The claim of Rocktoberfest is lots of course entertainment. I've run it twice, the first year expecting actual live music every few miles...but not so much. The theme will get you a few DJ's along the way and a band at the finish but the shirt and medals are pretty 'rockin', at least in theme.

The race starts just east of downtown (uptown for you locals) Charlotte and runs thru some neighborhoods you might not otherwise see around Plaza Midwood and Elizabeth. Not the most beautiful neighborhoods but if you want to see what the older, less "suburbia" areas...and those that are having a bit of a renaissance, its a nice route. There are hills and my quads are pretty sore after this one, so may not be your PR but is a really good run.

This is a pretty small race, expo consists of a few tents, but also a pretty small (not sure but a few hundred > 1k'ish) people. So you wont be too crowded as you run thru the (partially closed) streets. There are a handful of water stops (enough) and some snacks and the end that are more than suitable for a quick refuel post race. Crowd support is limited to the start, a few people outside their houses and in their driveways, and then coming down the final hill to the finish.

Being in my hometown, its a nice race to sleep at home, have a short drive, relatively easy parking, and get out and back home to start the day without having to make a weekend out of it.

This isn't the big race experience you might want, but not every race will be...it's just a nice, good, local half marathon....and sometimes that's all you need.