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May 18, 2024

Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.5

Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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L. P. from St. Louis. (4/13/2019) "Course was good." (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Flat course was great, but of course there was not much to look at when you're doing 8 loops. Not many spectators either, but that's expected due to the small size of the race. Well organized. You didn't ask, but I would be remiss if I didn't say that the shirt is so so LOUD! Maybe tone it down for next year?
S. K. from Dallas Texas (4/13/2019) "Excellent race, great organization, friendly team." (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wonderful organizers. Make it feel like you are running with the family. Very supportive.
B. B. from USA (4/13/2019) "Regular people get treated like Rock Stars" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Every effort is made to make you feel special. Small field gives them a chance to have the volunteers focus on you. From the designated water bottle table to the folks checking you in, it made me feel like what I imagine the elite racers get treated like. Multiple loops make you famous by the 3rd or fourth time around and people call you out by name and remember you from 25 minutes ago. I loved it.
J. S. from Drexel Hill, PA (5/15/2018) "Fantastic Experience!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race was amazing. I wasn't sure about 8 loops, but I actually really liked it for a number of reasons: made it easier to break up the course mentally, completely prepared for the mild undulations and where the water stops/clock/bottle pickup were by lap 2; feel like you got to know the spectators and volunteers on the course so by lap 3-4 felt like they were really cheering for you personally. And while we're on spectators/volunteers, for such a small race I've never felt more supported by such an enthusiastic crew. Other huge benefit is that it is a runner's race, so passing lanes and water station etiquette were never once an issue. Helped that the weather was perfect. The 6:30 start is also nice, got me back to the hotel and showered without even having to request a late checkout. I spent some time chatting with the race director, and you can see this whole crew is really incredibly invested in making this a great event. Oh, and yes, I qualified (and got to ring the BQ bell they had there)!
G. R. from New York (4/30/2018) "Makes you feel special" (about: 2018) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great marathon. Very well organized. Just the right number of people running. All is geared towards helping you to qualify for Boston. The elite bottle feature is a great plus. Pacers were perfect. The only issue is that the course is not as flat as it may appear. After 18 miles the small ups and downs the course can create difficulties. All in all a great race, highly recommended.
I. B. from Iowa City, IA. (4/29/2018) "Flat and Fast" (about: 2018) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It is hard to find 26 completely flat miles, but the BQ.2 folks have done it. My watch shows 213 feet of gain, which is just a bridge here and there, repeated for 8 laps. It's easier to reach your time goal here because you share it with a bunch of other runners. Because of the way boston breaks down, that group is near your age and gender, which adds to camraderie. My 3:21 group ran in a tight pack until mile 18 or so, when some dropped off the back and a few sped up to reach a more ambitious goal. The pack took a lot of stress out of the day.
W. K. from Campton HIlls, IL (4/24/2018) "Best Boston Qualifier in the world!!!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is designed and managed by runners with a single goal - qualify for Boston! Every runner is treated like an elite runner, from bibs to the water stations to the finish photos and BQ Qualifying bell, this race is America's #1 Boston qualifier. The race directors and their volunteers work diligently and passionately with everything focused toward the runner. The 8 loop course is great for the runners and for the spectators. After a lap or two the runners know what to expect and the spectators get to see their runner 8 times without running themselves all over the county. I love this race!
J. Q. from USA (4/23/2018) "First marathon EVER" (about: 2018) First Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the first marathon I have ever run and I couldn't be happier with my experience. The organization and management of the race was exceptional! I would also like to thank all of those who came out to support and cheer us on. It was so motivational and made it such a fun experience! Counting down the days until Boston!!
Michael Perrone from Illinois (4/23/2018) "Just run your best: BQ.2 will handle the rest" (about: 2018) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After several sub3-hr attempts foiled by suboptimal weather, I had a pretty substantial gorilla on my back. With most of my training partners running Boston, I sought a spring race that would put me on the starting line in Hopkington in 2019. Long story short: I ran my sub3! Here's why: This was an ideal race for my goal as the race directors aim to optimize as many variables as possible short of the weather that can affect race performance. That being said, I was fortunate enough to have an overcast, windless 50F day. Those variables: - Personal Bottle Table: was able to use my own hydration mixture along with stashing some gels in a hydration pack so I didn't have to carry it on the run - Course: 8 laps may sound mentally challenging, but it's exactly the opposite. After the first lap, you take comfort in knowing exactly where each turn, aid station, incline/decline are located. The only Con is that the course is slightly more rolling than advertised, but not to the point that it became an issue - Pacers: There was one 3:01 pacer that began the race with us, and another who joined after 2 laps who stayed with those of us shooting for sub-3hr. This above everything was the best amenity because as my body was screaming to stop during the last lap, I was able to focus on just keeping up with my pacer, knowing that he would run me in under my goal time. - Spectators: seeing family and friends 8x is monumental in terms of motivation, but also allows you to shed/add gear or nutrition during the race. - The field: the other runners in your pack all want the same thing, and a sense of commodity and shared determination develops along the run that feeds your performance. If your goal is purely to hit a goal time, plain and simple, this is the race for you.
Y. S. from Chicago, IL (4/23/2018) "Amazing race to BQ" (about: 2018) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am grateful to have this race so close from home! Very smooth ran race from the beginning to the end. Amazing energy from the staff and spectators! One slight negative is the course is 8 loops of ~5K. It could be mentally challenging, especially at the end. Highly recommended if you are looking to BQ in the Chicago area!

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