Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

David F.
Baltimore, MD

  (09-22-2011)

"This was my first time running the ING Rock n Roll Philly half and it was a blast. Competitor really knows how to throw a party.

The expo was done well. Lots of things too look at and buy but the lines moved well.

The race is run in waves based on your corral number and while it took 20 minutes for my corral to get to the start line, it really did help minimize the crowds at the beginning of the race. The strange thing was we hadn't even started our race yet and the elite guys and ladies were already at 5 miles. It was motivational and a bit strange. The course is decently flat with a few hills, there are bands at almost every mile. There was plenty of water and Cytomax from what I saw, but I did hear that some stops ran out of Cytomax for some back of the packers.

I was aiming to PR and did in a big way 14 minutes, but was 23 seconds off from breaking the 2 hour barrier.

After the race was finished and you got your medal and pictures if you wanted it, Bret Michaels played. It's rare at a race that you get to hear a headline band like that.

Overall I enjoyed myself and the course and would race this again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

kristen f.
Philadelphia, PA

  (09-21-2009)

"My second time running this. The weather was amazing and the corrals (a wave of runners started every 2 minutes)REALLY helped filter out the mad dash at the beginning. The weather was absolutely perfect and the course was flat and scenic. As in the past, it was very organized and well planned out. Will definitely be doing this race again and again!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

sneakersister .
Allentown, PA

  (08-07-2009)

"Way too crowded a race for my tastes. There was a lot of weaving in the first half of the race and the second half was in the sun. It was a hot day for the 2008 race.

They used new chip timing in 2008, a flimsy paper that attached to your shoe laces. I ran over every timing mat and it never registered me from start to finish. I had to email my time from my Garmin to the race director.

On the other hand, the course itself is gorgeous. City streets through the historic district in the first half of the race and then along the Schuylkill River for the second half of the race. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

kristen f.
Philadelphia, PA

  (07-29-2009)

"This was my first time running the Philly half. I ran this race with an injury so it was somewhat bitter sweet for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the course as it took you throughout the historical parts of Philadelphia and the crowds were plentiful which is always great in terms of hype and energy. I was however not very happy about the porta-potty situation with this race. They were WAY unstocked in this department and WAY is being nice. I waited for an hour and in the end, had to leave the line to line up in the corral. Running with a full bladder is not pleasant...not at all."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Alisa B.
Pleasanton, CA

  (06-24-2009)

"I'm originally a Philly girl, but I've been out in California for a decade. I decided to fly back home for my Nana's 90th birthday celebration and run the half on the same day.

The course is lovely. You start in front of the art museum, wind your way through the older neighborhoods, then back out along both sides of the Schuylkill with great views of boathouse row.

My only complaint is that there was no transportation option to or from the start/finish. I stayed in the "race hotel" (Loews) and had to walk an extra 1.4 miles each way before and after the race (according to Google maps) because there were no shuttles. Public transportation was nonexistent because of all of the road closures. Brutal."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008