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Quad Cities Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Quad Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 195 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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A. B. from Pennsylvania
(10/1/2014)
"Nice Mississippi River marathon" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is an excellent medium/small marathon with top the line organization, pretty course (for the most part) and easy logistics. Here are some points to consider: 1. Top of the line organization, good expo, nice pasta dinner option at the expo, easy parking, no traffic, easy logistics. 2. Mostly flat course. Two bridges and a few tiny bumps. No big deal (I'm from Pittsburgh...) 3. Very crowded first 2-3 miles. Full, half and relay runners run together. I'm not sure there is a good solution for that. 4. The half marathoners merge into the full course couple of times and you get to bump into the oblivious slow pokes. I don't think the organizers can do much about it. It is what it is. I didn't think it was such a big deal. You get to pass a lot of people and feel good about yourself. 5. Mile mark 20 and 26 are at the same spot. So when you go over the 20 miles timing mat you can hear the finish line and see people picking up the pace to finish and you have a tough 10K to run. Moreover, the last 6 miles are out and then back 3 miles on a desolate boring road. It's mentally challanging. At least it was flat. 6. Finish line is nicely organized with food and all. Medal is nice, shirt is nice and they give you your official results on the spot. 7. The only thing I would 'fix' for next year is have more Gatorade in the water stations in the last 6 miles. 8. Weather can be hot at the end of September. After 2-3 cool weeks, race weekend had 85F for highs. The 4+ hours marathoners had to deal with 80+ degrees. Nothing anyone can do about it. It's a matter of good/bad luck. I highly recommend this race. | |
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J. H. from Tennessee
(10/1/2014)
"Nice race, even if it was too hot for me" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Here are my Pros & Cons for the 2014 Marathon: Pros: 1) Good communication prior to the race via email & Facebook. Emails answered quickly, even the night before the race 2) Good packet pickup, done quickly. 3) Post race food, massages, chiropractic sessions were appreciated. 4) Lots of course volunteers, both at the aid stations & intersections. 5) Multiple Medical points along the course, taking good notice of racers who might be struggling. 6) Many points where musicians entertained us during the race. 7) 2 different places along the course where cool wet rags were handed out. The 2nd one, around mile 21-22 was a lifesaver for me. 8) I enjoyed the different towns & Arsenal Island to run thru. The Military Cemetery was quite touching. Cons: 1) Very little shade along the course. This was an issue for me, since the temps reached the 80's before we were done. 2) Course lists only 1 hill but some of the inclines over the bridges should be included as hills, in the course description. 3) Please rethink listing The Lodge as a hotel option for out-of-town runners. Once we pulled into the parking lot, we were hesitant to go any further. My wife did venture in and we quickly called to cancel our reservation and went to the Fairfield Inn. | |
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K. N. from Evanston, Illinois
(9/29/2014)
"Rolling on the River" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race with views of the Mississippi River, crossing it on long bridges, and running on Arsenal Island in the middle of the river. Organization was great with lots of amenities. A few more hands at water stops would help. Fans along the way included musicians and cheerleaders. The course was mostly flat. The people were so nice and encouraging. The weather was clear if warm. Medal is very nice. Lots of parking. Well done, QCM. It was brilliant. | |
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P. O. from Raleigh, NC
(9/28/2014)
"Good marathon but not as flat as proclaimed" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 1st trip to the Quad City Marathon. I traveled here from NC with friends to run the race, hoping for a BQ. Here are the pros & cons Pros: 1. Great volunteers at the Expo (very helpful), on the course, at the water stops, and at the finish line 2. Location of race: we stayed at the Radisson which was the host hotel - perfect location, the start/finish was outside the front door on the street beside the hotel. Great rates also for marathoners! 3. Scenic course along the river 4. Great music/entertainers on the course 5. Very nice race shirt & medal 6. Water stops were plentiful except for the one exception noted below 7. Unusually hot day (75+) - they had cold towels at two locations for runners - excellent idea Cons: 1. Hillier than advertised, especially in the first 5 miles - there were several long hills but after that it flattened out except for a few more spots (bridge around mile 10 was a little tough too) - the second half was much flatter than the 1st half 2. Lot of course on cement which can be a little harder to run on 3. Water stop 24 - they closed it down before all the last runners made it through which was a little disappointing since the last runners were keeping the required pace. All in all even though I did not accomplish my time goal, the race itself was well organized. I would have trained on more hills had I known about the first 5 miles or so. I did not read the 2013 reviews so if I missed it, then that was on me. Congratulations to all the finishers today. | |
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Todd Wells from Chicago, USA
(3/6/2014)
"They came so close to getting it right" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The Quad Cities Marathon got almost everything right, but the two things they missed were biggies. First, the stuff in the credits column: 1) Big, free parking lot made it easy to get to the expo and to the start line. 2) The course was attractive. There were few hills, and those that we did run up paid off with spectacular views of the river. Its also a fairly fast course; there are a good number of long straightaways. 3) Lots of course marshals. You are not going to make a wrong turn here. 4) Plenty of water stations (though one more around mile 24 would have been helpful). 5) The post-race spread was generous. And the two debits: 1) Not nearly enough toilets for that size of event. I've run enough races to know how to solve this problem on my own, but they weren't even close to meeting demand. 2) The marathon split from the half around mile 8. We then ran back into the half at our mile 14 and their mile 9. So now we were running with people going two or three minutes per mile slower than we were. To exacerbate it, the course there was a narrow path that could fit four, maybe five, people across. We had to slalom through the halfers for the next mile, and then again between miles 18 and 20. It was incredibly poor planning, which is surprising because the rest of the race seemed so well done. I was running three-hour pace, so that meant the halfers surrounding me were heading for somewhere around a 2:20, which I think is the sweet spot, so I probably got it worse than most of the other marathoners. Anyone going much slower or faster than me might not have noticed it. Nonetheless, I cant recommend this race unless they fix this. For more of the details, you can go here: http://traveldiaryofamadman.com/?p=63 | |
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J. S. from Bloomington, IL
(9/26/2013)
"Best marathon experience I've had" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros - Plenty of free parking near the start/finish line. Really scenic course. Lots of views of the Mississippi River and running on Arsenal Island was a treat. I'd rank this as the most visually interesting marathon that I've run. Great organization and volunteers at the expo and during the race. The race seemed to have a 'let's have fun' vibe to me. Volunteers at what seemed like every turn to make sure you stayed on the course. I was a little worried about that after looking at the map, but it was a complete non-issue. Spectators, bands, and music where it counted; the final 6 miles. Plenty of food and drinks available for the over 5 hour crowd and the beer was free! This is not always true for other races I've participated in, so kudos go to the RD for making sure that us back of the packers still get to enjoy the post-race party. The most on course food (orange slices, Gu) of any race I've participated in. Timing mats on the course so you get splits for your first, middle, and last 10k times. Cons - Gatorade was only available at some of the water stops. I'd like to have it at every stop. Not enough porta-potties on the course in the first 6 miles. If you needed to go, which I did, before the 1/2 marathoners split off, you either had to stop and wait, or find a tree (my solution.) Full disclosure, the weather was perfect and I shaved 18 minutes off my previous best time, so my review is probably being influenced a little by that! I'd recommend this race to anyone looking for an Illinois marathon. Also, I think it is a good race for first timers since the course is pretty flat (only 1 hill if you don't count the bridge ramps) and there are ample water stations and support on the course. | |
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A. N. from Chicago, IL
(9/23/2013)
"good early marathon, but could be better" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Expo was small, but comprehensive. Race day organization was mostly good, but lacked any assistance with directions to parking. Need more garbage cans at start. No water visible close to start. Tough to pound the pre-race gel without water. Not what most would call a hilly course, but the bridges especially in the one in the first miles, force heavy breathing early. Lots of curb hopping and lane divider cones in early part of race when it's crowded made for at least one fall. Not quite thinned out enough to go to trail by 4+ miles. The use of the same course by both half-marathon and marathon is a big problem. The much slower half runners are on the same relatively narrow course with much faster marathon runners. The mix of 2-3 abreast walkers and with runners makes for a lot of weaving at Rock Island. Add in the gravel and uneven surface at the same time, although scenic, makes for difficulties. Toughest part is having to run past finish at 20 miles and do last 6 in the open to get done. Good marathon, but need separate courses for half and marathon. | |
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Mark Dingmon from Lenexa Kansas
(10/18/2012)
"Well organized event" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Quad Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 35th marathon and 6th for the Quad Cities. Spectator support for this event has always been thin, and the final 6 miles is an out and back configuration; however the dedicated efforts of Race Director Joe Moreno and his staff make this marathon a quality event. I would recommend this event to the 50 states club, or to the first time marathoner. Here is what I like about this event: 1) Spacious parking at around the Wireless One Center. 2) Adequate expo with friendly and hard working volunteers. 3) Hotels close by. 4) The course especially miles 1 thru 20, featuring 5 cities, 1 island, and 2 major bridges that offer panoramic views of the Mississippi River. 5) The 'road kill lady' at mile one on the I-74 bridge shouting...'Runners to the left! Road kill to the right!' Great humor to inspire the runners, she is there every year! A QC tradition! 6) The courtesy and professionalism of the Arsenal Island Military Personal, some of the water stations were operated by soldiers in battle fatigues, very impressive! 7) Scenic views of the Mississippi River from the shorelines of Bettendorf and Davenport Iowa, and Arsenal Island. 8) Live entertainment at various locations thru-out the course. 9) And of course the wall! Another QC tradition, at around mile 23 there is a simulated wall with an opening that runners pass thru, the entrance is lined with enthusiastic high school cheer leaders, and they will cheer you on with pom poms in hand as you pass thru the dreaded wall! 10) A well organized finish area staffed with friendly volunteers. 11) A shiny finishers medal that sparkles in the sun light! Thanks QC!!! I plan to return next year! | |
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T. M. from Davenport, Iowa
(10/14/2012)
"Interesting course with fun entertainment" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Quad Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a race where you can tell the organizers are runners who put their hearts into planning the little details. I love the entertainment along the course (the high school pep band at the first mile is my favorite), the enthusiastic volunteers at every water stop, the wet towels and oranges at the later miles, the balloons at every mile marker, the interesting course through different cities, and the cheerful spectators. Unfortunately my shirt size had run out before I picked up my packet, but other than that, this race went flawlessly. | |
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B. A. from Illinois
(10/6/2012)
"Great Marathon for the price" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Quad Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Nice quality marathon for price of entry fee. Great medals & food at finish. Expo was small, but received great pair of gloves, nice long sleeve shirt. Nice scenic course over bridges & along the river. Last 6 miles on the out & back were a bit boring, but great entertainment & food stations. They really take care of you & put alot of effort into the whole event. |
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