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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 731 to 741]
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T. B. from New York
(3/28/2004)
"First Marathon..." (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 ... so keep in mind that I have no comparison. Ran in 2003. The course is great in that it's completely flat and on wide roads. There was only one point around mile 22-23 where there was a bottleneck, amazing considering the number of people. You see the whole of Chicago - it's a great way to see the city. It was a little hot for me, I wouldn't mention it except I was talking with someone that had run the race eight times and they said that (due to the geographical location) it's always either too hot or too cold - second hand info, so take it or leave it as you please. Organization was good. I didn't need a porta-john but I noticed there weren't too many around. I docked a point on the organization rating because it was a little chaotic, especially at the finish - that was more a function of the huge number of entrants though. The worst thing about the run was the pace groups - I was in the 4:15 group which was fine for the first 11 miles, then the guy thought he'd fallen behind on time and started running really fast. I managed to keep up for about 2.5 miles (it drained me though and I think weighed heavily on my time in the end) - most people in the group had dropped out and I saw a few that didn't half collapsed later in the race. (Not my imagination by the way - the splits bear me out). Not the organizers' fault, but definitely give the pace groups a miss. Spectators were great - everyone mentions that. Although I have to say that it is a little spotty - there's huge support in some sections then almost no one for large sections, I suspect that's normal (although having watched the NYC marathon a few times it looked better there). Another point I'd make is that if you're a slowish runner like me (~4:40 after the pace group incident), then most of the spectators have packed up and gone home by the time you finish. Was very happy on the whole though. The city really makes it marathon day and being that it's a flat course I couldn't imagine that there would be a better place to run your first marathon. | |
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J. L. from Ypsilanti, Mi
(3/10/2004)
"1st time, and doing it again" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon for the first time in 2003 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Fans were great expecially for about the first half and the last 3-4 miles. Great view of a lot of different neighborhoods. The beginning was a bit crowded but it was cool being with all the people going through the same thing you are. I'll probably try a smaller marathon this year just for variety, but mark my word Chicago, I'll be back! | |
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Brandon Roberson from Rome, GA
(3/6/2004)
"Awesome Race, Enough Said!" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is truly my favorite marathon. I have run Boston, and I like the Chicago Marathon much more. The crowds, the course and the organization make this race a very pleasurable experience for both the 1st time marathoner and the veteran. The 2003 race was my 3rd run through the Windy City, and all 3 times I have run 2:58, so I guess you could say the course is consistent. I like to call it downhill flat! | |
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Brian Timm from Marion, Iowa
(2/19/2004)
"Awesome Experience... Great Course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and something that I never thought I would do until a friend of mine ran it in 2001. I recommend this course to anyone. The crowd support is amazing. A million people lining the streets to cheer you on and making you feel like a rock star or professional athlete. The crowd support does thin out a bit towards the end, but is still great. I don't even remember running the first 14 miles because I was busy people watching and enjoying myself. The water stops were plentiful and the workers very friendly. This is one heck of a way to see the sites of Chicago. The expo was great and very easy to get to. It was also very easy to get your packet despite 40,000 runners. I didn?t even have to wait in line. I would suggest wearing your name on your shirt. You will get everyone cheering you on by name. It will help you make it the entire 26.2 miles. I have very few complaints regarding this marathon. One of them is that the massage tent closed earlier then it was scheduled to, so those of us that ran around five hours did not get the much-needed massage. They need to run more trains the day of the marathon so friends and family can get around easier and quicker. On the other hand, the way the course is set up you can see your friends and family frequently as long as you plan ahead of time. I enjoyed myself tremendously and am currently planning on running it again in October with two first-time marathoners that I have told about the race. I think it is a very runner-friendly course for first-timers. Yes, you may see spectators crossing the course, but it is those same people that that will be cheering you on later in the race. The only other thing that I would like to suggest would be having different flavors of Gatorade at the stops. Lemon-lime gets kind of blah after so long. For those first-time marathoners (those that currently run and those that don?t), I would suggest getting the book called ?The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer?, by David A. Whittset, Forrest Dolgener and Tanjala Kole. It has a great training program that almost guarantees that you will finish the marathon and have the best experience of you life (as I did). | |
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S. E. from Charlotte, NC
(2/4/2004)
"if you don't like crowds, you won't like this crow" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I wanted to run a 'big marathon' after running small ones (Charlotte, NC) and medium ones (Dublin, IRE and Cincinnati). It is a blast to see THAT MANY RUNNERS, all making the big run. What I didn't anticipate is how mentally exhausting having runners on my left, on my right, in front and behind me, for what seemed like the first 16 miles was going to be. I do train alone and realize what role that plays for me in my enjoyment of my running. So, that may be part of training for the the really large race. So as a friend of mine once said about his dog, 'if you don't like dogs, you won't like my dog', I say to those that relate positively to the loneliness of the long-distance runner, 'if you don't like crowds, you won't like this crowd.' But it sure was cool to have run it. | |
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R. D. from Chicago, Illinois
(1/19/2004)
"A World-Class Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was great! The course was flat, the spectators lively and the neighborhood filled with enthusiasm. I am planning to register for the 2004 marathon. The organization was excellent, especially the post-party event at the Navy Pier. | |
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D. B. from Western Wisconsin
(1/16/2004)
"The Best Yet!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've done numerous marathons in many different places... Chicago is my absolute favorite! There is so much going on during the race that if anyone is ever bored, you simply are not looking around you! The ethnic neighborhoods were awesome--both the support of spectators and entertainment. The masses of spectators lined the course the entire way! The food at the finish was awesome. I truly cannot think of one negative for this event! It's no wonder this is such a huge event! | |
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ALFONSO HERNANDEZ from mexico city
(1/8/2004)
"Maravilloso" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was my first marathon ever. Incredible for my performance. I was planning to do 3:20, but things went wrong (I hurt a muscle). I finished in 3:45-something, but I was happy to finish. I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET THIS ONE. | |
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Russ Thurman from Seattle
(12/28/2003)
"Chicago defines the 5 star course rating" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Have run 12 marathons, Chicago has the best, fastest course of them all, by far. Fans are numerous throughout the race, the organization is on par with NYC. If you are reading this looking for a fast course, run Chicago. | |
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Oscar RodrÃguez from Bogotá, Colombia
(12/23/2003)
"The best experience in my life" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a dream... participate in a marathon, and the Chicago Marathon (2003) was the best experience in my life, (and my first marathon). I enjoyed all of it. From the health & fitness expo to the finish of the race. My time was 3:27:05 and I would like participate next year. |
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