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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 651 to 661]
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Kristin Marple from Cleveland, Ohio
(3/22/2005)
"Fabulous city to see on foot! " (about: 2002)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 If you are a city type, this is the marathon for you. There were plenty of competitive hills pared with cheering spectators - what could be better? | |
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P. A. from Chicago, IL. - United States
(2/21/2005)
"Best City In The World!" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first time running any marathon and it was no letdown. I was pumped up from the start until the very end, even through my ITB pain. Got to see plenty of friends and family, had to stop and kiss every girl I knew (happy). Took plenty of pictures with everyone and somehow wished it didn't end. Some of the best fans in the world, from the starting line in Grant Park, the North Lakeshore residents, North Halsted, where I had the best laughs, to the wild and crazy die-hard Greek Town community. Growing up in the Pilsen community, it took me forever just to get through it (45 min. - 1 hour), to run about 2 miles while greeting everyone I know along 18th street. Some of the best entertainment came from the Chinatown neighborhood so be sure to have your picture phone ready! I ran the Chicago 1/4 Marathon, Chicago 1/2 Marathon and finally the Chicago Marathon. It had led me up to this moment and while in pain, it's funny how the roar of the crowd at the finish line can somehow make all that just go away. It's just too bad the course did not go through some of the other great spots within the city of Chicago. See you next year. | |
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r. e. from brisbane,australia
(2/9/2005)
"great crowds, except last 10k, lame pasta dinner" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Great race, spectater support and well organized for so many people (40,000 plus). Only downside was the pasta dinner, as I walked out of there hungry! | |
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Beach Bum from Lido Key Fl
(2/2/2005)
"Can it get better?" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As now a 3-time 'pure' marathoner with more to follow, I may have started in October '04 with the best. I'll do New York soon, so we will see. The others - Palm Beach and Miami were OK and good. But this was off the charts. I have done hundreds of triathalons. Hundreds of shorter road races. Hundreds of bike races. Last but not least, about 500 hundred 'century' events (cycling). This is the best sporting event I have ever been associated with. Even an Ironman could not rise to this level. LOVE THE FANS!!!!! Great support. A whole major city rising up to the task of being the best. From this happy Floridian - thanks Chi-town - may your Cubs win one. : ) | |
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R. E. from United States
(1/30/2005)
"A great experience" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 6 marathons and decided to celebrate my 50th birthday running this race. GREAT run. The weather was perfect, organization was great. The crowds were, by far, the best fans. There were many enthusiastic people cheering for all the runners and really helped to keep the motivation going. My only criticisms are: not enough water or port-a-potties were available before the race. My family was able to actively participate by having my son track my progress via computer, then calling my other children and wife on the cell phone of my position so they could hop the bus/train and meet me at different points along the route. A splendid time was had by all! | |
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Mark Ulrich from Houston, Texas
(1/17/2005)
"Best marathon experience " (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Chicago for the first time in October, 2004 and ABSOLUTELY loved it! Having run three total marathons, this remains my best experience by far. The city was beautiful, and the fans were numerous, supportive, enthusiastic and friendly. The expo was excellent, and the race organization and dedication of the thousands of volunteers was fantastic. Naturally with nearly 34,000 runners the course was initially crowded, especially in the first couple of miles. However, I found that even when we were at our most crowded, in the initial few turns, that runners were considerate and forgiving of occasional inadvertent bumps. The finisher's medal and memorabilia given were top-notch. My only suggestion to improve the race day experience is to request that more porta-potties be set-up in Grant Park. Additionally, it would be good for additional units be set-up at map-marked locations elsewhere on the course (I saw a few such units along the course, but it struck me as inadequate). Other than that easily fixable item, it was a great experience which I have no hesitation recommending to others. | |
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M. B. from New York, NY
(1/2/2005)
"Great marathon all around" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Chicago is a great city and running a marathon in it is a lot of fun. The spectators were great. I ran the New York City Marathon last year and I have to say the crowds in Chicago are real close to how good they were in New York. Great flat and fast course; I ran my fastest time on this one. | |
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Laura Vedeen from schaumburg, il
(12/29/2004)
"whatta race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've done numerous triathlons and road races, but Chicago was my first marathon, and it was incredible!! CROWD SUPPORT was unbelievable, like I said before, it never thins out - wear your name on your shirt and you are sure to have many people cheering you on with your own name!! Take it easy at first - with 40,000 other runners, the first couple miles are crowded. Save your energy, don't dodge the masses. SUPER flat. The expo was AWESOME as well, so much to see/try/buy. Hopefully I'll be cheering you on next year!! | |
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Sung ho Choi from Jacksonville, Florida
(12/14/2004)
"What a Great Marathon!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just had to write because I disagree with the last comment about it being difficult to PR in Chicago. I've run this now 6 years in a row. Except for this year (ran Twin Cities a week before) and in 2000, I have PR'ed every time. Yes, there are a lot of people but it still is possible. Get there early! There's always next year. | |
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J. Y. from Chicago
(12/6/2004)
"It's difficult to PR here" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I live in Chicago and have run it 7 times. It is still one of my favorite races - the spectators NEVER thin out. With 35,000 runners, it is difficult to PR. I finished at 4:27 this year and we were running through crowds of runners the entire time. The weather is perfect - a little warm since it is now at the beginning of October. Run this one for fun and take in all the great Chicago sights. |
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