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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 471 to 481]
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S. V. from NW Indiana
(10/7/2007)
"What a Disaster" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Wow, talk about night and day between today and when I ran this race in 2005. First, contrary to what you might read, EVERYONE had to stop to walk and go to Grant Park right at 11:30am when they called it. If you managed to make it to the real end, consider yourself lucky. I passed the mile 16 marker and that is when a volunteer yelled the race is over. The last marker I passed before redirection was the 26k marker. Then during redirection you went through the finish line backwards so they cut your chip off before you get to the finish line making it look like you never finished anything. They tried to use one excuse(the weather) to cover up another(the inadequate supplies). 'The race is over because it has been flagged and supplies are out.' That is what was said. I give the organizers credit though, because that had to be a difficult decision. Nothing is worth someone losing their life. But to not take ANY blame for the lack of supplies is something. Even before they called it I had not had any Gatorade(electrolytes) since Mile 12 and even though I had water I was careful. But forget all that. There are so many things, the entry fee, the post-race party, the perks, that have changed. In 2005, the party was in the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. You got an extra ticket to bring a friend(no more), and alot of FREE tickets for food and drink(no more). I did not even use all mine in 2005. This year, a hamburger is $5, hot dog $4, bowl of chili $4, a Coke $2, Beer $5, and that is when I was going to ask if they had any Miller High Life around. And they have those people trained like pitbulls making sure you paid with the tickets you had to buy. It seems like all they wanted was your money. This USED to be a good race. I usually will not even think about doing a marathon again that I have already done. I thought it would be better. It was an incredibly big disappointment. | |
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F. W. from Chicago
(10/7/2007)
"Horrible Mismanagement!!!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I am from Chicago and am appalled at how horribly mismanaged the race was this year. The Race Organizers knew well ahead of time that the forecast called for high temps and high humidty and did not make concessions for those conditions. They should have rescheduled the race to start earlier so that the runners didnt have to run during the highest temps of the day. They failed to add additional aid stations or even supply the aid stations with enough fluids for the runners under these extreme conditions. Numerous aid stations ran out of fluids very early on and the poor volunteers were besieged by severely dehydrated runners who were yelling at them. 1 person died and 312 were hospitalized for heat-related problems from the grievous mistakes made. It was a tragic day that could have had a different outcome if the race officials had prepared adequately for the temps. They cancelled the race after 3 1/2 hours and over 10,000 of us were diverted off the course and not allowed to finish. We should have been allowed to make our own decision as to whether we could finish the course or not. | |
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S. S. from Chicago, IL
(10/7/2007)
"Disaster" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 The mile 2 water station was already running out of water/Gatorade. The race organizer was not prepared for the record temps. They canceled the race at 11:45 a.m. Police were directing everyone back to Grant Park. | |
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M. C. from Chicago
(10/6/2007)
"The People's Marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2007 edition will be my 8th consecutive Chicago Marathon. This race was also my first. I have run for time and for fun. I will not apologize to someone who may have had to run around me. This is a great race for runners, their family, and their friends. Enjoy the whole experience; stop and hug those who have supported you all along. | |
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T. K. from St. Louis, Mo
(9/26/2007)
"Make Chicago your FIRST!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, 2006 was my first and I am coming back in 2007!!! I never expected that many people to cheer me along. Now the group will be at 45,000 running instead of the 30,000! What energy - this marathon makes you want another one to train for. I am glad this was my first! See you in two weeks! | |
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E. M. from Lisle IL.
(7/7/2007)
"Sweet Jesus! What FUN!!!!" (about: 2003)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Flat (but not boring!). Fanatical fans! (The boys in Boystown - hilarious.) FUN!! This was my virgin trip in 2003 (have done 3 since and will be back here in 2007). I apologize to those who had to run around me, and thanks to the numerous others who gave words of encouragement (a little humbling from all the senior citizens who passed me). If you are thinking of running a marathon, this is it! JUST DO IT !! NONE BETTER THAN CHICAGO!! GREAT CITY, CRAZY FANS... WORLD CLASS! Kudos to Mayor Daley and all of the volunteers!Hope to see Jesseotz this year (in my rear view mirror). As far as crowds, the more, the merrier - hope there are a million running in 2008! | |
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J. M. from Charlotte, NC
(7/1/2007)
"First-timers have to start somewhere" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everyone who has run a marathon has had a "first marathon." What better one to do than Chicago? I ran Chicago in 2006 as a "first-timer" (a veteran of other race distances, however). I was able to meet my goal of running under 4 fours. A suggestion for first-timers would be to run with a pace group. They were awesome! Aside from having my children and getting married, ut was the best experience of my life! I'm now set to do Richmond in the fall! | |
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J. M. from GA
(6/17/2007)
"My first and best" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Since Chicago, I've been hooked, and I also ran Atlanta and Nashville. This is by far the best marathon I've completed. Fast, fun and flat. My friend calls it "the running of the bulls" because you just get caught up in the flow of the race! Ever-changing scenery throughout the neighborhoods, fantastic fans, great expo! It was snowing and windy at the end near the fountain. (Chicago... do something about that please! :)) So make certain your family or gear bag is readily available! Can't say enough good things about this race. It's perfect. No wonder it's sold out! Congrats, Chicago! | |
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C. C. from USA
(6/14/2007)
"The Best Crowd Support I have ever seen!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my first marathon, and because it was so much fun, I cannot stop running marathons. Therefore, if you want to have a passion for marathons, run in Chicago first. | |
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J. N. from Los Angeles, California
(6/4/2007)
"My Kind of Town" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago 2000 was my first marathon. The experience was so positive that I have been faithful to the sport ever since. The 2006 Chicago Marathon was everything I imagined it to be. Beautiful scenery, exellent organization and unbelievable crowd support. Some may complain that it's a bit crowded, but it makes it more fun. I have done small marathons, and I feel, the more the merrier. Chicago continues to be my favorite marathon!! All marathoners should run Chicago at least once. And for all those people who complain about the walkers and slower runners, what does it matter? They also complete the same 26.2 miles that the elite runners complete, so if you're not one of the elites, stop whining! |
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