May 16, 2024
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Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon) Runner Comments
Back to Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon) Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 222 [displaying comments 211 to 221]
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A Runner from Atlanta, GA
(6/6/2001)
 "beautiful weather and course." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The terrain and weather on this course were almost perfect. There were a few too many twists and turns in the end and concrete covered this mostly open course. I was disappointed that this race did not have water and gatorade at the finish line party and that there were terrible refreshments. The goody bags contained useless items.There should have been replacement fluids at the finish line. All that was available was smoothie stuff. The advertisement in the area was poor.The host hotel was in the middle of nowhere and should have been near the capital. I suggest staying near the start at The Best Western Inn on the Park. They need to do a lot of work to wine and dine the runners if they want people to return and if they want to grow the race. The expo was small and disappointing. This is a race with a lot of potential to be great but needs some work and the right people planning and running it. I did enjoy the actual race. | |
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A Runner from madison
(6/4/2001)
 "Nice route, well done" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a local who's run this in 1994, 2000 and 2001. The big variable is the weather. It can be hot and humid, cool and rainy, or (like the last two years) nearly ideal for running with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. The course is very pretty. This year the course actually crossed itself (at about miles 23 and 24) because of road construction. The construction also put the course out on a busy concrete street at the beginning of mile 25. Normally, that mile is run on a quiet street next to a bay with a good view of the Madison skyline. The route always has a lot of turns in the last 3 miles, though I can't say that much matters to me. And while the course is more hilly than Milwaukee or Chicago, I think that's because Madison is just more rolling than eastern Wis and northern Ill. My only minor complaint was having to wait 15 minutes for a bus back to the start. This was the first year for the current organizer, though, and I thought all-in-all it was very well done. | |
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Jim patton from Seminole, Florida
(6/4/2001)
"Great course, hilly but very scenic." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Being from Florida I have to say it was a hilly course but the views around the lakes and through residential and campus areas made the time seem to go by quickly. The start in front of the Capital was really nice, as to the previous comment about no American Flag the flag was flying from the Capital building and most of the people around me were facing it during the National Anthem. The volunteers and spectators on the course were very supportive. I think this will grow into a first class marathon and with it some of the small inconveniences such as short periods on the sidewalks will have to be corrected. Overall I have to rate this as one of the best marathons that I have run and that includes the previous 29. | |
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A Runner from Madison, WI
(6/4/2001)
"Mad about MadCity" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a well organized race with great volunteers and I love it because it is run on streets I train on. The start at the Capitol and run down State Street are my favorites. The course could flatten out a bit, there are some hills that cause you grief late in the race (at least they did me in). There are also not many good spots to watch the race since it winds around so much, which is probably why there aren't many spectators. The race could benefit by being on a different weekend, since Syttende Mai is run two weeks earlier. The T-shirt is nice, but it is the first race shirt I own that doesn't have a sponsor(s) on the back. Overall, I love the race and will run the 1/2 or full marathon in the future. | |
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A Runner from green bay, WI
(6/3/2001)
"needs sponsorship for better expo" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Positives: beautiful course, the volunteers were great! problems: expo---I like posters and other souvenirs...I put a lot of time into training for marathons and buying another t-shirt doesn't do it for me. For the entry fee you'd expect something in the race packet--a powerbar perhaps finish line roped off--to keep nonrunners from getting to the food they roped off the finish line....but it also prevents our family from coming to our aid when we finish....my husband couldn't get into the ropes when he 'knew' I was in the medical tent. Madison is a beautiful city to run in....but if the expo and amenities don't improve it won't grow on beauty alone. | |
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A Runner from Ames, Ia
(5/31/2001)
 "Absolutely beautiful." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Nice rolling course. I felt the miles passed quickly, due to the variety in the scenery. City, lakeside, neighborhood, forrest, university, constant change. Great water stops. The EMS on bicycles let runners know that help was always near. Enough runners you did not feel like you were running alone, but not too many, easy to fall into your pace. | |
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A Runner from Chicago, IL
(5/30/2001)
 "Tree Lined City Marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 On the positive side I would list Over 90% of the roads were shaded by trees Lots of wonderful lakeside views Finisher shirt was nicely done Great weather On the needs-to-improve side I would list Hilly compared to Chicago (my local marathon) Small mile markers (I question their accuracy) Some tight, shared sidewalks toward the end Lots of turns especially in the last few miles Announcer congratulated a man for being the first woman to finish No American flag for the National Anthem (on Memorial Day weekend) No spectator?s guide Expo too small (4 real vendors) ? need more local vendors like New Balance No Mad-City Marathon polo shirts (only t-shirts) No salty foods at aid stations No suggestion forms I do need to give the Madison Festivals, Inc. and the Events Services of Madison credit for doing a great job on their first marathon. Thank you! | |
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A Runner from Houston, TX
(5/29/2001)
"spectacular course in a great city" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a gorgeous course that showcases the natural highlights of a wonderful city. The marathon takes you by each of the three lakes surrounding Madison and also through the shady UW Arboretum. The weather was absolutely perfect, with a starting temperature of about 50 and a finishing temp of about 60 - clear and sunny the whole way. This was my first ever marathon, and to that end, it was a good course to begin on. Runners seemed to be pretty evenly divided on the 'hill issue': those from flatter areas considered the course a little hilly, whereas those from more hilly areas thought it to be not that bad. Regardless, there are no steep climbs at any point; all inclines and declines are gradual. There wasn't the sort of crowd you might expect at a big-city marathon, but there were quite a few supporters out there, all of whom were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Madison is the home of US running sensation Rod DeHaven, who spoke at the evening-before 'Carbo-load dinner,' and the air of excitement about his recent accomplishments seems to have infected the running community there with a certain enthusiasm that made running the race all the more exhilarating. | |
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A Runner from madison, wisconsin, u.s.a.
(5/27/2001)
 "above-average marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Poor race expo. Good organization. Great volunteers. | |
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Kris J. Pomplun from Tampa, Florida
(4/19/2001)
"A diamond in the 'not so rough'" (about: 1996)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have fond memories of this Marathon because this is where I ran my PR! I have tried to come close (Chicago), but it must be something about the Wisconsin air that had me cruising that day. Try it...You will like it. Sincerely, Kris J. Pomplun Runner |
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