Coach: Crowd can help runners tackle Rock 'n' Roll marathon's hills

Organizers of the annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon listened to runners last year and tweaked the route, making it flatter and faster.

Thousands who will participate in the races on April 10 have already begun their training, and Brian Fowler, of Fleet Feet, is coaching some of them to make the most of it.

He says the atmosphere at the Rock 'n' Roll can contribute to runner success, especially in the trudge along Peace Street from the Oakwood neighborhood toward Cameron Village.

"Keep the energy high and feed off the crowd," he advised. "(Take it) one step a time and you'll get to the top." That stretch is about a mile of gradual uphill running.

No matter the distance, Fowler and Fleet Feet can recommend the right shoe.

"Let's get them set up right off the bat so they can go ahead and train in them to make sure they're comfortable," he said.

"Find some training partners, a coach to work with, make some memories and make some fun out of it," Fowler said.