Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon Reviews

  Not bad, watch your step

By GMOTSL about 2020

Review

I enjoyed the neighborhoods and the scenery, but you really have to mind your step on the roads, so there wasn't much time to look around. The race isn't huge, so it thins out quickly and you have room to run your own pace. It gets a lonely after the half splits from the full. There are also a few long out-and-backs, which ordinarily I don't like.. but in this case, you see a constant stream of people so it felt less lonely. Crowd support was minimal. Very strong breeze late near the water. The volunteers were great all around.

The start area was super relaxed. No security checkpoint hassles. No huge lines at the portos to start. Gear check was easy. Corral system was easy and pacers were easy to find.

Race Tips

Watch your step. The roads were not great, and you do have to cross the train tracks a few times. There was also a fairly noticeable camber on almost all of the roads.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The expo was held in Hall J which was the far end of the convention center. That building is huge. Racked up a bunch of steps just walking through the convention center. I bought an official shirt at the expo on Saturday afternoon at full price. Later that day, I noticed the same shirt was already on sale 30% off through the app!

  Rock n Roll race series knows how to put on an event

By DSB about 2017

Review

The Rock and Roll race series definitely knows how to put on an event and the New Orleans Marathon was no exception. The Expo was well done with plenty of interesting and knowledgeable vendors to spend time with and pick their brains. The corral setup was smooth and actually ran quickly and efficiently, much better than I have experienced in the past with Rock and Roll events.

Race Tips

The course was staggeringly flat, almost to the point where the lack of topography was worse than having a few hills for variety. The first half of the race was quite interesting, through some historic neighborhoods and the French quarter. The half and full didn't split until after mile 12 so there was plenty of weaving in and out of crowds during the first half of the race. After the split, there was a massive decrease in the number of runners around me.

It seemed that this race had an even larger proportion of half marathoners than any race I've done in the past. This wasn't a big deal to me, but someone who isn't comfortable running by themselves might find this disconcerting to come so far into the run.

The biggest draw back to this race was the lack of spectators. While I don't need big crowds for motivation, it was oddly quiet for the vast majority of the run. I assume this was as a result of being New Orleans and early on a Sunday morning so shouldn't have been much of a surprise.

The back half of the marathon was not as interesting, a couple of out and backs through a park and along a lake front. It was nice, but without much spectator support it wasn't much different than a typical weekend long run.

  

By Mary Schaffer about 2017

Review

Far more half marathoners than full. Little support after mile 13. Miles were poorly marked. Few spectators. However, the people at the finish line were incredible.

Race Tips

The streets are really in bad shape. A person who had run the race the previous year told me to watch my step because of the poor streets. I saw several people take bad falls. Be careful when running.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Everything was easy. Picking up my race number was easy. We stayed by the convention center, which was half a mile from the start area and quieter than downtown. There were plenty of buses to take you from the finish line to the start. They even allowed family members to ride the buses for free. Very nice

  

By KS about 2017

Review

It was an extremely fun race. They did a great job organizing waves of participants-- great spectator action along the course. Well stocked aid stations.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay in the French Quarter and check your bags there. They close the drop bag station really early and it had me running back to my hotel and racing to the start line.

  

By MS about 2017

Review

nice flat course. great as a first marathon. very crowded for the first half. most water stations only available on one side of the course. long lines at the porter potties. late start for the race. course itself was great. beautiful tour of the city.

  

By lp about 2017

Review

This was a great race however the weather was hot and humid which affected the last part of the race. The after party was wonderful, aid stations well attended, cheer teams were awesome, and the entertainment was well spaced out on the course.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

It was well-run, the music was fun & I liked seeing all the different parts of New Orleans.

Race Tips

It was a flatter course than I had been expecting.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I am SLOW runner. Because there were so many corrals, I didn't reach the start line until about 30 minutes after the starting gun. I got cold waiting that long. Also, I realized I probably didn't need to get so panicky about being "on time" to the start.

  

By Ivy about 2012

Review

The roads are being improved every year.

Race Tips

Nearly perfectly flat.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay downtown and walk to the starting line.