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Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 3.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.2 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.4 
 
 
Number of comments: 481 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 14 15 16 17 18 .. 48 > ]

 

D. J. from Huntsville, AL (5/3/2008)
"I LOVE this Race" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The fan support for this race alone is reason enough to run it. I have never experienced anything like it. The aid stations are plentiful and very well stocked, and the expo/packet pick-up is very well organized and efficient. I will be back in 2009!!

 

P. D. from New York (5/3/2008)
"A decent mid-city marathon" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 12th marathon, amd I managed to PR here, by over 20 minutes (I put in the most miles in training for this one). So based on that, I would find it hard to say much negative about the run.

What made this experience a little different is that there are so many half marathoners (25,000), and that the half marathon is a huge deal (maybe bigger than the marathon) around Nashville for the weekend. I will list some pros and a few minor cons.

Pros:
1) The first 11 miles of the race had a big-city race feel to them; then after the turnoff, not so much (but you are far from isolated).

2) I thought the cheering spectators, from the local Nashville cheerleaders, to an Elvis impersonator, as well as some local nuns and the bands, were very good.

3) Organization and picking up the number at the Expo was fine.

4) The finish near the stadium was cool.

5) Since I was from out of town, I took shuttle buses to the start and finish, and this was fairly smooth.

Some small points for improvement:
1) Parking for the expo was a little tricky; plus we left at 5 p.m., so we got stuck in rush hour traffic.

2) The out-and-backs - especially the last one (near the end of the race) - can be tough if you are not used to them.

3) There were some hills, but these did not bother me that much.

This is also decent destination marathon, as there is enough to do in Nashville to make a weekend of it; or if you extend your stay in TN, like we did, you can check out the attractions in Memphis (3-hour drive away).

Overall, it was a very pleasing experience. The crowd support cannot compare to the New York City Marathon (few marathons can), but for a city of this size, it was very good event.

 

A. S. from Phoenix, AZ (5/2/2008)
"Hilly Course; Great Fans; 100% cotton t-shirt :-(" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This course was much hillier than I expected - up and down the entire way, it seemed. Fruit punch-flavored Accelerade was awful. Volunteers and fans were extremely friendly. The 100% cotton t-shirt is not only chintzy but the marathon design with a photo of runners is just ugly. Elite should take a look at runners during the race wearing other marathon shirts made of technical fabric and see what a mistake they are making by providing a shirt that no runner would want to wear again (free publicity - hello?). Thank you, Nashville - you have a beautiful city and very nice people.

 

R. C. from Boston, MA (5/1/2008)
"Great course/spectators, TERRIBLE parking" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


The biggest negative of this race was getting to pre-race parking at LP Field. There was not a single person to direct cars in the parking area. From my perspective it was pure chaos and it was so bad that I wouldn't participate in this race again for that reason. I was in a hotel that was 5 miles from LP Field and it took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there. I arrived at the starting line after the gun went off. This could have been resolved by having traffic control getting off the freeway and in the parking lots. It is a real shame because the race was good beside the parking and the cotton t-shirt. The others in my party have done other Elite races and said this is a common problem at their races. The first-timers that I met along the way were pretty freaked out. I am glad this was not my first marathon!

 

E. D. from Philadelphia, PA (5/1/2008)
"Great town; great race!" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran the 1/2 marathon and it was amazing. The spectators are great... every step of the way for the 13.1 miles. I had my name on my shirt and did not get tired of hearing it cheered out with the Southern accent. Great fans, great course... the hills were not bad at all, and they had great cheer squads. We stayed at the Marriott West End and that was spectacular too... they had free water/Gatorade out, and full of info for the runners. I will be back next year... I LOVE that the race is on a Saturday!

 

H. G. from Dallas, TX (5/1/2008)
"Enjoyed it: quite hilly, & need more aid stations" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


This was quite a hilly course. Definitely needed more drink stations after mile 16, especially after the sun came up. Great medal and great finish. Post-race refreshments were not adequate (mini muffins). Need more porta-potties at the start of the race; I had to wait for 45 minutes before I could go. Nice trail by the Cumberland River. It had a very steeply downward path around the 16th mile. However, I plan to do it again. Overall, great spectators.

 

t. l. from colorado (5/1/2008)
"Good race, but better for 1/2 marathoners" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran the full marathon, and once you get past the split with the half marathoners, there isn't much going on. The course is definitely geared towards the half marathon. The beginning part was very hilly but not too bad. The medical personnel were AWESOME; I turned my ankle very early and they did an expert job at wrapping it so I could finish the race.

 

J. S. from Chicago, IL (4/30/2008)
"Nashville did it again!! First-class all the way!" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is my second year running Nashville, and both years Nashville, along with Elite Racing, delivered a flawless run. The spectators are amazing. Chicago may have more but there's something to be said for "Southern hospitality." Thank you to Nashville for welcoming so many of us runners into your town and making us feel right at home. Elite Racing Team does such a wonderful job with their marathons that I look forward to ALL of them.

 

G. T. from Beavercreek OH (4/30/2008)
"Again Awesome!" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is the third time I have run this course. I had a ball. Of all the things to like or hate, I only have one. RED energy drinks should NEVER be on a race course. The reasons are obvious. Great job, Nashville!

 

J. F. from central Illinois (4/30/2008)
"Great marathon and weekend" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ Rock 'n' Roll Country Music Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Nashville puts on a great show. Organization of the race is super, especially considering how much its grown since 2000. Volunteers are wonderful and Nashville is a blast on Saturday after the race. Only thing needing work is traffic/parking at the stadium before the race. I was stuck in traffic for two hours and was 30 minutes late to the start. I'm sure they'll get that fixed  and I'm looking forward to next year.

 

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