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Chicago Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Chicago Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 950 [displaying comments 461 to 471]
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A. H. from Chicago, IL
(10/8/2007)
"2007 was War-Zone Horrible" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Last year's race, 2006 was fantastic. I rated it all 5's. Organized and in my opinion, flawless. I was proud to be from the area. This year's was like something out of a nightmare. 1/3 of all of the runners that made it to the starting line didn't finish. It was hot and humid, I'll give them that. But, it was doable with the proper and BASIC amenities. I ran in the 5:30 pace group. There was even a pace group behind us and a ton of people behind us still. There was no gatorade at the first rest stop. That wasn't great, but it was doable. The second stop had nothing. No water or gatorade. At the rest of the stops it was a fight to get water. Either there was no water to fill cups or no cups. I had gatorade once on 16 miles of the course because there was none to hand out. They started breaking down the tables because there was nothing to hand out. I read an article with a race official saying they didn't run out of anything. They are either not being truthful or they just don't know how bad it was. You don't break down tables if you have plenty of supplies. I couldn't have gotten through as far as I did without the spectators though. They provided ice and water to anyone they could give it to. There wasn't much cheering. Just people scrambling to get runners water. Some runners even stopped at local fast food restaurants and convenience stores to get gatorade because there was none. The medi tents were full. People were lying on the sides of the road. It was so bad, they ran out of ambulances to help everyone. They had to pull ambulances from suburbs. They cut the race short at mile 16 for me.On the way back, there were helicopters, ambulances all over the place. The hydrants were all opened. It was a mess. When we were herded at the finish, they gave us our medals but announced that the run was now going to be designated a 'fun run' instead of a marathon. That was irritating to no end. | |
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r. h. from chicago
(10/8/2007)
"Ran out of water." (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Yes it was unexepectedly hot. But people knew what the weather would be a week before. But the organizers didn't? Their contingency plan was to cancel the race. Not to have more water or gatorade available - but to cancel the race after a few hours. Poor planning and a poor reflection of what is supposed to be one of the best marathons in the world. Not a good way to celebrate it's 30th anniversary. Except for the fans - this year was a disaster. Thank you for all the people giving out water from their own homes since the city and event organizers couldn't provide it for us. | |
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F. C. from Guadalajara, Mexico
(10/8/2007)
"Send my next 2008 inscription free" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I was prepared to finish the marathon in less than six hours and I spent money to come here. Now, I don't have any evidence that I finished the race... There was no WATER and the street was closed before the finish line... I want to comeback to the next 2008 Chicago Marathon and request my inscription free. Thank You. | |
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J. D. from Chicago, IL
(10/8/2007)
"Give em' a break!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Ok, so by now everyone's heard about the fiasco that was the 2007 Chicago marathon. Don't let all the bad press detract you from running next year (or any other year, for that matter). I've run this race 7 years in a row, and it's simply the best, most well-run race that I've experienced (of the 20 I've run). This year was unfortunate because of the weather (record temps - 88 degrees), but the race directors did the best they could under the circumstances. They were in a lose/lose situation. If they cancelled the race before the start, people would have gone nuts. Anyone who was out on that course had to see NUMEROUS bodies laying on the streets and sidewalks. Calling the race off at 3 1/2 hours was the responsible thing to do. There simply weren't enough medical personnel to handle the injuries, and the emergency rooms were full! I can't comment on the lack of water, because there was water available the whole time I was out there (I limped in at 5 hrs 30). The only thing I noticed was that the water station in Chinatown was abandoned by the volunteers, but the water was still there, so we helped ourselves. The spectators and other volunteers were out there til the bitter end (and it was bitter), they and the course staff all deserve a pat on the back for a job well done under terrible circumstances. | |
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E. S. from Chicagoland
(10/8/2007)
"2007 was disastrous!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I have run Chicago 7 times now. It is normally a wonderful marathon. However, given the heat forecasts for ONE WEEK PRIOR to the race, it is absolutely ludicrous that there was not enough water and gatorade! The marathon director told people to keep cool, pour water over your head. So why do they use that as an excuse for not enough water? And, how dare Carey Pinkowski get on t.v. and say there was enough fluids at all aid stations! I was towards the back and by mile one, there was no water! The tables were taken down, no volunteers in site, and no water, gatorade or anything! And, how dare the Chicago Tribune to blame the RUNNERS! Most were totally prepared for the heat. But when you pay $120.00 for an entry fee, you expect fluids to be provided! Pinkowski should have had 5x the amount anticipated! There is NO EXCUSE! Thank God for the spectators, they saved many lives, I'm certain! They handed out ice, water, gatorade, and sprayed us down with hoses. Kudos to them and the poor volunteers who were standing there helplessly without fluids for us and watching people fall... | |
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D. K. from Madison, WI
(10/8/2007)
"Complete failure by marathon and city 'officials'" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The 2007 Chicago Marathon was a disaster. Too many participants for good weather conditions; in the heat - too many too clueless. They were clueless anyway - darting, shoving, coming up on the heels of others thus taking off ones shoe; throwing empty bottles at will thus striking people. The papers quote many participants as stating they were glad the marathon ended because they were in poor condition. This is inexcusable! These people should not be on the course and should know enough to stop! Their collapses coupled with the total failure of the marathon officials to prepare for the predicted weather lent to shutting down the race early. The marathon ran out of water, Gatorade, and medics within the first hour of the event. There were few adults in control of anything; so many children or young volunteers without direction left in charge of critical stations. In addition, the Chicago Marathon website and multiple newspapers are blatantly providing incorrect information. The police were not warning runners to slow down as they were not anywhere on the course (hence the poor crowd control). Runners who had passed the 1/2-way mark before noon were NOT allowed to finish despite being in good condition. One wonders if this latter was more evidence of the complete lack of communications on the course. The fireman, likely with good intentions, opened all the hydrants full-force on the crowds herded back to the start/finish area. This made the roads dangerous due to the force and cold temperature of the water and the slippery streets. The only bright spot were the citizens of Chicago who bought and handed out water and ice; and provided cooling mist from home hoses. Shame on the marathon officials for spinning stories about what really happened. | |
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G. T. from Libertyville, Illinois
(10/8/2007)
"Some like it hot, I don't" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 8th marathon and 6th Chicago. Not trying for anything fancy this year with the hot weather because I achieved a Boston Qualifier time last year. I was shooting for a 3:50 but ended up walking a considerable length of the course just trying to be safe. I thought the hydration stations were well-run until I got to the water station at the 23.2 mark. That station was relatively un-manned compared to the previous stations. I don't blame some of the volunteers for vacating their post as it was in an awful hot part of the course. Organizers need to take care of the volunteers as well as the runners. I think the race officials did the right thing by closing down the course, runners were dropping right and left. Don't base your opinion of the Chicago Marathon on this one folks-it was a record high for the date. | |
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C. N. from USA
(10/8/2007)
"2007 - Dangerous conditions made worse" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 This was my 6th Chicago marathon...no complaints until 2007. I was just appalled at the lack of preparations around insuring there were adequate water and gatorade supplies for us runners, on such a HOT day. The National Weather Service had it in their forecast since TUESDAY, 10/2/07 that the temps would approach 86F with humid conditions. They had plenty of time to plan accordingly, assuming runners would be taking multiple portions of drinks, as well they should in those conditions. Not only was every water stop (even the 1st!) running low or out of supplies, but I was told to only take ONE. Sorry, but with 88F temps, I NEED 2. No wonder you had so many medical emergencies, and sadly a death. The local news indicated it was the Chicago Fire/Police Dept that forced the RD to call the race; they didn't have enough ambulances to handle all the casualties. The entry fee is STEEP - $110. For that you expect hydration support, yet runners had to buy their own at convenience stores, volunteers were begging low-income residents to use their faucets. Those low-income residents should be reimbursed! We runners should be reimbursed as well! This marathon is a BIG disappointment. Lots of hype, lots of fluff, but NO substance. Unless you're an elite I guess; that's clearly who they care about. Sure isn't the average joe. | |
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R. B. from Chicago
(10/8/2007)
"A Failure of Organization" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 This was my 4th Chicago Marathon. No complaints about the previous 3, all superlatives. But for 2007 they did not adequately prepare. It was hot, but that is no excuse. Water stations were either non-existant, under-equipped, or understaffed. The first 2 water stops had folded up and left by the time we got there, and I was in the middle of the pack. From then on people swarmed the stops (moreso than usual) thinking it would be the last chance for fluids. To run out of water for a race of this stature is unforgiveable. Yes, it was hot. But they knew about weather reports for days prior to the race, and seemingly did nothing to prepare. By the time I reached 18, they called the race. We finished the course on our own. A very sad commentary on my home town race. Don't know that I'll run it again unless there are some big changes. | |
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k. c. from Outside Philly
(10/8/2007)
"Great town, great race, horrible weather" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 While it is obvious that Mother Nature and all her many manifestations don't care about Boston PRs and such, the 2007 race was all about the preternatural heat and humidity that spoiled Chicago 'out New York-ing' New York. And while the city can compete with the Big A in almost everything, I doubt that the NYC Marathon would ever have 'real feel' temps in the nineties. But then again, these are climatologically strange times, so who knows? Having run in nine marathons in nine states over eleven months, I've faced gale winds (NJ), torrential rain (Miami) and crumbling streets (Cleveland). But there is nothing more dangerous and debilitating as heat and this race was surreally miserable, killing one as of this writing and sending hundreds to the hospital. On the surface, running marathons in upper eighties is challenging, but compounding the Second City's heat problems was the fact that the field was so crowded that the proximity of bodies exponentially bumped up the misery. If there was a breeze (I doubt it), there was no way it was making through the moving mosh pit scrum of runners. However, the crowds thinned out later in the course if only because so many dropped out (11,000 didn't finish; 10,000 didn't even show up). I was so delirious that I thought I saw a spectator morph into a bear (no lie). That pretty much ended my 13-mile lurching, sweat-soaked foray through Chi-town. But reading about all of the angry comments has compelled me to write this 'review' in defense of the race organizers, volunteers or the fantastic crowd support. I had no shortage of water, Gatorade, concern, cheering or anything else a runner needs. The course itself is an absolute marvel with nary a glance at anything uninteresting. Through the Gold Coast, Old Town, Wrigleyville, etc, the course was a marvel at experiencing this unique city. I'm going back next year to give this another try and I suggest you should, too. I doubt that it'd be ninety degrees. But if it is, well, thems are da breaks when it comes to marathoning. |
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