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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 611 to 621]
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S. V. from NW Indiana
(10/19/2005)
"The one and only Chicago Marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The Chicago Marathon is a great race. I agree with the people that say that there are a lot of first-timers and it is hard to pass some of them, which slows you down, especially in the beginning. But that is what the Chicago Marathon is about.... Everybody wants to do it. Some are there to race, others to say they participated. But there are some deceptions as well. My biggest gripe is when they say they care for you as an individual runner. The aid stations are great, but when you end and you have a photographer getting on you if you don't move an inch up to keep the finisher photo line going, it makes you feel like a number. I was not even set to take the picture so my face is all contorted (like the picture Kramer takes of Jerry). I accidentally thought the podiatry tent was the massage tent and I have never had a girl step right in front of me to cut me off asking, 'What do you want?' And then there is the post-race party. Again, it is held in spacious Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. I brought someone with me and they noticed the first thing I did, tables but most without chairs. So you sit there eating, standing up (this after you run 26.2M). Then there was the lady in the bowtie waiting and as soon as my friend left to get us some more food (thank goodness we did not both leave), she came and took his stuff to throw away even though he was not done. I had to shoo her away a few times. It was like, 'Ok, you are finished', and then she goes back to waiting. I've noticed that about certain races. For example, at Bix7 you can have as much as you want in the post-race party area. The catch: Don't drink too much or else you might have to use one of the 3 (yes, 3) port-a-potties for all the people. One guy had to go so bad I let him cut in front of me. Oh, there are bathrooms but you have to leave the post-race area. And as you guessed, you are not coming back in. It is this kind of stuff that really gets to me as a runner. It's like they want you to sign up to get your money, but then they just want to get you through that line. The positives are a very flat course, great aid stations, good camaraderie after the race, and the fact it is Chicago. But my vote for best large race goes to the Indy Mini. Everything from trying to seed the 'open field' runners (which really helps people like me who might be slow but are not walking and panting 1 mile into a marathon) to the little old ladies who have the plastic ties for your chip to having the port-a-potties right next to the course and positioned against a wall to keep away sun are why that is the best. I am glad I did this race, but at the same time, I don't know if I would do it again.... Maybe, but only because I live 20 miles from Grant Park. It is like at Chicago you have the elites and then you have the rest. There's not much of an in-between. Great course, great fans, but the individual care is lacking. It is one of those races you do once in your life to say you did it. That's the best way I can put it. | |
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S. M. from Atlanta, GA
(10/19/2005)
"The energy of the Chicago Marathon was fantastic" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The energy of the crowds in Chicago was very exciting. I never seen anything like it before; those people were great. I would highly recommend this marathon. In my opinion the Chicago Marathon is the best of all. | |
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S. F. from Baltimore MD
(10/17/2005)
"A fabulously well-run race, BUT...." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Sorry, I don't mean to be a party-pooper, but there are too many people here if you want to set a PR. The constant dodging of 'unaware' runners, running, walking, chatting side-by-side, is a real burden if you are there to run a RACE. This would be a great party race for first-timers, unless you can do a sub-3:45 already and can get preferred placement. | |
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S. A. from Los Angeles, CA
(10/16/2005)
"Props to Chicago" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, and a fantastic experience. I traveled from Los Angeles to do this race, and I'd definitely do it again. I don't think I could've broken 3 hours anywhere else. Mad props to Chicago for putting up such a great show. | |
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D. B. from Salt Lake City, Utah
(10/15/2005)
"one word .... AWESOME!!!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run Chicago the past two years and can't imagine NOT running it for years to come. The entire city embraces this event, the fans along the course are FANTASTIC, and the course is flat and fast! The organization is absolutely top-notch, from initial registration to the starting gun. I love the fact that you can jump on the train and walk 3 blocks into the starting corral. Hotel room to start in 22 minutes .... no hassle! AWESOME! What a great city and a great event. DO IT!!!!! | |
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c. b. from Alaska
(10/15/2005)
"Great crowd and volunteer support" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, though I've done a few halfs. It is a great choice for a first! The expo was great (though parking costs are outrageous), and the weather perfect. The crowds and volunteers are unbelievable!! I can't say enough good things about how encouraging they were. A few suggestions for improvement. It took 45 minutes in the porta-potty line at the start, which is way too long. They also need more along the course. The banana peels and GU packs all over the roads at aid stations from 18 on made the slower ones of us have to walk slowly through them for safety - a mess. Overall though, a GREAT experience! | |
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J. M. from Chicago, Illinois
(10/15/2005)
"Beautiful course, awesome crowds" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Like everyone has said, the crowd support in this race is amazing. Even in the more remote and far-flung parts of the course, Chicagoans love to come out and watch people go by, and they cheer for everyone. And you really get to see a wide swath of the city--from the yuppie heaven that is Lincoln Park, to the cheerful gay/lesbian neighborhood Boystown, the boisterous (and very supportive crowds!) Latino neighborhood of Pilsen, crowded and exciting Chinatown, and even the historic Bronzeville neighborhood south of the Loop, you really get to see it all on this course. Everything is spaced out--aid stations, turns, neighborhoods, bands, cheering squads--to keep you constantly entertained, but it's not so overwhelming that you can't focus if you want to. The only problem I had with this race was at the starting corral--I had a problem finding my way into it, and almost had to jump a fence. The race is crowded for quite a ways, which can help you keep pace, or keep you held back, depending on what type of runner you are. I found myself having to weave through people for about 10 miles. This was my first marathon, and seems like a great first-time experience for anyone--flat, easy course, and a crew that really takes care of you through and after the race. | |
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D. H. from Nova Scotia, Canada
(10/15/2005)
"highly recommended event in spite of its size" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, what a well orchestrated event. I ran a negative split, 6-minute PR shattering my previous best set the year before in Detroit. Both of my traveling companions also set big PR's and negative splits running out of the competitive corral. Race conditions cooperated with lower-than-forecasted temps, actual approx. 53 at start and 57 at finish. It was a bit breezy @ 10-15 mph but kept you refreshed and drafting off other runners helped whenever needed. The logistics were flawless, the course is flat and fast with great volunteer and spectator support. Even the Gatorade was consistently mixed. I did start in the competitive corral which helped with minimal congestion at the start and in the initial miles of normally packed courses of big marathons. I caught up to and ran most of the way with the 3:10 pacing group which was a bit faster than my original plan, however finished slightly ahead of them at the finish. The pacer was excellent, with consistent even splits and even allowed me to carry the time flag in the later miles. I also participated in the Team Challenge, which allowed us to have preferred bag check, hot food post-race amongst other amenities. I recommend it. However be prepared for a fair bit of pre- and post-race walking because of the size of the overall race compound. The bag pick-up is the fastest I've ever seen and the expo was very spacious, well represented with lots of products/information to suit most anyone. The hotel shuttle running every 15-20 minutes from the Sheraton to the expo return was swift and flawless. Highly recommended event for those able to capture a competitive or preferred start looking for a fast time, and all the other big-marathon amenities. | |
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M. G. from Scottsdale, AZ
(10/15/2005)
"Simply stated: This race is #1 in the country!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It doesn't get any better for any marathoner, whether this is your first marathon or your fiftieth; Chicago does it better than any other race. They continue to tweak it ever so slightly year after year; they don't rest on their laurels--they intend to and deliver the best race every year after year. It's the reason many pick this race for their first one while others run it over and over again. The expo, shuttle service, goody bag, course, crowds, water stops, medals, volunteers, media, hospitality, website, etc. are all top-notch. The weather couldn't be better. And with 40,000 runners in tow, they got the race off precisely at 8AM sharp! This race has no peers. Run it and you'll see why Chicago is a favorite among so many runners; experienced or novice. Kudos to the entire race staff and army of volunteers. | |
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J. B. from Michigan
(10/13/2005)
"Wow...sooo amazing!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Words do not justify the excitement and awe that I had running the Chicago Marathon for the first time (any marathon for the first time). Like everyone else has said, the crowd is unbelievably amazing. Without them, my mind would have taken over and I probably would not have met my personal goal of running a good, strong race. The water stops were well stocked, cool metal at the finish as well as more refreshments and replenishment foods at the end. The flat course is a great way to see Chicago! Its one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. Although this is probably the most amazing marathon/race that I'll ever run, I have only two complaints: 1- This is a crowded race for the majority of the 26.2 miles, so it was hard to keep a steady pace. 2- More portable toilets throughout the course would be good. I found myself needing one when there were none to be found for a few miles. And we all know how uncomfortable we feel when we have to 'go' :) Otherwise, this is an awesome event that everyone should experience sometime in their life. In fact, a friend of mine was a first time marathon spectator. She had an awesome time with the rest of the crowd, saying that everyone is so enthusiastic and friendly and she would love to do this again! Hope to see you all there in 2006! |
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