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Lakeshore Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Lakeshore Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 1.8 
Spectators 2.7
Number of comments: 209 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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L. H. from Chicago, IL
(6/1/2005)
"27.3 mile marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I want everyone to know, according to many GPS systems, this marathon was 1.1 miles extra long. I'm glad there was enough water. The signage could have been a bit better, especially up when we turned at the little tiny fence. This was my first marathon and I am so glad that I completed it, just wish my time was a little more accurate, still very happy. | |
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B. S. from Chicago
(6/1/2005)
"Race Chaos!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I ran the half this year - and although it was not a full mile longer like the marathon - it was about 13.3 miles. There were hardly any mile markers on the course, and there were hardly any water stops. Marathon & Beyond had to make a last minute map because the race director never made a course map - and the course continued to change within minutes of the start. I got directed into the marathon runners around mile 10? (I don't know what mile it was because I did not see a mile marker after mile 6!). I lost my competitive start time for Chicago after running 14+ miles. I do not recommend anyone ever run this race - which is a shame because the course could be quite fast and fun. The organization was a disgrace to both runners and the City of Chicago. | |
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M. S. from Houston, TX
(6/1/2005)
"Would like to do it again if there are improvement" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 It appears that 2 years in a row there were discrepancies in the distance of the race. HOW does that happen. Who certifies this course? Three important improvements need to be made: 1. Fulfill your promise of water/sports drink at every 1.5 miles. Runners look forward to those oases especially after mile 18. 2. Need clearly marked route with EVERY mile marked. It would only cost a couple of bucks for a sign on a stick indicating mileage and directional turns. I got to 3 points and had to ask which way do I go? That is unacceptable. 3. Put cones along the route starting at Theater on the Lake, so that runners have a clear path and don't have to dodge strollers, cyclists, and roller bladers. MORE PR. No one is aware of this race. You can always limit the number of runners, but it was disappointing not to be able to find any information about the race. | |
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N. W. from Quad Cities, IL
(6/1/2005)
"Beautiful Course, much improved from last year." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The weather was perfect. We ran the half-marathon course. We couldn't find any mile markers after we left Navy-Pier (per information we found out later, someone had walked off with the physical mile markers during the expo the day before). So we thought the volunteers did a wonderful job with what they had to work with. The water stations were spread out a little, but knowing where they were on the way out, I had seen some drinking fountains in between and they were a godsend. We truly would run this race again. Yes both courses were long, but if they had had the original mile markers to place on the course, I do believe that this might have been eliminated. | |
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M. L. from Chicago
(6/1/2005)
"Disappointed" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I was really looking forward to running this event. It was my first half marathon and I had been training for it for 12 weeks. Up through the first 6 miles everything was well marked and my time at the 10K was just as expected. However, when the full marathon split for the half everything went down hill. I thought that I just missed mile marker 7, but not the case...I never saw another. I had someone at a water station yelling 'this is mile 11 for the half' but at that point, I doubt that that was reliable information. I was trying my hardest as I blindly ran to pace myself correctly so that I didn't die out in the end, and I think I did a pretty good job of that. However, once I finally did finish I found that the course was longer than 13.1 miles. My boyfriend's GPS read 13.8 and his friend's 14.1. Needless to say, I am very disappointed in my posted pace and more importantly it is very dangerous for people to be running longer distances than expected. I am actually surprised that this marathon still takes place, after all of the comments I have read from years past. Maybe I should have read this site before registering, but I wanted to get a half completed before the full-marathon training began. Now, I will be signing up for another that is hopefully measured correctly. I feel very bad for anyone that was trying to qualify for Boston or get a preferred marathon position. It is very unfair and discouraging for those who have trained so hard. I would not recommend this race to anyone. | |
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K. P. from Chicago
(6/1/2005)
"Half-Marathon was more like 13.6 miles" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The good: - very scenic course - gorgeous day with beautiful weather - phase starts resulted in less congestion and greater ability to get off to desired pace The bad: - where were the mile markers after the 10k split? - where were the aid stations between miles 6-11? - My calibrated distance monitor read 13.7 miles and other runners agreed that the course was approximately .5 miles too long. I feel sorry for those who actually did meet the Boston qualifying time but their official race time did not indicate as such. I, myself, was shooting to qualify for a preferred starting position in the Chicago Marathon but due to the added distance, I did not make the cut. Please take this feedback into consideration for future runs so that runners can partake in a positive and accurate running experience. Unfortunately, I will not be registering next year. | |
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S. S. from Downstate Illinois
(6/1/2005)
"Irresistible setting; disappointing organization" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 COURSE COMMENTS The setting was OUTSTANDING. The course markings were horribly insufficient, although I understand were better than last year. Hard to believe. The course itself was full of so much mixed terrain (not an all bad thing), twists, turns, backtracks, many of which were left to the runners' best guess. I ran a very steady pace, but some miles took me 14 minutes and others less than 10. Is it possible I was just varying that much? I guess. Many miles were not even marked. The course was open to the public and got pretty crowded, but we knew this coming in so that was no problem. Most even yielded to me as I ran by, which was more than they had to do. ORGANIZATION: In addition to the problems with the course, several aid stations were abandoned (I finished in 5 hours). Even without these, though, I got plenty of fluids, so no harm done. The post-race snacks were oranges and cookies. They were good cookies, though. The gear check, medical tent, and massage were very smooth, friendly, and organized. There were actually a surplus of porta-johns, which was great. The race started smoothly and the volunteers were all very helpful and friendly. There were also ambulances parked throughout the course waiting for runners to drop. Ominous, but welcome. SPECTATORS. Not many, but some of the locals who happened to be out were very supportive. A few at the finish were also very vocal. SUMMARY. In spite of several horrible, easy-to-fix gaffes on the part of the organizers, I had a GREAT experience thanks to the setting and the weather and the fellow runners. I'll be back if the event survives. Hopefully it will. It has too much going for it to be killed by dumb, obvious mistakes. | |
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experienced runner from Chicago
(6/1/2005)
"Run the Half; Discontinue the Full" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Run the Half (if you are well-trained) and enjoy the beautiful Half course. Do not run the Full. Lack of mile markers, directions/map, aid stations, spectators, and medical aid, and after 8:00 an open course filled with bikers, skaters, other runners, dogs, making the Full a lonely and frustrating experience. | |
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veteran runner from ChiTown
(6/1/2005)
"The lakeshore is beautiful!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Ran the Half: scenic, interesting, mellow course; wave start a plus; Navy Pier nice add; course marked well enough; few/no spectators; 2 aid stations plus 1 not ready in 1st 6m, thus only 2 for 1st 6m and 2 on return; saw mile marker 5 then no more, lost pace & could not judge distance left & effort needed to finish at goal time; 6:15 start a must: full marathoners shared open course with many holiday bikers & skaters. Will return for Half covered with sunscreen and carrying a water bottle. Hard to beat a mellow morning on the Lake. Thanks, Mark Cihlar! | |
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G. S. from Naperville, IL
(6/1/2005)
"Loved the scenery, couldn't find the mile markers." (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 There was inconsistent marking for each mile. I would have appreciated larger, more visable markers. The course was great and I had a great time. |
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