My 5th AZ Rock n Roll marathon. Love the course, through neighborhoods am very familiar with. Great crowd support at mile 8 (Biltmore), mile 13-mile 20 (Arcadia). Thanks so much to tha band playing "Sweet Caroline" at mile 12. A big thankyou also to the lively crowd at mile 24 near the zoo, cheered me on and gave me a boost to get me to the finish. Very flat, I recommend walking the overpass at mile 25 (everyone else will be there is no loss of pride). There is still 1.2mi to go on the other side of that overpass. Saw lots of people see every year. Feels like a real family. Plentiful free at the end at ASU parking garage (College Ave) and was suprised to see no one waiting for the light rail to the start (race is point-point from Phoenix to Tempe). Do not understand why no arrangement with Phoenix metro or ticket included in race packet. Need $2.00 for ticket.
Already registered for next year.
PRO: great community feeling, good crowd support; lots of porta-potties, great bands, scenic flat course, great traffic management, nice wide streets. Plentiful free parking at start. Lots of grasss at finish (Tempe Beach Park)
CON: meager goomies at mile 17 and 21; $2 for lightrail ticket; mandatory race packet pickup at expo; inundated with promotional email