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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: 223 [displaying comments 171 to 181]
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Richard Jones from An Englishman, living in Houston
(6/1/2004)
"Despite the weather, most enjoyable" (General Comments)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first half marathon and despite the awful weather, I would like to congratulate Madison on a job well done! It was well organized, the volunteers were great and enthusiatic even though conditions were truly horrible, the course was interesting and for someone who has not been to Madison before it gives you a great tour of the city. Lastly, all the spectators deserve a big round of applause, as even the rain could not dampen their enthusiasm. Looking forward to next year! | |
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A. P. from Madison, WI
(6/1/2004)
"Great Marathon, Tough Course" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a resident of Madison, I was excited to run my 2nd marathon on my home turf. Overall, I think the marathon was organized quite well. Plenty of water, Gatorade and GU. The volunteers were excellent - they endured the pouring rain to cheer us on. Packet pick-up was easy. Expo was small, but it was a smaller marathon. The course is beautiful and really takes you throughout Madison. I will caution though, this is not a flat course. I would consider this course moderately hilly. Even though I run in Madtown all the time, this course really kicked my butt! | |
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John Keefer from Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
(6/1/2004)
"Great event, but not " (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As others have pointed out previously, the FAQ is misleading. This course definitely is *not* 'relatively flat'. The hills and rain made for a tough day. But it was well organized, the food was great, and the volunteers, staff and spectators were outstanding -- typical polite, helpful, knowledgeable Cheeseheads. Thanks to all! | |
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S. B. from Minneapolis, Minnesota
(6/1/2004)
"Wow!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I heard on the news that everyone who started this race finished. That is amazing considering the pouring rain through most of the day. I know that it was only because of the strength of the organization and volunteers. Thanks to all who made the 26.2 miles easy on us runners! | |
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B. J. from Milwaukee
(6/1/2004)
"Could be top-notch w/ better finish-line festival" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Wow, what a race! We got soaked almost the entire way, but it was great. Great course & great support despite miserably wet conditions. Love the start at the capitol building and the finish along the lake. Great neighborhoods and the UW campus in between, with a nice downhill section through the arboretum around mile 20. My only suggestion is to have a decent finish line festival... then this race would be one of the best. Food is minimal, they run out of almost everything, and then allow these vendors to set-up shop and try and charge way too much money for subs and beer ($4 for a glass - no one was buying). Otherwise, a top marathon, a great city, and a fun experience. | |
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Emily Becker from Hubertus, WI
(5/31/2004)
"My first time -- went well for 1/2 marathon" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ok, so this was my first 1/2 marathon, and things went really well. There was plenty of water, and then Gatorade starting around mile 4. The spectators were on the scarce side, but nothing gets a person going like seeing a little girl cheering on the runners - it was very uplifting!! I did well, despite the rain; I received 41st place for the 1/2 marathon. Overall, what an awsome experience from the actual race to the volunteers to the people I met in the race!! | |
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S. S. from Madison Wisconsin
(5/31/2004)
"Definitely a race worth doing!!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race keeps improving. I did the 1/2 last year and the marathon this year. The dedication of the volunteers in a torrential downpour was amazing. While the crowd support was light, the volunteers made up for it at the water stops. Overall, I think the course is pretty good, winding by both Lake Mendota and Monona as well as the arboretum. The only thing to be weary of is the Gatorade, it was ROTTEN! I carried my own and was thankful I did. | |
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M. S. from Minneapolis
(5/30/2004)
"Small yet well organized" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Madison Marathon (Mad City Marathon)s
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Ran the Mad City Marathon for my 3rd time today. The weather was awful. Drenching rain nearly the whole race. Bad enough for the runners, but miserable for the volunteers. Many thanks to all of them. This is a low key race on a nice course through a great city. It was also very interesting to hear Frank Shorter's talk at the pasta dinner. Thank you, Madison. Keep up the good work. I'll be back. | |
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K. U. from Madison, WI
(12/28/2003)
"This marathon could have potential someday..." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I am from Madison, and was a bit disappointed with this race. The three things that really stick out are: 1) the lack of spectators. Why was there no publicity on the event prior to the race to get some local Madisonians out cheering? 2)the pedestrian bridge at the end... How BRUTAL! 3) What about food for the finishers? I finished at a decent time of 3:54, and there was no food left. I think there is so much potential for this marathon to become one of the best in the U.S. The course really covers the best of Madison, and is laid out quite well. | |
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M. B. from Muscatine, IA
(12/7/2003)
"I'LL BE BACK!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I'm addicted. I experienced perfect weather. The scenery was absolutely wonderful, which is needed when you're running for that long. You run past several lakes, on paved trails, and throughout the college city. The spectators were great too, they gave me a great pick me up when I needed it the most. Also, those who offer vaseline are very much appreciated, as are those who are passing out water and offering sprinklers to run through. People at the finish line are very helpful, offering huge bottles of water and assistance with removing the timers. The after-race party leaves a lot to be desired. I finished in 4:26 and there was no fruit left in the tent which was a little disappointing since all I thought about during my last couple miles was biting into a juicy orange. Thank you coordinators and fellow racers for making my first marathon experience one I'll remember for a lifetime! |
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