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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 751 to 761]
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A. H. from Brookline, MA
(10/21/2003)
"A race that will be hard to outdo" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 2003 was my first Chicago Marathon and the 3rd marathon overall. What an experience, will be never forgotten. If you get a chance to qualify for the preferred starting positions, do so - it is worth to be up front. Waterstops were adequate, volunteers are well trained and very supportive. Beautiful and flat course, well organized race, and all the opportunities for a PR. The only minor detail they could improve upon is a timing device at each 5K so at the end of the race it'll be easier to track your time and pace throughout the course. Chicago is a beautiful city with awesome people, not one bad experience over the weekend. Expo was great, not too crowded, quick packet pickup... there are nothing but good things to say about this race, what an experience!!! Will be back in 2004! | |
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T. E. from Indiana
(10/21/2003)
"1st-timer... totally awesome experience!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I couldn't have chose a better marathon for my first! The experience was incredible from the expo all the way to the marathon finish. I ran a 4:22, which put me right in a pretty popular pace. Although it was crowded from the start right up to the finish, I had no problem manuevering around other runners. It was part of the experience. The only complaint I had was that people would come to a complete stop in the middle of the road at the water stops. I know I ran into a few of them. Water was plentiful, crowds were abundant & the course was outstanding! For any future first-timers or others wanting additional crowd support, I would suggest wearing a customized shirt with your name, nickname or city on it. Spectators would cheer your name if they could see it. Kudos to the race organizers, the runners & the spectators! | |
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W. H. from San Diego
(10/19/2003)
"The Best!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 19 marathons and this was THE best organized, BEST fan support and most interesting neighborhood scenery. I thought it was going to be boring and flat, but it was great running through the different areas. I have done NY, Boston, San Diego, LA, San Fran, and this was significantly better. Nothing beats the awe around Boston, but this was so well done by Chicago, that it deserves the nod. | |
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R. G. from Walled Lake, MI (Originally from Boston, MA)
(10/18/2003)
"First marathon, great experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and what a great experience! The expo was great. The registration was very organized. Accommodations in Chicago were great. Originally from Boston, I have always wanted to run a marathon (wonder why?). Being a sprinter in college made the transition challenging. Then to run the marathon in the memory of a friend of mine from home who passed away made it all that more special. The course was great, such a great city. The crowd - UNBELIEVABLE! So many people cheering you on. I was so glad I did not train with a walkman and ran the marathon without one as well. Listening to the crowd along the course was just fun. My only complaint was at the finish, a little clustered, but what do I know, it was my first one?! I can't wait for next year's and someday get back home to run the Boston! | |
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Jennifer Starr from Princeton, New Jersey
(10/18/2003)
"2003 Chicago Marathon - Excellent!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I don't think I could have picked a better one to introduce me to this new world of marathoning!! I smiled the ENTIRE time. The course was great, wonderful neighborhoods that changed it up and kept things interesting (there is a little lag toward the end when you are by the highway for a short time, but they had a band there to keep up our spirits) and it was a flat course (save a tiny bit of energy for a little incline just before the finish line)! The spectators were INCREDIBLE, very vocal and energetic. I wore my name on my shirt and felt like EVERYONE was yelling for me!! The aid stations were full and the volunteers were very friendly, with every cup of water handed to me, I also heard, 'Good Job!!' I highly recommend this for first-timers, it will make you want to run more marathons!! Good job Chicago!! | |
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Glen Castro from Illinois
(10/18/2003)
"Very crowded - but I loved it!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although I'm a Chicago-area resident, it took the marathon to appreciate the people of Chicago. A million spectators showed up to cheer on the 40,000 runners this year. Every neighborhood put on a show from a Chinese dragon to bagpipes to gay cheerleaders. Course was excellent - very flat, only a couple small overpasses including one near the end that makes you wonder about the organizer's sense of humor. Only drawback was trying to find friends in the huge crowd at finish. | |
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M. B. from Palo Alto, CA
(10/16/2003)
"Awesome Fun!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great time! I used to live in Chicago, so it was great to get back and see the city in a whole new way. The route takes you through some great neighborhoods and the crowds are fantastic. It seems like the whole city comes out to support it. Organization was very good. Considering there were 35,000 or so starters this year, there were very few bottlenecks once the race began. Highly recommended. | |
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d. g. from toronto, ontario
(10/16/2003)
"The Superbowl of Marathons" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you want to feel like Neil Armstrong, the Beatles, and the Pope all rolled into one, run this race. The crowd support is spectacular; the whole damn city is lining the course, and they are loud and positive. Organization is perfect: we walked right up at the expo and got our bibs and goodie bag with no wait. On raceday, the field never really thins out much, but I was never jostled or impeded. Lots of aid stations, port-a-potties, etc. I had never been to Chicago. I can tell the citizens of Chicago know what a showcase this event is for their great town. | |
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M. P. from Chicago
(10/16/2003)
"Improved Crowd Management" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I enjoyed running 2003's race much more than in years past because of the preferred and competetive starting. I was fortunate enough to run in the preferred start group and was able to catch up to the 3:00 pace group. I was not hampered by slower runners running in the wrong pace group, and was able to set a PR. Much needed and improved race start. | |
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T. J. from San Francisco, CA
(10/16/2003)
"All it's cracked up to be!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This race really did live up to its reputation. It's flat, very fast even on a hot day like this year, and the crowds are absolutely amazing. It's the perfect big marathon. Having said that, I know the organizers are looking for things to improve, so... There are way more spectators on the first half than on the second when you really need them. Running the course in reverse and finish through downtown would make it even better, but I realize the traffic impact would be greater, too. And this is a big one: 2003 was the first year with qualified starting positions. THERE MUST BE DESIGNATED TOILETS IN THE CORRALS since we have to line up 15 mins early and the toilet lines outside are hideous. I had to start on a full... ahem... tank and was forced to a pit stop at mile 5. My finish time was 3:00:32, so can you imagine how frustrating that is? I'm dinging you a star for that on the otherwise impeccable organization. |
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