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☰
Chicago Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Chicago Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 949 [displaying comments 241 to 251]
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M. B. from Poway, CA
(10/14/2008)
"Great Marathon and Spectators - Great Job, Chicago" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first time running this marathon, and it was more that I expected. Everything about this marathon was great, from all of the communication about the marathon, weather changes, and expo, to the 20 aid stations with plentiful water, Gatorade and even ice! The best part of the marathon were the spectators; they said over 1.5 million people come out to support the run, and it definitely felt like they were all there. Great job on the improvements. You have set a really high standard, which other marathons should follow. I will be recommending this marathon to all my running buddies. I will be back again in 2009! | |
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Z. C. from Springfield, MO
(10/14/2008)
"marathon is great, but needs to start at 7:00 a.m." (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The marathon was great, the support was great (especially when it got hot), and the spectators were great. But I was not to impressed with the after-party; the band was good, but there was no food. | |
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R. B. from Chicago, IL
(10/14/2008)
"First marathon, great experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After hearing all of the horror stories about 2007, I was nervous about this race. I decided to carry my own water/Gatorade just in case, but I am happy to report that I never needed it. The organization this year was excellent, as far as I could see. I finished at about 4:45 and there was still a lot of water/Gatorade left at the water stations. I don't have any other races to compare this too, but I can imagine a better-run race. | |
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h. s. from Michigan
(10/14/2008)
"Water and Gatorade stations were outstanding" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The aid stations were tops. Mr. Pinkowski did a fabulous job here. The spectators are the loudest anywhere. The only things wrong with Chicago: - The deviation off of Grand to Rush and Hubbard before turning onto State St, where everybody tried to cut the tangents, and this caused many to lose their stride, as people swarmed from one side of the road to the other. - Not enough portable toilets at the start. - Not enough portable toilets along the course. I will be back in 2009. | |
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D. P. from Southern Illinois
(10/14/2008)
"World-Class Event!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The fan support was beyond belief! There should be more than 5 stars for this crowd! I can't remember going 50 yards where someone wasn't cheering. One note of caution: if you have you name printed on the front of your shirt - be prepared! They made me feel like I was the only runner in the race. When it was getting hot, I just wanted to hide from the fans! I trained hundreds of miles just to have this hot day kick my rear - but I guess that is beyond the event's control. I will be back in 2009! | |
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M. B. from Brussels, Belgium
(10/14/2008)
"Best ever" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my 76th marathon. I have run in NYC, Paris, Rome, Québec City, Venice.... This was the best-organized marathon I have ever run. From expo to finish, everything ran smoothly. There was even ice available on the route. Aid stations were plentiful. And what a crowd! I will definitely recommend it. See you in 2009. | |
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G. H. from Little Rock, AR
(10/14/2008)
"Bravo Chicago - No Clowning Around" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2008 race was wonderful. They had more than enough supplies to take care of twice the participants. The volunteers were outstanding. The course was great as always. The expo was a blast. I got to finish with my best friend. Got a marriage proposal from a first timer. Ok. Yes, Superman, I'll marry you - since you finished. Congrats! The day was a little warm, but you can't control the weather. I hope that all those who coordinate the marathon take a well-deserved break! Hats off you all! - The clown at the back of the pack. | |
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C. K. from San Francisco, CA
(10/14/2008)
"Lessons learned!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Another hot day - not as hot as last year, but certainly not ideal running weather. The organization clearly did not want a repeat of last year. Plenty of water and Gatorade, as well as warning system flags at each aid station, made the course feel very well supported. The additional aid stations at the back half really helped offset the temps in the 80's after 10 a.m. My only complaint is the lack of an evening after-party (small sacrifice) and the usual ugly t-shirt. The heat killed my Boston qualifying bid, but the organization clearly learned from 2007's disaster. | |
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Francine Robinson from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(10/14/2008)
"Race organization was fantastic!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My hat goes off to the race organizers of the 2008 Chicago Marathon. They were well prepared for the hot weather this year. There was an abundance of water and Gatorade, and even some ice at occasional spots along the course. They also added many sprinklers and misting stations this year to refresh the runners. The new runner alert system worked well, so that early on in the race - when the flags went from yellow to red - the runners knew that they needed to be cautious. And the individual bags of ice at the finish line were a bonus. I had the privilege of pacing this year (5:30 pace team), and also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Pace Team Coordinator, Paul Miller, for the great job he did! | |
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J. H. from Huntington Woods, MI
(10/14/2008)
"A wonderful experience, despite the heat." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an incredible venue for a race. The crowd support, course scenery and organization were great. It got hot, for me, in the middle of the race and they raised the race alert level to red. At one time I saw a digital sign showing 84 degrees, which is too hot for me. But the water availability, sponges, spraying fire hydrants, and water hoses made it able to finish. In fact, the water support was so good that it allowed my friend to run a PR. I, unfortunately, had my worst clock time, but had my best experience for a marathon. I will probably look for a marathon where the temps are more likely to be cooler; and also I will train harder. |
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