Back to Fox Valley Marathon Information & Reviews
M. K. from Carpentersville, IL
(9/16/2012)
"Race Organization - Great / Course - GREAT" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run this race (1/2 marathon)the last two years (2011 and 2012). GREAT race. Everything is first class and professional. Loved it. Will run it year after year. Thank You | |
S. C. from Illinois
(9/16/2012)
"Best Chicagoland Marathon" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race is amazing and perfect. It's like the organizers care about every single runner running their best race. The course is so flat, its so fast, and its beautiful down by the river. The spectators are so nice, the volunteers are the best I've ever seen. I'd recommend this race over the Chicago marathon any day, and in fact now two years in a row skipped Chicago for this race. It'd be a great first marathon race too, because the course is so flat. | |
Don Augustine from Chicago,
(9/16/2012)
"Awesome course, very well organized boutique event" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The FVM was rated the best marathon in Chicago for a reason...because it is!! A beautiful, flat fast course along the Fox River that has super organization and is one of the 'friendliest' events you will participate in....don't tell everyone you know, this is just between you and me, we do not want this wonderful boutique event to get tooo well known...it's such a great race lets keep it a secret between us...we don't want it getting too big and messing it up!!! | |
j. g. from Baker,La
(12/24/2011)
"My first marathon a top of the world experience" (about: 2011)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was a very enjoyable experience. It was very well organized. I could not have asked for more. The course was great, the aid stations adequate, and the volunteers very hospitable. I realy liked the pace team concept. It kept my mind off my pace and I was able to enjoy the runners around me. My wife surely liked the opportunity to see me at the various venues.With everything well done and the coolish weather I reached my goal to finish in under four hours.'Old runners rule.'thanks for it all. It will always be a big highlight in my life. One little improvement might be the after race food variety that I found lacking. | |
Bonnie Turkes from Batavia, Il
(12/23/2011)
"Wonderful experience" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race was well organized and fully staffed with wonderfully friendly people. | |
B. M. from Hawthorn Woods
(12/3/2011)
"Great small marathon. Flat and fast for sure." (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Having run Chicago the past three years, I was excited to try something new. My goal was sub 4. I pulled off a 3:54. The only negative (which is big) was there were no clocks the entire race. I know must runners wear garmins, but clocks are a MUST for a marathon. | |
G. M. from Traverse City, Michigan
(12/3/2011)
"Let the secret out - Best Marathon to run" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 12th marathon- I have run the big ones - Marine Corp - Boston - Arizonia - Big Sur - Disney- to name a few - all of these were fantastic - but the Fox Valley was a wonderful event that is right up there in comparison - if you are looking for a small marathon with a big heart don't pass this one up- the course is flat (for a Boston qualifier - which I did - unfortunately Boston was sold out) - the town is really cute with lots of shops and restaurants - the only suggestion I would make is for the marathon a bit more food would be appreciated along the course - and the end food could be upgraded - other than that it was really a great run even in the rain - I would highly recommend this race for a great fall event (for a spring one don't pass up the Bayshore in Traverse City!) | |
E. T. from Chicago, IL
(11/29/2011)
"Flat and fast - an awesome race" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very well organized race with a flat fast course. I would highly recommend it: everything was great. | |
J. K. from South Elgin, IL
(11/17/2011)
"The course was so beautiful." (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Course was beautiful. Only negative thing was the runs through the forest preserve could have been labeled better. I was one of the last people to finish so it was a little scary being in the forest preserve and unsure which trail to go down. | |
W. C. from the Twin Cities
(10/17/2011)
"Beautiful, Fast, Fun to look at" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This my first FVM and not likely my last. Pros: Very-well organized, easy packet pickup, helpful volunteers, fun course to look at-kept my mind interested, nice medal/shirt/goodie bag, very maneuverable course-not a lot of runner traffic jams, ample finish food. cons: I don't have much to say here. The many turns were overall a plus, but maybe a little tricky at narrow spots. Overall, a very great experience! I highly recommend this to those who want a smaller race (<1000 finishers), want a more simple and less expensive alternative to Chicago, want a fast course, and enjoy a course almost entirely in beautiful city parks and forests. Thanks FVM! |
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