Tracy G.  10/15/09

This is my second time of running the San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon. I like it because its super flat. That means for a first time half marathoner its a good starting point.

I also like how many people do it. There is a lot of energy and excitement at this race and if you are doing it for the purpose of a good time, it's a good race to do.

The weather is amazing. Always perfect running weather.

The downside this year... the goody bags seemed less full.. and the price was still super expensive. Seemed like you were paying a lot without really seeing where the money was going. Also, the headliner they chose at the end of the race wasn't worth sticking around for... where as last year it was CCR!

I would say if you're just starting out running... it's a good one.. if you're looking for a tougher run try another race.

    Louisa H.  10/6/09

This was my first half marathon and I was nervous I wouldn't be able to do it. But I think this was a great course to do for the first time. Most of the run was flat, hardly any hills. The bands that are playing every mile or so really helped, along with people sitting in their front yards cheering. I even high-fived a dog dressed in a lobster costume! I forgot to bring a water bottle, but they did a good job of passing out water and juice. Luckily it didn't matter for me, but I noticed that if you did need to make a bathroom stop, there really weren't many port-a-potties. By mile ten I felt fine and the last three miles flew by! I would definitely do this race again!!!!!

    Jonathan S.  6/15/09

I have run this race three years now. The first year I ran the race it was great! Tons of people cheering along the race course, the bands were good, and there were lots of impromptu DJs and cheering squads as well. Since then the “Rock n Roll” part of the race has gone down hill. The third year I actually brought my ipod as there was hardly any music.

Pros:
The course is very flat
Temperature is all three years has been almost perfect
The water stands

Cons:
The “Rock n Roll” aspect of the race
Very crowded

Overall Assessment- Average

    Robert S.  4/29/09

I feel bad knocking this race because it takes place in my "neighbor-cities" backyard. I did this race a couple years ago with my wife and brother. The course is somewhat boring; the streets of San Jose not a whole lot to see. The race was okay, I guess. The support was pretty minimal, just water at the rest stops and gu once you made it to around mile 9.

I have to say for being run by one of the large race companies, I kind of expected more. I mean come on it's sold as the Rock n Roll marathon but there wasn't a whole lot of rockin going on. I think there were more bands at the California Int. Marathon than at this race. Most of the bands I ran past were barely playing.

The post race venue is pretty large and was more along the lines of what I expected - there's a bunch of swag to grab I think I drank about 15 glucosamine juice boxes. At lease my joints will be ready for the next half marathon-somewhere else.

    Marie S.  4/24/09

Oh I hated this race so very much. It is called the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon but there was no rocking going on. Almost all the bands were tuning up or not even playing their instruments when we came by. The groups of cheerleaders were standing there staring off into space and the scenery is terrible - downtown Man Jose, I mean, San Jose.

Maybe the reason it sucked so back is because it was the first race ever, but come on people, Rock 'n' Roll is supposed to be pros at putting on races. It was so disappointing.

And the end they were giving away free ugly slippers, like ergo slippers. I took them home, wore them once - they were surprisingly comfortable - then my dog ate them for dinner.

Can you tell I only have bad memories about this race? Maybe I should do it again? No, no way. There are too many awesome halfs to spend time and money on this one again.