Dec 23, 2024
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☰
Fox Valley Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Fox Valley Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.6 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 431 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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J. S. from Downers Grove, IL
(9/28/2023)
"Mostly Flat Small Town Race Along Scenic Fox River" (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros: -Scenic - most of race follows the trail along the Fox River -Race shirt - love when races don't do an ugly color shirt made of tech material. This year's was a nice light red color with a vintage design and a nice fabric so it can be worn casually or on a run -Well organized - spectator guide in particular was helpful in organizing our group for race day. -Go Brewing - glad to see support for that brewery -Thank you for dropping the steep hill early on in the race from prior years, that was a killer Cons: -Time of year - most years it will be warm in mid/late September. We got lucky this year with cooler temps and rain, but I've run during the hotter years and it's miserable. Part of the timing is done to sell spots in the 20 miler leading up to the larger fall races, which I understand. But I would gladly run this race in mid-late October. -Water stations - volunteers did not want to get wet, so laid cups out on a table for runners to grab. Without the handoff, faster runners had to kill momentum at water stations by stopping to grab water. Water was in plastic cups - please use paper next time. Plastic cups cannot be pinched to create a funnel -Expo - no bathrooms, which seems odd for an event where most participants are hydrating like crazy the day before Overall a nice race that I've run 3 times, and am likely to run again. Some minor constructive feedbacks but all things that could be adjusted. I ran my 10th and 20th marathons at FVM, so I may need to return for my 30th. | |
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K. R. from Hudson Valley, NY
(3/8/2022)
"Dissapointed in the RD" (about: 2021)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I ran this as my Illinois marathon (50 stater) and knew about the black flagged race from 2 years prior (running a marathon in September, we take that chance, which I was aware of) and when the facebook page started alarming people a few days ahead of time that they may put a red or black flag in place due to the forecast, it was pretty much set in stone ahead of time that that would likely happen. I too (as the previous commenter) was told at mile 12 that I had to do the 20 mile course and could not complete the marathon. I asked what would happen if I did it anyway and they said it would be unsupported (I found out after that it was still supported, and in addition the timing mat was still running at the turn around on the 10k out and back portion of the course. Also a few people did get marathon times with slower times than I would have had - totally unfair) - so I only had to run 3.1 more miles from where they told me to continue onto the 20 mile course (and skip 10k out and back section) to get across that timing mat, which would have recorded me as a marathoner. Instead, I chose to do an extra 10K on my own (not on the out and back portion) so I got a 20 mile time for 26.2 miles. When I asked the RD if I could submit my gps time and be entered as a marathoner in the virtual race, I was told no (I was not asking to be put into the official results). It would have done NO HARM to put me (and many others who asked) into the virtual results as marathoners since many did the same thing that I did. In retrospect, I wish I had just done the out and back portion and caught the mat, then I would have had a marathon time. The RD should have considered these requests. I am very unimpressed with this race due to the way he responded to us. If you want to do an IL marathon, do one later in the year since this RD will cancel or shorten the race if it's hot. | |
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Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan, USA
(9/21/2021)
"1000 Volunteers, but a Total Waste of Time & Money" (about: 2021)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I registered for this run in early 2020, at the suggestion & recommendation of a marathon friend from St. Charles. Because of the China virus, the race for 2020 was cancelled and I was deferred to 2021. I say that to the credit of the race director. Being an RD myself, I know that typically when races are cancelled, it is 'tough luck' for the registered runners. Besides that, this race has roads closed to accommodate the runners. And they can not leave the course open all day. I understand that. So their policy is to stop timing at the 6-hour point, and 'roll up the timing mat', as the saying goes. Sometimes there is an accommodation for slower runners to begin an hour early - or let runners keep track of their own time, and report their finish time to the timing officials afterwards - or keep the clock going for a while after the course is closed. None of these options were available for this event. I specifically asked the RD for these considerations ahead of time, because I sometimes exceed six hours on the course,and my requests were denied. Having dealt with cramping issues in my legs the last few marathons, I knew I had to have a good performance to finish in under six hours. Still, I had paid, and had the time, so I chose to participate. Approaching the half-way point, I was on my game. Almost to the 12-mile marker, two women standing there were telling the marathon runners that the marathon course was now 'closed' and that we had to transition to the 20-mile course. I was shocked and stunned. And it simply was not that hot. I have run and completed marathons in 98-degree temperatures - in the sun: Sun River, Oregon, June 2008. This course was mostly shaded, and it was not that hot - maybe 80 degrees; but that is only a guess. So I was forced onto the return course at mile post 18 and then finished the race. They cut a 10K distance out of the marathon course! So my comments follow: No one - to my knowledge - passed out or died on the course from heat exhaustion. And we all signed waivers so the RD/race committee can not be held liable for the risks we take as runners to participate in a marathon. And we were running in the shade. It simply was not that hot. To be fair, I will acknowledge that the last mile is on a coned off portion of the road, and there is no protection from the sun and heat there, but it is at the end of the race. I drove over 8-hours to participate in this race, and I had my canine companion along. It was a great effort and expensive to get to St. Charles. Then I have the rug pulled out from under my feet. So I am not a happy camper. This reminds me of Myrtle Beach in February of 2010 that was cancelled in the middle of the night before the race, for a small accumulation of snow - which was mostly melted by day-break, and then Virginia Beach in 2020. They gave out medals that mean absolutely nothing. Now I have one more medal hanging on the wall that means absolutely nothing. So I finished the course, completing the 20 mile run, I received a marathon finisher's medal, and I have no time that was recorded by the timing equipment. What a joke. It is like I started the race and disappeared into thin air, and there is no tracking or accountability for their participants. I will not pay to run this race again. There are plenty of races out there that are much more accommodation of their runners (participants) than this organization is. | |
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R. P. from Illinois
(9/20/2021)
"Confusing communications" (about: 2021)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 After running many marathons, this was one of the most frustrating races I participated in. The race was turned into an 'unsupported race' and 'run at your own risk' after 2.5 hours when it was not even 80 degrees. I finished with support from my family. Oddly, many of the water stops were still manned after the race was black-flagged. Slower marathoners stay away from this race, there are better races anywhere. | |
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S. A. from Twin Cities, Minnesota
(10/13/2018)
"Race aims to please" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Positives: Friendly staff and volunteers, a fair amount of shade, starting area was not crowded, it's a pretty area of Chicagoland. Negatives: A couple miles early in the race had more hills than advertised, part of race is on a shared path with recreational bicyclists, parts of the route are extremely narrow, the last few miles are chaotic as decently fast marathoners are mixed in with not as fast 20-milers and pretty slow half-marathoners. | |
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K. K. from Illinois
(9/20/2018)
"Poor communication" (about: 2018)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the entire marathon only to be told when I finished they turned off the clocks at 4:50 (16) minutes before I crossed the line. At 69, I did not expect to be first, except maybe in my age group. We knew it was black flagged, but no volunteer anywhere on the course said the finishers' clock would be turned off. We all knew 6 hours was the course limit for timing, so shutting down before that was disrespectful to runners. | |
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M. S. from IL
(9/19/2018)
"Gone Downhill" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I have run this race every year since it began, and it is painful to see how each year it continues to go downhill. The course now winds more through the towns than it used to (presumably to get you to shop there) rather than on the shaded path. If you are a 4+ hour marathon finisher, the post race food is unappealing and covered by flies. Last straw was the lack of communication to runners when they black flagged the race this year. I was at mile 23, made to walk, but told my time would count. Only to round the last turn to see they had removed the clocks and timing mats. I finished the marathon, but have nothing to show for it. If the clock is turned off for 'runner safety', then all the runners should be transported back to the finish. | |
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C. B. from Chicagoland
(9/21/2017)
"Love this marathon!" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second Fox Valley Marathon and my second BQ there. It has been a wonderful experience each time. This year saw hot temps, but that is the chance that you take with a September marathon. The course is gently rolling in spots, flat in others, but consistently shady, except for the last mile and a half or so. It is a lovely riverfront trail for most of the way, but can get narrow and congested in spots, with too many turns. The beauty of the course outweighs the problems, and might not be so congested on a cooler day when fewer people are slowed to a walk. From packet pick-up to parking to the start to aid stations to the finish area, this race ran very smoothly. Even the scary-long porta potty lines moved surprisingly fast. Two suggestions: Use Gatorade Endurance on course and supply cold drinks at the finish. It's just too hard to drink enough hot Gatorade at the finish to rehydrate on a hot day. Also, the Gatorade on course ranged from strong to barely different from plain water. That said, let me emphasize that the volunteers were cheerful and helpful. Spectators didn't line the course as in the big marathons, but they were enthusiastic and provided a huge boost. The personalized bibs were easy to read and allowed spectators to call out runners names. I liked that a lot! The course has its quirks and a few things could be tweaked in the organization, but overall it was a great experience that I will treasure. Another plus: Photos were available almost immediately, so I could see them (and order) while still basking in the glow. | |
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K. O. from TENNESSEE
(9/19/2017)
"Fantastic Race: Shady, Fast, Friendly, Organized" (about: 2017)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Valley Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is a great race. And, if you are looking to BQ, you can run this race and still sign up on Monday of week 2 registration for Boston. The course is fast, flat and shady, although the weather can get hot by race end (82ish). Aid stations are a little far apart, but well staffed and lots of crowd support along the length of the course. Great organization with pre-race info. Mediocre post-race food (no bananas? bagels? chocolate milk?), but very friendly and enthusiastic volunteers. BEWARE!!! The pacers are not necessarily going to run an even race, their posted pace, or meet their goal. Plan to pace yourself and ignore the pace group; you'll be more successful. Overall, however, if you are anywhere near St. Charles, IL, you should run this race every year. | |
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M. S. from Illinois
(9/19/2016)
"Local marathon but not much else" (about: 2016)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Fox Valley Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I have run this marathon twice now, with the same end result. The course - advertised as flat but for a midwestern course it has more ups and downs than we are used to. Advertised as shady, but only in some sections. The last 5 miles, when temps rise and shade is welcomed, is when the shade is sparse if non-existent. This is especially true for those that take in excess of 4 hours to complete the distance. There is no crowd support whatsoever for the majority of the course. The volunteers to a great job of trying to keep you motivated though. This leads into the last comment - the post race celebration area is next to nothing for the late finishers. This past weekends fare consisted of some stale bagels, warm soggy bananas, a few salty chips and bees swarming over anything with a hint of sugar nearby. Needless to say, it was disheartening. |
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