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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 871 to 881]
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A Runner from Chicago, IL
(4/22/2002)
"Great race, great spectators, great city" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was my first marathon and it was amazing. The crowd suport is one of the best features of the race. It seems as though the whole city comes out to cheer on the runners. The aide stations were abundant and the volunteers were eager to help out the runners offering water and gatorade. Going into the finish is one of the best parts. The cheering is so loud that it really gives you a burst of energy at the end. Once you came through the finish shoot, there was beer, sports drinks, food of all kinds, massage tents, etc... This race will definitely become a staple in my marathon circuit and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has never done it. | |
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A Runner from Kansas City, MO
(2/5/2002)
"Running a PR is a given!!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my 2nd marathon and I improved my time by 26 minutes!! The course is flat and entertaining. The organization was superb; water and powerade at every mile kept me well-hydrated. Great expo and lots of goodies. Weather was 39-not too cold or windy. So many spectators kept me motivated throughout the entire race. If you like thousands of people running with and cheering for you, this race is for you! | |
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A Runner from Stockton, CA
(2/3/2002)
"incredible adrenaline buzz" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My second marathon and first in Chicago. Organization was outstanding. We had no problem running 9 minute pace the first mile despite all the people. Could start the race in waves and not limit it to 37,500 since we have a microchip and there were thousands of no-shows anyway. Great fans almost every step of the way. Huge mile split clocks a definite plus. Very flat course has the world record times for men and women. I suggest more port-o-potties at the start, and restricted starting line access based on your pace per mile like they do at the Bix 7 Davenport Iowa race. Overall a phenominal experience that I plan on doing again. | |
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A Runner from Portland, Oregon
(11/27/2001)
"Great Race on a Great Day" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great time during this race! I had only run the Portland Marathon up to this point and it was nice to not have any big hills to worry about. The crowds were fantastic and I got a lot of energy from them. My biggest complaint about the course was that at the end when you run through McCormick Place, which is a black tunnel and feels like a cave, and there are no spectactors. I needed the spectactors the most at the end and there were none. Besides that, this race gives you a great tour of the city. I loved how the Mexican part of town smelt like tortillas. It was great to see my name in the paper the next day. Chicago really pulls out all the stops for this race. I highly recommend it, there's even beer at the end. It was also way cool to run in a race where the women's world record was shattered! | |
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A Runner from ft. worth, texas
(10/31/2001)
"fans A++, course A+, chicago A++" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Only one suggestion: they need to run this race in waves. The first six miles was nothing but congestion. My pace at the 6 mile mark was a minute slower than my usual. Be prepared for some frustration in the beginning. Besides that, it was simply a great time and a first class event. | |
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A Runner from Lafayette, Louisiana
(10/29/2001)
"Awesome Experience!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2001 Lasalle Bank Chicago marathon was my very first marathon and it was fantastic!! The organization and crowd support were fantastic. I was able to beat the time that I had set for myself and had a blast while running. I highly recommend this marathon to everyone. The weather was absolutely perfect too. I hope that my future marathon experiences can compare to Chicago. I will always remember this one. | |
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Runner from PA from Washington Crossing, PA
(10/22/2001)
"Truly outstanding course, fans, organization!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an awesome experience - I had not run a marathon in 22 years and was concerned about being a novice at every aspect of the marathon. There couldn't have been better organization (though slow runners should start farther back), and the fans were unbelievable all along the course. A true tribute to Chicago! And it all combined to help me qualify for Boston! And, finally, it was amazing to spend the weekend in Chicago - the parks were spectacular, the post-race Van Gogh/Gauguin exhibit was great, and the dining in the city in unique in the US. I will be back to this marathon as long as I am runnning! | |
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A Runner from Southern Indiana near Louisville, KY
(10/22/2001)
"Great! Awesome! Lots of fun!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 1st marathon and I have ran one other since. Although it is expensive, they do it up right in Chicago. I would love to run here again! One suggestion would be to vary the drinks from only one flavor of Gatorade! | |
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A Runner from Chicago Suburbs
(10/18/2001)
"Great crowd" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my first marathon. I was awe struck by the great crowds cheering me (us) along. The course is flat and fast. I can't wait until next year. | |
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A Runner from Chicago West 'burbs
(10/16/2001)
"Chicago is a huge event!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 4th Chicago marathon, and it was one of the best ever. The crowd energy was great, and the conditions were perfect (I gotta remember, use sunscreen!) My only suggestions for improvement are these: 1. The starting corral was filled improperly. Perhaps there ought to be entrance gates for the main corral with pace times listed at each entry point. I saw many slower runners in front of me (they got in the corral too far up) and a few faster runners got in too far back and were having a hard time moving up. 2. The early water stops were overrun and had no Gatorade and little water. This problem was corrected by the fourth or fifth stop. 3. Some parts of the course, mid-teens, are dull to look at. Might be hard to fix, but I'd love to see the lake at some point. 4. We had another death this year, our second novice overheating error. How to fix: The PA cannot be heard at all in the main corral. Place PA speakers so that everyone can hear properly. Then announce that all runners, especially novices, should drink plenty of fluids, including at least some Gatorade. Also announce that runners should line up in their proper pace location and that groups running slower than the pack should run in single file to avoid blocking the road. Other than these issues, this great race is better than ever. |
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