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Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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L. S. from USA
(4/23/2018)
"As perfect as they come" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Several months ago when I started browsing Marathon Guide for my next race, I almost wrote this one off because the idea of running an 8 loop course sounded miserable to me. Nevertheless, I kept coming back to this race. It made the most sense for me in terms of travel and timing, and positive reviews from previous participants made me hopeful that I could race well here. So I did it. I ran a 9+ minute BQ and a 6+ minute PR. Not only did I survive the 8 loops, I loved everything about the course. I knew I what to expect each lap and instead of constantly watching the miles tick by on my watch, I just counted down the laps. My lap splits were incredibly even, with a slight overall negative split -- just the way you want to run if you are looking to reach your potential. Did I mention the course is gorgeous?! The spectators are certainly not as large in number as at a major marathon, but they were all enthusiastic. Most spectators were at the front or west portion of the loop and I looked forward to running that part of each lap. The course isn't exactly pancake flat, but its pretty flat. Just a slight decline or two where you can gain a bit of momentum and conversely a couple slight inclines which help break up muscle monotony. The elite bottle table was a new experience for me and I debated for a long time about what to put in my bottles. Gatorade and water usually work just fine for me. In the end, I put nuun+water in one and coconut water in the other. I really think this helped because I was getting more electrolytes without the added sugar of more gatorade which sometimes feels sickly sweet to me if I have been consuming energy gels as well. No muscle cramps until the final 2 tenths of a mile, which were mild. I always hesitate to include comments about weather since that's obviously outside of the control of race organizers. Spring marathons are especially unpredictable. Thankfully, we had perfect weather for this race and I hope the event enjoys many similar forecasts in the future. Maybe 40 degrees at the start and probably under 50 when I finished. Organization was top notch. I privately messaged the race with a question and received a timely response. My travel arrangements didn't really lend themselves to a Friday packet pickup, so I picked up my packet the morning of the race. One of the race directors was there personally attaching timing tags to shoes. I ran mostly within sight of the 3:31 (3:35) pace group. The pacer was friendly and encouraging without being over the top and consistent with splits. Well done to all involved -- and many, many thanks!! | |
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DONNY SCALLIONS from MISSISSIPPI
(4/22/2018)
"Best place to BQ! Love it." (about: 2018)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Best place to BQ and it's also great for the spectators because they see you at the start and 7 more times before they watch you finish. | |
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G. M. from San Antonio Texas, USA
(5/22/2017)
"Best Marathon Ever!!!" (about: 2017)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is absolutely amazing! Organization, pacers, laps, everyone helped me to reach my goal. I wouldn't make it without their support. THANK YOU! | |
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Jim Arnold from Chicago, IL
(4/28/2017)
"Well organized short loop to maximize pace" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 3.2 mile loop allowed for a lot of aid stations so the runners did not need to carry nutrition or hydration. Having the personal hydration table is really awesome for those of us with preferences. The pacers from the local running group were great and plentiful. | |
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M. J. from WI
(4/28/2017)
"Great race for a BQ!!!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this in the spring. It was about my 15th marathon. I chose it for the flat course and way it was set up. Counting laps was a fun mind trick I hadn't used before during a marathon - but really liked. I tried not to look at my watch as much and keep pace with the pace group and another runner who was also trying for a similar time. It worked great! Because of this course setup I definitely was at least 5 minutes faster than I would've been anywhere else. I ran my 2nd fastest time and really didn't prepare as well as I should've. I BQ'd by over 6 minutes! If you want to focus on your time and not go for scenery - this is it. It was still beautiful running by the river, but since you do it 8 times, that part wears off. You're focusing more on your speed, which is nice. | |
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Crystal Magee from Beaumont,Texas
(4/27/2017)
"Best Race for a Boston Qualifier!!" (about: 2017)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon last fall and fell short by 11 seconds for a BQ. I trained harder and was thrilled when I found out they were having another on in April! I LOVE this marathon. It's very well organized, the volunteers were awesome! Cheering and supporting you like crazy! It made the difference. 8 laps around the Beautiful Fox River is 99% flat. I qualified this time with a 13 minute and 27 second cushion! I HIGHLY recommend this race!! I wish I lived close to this area to run there more often. My husband and I love the Geneva/St. Charles area and the people! There are two water- Gator aid stops and another elite table to put drink of runners choice! Also had bananas, orange slices and energy gels! I can't say enough good about it. SIGN UP!! It's a BLAST! | |
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Boston Bob Turek from Highland, IN
(4/27/2017)
"BQ.2 will take you to Boston!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race has the excitement of Boston or Chicago 26.2. From picking up my bib and shirt while talking with the race directors and other runners to race day excitement, passion and enthusiasm of the volunteers, this event is 1st class. Plenty of gatorade and water at the stops. I loved the loops - I was able to see my family and friends eight times! That keep me going. You could hear the music from the finish line area when you were on the other side of the river. The course was scenic, along the river with trees providing shade. The pace teams are a nice touch. I have run 3 Boston's, 7 Chicago's and would definitely recommend this race to anyone who has dreams of going to Boston. This race helped me BQ and they even had my fav peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the finish! | |
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D. S. from Coldwater, MS.
(4/27/2017)
"Very fast course and great weather. Perfect for BQ" (about: 2017)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd marathon ever and still BQed. Great course and the race was put on by a great staff. I really liked running the eight loops because it helps mentally to know the course. | |
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C. M. from Evanston, IL
(4/27/2017)
"Great, Fast Course; Excellent Organization" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race, this course, the volunteers, organizers and especially the result. I qualified for Boston with a 12 minute cushion, thanks to a perfect day to run, but also a great course with just enough aid stations, nice shelter from sun and wind, and an exciting atmosphere. If you're looking for a ton of crowd support, this isn't the right race, because it's small, uncrowded and starts at 6:30 AM. If you're looking for a great course where you can lock onto your pace, and get great encouragement at the aid stations and especially crossing the finish line, which happens multiple times on this loop course, this is a great race! Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for making this special! | |
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N. U. from Tennessee
(4/25/2017)
"Fantastic organizers and volunteers" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've done Last Chance (fall version) in 2015, although didn't BQ, I PRed by 6 minutes! When I heard they started the spring version which is more promising on cooler weather I signed up for it. And I was right! The weather was perfect 40-50 with none to little wind. The 8 loop course was relatively flat with 2 small hanging brides that have about 10-15 feet elevation. 2 water stations plus elite bottle table so basically you have access to water every mile! I was on my way to 3 minute PR and a BQ when my legs gave out 0.2 mile to the finish. Assisted by two paramedics I hobbled to the finish, still PR by one minute but missed BQ by 37 seconds! Heartbreaking but I get over it couple days later. A big thanks shout out to Joanna of the RaceGuard (paramedics on course) for spotting me in distress and running the last 3 miles with me encouraging me to keep going. She is a Godsend. The support from staffs and volunteers is the best I've seen. They will do everything they can to help get you to BQ so if you like a flat course and try to BQ, this is the race for you! A lot of people BQ on that day! I found out the hard way that my legs don't respond well with flat course so I'm going to try something different for my next race. |
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