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☰
Fox Cities Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Fox Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 94 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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B. J. from Cedarburg, WI
(9/26/2005)
"Best small marathon I've ever run" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the Fox Cities marathon yesterday up in Appleton, WI. What a race! Only 600 runners, very well organized, and a beautiful course. We crossed a mile-long pedestrian bridge over the lake early on, went through a cool 'drain-pipe-like' tunnel later, and had great water views and friendly neighborhoods much of the race. Plus the volunteer support was the best I've seen. Well-organized water/aid stations, lots of gels, fruit, etc. The course is well laid out, some hills between 15-18, but nothing too bad. Ran a 3:28 PR. I'll definitely be running this one again! | |
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E. Heyl from Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
(9/25/2005)
"Everything excellent but the concrete" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Just ran this race today. We had a drenching downpour about 2-1/2 hours into the race that left your shoes feeling like they weighed 4 lbs. each (running in 1 inch of standing water for about 1/2 mile, raining so heavily I could hardly see). Fortunately, it was not cold so we didn't freeze as well. Race support was the most organized and complete I've ever seen. Nasty 1/2 mile hill (turns a corner midway around buildings so unless you drive the course before the race, the second half of the climb would come as a shock) at about mile 15, then a steep highway overpass with mile 24 at the middle on top. Lots of long concrete road stretches especially in second half of race - very hard on the feet. But for the concrete I would definitely run this one again.... | |
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Jeramy Brux from Yulee, Florida
(9/28/2004)
"Fantastic small town marathon" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The 2004 Fox Cities Marathon is an excellent small town marathon. The course was somewhat flat and exciting. The people of the Fox Cities were fantastic. I have never seen more enthusiastic spectators, especially in a small town race. More people came out to cheer on the runners than in larger races that I have run, for example the Honolulu Marathon. The weather couldn't be better. Lower fifties in the morning to about 70 at the finish. I only have two complaints about this marathon: The Gatorade mixtures were horrendously strong. I could barely even get it down. On the positive side though, the water stations were all manned by enthusiastic volunteers! And here is the real big complaint that I have: The walkers! I had to run into traffic multiple times to avoid walkers that were blocking the course. I understand that this is probably a popular event with local walkers but they have got to leave at least enough room for a runner to pass by. It's not only highly annoying for runners, it's a danger to the runners. Despite these two complaints I did run a PR of 3:28:47. I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone. | |
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Tom Callaghan from Brampton, Canada
(9/28/2004)
"Great fun, well organized, amazing spectators." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I would rate the course 5 stars except for all the concrete. Every thing else about the race is first rate. Had a wonderful time. A very special thank you to the best friends any one could have, the McGuirk family of Menasha. Thanks Chris, Cheryl, Michael, Erin, Leigh, and Wendel. | |
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S. S. from Madison, Wisconsin
(9/28/2004)
"Race organization is superb...worth running..." (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who is looking for a small, well-run marathon. There were more volunteers, medics, and police officers to support you than I have ever seen. They had at least 3-4 GU stops, water/Gatorade every mile, and fruit towards the end of the race. While the spectators were spotty in areas the volunteers and police officers cheered you on the whole way. The food tent at the end was also well stocked with fruit, bagels, etc. The finisher's shirt was a nice long-sleeve pull-over. My only complaint is there is a fair amount of concrete on the course. It would be great if they would consider getting rid of some of those areas. One last warning there are a couple of killer hills towards the end that challenge your fortitude. Beware! | |
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M. W. from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
(9/27/2004)
"It don't get any better than this." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was marathon number 8 for me. Even with the heat it was a PR for me. The two things this goup cannot control are the heat and the hills (not really bad ones when you look back at it, but cruel when they are there at the end). The crowd was great. The name tag on the bib was a GREAT idea as you were always addressed and cheered for by name. The expo was just right. The staff was well informed and every stage was thoroughly organized by very caring people. The shirt and medal were classy. The crowd support cannot be emphasized enough. 'Private people' were offering Gatorade, fruit and water. Medical staff randomly asking people if they were doing okay. Lots of emergency personnel presence. This is the standard by which to judge other marathons. These guys did it right. | |
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C. H. from Sheboygan, WI
(10/31/2003)
"Great race for everyone - including first-timers!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon - I could not have picked a better one to run. The online registration was very easy. I called the office to ask questions before the race - the staff is great and gave me tips on pre-race preparation. The run is excellent - mostly flat the first 1/2 with gradual hills afterwards. The tour of the Fox Cities in the race is scenic & nice. I have only heard good reviews from other runners too. The pacesetters are helpful & friendly. Good fans. It is everything as advertised. Water stations just about every mile with food, sports drink and GU available. Topnotch - will do it again. | |
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j. m. from kansas city, mo
(10/7/2003)
"A great community event!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I came to Wisconsin to enjoy the fall weather and add another state to my collection of races. The people here are just topnotch! The entire community (a bunch of small Wisconsin cities around the Fox River) was fired up and excited about the weekend. The expo was well organized, in fact one of the volunteers went out of her way to make sure that there was a wind-shirt in my size at the finish line (I'm a slow finisher) - she was just representative of everyone involved. The race itself went through multiple towns, multiple places where GU was handed out (at least 4 stops), and very enthusiastic people at the water stops. The race also had a bus transport everyone to the start line, and there is plenty of parking and SHOWERS at the finish. Good set up. The city of Appleton also sponsors an Octoberfest the day before the race, and the whole community seems fired up. One of my favorite races ever since everyone involved was just so NICE!!! | |
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C. S. from Madison WI
(10/2/2003)
"Excellent organization and a lot for your money" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organization of this race was phenomenal. Online entry was a breeze, packet pick-up was quick and easy (plus there was a nice expo for a smaller race), race day was run very well - there were shuttles from basically every local hotel. The course was much better than I expected. Having grown up in the Fox Cities I was expecting to run through many subdivisions with no trees and look-alike houses. Instead I was treated to a very scenic start, a couple bland miles in the middle and a nice tour of the Fox Cities for the rest. The course is downhill for the first few miles and then is a gradual uphill for most of the remaining miles, especially after mile 15. Aid stations were plentiful (every mile) and the miles were very well marked with large signs. Finisher's received a medal and a very nice windbreaker-type pullover at the finish. It is one of the nicer finisher shirts I have received. All in all a great event. | |
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Robert Karp from Madison, WI
(10/1/2003)
"Great Marathon for the First-Timer" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I chose it based in part on the comments here. I thought everything was just first-rate. The fan support was wonderful. I suppose one could call it sparse in spots, but I thought there was always someone around and didn?t notice any real gaps except around mile 21 or so. The people really do call you by name and appreciate a smile or thumbs-up in return. The cheering really kept me going all race long. Some of the water stations were very elaborate and made a strong impression. Their music and cheering were real pick-me-ups during the race. Though I didn?t partake of any, it seemed that most stations had energy drink and several had gels and even some food. Most of all, though, the fans were just great. I also thought the course was very scenic most of the way, and challenging but fair. I don?t think it?s as flat as advertised, but there are only two significant hills and everything else is just gentle rolling terrain that?s good for the legs. I also like the way the course changed sides of the road every 5 miles or so. That?s also good for the legs. Finally, everything was superbly organized. I was from out of town and a little apprehensive even after studying all of the information on the website. I needn?t have worried. I had no trouble finding out exactly where I needed to be and when, and what would be happening when I got there. I definitely recommend taking the bus tour of the course if you?re not familiar with it. Also, the exposition had some worthwhile exhibits including a body fat analysis. About the only thing I could complain about was the weather and there?s nothing anyone could have done about that. I would definitely like to run this one again (if I do another marathon, that is). |
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