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Green Bay Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Green Bay Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 235 [displaying comments 91 to 101]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 24 > ]

 

C. F. from Georgia (5/29/2008)
"Wow - great race" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was a fun, flat, well-organized marathon. Running through the players' tunnel and around Lambeau Field was great. I was one of the runners that was stopped by the train. Am glad I was not on track for a PB or Boston, but was still happy with my time.

 

Daren Nelson from ottumwa,ia (5/25/2008)
"A good time & a very well organized race!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 1st marathon. I thought it was a great time. I don't think I could of picked a better race for my 1st one. It is very flat and fast.

I had an ultimate goal of a Boston qualifier. I was actually ahead of that pace at mile 22, when my leg started to cramp. The last 4 miles were a little slower, but I still got my ultimate goal. All of the aid stations and water stations were great. The volunteers were awesome. The flat course and Lambeau were my deciding factors for running this race. Turned out to be a great decision on my part. The first-timer's meeting was cool. The presenter there was awesome. Thank you. The medals are very cool. Love the idea behind them.

I would like to see a moisture wicking tech shirt of some kind offered to runners, as opposed to the cotton shirts. I like to wear them to other races that I run; it makes for good conversation. I would recommend this race to everyone. Being from S.E. Iowa, I will try to run this race again if I can. My 12-year-old son said he would like to run it next year if I go again. Thanks to everyone involved with this event.

Very well done!!!!!

 

J. S. from Rochester, Minnesota (5/23/2008)
"My very first 1/2 - great way to begin!" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


When I decided to run my very first half marathon, I searched for a race that would be on the small side, but with the feel of a larger race. Green Bay really fit this bill. From registration to the finish line, the organization was outstanding. Being a "first-timer," I received weekly emails giving me encouragement and tips, and counting down the days to the race. All "first timers" also received a special t-shirt at packet pick-up. Speaking of the shirts, they were really disappointing. Not only are they not technical shirts, but they also are strangely designed. The image is printed on the bottom edge of the quite long shirt, so you cannot tuck it in or fold it up if you're short, like me.

The support along the course was wonderful. There were not many spectators along the route, but the people who came out of their homes were amazing. The little old couple with their record player playing polka music in their driveway was unforgettable!! Also, as another reviewer mentioned, the crew just after the mile 10/11 water stop was AWESOME! I think they all were members of a church - they were wearing the same white t-shirts. The run through Lambeau was cool, but not what I expected. It was hard being a sloooow half marathoner (finished in just over 3 hours) with the faster full marathoners finishing alongside me. I know that some of the more hardcore marathoners were getting annoyed by us walk/runners who were also trying to get the most out of our experience, if only more slowly. The finisher's medals are gender-specific and feature images of the fastest local marathoners from 2007's race. Very cool.

I really only have 2 major complaints: there was no Gu left at the mile 7 water stop for those of us in the back of the pack (from somewhere around 2:30:00 1/2 finishers). Also, the finish line food was pretty pathetic compared to other much smaller races I've done. We only received small bits of bagels and bananas, orange slices and Popsicles (which were great). It would have been nice to get a whole bagel or banana, but maybe that's just me. Of course, the FREE BEER at the end more than made up for that! ;-)

I highly recommend this race, especially if you're looking to do your first full or half marathon and want a special experience!!

 

Eric Refvik from USA (5/21/2008)
"Best big race we've ever done." (about: 2008)

3 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


PROS: Top-notch race organization. Plentiful, delicious pasta dinner. Excellent pre-race (especially the race director's course presentation) and race experience in Lambeau Field. Wonderful, flat, course through residential neighborhoods, complete with enthusiastic volunteers and entertainment, and numerous fluid stops (~ every 2 miles!). Fantastic post party (who doesn't revel in all-you-can-eat brats and beer while listening to a great band?). Sharp finisher medals (male and female, half and full marathon specific, with last year's male or female local winner engraved on the medal). We definitely plan on returning next year from Chicagoland.

CONS: None. Cotton race shirts were ok, but for folks who race a lot, these might be giveaways. A better design would make it a keeper. Other than that, this event was as perfect a big race as we'd ever experienced. AWESOME JOB!

p.s. Having hotels a block from Lambeau Field is also terrific!

 

N. G. from Milwaukee, WI (5/21/2008)
"Nice race - needs polish" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was a nice race and I loved starting and running with the 1/2's for the 1st 10 miles. Lambeau Field was great - especially entering via the same tunnel Favre did on game days. :) Two complaints: Finish line was lame - parking lot with a couple tents and not much food in sight. Also, stopped by a train during the race?! Unacceptable - it is not safe for those involved.

 

s. c. from Saint Louis, MO (5/20/2008)
"Looking for PR course? Green Bay is it!" (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Weather for race day was mostly ideal: cool, mix of sun and clouds, and little breezy - but what else would you expect running a race so close to the lake and along the Fox River?

Aid stations well equipped, I loved the numerous GU handouts, and other runners were extremely friendly. I had several runners keep pace with me and talk throughout the race at different points.

For any football fan, running the track around the field in Lambeau was awesome. Really helped to give the extra kick at the end to finish strong. Brats and beer at the end were great, although I thought the finish area for runners was a little lacking in other post-race foods.

Main complaints would be to provide technical quality shirts to runners - or at least have more merchandise available to purchase at the expo that had marathon logo on them.

Also, my family only received one of the text message alerts showing my progress. I realize there is usually some delay, but they never even received any of the other messages at all!

Overall, good race if you are looking to PR and nice size if you don't like super large crowds. If I lived closer, I would definitely be back!

 

Isabela Sardas from Mequon, Wisconsin (5/20/2008)
"GREAT RACE - MY FIRST MARATHON" (about: 2008)

1 previous marathon | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran my very first marathon on Sunday. From beginning to end, it was a great experience. The organizers of the race thought of everything! Please thank the wonderful man volunteering to hand out the women's marathon finisher's medals, who gave me the warmest hug as I was overwhelmed with emotions - knowing that I had qualified for the Boston Marathon on this very first attempt!

 

c. t. from waukesha wi (5/20/2008)
"great volunteers and spectators" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The weather was great - maybe a bit too windy. The course was fun and the run through Lambeau was fantastic. The party after with brats and beer is a classic.

I too agree that there should be a wave start - everyone should not start together. Too much congestion. I also had a problem with the train. I was stuck for at least 5 minutes. Yes, I was disappointed because I didn't make my goal because of the train - but the race was fun and I would definitely do it again. The wall at mile 20 was awesome. Crowds were great all the way. Thank you, Green Bay.

 

M. W. from West Lafayette, IN (5/19/2008)
"Nice marathon" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


My tenth marathon, but first time running Green Bay. Nice little marathon with great Midwestern hospitality.

Pro: Great water/Gatorade/Gu stops.
Con: Cellcom ran out of texting slots, so when my wife and I showed up to the expo, we were told she wouldn't get texts to monitor my status.

Pro: Lambeau Field is amazing to run around.
Con: 2nd half of the marathon course is run along a smelly river and there is little crowd support.

 

s. b. from wisconsin (5/19/2008)
"great race!" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Green Bay Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A class act all the way around! The organization of this event is especially noteworthy. No major problems. The 1/2 and full marathon may have reached their limit, judging by the amount of traffic over the first few miles.

 

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