Maren Blair's Staging Area

Best parts of the race were the Blue Mile (end of mile 3-mid 4) where soldiers who died in battle are remembered with signs, flags, and TONS of spectators and the 3 miles (mile 5.5 – 8.5) through Fort Sam where military spectators and bands are awesome. Other highlights included mariachi bands and ladies dancing in Hiulipe skirts.

Expo, 5k/10k starting and finishing lines, and half/full starting and finishing lines are all within about 1.5 miles of each other. Plenty of hotels are in the similar vicinity. Rock n Roll Running Series is a big production company, so you can count on plenty of aid/water stations, port-a-potties and post race activities.

For the first Rock n Roll race after COVID, I was very impressed.

The expo was spacious and process was smooth. I loved the new course! You get to run on the concrete boardwalk around sunrise for the first mile (which was gorgeous!). You continue down the shopping strip and approach the first of only two hills over the pier. Then, you run through neighborhoods on asphalt and through the State Military Reservation. The last mile and half is back on the concrete boardwalk.

There were a lot of people but was managed very well. In terms of COVID precautions, the start was staggered. 12 people started every 4 seconds with an extra minute between corrals. Masks were required at the expo.

Overall, I loved my experience. The city is still recovering from staff shortages but were very supportive of all the runners.

For my first in-person race coming out of COVID, the amount of spectator support was a pleasant surprise. The weather was a bit warmer than I would have liked and things were still limited because of pandemic restrictions but the overall production was great! Very organized and I LOVED the medals this year.

I ran this a couple years ago at the inaugural Sour Apple Running Festival associated with (Ocean State Multisport). For being the first year, it was a very well put together course and reasonable size (approximately 125 half marathoners). A certified course, chip timing, tech shirts, a photographer, plenty of parking and restrooms–they knew what they were doing. I hope they continue to grow.

The weather was super hot and humid though. It kicked this Colorado girls’ butt.