Rock n Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Jason P.
Stafford, VA

  (04-22-2010)

"The Virginia Beach Rock'n Roll Half Marathon was an excellent race. It all started with a joint family mini-vacation at the Great Wolf Lodge with the Long Family. The idea of taking the family on a trip to go run is a spill over from Triathlons - it works just as well with running. Tim and I left the lodge around 5:00 AM heading to the Virginia Beach Convention Center and the start line of the race. Parking was a problem but I decided to risk the NO PARKING sign and parked at Virginia Beach Elementary School (who would need a parking space for a school on a Sunday Morning). We walked over to the race area to join over 21,000 registered runners (only 15,792 actually finished the race). The race was very well organized. Tim and I started in wave #14 about 22 minutes after the 7:00 AM start time. During the entire course I never felt cramped or if I had to slow down due to race traffic. All of the water points were run well and the GU Energy point about a quarter mile before a water point was an excellent surprise. The race day weather was perfect, 68 degrees at the start with a light breeze. I went into the race wanting to run the race with my year long running partner, Tim "The Locomotive" Long. Normally we run races with an eye on the clock and going for your personal best. Tim is an excellent friend and dedicated running partner and I'm going to miss him when he moves next month. So I wanted at least one of our "year of running challenge" to be ran with my running buddy. I must say that having a friend to run with makes the 13 miles fly by. We also made fun of ourselves as runners that we should be faster than passed us. For example an extremely large woman in pink spandex passed us around mile 5. Now hear me, I applaud this woman for getting out there and doing it - Yes I salute thee - but the real question is why is she passing me? The best part of the race is the last mile which runs along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk with great views of the Atlantic. I will definitely run this race again (in fact I already signed up - there was a 1/2 price deal at the expo). Of note during the run I saw a young runner throwing up at mile 12 (I actually saw the hurl - very cool) and carried my phone with me in an arm band. So why a phone? Well for real time Facebook updates during the race of course. Yes I posted 3 times during the race. I probably will not do this again. The arm band started to bother me around mile 10. However, I hope my Facebook Friends enjoyed my status updates.
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Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Heather G.
Myrtle Beach, SC

  (10-21-2009)

"This was my first ever "rock n roll" event, and I'm not going to lie, I was a bit dissapointed. There was a huge crowd at the very first band, which really got me pumped. Maybe I just had really bad timing, but the rest of the bands were either taking a break, or playing really mellow music. I had heard that the water stops had "competitions" for the best cheering squad, but they really all seemed the same to me. I hate to sound like a debbie downer, haha, but I really just expected so much more "excitement" out of this race!

I had done the Shamrock half marathon in the past, here in VA Beach, and had a blast.

All of that aside, the course itself was very flat, other than one bridge, and the run to the finish on the boardwalk was really neat. The water stops were great, the medals were awesome, and you can't beat a popcicle at the finish line (along with TONS of other food!) The expo was also large and a lot of fun. Goodie bags and Sugoi tech tees were also great. Transportation to the beach was very easy with the shuttles provided by the race.

Would I do this race again? Certainly, if I had a specific reason to, like a friend running who wanted me to join. I just feel the whole "rock n roll" experience was entirely over rated . "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Hutch D.
Atlanta, GA

  (09-15-2009)

"I still think this is one of the best organized events around and the staggered start made for a much better running experience. Announcers on race morning noted a crowd of about 22,000 runners.

Course was good and the support along the way (water stations, cheerleaders, crowds) was good! I also enjoyed the loop in the course that allowed me to see the race leaders at one point during the race.

I thought the finish line was well organized with plenty of help and an abundance of things such as food, water, cold wet towels, and of course the medal.

My only disappoinment was that I felt the bands were not near the level of quality that I remember from my 2002 running of the race. One or two very good bands but the rest were pretty weak.

All-in-all, I would definitely recommend the race if you enjoy crowds and fun!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Vickie L.
Cary, NC

  (06-10-2009)

"I ran this race on it's inaugural year and the year after that. As a back of the pack runner I was so disappointed that the bands were not playing by the time I got to the locations. The crowds were slim to none, which would have been fine is there was music. The course was loopy, fun to see the elite runners. the last two miles are on the boardwalk and it's very hot (late August race). The finish is on the beach, but it was hard finding people. This was a tough one for me.If I did run it again I would make sure I got a hotel room near the finish of the race on the beach!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2003

Hutch D.
Atlanta, GA

  (05-19-2009)

"I first ran this race in 2002 and have already signed up for it again in 2009. In fact, we're taking a crowd of family members up to meet other family and friends and all run it together.

Despite the fact that it rained immediately before the race in 2002, this was a great event. You'll find a Rock & Roll band literally every mile! by the time the music is fading from band it's beginning to build from the next band just down the road - and, speaking as a musician, they must audition these bands because they were all excellent!

Add to the bands and the crowd the fact that the R&R solicits local school cheerleaders to come out and cheer and you have wall to wall action and excitement for all 13.1 miles. If that's not enough, you finish up by running down the Virginia, Beach board walk with a beautiful view of the ocean. If that won't inspire a strong finish, nothing will!

Top it off with one of the coolest hand-painted (and heavy) medals to hang around your neck and it's a must run event!

It's been too many years since I ran the race to accurately reflect the current status of the optional details offered to this reviewer. However, I can say that in 2002 it was a major event and very well organized! That's why I'm going back this year and taking a crowd with me! (Watch out though - it is expensive, although it seems all of the major events are moving in that direction.)"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2002