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J. M. from Dubuque, ia
(10/5/2014)
"great race but start could be better" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Quad Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It would be nice if there was corrals at the start and a wave start. I think it would ease congestion on the bridge and allow people to run at their own pace in the first couple miles. | |
D. S. from USA
(10/3/2014)
"Not slow runner or walker friendly full marathon" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I picked this full marathon as a BQ race(I have a different BQ time).It said there's a 6.5 hours course limit, with everyone off Arsenal Island with a 16 minute/mile pace. A race walker and I were under a 13:45 minute/mile pace while on the island when the sag wagon literally started following us at mile 17 when we were on pace to make it off the island with 20 minutes to spare. Nothing like a hot van following you on a sunny(very little shade) & 75 degree day. I asked the driver if he was going to follow us until we were off the island since it's a military base. He said no until the end of the race. We on pace to make a 6 six hour pace, definitely under the 6.5 course limit. I watched as they race clock said 6:24:00 as they broke down the finish line area with others out on the course. Don't advertise being walker friendly when you're not. if you're a slow half marathoner this is an ok race,but not the full. The Wineglass Marathon is a week later and is much better for slow runners and walkers. At Wineglass I only saw the sag wagon once to take a head count and NOT hound us to the finish. The Wineglass finish line had spectators and was still there 15 minute after the course limit was over. Quad Cities literally had opening the day before. Wineglass sells out early,because they deliver what they advertise. | |
mike murphy from Golden, Colorado
(10/3/2014)
"Impressed for 1st time Quad City marathon" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is my 23rd marathon and I was impressed with the course, the support on the course for the runners, the organization of the start and finish. More Gu stations than I am used to plus the wet towel stations were a life safer. I would run this again but would love to see the race start at 7 or 6:45 am to take advantage of the cooler temps. It was to hot and it was more than light enough to see at 7 or 6:45. The only other suggestions would be that the hotel that is the race headquarters should put something out to welcome runners and wish them luck. there was nothing, first time I have ever had that experience. The other suggestion would be to connect with the local/walking distance restaurants and make sure they know about the race and if they could make sure that runners know where they are and menus. By luck found Barley and Rye which was a great place to eat. Have run all the big races and this race is a must for runners. The race itself and the support for runners was great. | |
L. T. from Illinois
(10/3/2014)
"poor planning for post party food" (about: 2014)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the second time I have ran this race and the course is great. I agree, more bathrooms are needed, but the biggest disappointment was there was no food left for the last of the runners coming in. We signed up in plenty of time for planning, and were in before the required time, but there was nothing left for our group to eat after a long, hot day. For those of us at the end, we need some protein and you should have planned to keep enough food to feed the final runners. It is even more important, since we are out on the course much longer than your 'fast' runners. We had a ticket on our bib and you should have planned for us too! This was a big problem for us. I hope you can correct this for next year. | |
J. W. from Quad Cities
(10/2/2014)
"Perfect Day for the Race" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Quad Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Had a great time on race morning. Our vehicle of participants were voicing concern over lack of police direction getting to the race with the construction surrounding the bridge and road closures. The bridge was backed up. Participants that were lined up middle to the end of the pack at the starting line did not hear any pre-race comments etc. Was there a National Anthem? I hope so, but we could not hear any of it, just the big boom. I would think they could have had speakers set up for that. I think it would be great for all the local high school band drum lines to spread out over the course for entertainment and encouragement. I was disappointed when I received my Dispatch in the mail. The race results for the full Marathon were incorrect. Kudos to all the volunteers. | |
C. B. from Illinois
(10/2/2014)
"Fun" (about: 2014)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first race, but I was really impressed with the organization of the event. There were lots of people to pick up their packets and it all went smooth as silk! Very impressed! | |
J. H. from Davenport, ia
(10/2/2014)
"Great race, great organization" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Joe, you and your army of volunteers did a great job. This was my first 'official' 1/2 mari. But have ran in 10-12 races this year including the Firecracker and Freedom Run. I thought it was well planned, organized, laid out, and executed. Races are races but they are also social events....that means plenty of people will be involved and that is what makes them a great experience. There will always things that can be improved but my opinion is that this race hits it out of the park. A lot of that has to do with you and your attitude. Great job. Can't wait until next year. | |
F. H. from Davenport, IA
(10/2/2014)
"First timer - disappointed for the late arrivals" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 While I have run the QC Marathon's half-marathon several times, this was my first full. It was quite a day to remember! Like many commenters, I agree that this course is beautiful, the volunteers are fantastic, and the community is top notch. My comments are really for the organizers. As we waited for several friends to cross, the clock ticked and the volunteers at the post party started packing up. I realize that after 5 hours, most people are heading out, but...if the organizers are going to allow folks to stay on the course and finish at 6 or 7 hours, then they should make sure that there is something other than water for those racers. My heart broke for some of them...they worked just as hard (or harder) than me, they just didn't cross at the same time as me, so to find no one working a snack table, not a single banana/orange/granola bar waiting for them...so sad. | |
t. v. from texas
(10/2/2014)
"great marathon" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great marathon. Lots of parking, very well organized, nice expo, lots of porta potties. Course is just beautiful, running along the MS river, nice bridges across the river, through the downtowns of the quad cities. Also a very flat course overall, just one big hill early in the race. The only problem this year (2014) was the heat. Would have been fine for the half, but the high was 83 and by 11:00 or so it was 75. And because it was full sun, not a cloud in sight, it sure felt hotter than 75 to me at 11. It was a hot day. But those things happen when have a marathon in late September. You can have a nice cool day, or you can have an unusually warm day. This one was hot. But great great marathon overall. | |
C. B. from Iowa
(10/1/2014)
"Enjoyable Run" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Enjoyable marathon. The expo and marathon were well organized and parking was easy. The course was scenic and nice except for a rough area on the island. Aid stations were well staffed, well spaced and well stocked. Finish line was well organized and stocked with everything one would need. My only complaint is the half marathon splitting and then rejoining the marathon course before splitting again. I cannot say why but it was a bit of an annoyance at the time. Personalized bib is a plus and the shirt is nice. |
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