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Jul 7, 2024

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 131 to 141]

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E. W. from Nashville, TN (4/26/2009) "Enjoyable and well organized run" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon. I can honestly say this was the hardest marathon I've run. The unusual heat (temps in the mid 80's) made it a difficult run for everyone. The hills at the beginning were a challenge - but they would not have been nearly as tough had the weather been cooler. When the half-marathon split, spectator support dwindled. Those spectators who were still on the full course were very energetic. Also, the bands staged throughout the course were phenomenal. I only wish I could have taken a break to hear them longer - ha. Organization was great. The organizers were well prepared to deal with the hot temperatures. There seemed to be medical personnel across the course, extra water stands, and water spray stations to keep us cool. I will likely run this course again.
N. K. from Horsham, PA (4/26/2009) "Everything I Expected!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was looking forward to this marathon for an extremely long time, and I was not the least bit disappointed. The course was beautiful and the number of spectators was pretty good, especially considering the heat. Water stops were plentiful and the bands were great. The hills were a nice change, but added a degree of difficulty, especially after running so many flat courses. Though you could PR on this course, don't expect to. I highly recommend this marathon... it was really nice. Thank you to all of the volunteers, and especially to that woman who gave me a banana at mile 21... that REALLY made a difference at the end.
Martin Peters from Fort Benning, GA (4/26/2009) "Great race, but don't expect a PR" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Course: Contrary to what the race organizers and people from Nepal may say, the Nashville marathon course is HILLY. I would say that for 80% of the course you are either going up or down a hill (the uphills are much easier to remember). As a result, the hills make it difficult to pace yourself because one mile may have a hill making your split high, and another may be downhill making your split low. Weather: Hot. In 2009, it started at 65F and soon crawled up within 2 hours of start time to the 80's. The majority of the course is not shaded (especially the later half). The sun was brutal. Water Stations: Plentiful! There were only positives about the spacing and set up. They had gels a couple of times, but every mile or two they had sport drinks and water. Then there were other private stations with beer and such. Crowds/Spectators: Insane. Tons of people everywhere. One mile of Nashville spectators is the number of spectators at many of the small marathons I have run. Good support with bands, cheerleaders, and fans. Organization: There are 30,000 people who run the half and the full marathon. The expo is organized to handle it. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get your packet at the expo (depending on when you go). DO NOT show up 30 minutes prior to the expo's closing time and try to get your packet; they close down shop whether you got there before closing time and have been waiting in line. Goodies: We got another technical shirt. Also, the race medal is huge. Overall: Expensive, but good race. It is what it is. I would relate it to a Boston-type marathon. Run it for fun and the experience. Don't worry about a PR.
H. M. from Nashville, TN (4/25/2009) "hilly and hot" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I just finished running this course and really did not enjoy it today. The course has changed since I ran it 2 years ago; somebody obviously thought adding a few more hills to the half-marathon course was a good thing! What were they thinking?!? To make matters worse, when I finished the race, there were so many spectators, I couldn't get through to get some much needed water and electrolytes. I think it's great that people are there to cheer us on, but just get out of the way when a sister is about to fall down from dehydration!!!
B. D. from Sandusky, OH (2/7/2009) "Would do it again in a heartbeat" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Country Music Marathon was my first marathon and I loved it. First, I would suggest leaving early. There was a lot of traffic and if I didn't know an alternative way, I would have started about an hour later than what I was seeded with. I went there with a group of people and met up with them after the race. After reading comments regarding the hills, I was a bit nervous, but training on hills in Austin prepared me for this. I honestly did not notice the uphills; I really only noticed one extreme, short downhill, which was by a river. After the half fan, support was sparse, but my parents surprised me at mile 18, so this was a great boost! Aid stations were plentiful, music was great, and the finish was good too. The weather could not have been better - cooler, in the low 50's, and at the end of the race, low 60's. I really enjoy the City of Nashville. My one regret is not going to the post-race concert... Lady Antebellum. They are one of my favorites now.
K. R. from Mass. (10/13/2008) "Great course; great city; get to start early." (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed Nashville and would run it again. I spent five days there around the marathon; I did some sightseeing (there's a lot to do and see). The course and organization were good, and there's a nice expo. One thing: Just get to the shuttle early; there was traffic if you didn't know your way around.
Dan Simons from Virginia (9/7/2008) "Great Fun" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 3 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ok, there were a couple of hills (mile 16 especially) but the vast majority of it is pretty flat. The fans were loaded for the first 12, as stated so many times. Fan support was sparse from miles 13-18 but that's because it runs through a commercial park where nobody lives. I enjoyed running through the more scenic areas of Nashville and it keeps getting better every year. If you're not looking to break any world records, this is a good race to run. The aid stations were great, the crowd support was great, and even the bands and junior-high cheerleading teams were great. The only part that sucked was trying to walk up stairs the next day!
V. P. from Elkridge, Maryland (5/20/2008) "Hilly, fun, but a few little quirks to fix" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I was a bit disappointed with the crowd support at this race - several points were completely desolate. The rolling hills were challenging, but fun - none of the hills were particularly steep; there was just a consistent undulation to the course. Honestly, the worst part was getting to the end and finding that there were no chip removers - we were forced to bend down and remove our chips with scissors that were attached to the ground with a very short string. I thought this was a mean way to end an otherwise nice marathon.
S. D. from Atlanta, GA (5/16/2008) "Well organized and worth trying!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 10th marathon and 5th state to check off my list. The organization was impeccable from the expo to the wave start (which I LOVED and had never done before) to the plentiful and well-stocked aid stations (I don't think Accelerade is that bad!) to the finish line food/reception area. The course does have some hills but I wouldn't call it any harder than your "average hilly" marathon. I did think the music was a little lacking, considering the name/theme, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention. The huge percentage of half-marathoners does detract somewhat from the event and causes extra crowding, but once it thins out around mile 11, it is more enjoyable and there is less dodging. The miles along the river went on a tad bit too long and got boring, but overall the course is very nice! The city also seems to cater to the runners that weekend too, so it is easy to get around and is a thoroughly worthwhile event!
G. G. from Sarasota, FL (5/15/2008) "Anticipation better than the experience" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 3rd marathon, and 3rd this year. I had a PR by 10 minutes, but overall I was expecting more energy, more excitement. With the advertised 70 bands at 27 venues, I thought it would be a great time. In reality, due to the rain, many bands and their equipment were inside big U-Haul trucks (can you imagine their ears?) so you had music for maybe 30 seconds while you ran by. Did I mention this course is hilly? I knew it going in, trained for it, but still being from flat Florida, it was difficult for me. There were a gazillion half marathoners (OK, just 25,000), and the half marathon is a huge deal (maybe bigger than the marathon) around Nashville for the weekend. Race organization, registration and packet pick up were flawless. I can't imagine doing a better job for 30K runners. Starting corrals got you going without danger, but some people (wife and daughter) crossed the start line over an hour after the gun. The medal was disappointing- Worst of the three that I have collected this year. While there were cheering stations, once you got past the half marathon split, it was desolate. However, I did like the section along the river. Orange and fruit stations at mile 3 was a slippery nightmare. Mix with the rain and Powerade packets on the ground, it was treacherous. I watched one woman go down and one man do the splits. Shuttle buses to the outlying airport hotels weren't efficient or sufficient, and there were long waits. I may run this one again, but not for some time.

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