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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 741 to 751]
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Clive Mellor from Rochdale, England
(11/25/2003)
"Wonderful day" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience of the Chicago Marathon. This was my second marathon after running London in 2002 and I found the atmosphere and excellent organization comparable between the two of them. The race was tough but this was mainly down to me starting too quickly and the warm weather which, despite drinking at every water station, made me very dehydrated. The locals were exceptionally friendly and it was great to run through the various neighborhoods, which most tourists would not normally see. If at all possible I would love to run the race again next year and beat my time of 3:40. I would, without reservation, recommend both the race and the city to any visitor. | |
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S. L. from Silver Spring, MD
(11/14/2003)
"An amazing race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is simply an amazing race. Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the U.S and the marathon shows that. Yes, the course is crowded, but even as a middle-of-the-pack runner I didn't think it was a negative to the race. With 35,000+ runners, what can you expect. The expo is amazing and I couldn't believe how quickly I was able to walk in and get my bib. As for the race, the spectators are amazing, especially in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park/Boystown. There was so much enthusiasm. When my friends ask me why I run marathons, I can only think to the feelings and experience I had in Chicago. I will definitely be back. | |
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A. P. from Madison, WI
(11/4/2003)
"First Time - Unforgettable!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon - especially for a first-time runner. The atmosphere, spectators and race organization are all excellent and really keep you motivated the whole way! Plus, Chicago is a pretty amazing city to run through. Enjoy! | |
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T. D. from Westport, Connecticut
(11/2/2003)
"A wonderful experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my 3rd marathon and it is a great race. The organization is very smooth, the course is totally flat (and not boring) and there are good crowds pretty much throughout the race. The new preferred/competitive start worked very well for people who want to run a little faster than the pack. And the pacing team are a great help to getting people round the course at all levels. Thank you to all the spectators, the organizers and friendly runners - this is one of the world's best. (And thank you to the lady with the 'Boston Bound' sign - you helped me get inside qualification time by less than a minute)! | |
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S. K. from Batavia, Illinois
(11/1/2003)
"Experience Of A Lifetime" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, both in Chicago. If you want to feel like a rock star, just put your name on the front of your shirt -- these folks will yell your name out loud and long! As great as the spectators are, there needs to be some improvement in crowd control. There were some parts in the second half that remind you of those shots in the Tour De France, where the road is so crowded you can barely get through. Other than that, everything the other posters say here is true and then some. | |
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Richard Bloomberg from Chicago
(10/29/2003)
"Great support and fast course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is fast with no hills. The crowds, which are very large throughout the whole race, are very supportive and help keep you going when you get tired. There were plenty of aid stations that had water and Gatorade, as well as many first aid stations along the course to get Band-Aids, Vaseline, etc. I enjoyed the experience so much that I plan on doing the marathon in 2004. Also a great marathon for a first-timer. | |
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Geoff Martin from Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
(10/29/2003)
"Fantastic" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a wonderful experience. Such wonderful organization, from the expo, to the 5km on Sat to the marathon. This was my 34th marathon and it was the most fun. Super course. Wonderful spectators and wonderful volunteers. You guys sure know how to staff the water stations, so many great folks cheering us on. I have run in New York and Boston and in my opinion you have them beat by a mile. It is so nice to wake up at a reasonable hour and stroll to the start. You guys have all the bases covered. Gotta get Covergirl back for next year's post-race party,those folks rock. Not having been in Chicago before I was amazed at how clean the city was, and how very scenic. Loved running through the various ethnic areas. It is so great to have so much support as it means a lot to us slower runners. This is one marathon that my friends and I will make our annual fall race. Thanks to one and all for putting on a superb race for us. You guys rock. | |
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C. T. from Brentwood, CA
(10/27/2003)
"Simply Awesome!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An incredible running experience. The organization, the pre-race pasta dinner... everything was superb! The amount of crowd support just blew me away! | |
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D. W. from Belvidere, Illinois
(10/27/2003)
"Best course ever!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 27th marathon and my 7th Chicago. The best route yet. My first marathon after having my thyroid zapped with radiation. This one was for my Dad and the cancer team. In memory of Dad. Sweet home Chicago!!! | |
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D. F. from Wilton, CT
(10/23/2003)
"Great organization and support, too crowded" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Note: this was my first marathon, so I have a limited frame of reference. Course: Flat and interesting for the visiting runner. You see all parts of this great city. Aid stations were great and well run. I missed a few of the mile markers (especially in the beginning) which caused a little anxiety when trying to measure my pace. Once you are outside of downtown, there is limited shade(which would have helped this year with the warm temperatures). Organization: Tremendous. From the registration to the expo to the spectator's guide (I was able to set up meeting points to see my wife and daughter 3 times along the course). Dealing with the shuttle buses to and from the expo was a little hectic, but not too bad considering the amount of runners. While the CTA promoted using public transportation the day of the race, it sounds as if it was a bit overcrowded (packed trains, long lines to get onto the El especially at the end). Perhaps more trains in service next time? I also thought that the Runner Reunite area was a little too hectic especially after you have run 26.2. Perhaps space out the meeting stations or give out the locations of where each letter will be in advance. As I mention below, I think 40,000 runners are too many for this course, especially if you are a middle-of-the-packer or a first-timer. Spectators: Unbelievable. Crowd support was great the whole way, especially the first 10 miles. When you head down Broadway from Wrigleyville to downtown, you really feel energized (those were my fastest miles). Biggest complaint here was the amount of people trying to cross the course in front of the runners -- especially the people who would stop right in the middle of the street. I can't tell you how many times I had to dodge someone or completely stop. Overall, a well organized event and fun weekend. First-timers: take into consideration the large amount of runners before picking this as your first race. I found the large numbers a bit overwhelming, especially at the start. If you are used to running smaller, local races, you be amazed at how many people there are. Also note that if you are shooting for a 4-hour finish (like I was) you will be running with a large pack of people the entire way. Some might find this distracting, others might like this. If you have a very soft time goal (i.e. just shooting to finish), then this might not be a big deal. I think I would prefer a smaller race if I had to do my first one again as I would have liked to enjoy this one more. I would consider doing Chicago again because I love the city and how well organized the event is, but not if they increase the amount of runners. |
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