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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 501 to 511]
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L. M. from Montreal, Canada
(11/8/2006)
"The Chicago Marathon is a Must!!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for an exceptional marathon, you have to run Chicago! This was my 10th marathon and I found that everything was so well organized: - No waiting in line to pick up your bib at the expo, or for the bag check, or for the food at the end of the race, etc. - Soooo many volunteers! Thank you all for taking care of us. - Spectators were absolutely fantastic in spite of the cold weather. I already made my airplane and hotel reservations for next year.... | |
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M. S. from Boulder, CO
(11/6/2006)
"Flawless as always" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third time in a row at Chicago and it just keeps getting better. Flawless organization and excellent course. The city supports the race before, during and after. Even in very cold conditions the fans came out and cheered everyone along. I qualified for Boston and owe it to the fast, flat course and the great pace groups. | |
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Pascal Renault from Omaha, NE
(11/2/2006)
"One of the best marathons in the US" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Mostly flat course makes it a great marathon for beginners and confirmed runners looking for qualifying for Boston. The crowd is unbelievable; I don't bring my MP3 for this one. Water stations are OK when you are in the first part of the pack but organizers and sponsors, have you ever tried to run and drink at the same time without slowing down and spilling? No. That's exactly what I thought. PUT A CAP ON THE GLASS WITH A STRAW. Usually I run wearing my fuel belt but I forgot it and figured it out while getting ready that morning - big mistake. I'll come back next year to check out the improvements because I love Chicago, I have some very good friends living there and it's a great marathon. | |
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r. d. from Texas
(11/2/2006)
"Thank you Chicago!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow, what an experience! It exceeded my expectations - very well organized for a race this big. Regarding the weather, the later date is one of the reasons I picked it this year. Being from Texas, getting to run long without having to worry about overheating is great! (Next year's Oct. 7 date may be too warm). The wind was tough in a few places, but I'll take 40 degrees and cloudy any day. Starting from the competitive corral was very nice - right behind the "Top 100" runners and only 15 seconds to the starting mat from the gun. There was even room to run around and warm up before too many people got there. Course was flat as advertised - fewer spectators than I imagined, but maybe that was the weather. Carpeting over the bridges was a good plan, since the metal grating can hurt your feet. I do agree with the comment about tripping over cups at the water stops. Even up where I was, it was already getting to be a problem - probably no good solution to that one. After I finished, I was getting cold and hurting too much to pay attention to the post-race food. I really appreciated the massage tent with the heaters, though. My thanks to those who volunteered - a 10-minute massage helped out quite a bit. I had a PR and BQ, so I'll definitely be back! | |
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J. L. from Houston, TX
(11/1/2006)
"Marathon was awesome!" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Chicago Marathon was a total SCREAM! The Chicago SPECTATORS made this a surreal experience for me! The city really showed support for the runners on a cold, windy, and cloudy day. Additionally, my hat's off to the organizers, and the event was flawless, which is an amazing accomplishment due to the sheer magnitude of this annual event. I highly recommend this race for anyone considering this marathon and especially first-time marathoners because the crowd will fuel your spirit. | |
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m. j. from chicago , IL
(11/1/2006)
"Watch out for the cups in the water stop areas" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This race is so huge now that controlling and cleaning up the cups in the water areas seems to be impossible. I injured myself early on in the race sliding on a cup and was unable to finish! Nine months of training down the tubes. I have heard of many other runners who were hurt in previous years due to the cups. If you want a safer race, look for a smaller race field where 3,000 cups aren't in your way! | |
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S. C. from Newburgh, IN
(10/31/2006)
"Street Festival Atmosphere" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For my first marathon, this was a great choice. Actually thought it would be my last marathon - before I started the race. After this experience and the fun crowd and runners, it won't be my last marathon. Despite cold temperatures and an injury, I will be back. | |
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E. D. from Aurora, IL
(10/31/2006)
"Fast course, AWESOME spectators" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, and both have been at Chicago. I live in the far west suburbs and appreciated being able to take the train in for the expo on Saturday and the early morning train in for the race on Sunday. If you're from out of town and looking for a cheaper hotel, find one along the BNSF line and ride the train in. This year's marathon was a huge success for me - dropped 55 minutes from my PR and qualified for Boston with a 3:09:44. I couldn't have done that without the amazing support of my family and the tons of spectators. My family was able to see me at seven different points and give me great encouragement. At Chinatown (mile 21), my wife ran alongside of me saying, "The 3:10 group is just in front of you" over and over again. Seeing her excitement motivated me to drop the hammer the last five miles. Extremely well organized. Extremely well run. Enormous crowd support. The entire city comes together to share your experience. Phenomenal. I had tears in my eyes at the start and tears in my eyes at the finish. | |
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J. B. from Temperance, MI
(10/30/2006)
"Fantastic experience" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my first "big time" marathon. It was a great experience. From the awesome volunteers, to the flat course, to the great race organization. Plenty of porta-potties and the race started off right on time. Will definitely run it again next year. | |
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crystal bashore from New London CT
(10/29/2006)
"MORE COWBELLS!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was incredible. Course, organization, spectators - it has it all. I wasn't expecting the course to be as "fast" as it was. Had I known, I would have set my sights for a BQ. Next year.... The weather could have been better, but compared to the forecasts prior to the race, it could have been much worse. Chilly, yes, but at least it didn't sleet. I've only run one small marathon prior to this one and never again. Size definitely matters. I can't say enough about the fans - you guys were amazing. Chicago, I'll be back! |
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