Wisconsin Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.0

Organization 4.2

Spectators 3.4

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Number of comments: 91 [displaying comments 91 to 91]

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T. C. from MIlwaukee WI (5/2/2009)

"Nice inaugural race, but I wish that..." (about: 2009)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Wisconsin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3

Expo: could be bigger but packet pickup at the hotel was easy.

Weather: mid 40s at start (7 a.m.) and mid 50s at finish (10:30 a.m.). A light headwind and a warm sun made things a little challenging, but none of this is within the RD's control.

Parking: ample and not congested, probably due to the small size of the race.

Timing chip: the adhesive on my new disposable chip (or shall I say timing band) didn't stick, so I had to hold it together with a safety pin. Not sure if it affected the timing pads since I didn't hear them going off when I pass them.

Start area: there's no shelter at the start so getting there early and waiting outside could be a bit chilly for the runners. Maybe the public museums can open their doors offering restricted access to the runners before start? Long lines for the porta-potties.

Course: a straight forward out-and-back and fairly flat course, except for two long, rolling hills (a mile each?) around mile 7-8. Plenty of aid stations stocked with water and Heed (I committed a racing cardinal sin by trying Heed, and fortunately it worked well for me - better than Gatorade or PowerAde, in my opinion). Mile marker are highly visible, which is good. Didn't see any gel at Mile 17. Not sure if I missed it or they ran out. The map in the packet was slightly off. I found out that the course was re-routed, re-measured and re-certified two days before the race. I don't recall that being communicated via email. Spectators didn't have the correct map, so they probably couldn't catch their runners at various spots on the course. Some of the dog owners in the neighborhoods should put their pets on leash. The dogs were running around at full speed and I worried about get knocked down by them (it happened to me once on a training run). Very few people were out watching the race even on a nice day.

Finish area: fairly organized; food included apples, bananas, chips, water, and one free brats and beer.

Volunteers: they were great. I really think that was the best part of the race.

Now the wish list: Pace teams; announce any changes such as routes at packet pickup/start line; add more porta-potties at the start and on the course; add more food items, and let us have at least two brats and unlimited beer; use the regular chip to be green and avoid adding more trash; get someone to sing the National Anthem.

This was a good experience for someone like me, who mostly cares about race times and food. I got a PR and want to send a big "thank you" to everyone who put it together! I'll mostly likely be back next year.

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