relief!! My hotel gave me a free 3:30 p.m. checkout time. Way to go!! I really liked the personal presentation of my medal at the end. I know I am no great runner, but I felt my effort was appreciated and that is all I could ever ask for. I am looking forward to getting my finisher's hat. Thanks Huntsville!!! | |
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Jarod Fleming from Huntsville, AL
(12/13/2007)
 "Good first-timers experience" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I'm a local so I might be more critical than others from out of town. The organizers are from the local running store and do a great organizing the thousands of parts needed to get this thing to run smoothly. Everything needed was readily available. My wife and kids were able to meet and cheer me at multiple locations on the course. The packet pickup was seamless, and though the expo was crowded, the vendors present were great. Though there were very few hills on the course, at the end the turns and crown of the roads were aggravating (minor). I felt well served throughout. However, there wasn't much crowd support. Seriously Huntsville, get off your couch and come outside for a while and cheer on those who are visiting your city. | |
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M. S. from USA
(12/13/2007)
"Not my favorite race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rocket City Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Relatively flat course and one with a lot of turns, which was better than a straight out-and-back course. Nice fans in places where there were fans. The greeter and the hat at the finish were a nice touch. The ban on headphones is not necessary and must be unenforceable, as I saw numerous runners wearing headphones - despite the disqualifying warning on the race website and announcements at the start. Not a race I will repeat. |
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