Mini-race report: Phoenix Rock 'N' Roll 1/2 marathon

[Eno]

Big crowds: ~29,000 in both the 1/2 & full marathons Nice weather: cool (50) to warm (65) Logistics:
Okay; race start delayed 30 minutes, probably because of shuttle delays from finish(parking) to
start. Course: flat as a board and not terribly scenic (full marathon had more scenery). Music:
good, for the 1-2 minutes you could hear it. Support: fairly good; well stocked and manned water
stations; locals came out to support with enthusiasm, though not in huge numbers.

All of which added up to a 2:09.10 PB. Yoo-hoo!

[Michael Brennan]

I ran the full marathon. Head winds were tough, and the hill was brutal at mile 19 (not steep, just
long and at a time when endurance is lagging). Scenery and crowd support was pretty good, a great
course through North Central Phoenix, Biltmore and Papago park.

Personally not much of an expo type. Seemed big and race packet pickup was reasonably smooth. I
left expo at 6pm on Saturday (on eve of marathon) and was suprised there was not more activity in
downtown Phoenix. Was a very warm evening on Saturday night, didnt see much life in downtown
Phoenix (running related), heard there was a big party at the Biltmore (some 5 miles away) for the
elite crowd.

Start was 30mins late, good for me as shuttle dropped me just 15mins prior to when gun went off.
There were some technical difficulties getting runners from the parking area to the 'start'.

Suprised at how fast I crossed the start line after gun went off. Last big marathon was London 2003,
and was 8mins after gun sounded that crossed the start line. I was across the start line at RNR AZ
in 20 secs, I was placed in corale #1 (my anticipated finish time was 3:30 same as London).

First 5 miles were pretty quiet, bands at every mile, and cheerleaders out in force. After which
there were concentrations of great crowd support throughout the race. Last mile was really good, 2
and 3 deep on either side of road, though I was focused on crossing the finish line and little else.

Water stations were good, though a little inconsistent in last 10k, 'coz that is what gets me to the
finish line (especially coming off the hill at mile 19 and having to wait past 20mi mark for
refreshment).

Would like to see a few 70s/80s type bands next time. Also some diversity, with taiko drums etc. Did
enjoy the cheerleaders along the way.

Any RNR AZ organizers reading this, please ensure a water stop coming off the hill at mile 19 next
year, and keep the distance between water stops at 1 mile in last 10k. There was a long gap between
water stop at 23.5 and last stop at 25. Am sure crowd support will be a lot better next year.

Volunteers did a fantastic job. Great attitude and help thoughout the race. Port-a-potty support
plentiful at start and throughout race.

UPS seemed to do a great job with transporting belongings from start to finish, (personally did not
use this service).

For a first time event, things went pretty smoothly. Was a great time, I will be doing again
next year.

My time was 3:36.

--mikeb

[Buddy Guy]

I had a terrible run, but it had nothing to do with the support or the course. I started getting
terrible cramps in my calf's about 12 mile marker almost bad enough to make me want to hop on the
shuttle bus at the half point to take me to the finish, but I knew my daughter was waiting somewhere
around papago park area to see me run. I saw her at the 19 mile point and that inspired me to
continue walking to the finish line. I have never cramped anywhere near this bad before and I have
never had knee pain which I had as well, I guess that I will need to review what I ate and drank
prior to the run. At least I can look back in future marathons and know that not much can be as bad
as this one was (well I could have left on a stretcher). And also what was up with the drink
stations in the Tempe area using fire hydrants for water? I was able to see this as I was walking by
so slowly. My wife swears that R-N-R San Diego was doing the same thing but I don't remember seeing
that. Congrats to all who participated and finished!

"eNo" <eNo@aol.com> wrote in message news:btuk6i$bhu0l$1@ID-193911.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Big crowds: ~29,000 in both the 1/2 & full marathons Nice weather: cool (50) to warm (65)
> Logistics: Okay; race start delayed 30 minutes, probably because of
shuttle
> delays from finish(parking) to start. Course: flat as a board and not terribly scenic (full
> marathon had more scenery). Music: good, for the 1-2 minutes you could hear it. Support: fairly
> good; well stocked and manned water stations; locals came out to support with enthusiasm, though
> not in huge numbers.
>
> All of which added up to a 2:09.10 PB. Yoo-hoo!

[Eno]

Congrats on the time, Michael. I didn't have much of an issue with head
winds, but my wife and two friends who came in ahead of me at the half did
complain about it. I guess at my speed, head winds aren't much of an issue;
or maybe my head has just gotten smaller :).

--
Eduardo Suastegui