Wisconsin Marathon

This was a cheesy marathon! But that is not a bad thing. I have been trying to get down to Kenosha for this race for a few years. This year I made it. Preparing for the Milwaukee marathon, run four weeks ago, I challenged my marathon friend in Milwaukee that we run in Kenosha too. And so we did. We expected there to be a lot less people running in Kenosha, but they had the 5K, 1/2 marathoners, and the marathon runners all start at the same time, so it seemed a lot bigger - especially at the start and during the early part of the race. The race committee did a lot of up front work keeping runners informed during the weeks leading up to this event. And they had early registration in Milwaukee the weekend before - which I thought was a great idea. We had addresses for the Civil War Museum - where registration and check-in was held the day before, we had the road intersections where the start line was set up, and we had lots of detailed information on parking - which was most helpful. They even told up what streets we could legally park in, and between which cross-streets. They did a really good job on this stuff up front. Check-in was available before the start on Saturday, but it was discouraged. Especially since this race started at 7:00 a.m. There were just lots of people at the co-located start/finish line area. And there was a lot going on there too. They took drop bags, did check-in, and they had small cheese packets they were handing out before the race. Of course it was noisy there. When the National Anthem was playing, we could not hear - or see - what was going on, and it was half way through before many of the runners realized it and quieted down. But the P.A. system was too far away, and too low of volume. Sometimes that happens. They had a "cheese corral" for runners to start from for wearing something with cheese on it, or "something cheesy". I guess those folks got to start closer to the starting line. The marathoners and ½ marathoners were together the whole first half; the first half of the marathon course was the ½ marathon course. The course largely followed the Lake Michigan shore, but there was still a lot of the race through neighborhoods, where you could not see the lake. There were basically three "loops" or modified out-and-backs. The first loop going south, was shorter, then a longer loop to the north; those two together were the first 13.1. Then there was a longer second loop going south again, and it covered part of the route we already ran on. But it kept going south. I wondered if we were going to go into Illinois. Just past MP 19, we did a small loop that routed us back out by the lake with a spur at the end with the timing mat there. Crossing the mat, we made a U-turn and headed back. The second half of the course was in and out of neighborhoods, through wetlands and swamps, and though never off the road, there were sections further from town that were gravel. But nothing was unsafe. This entire course was on the roads, and probably 85% was paved/concrete. Since all the course was on closed roads, law enforcement had to keep wandering automobiles and distracted drivers from getting on the course. And those guys did a great job. It is interesting some of the neighbors who lived where the road was closed got personally involved, engaging with the runners and enjoying the day. Others - one guy in particular that I observed - was cross about the event that was going on, blocking him in. It was interesting that the finish line and the ½ way point were almost parallel courses set side-by-side. As I was approaching the 13.1 timing mat at about 2:40 into the race, the winner of the race was on his final approach to the finish line. Amazing! At the finish line, there was plenty to eat. Every runner got a brat and a beer (26.2 beer) with the tag attached to the bib. Closer to the finish line, another volunteer was handing out mini-bagels, and small discs of cheese - that fit almost perfectly on the bagel. There were chips, bottles of water, and rather green bananas. The gal there had lots of food, and she was passing out extras, if and as people asked. There was a guy finishing his 200th marathon, and one of the area running clubs was out to cheer him on. By chance, I was just slightly ahead of him, and all these folks - out in number, maybe 50 to 75 people - were lining both sides of the approach to the finish line. And I did not know about the guy doing his 200th until later, but all these people were there and they were all cheering me on as I passed by, slapping hands and doing high-fives as I finished. What a sensation. The weather was great. This year, winter and snow were trying to shorten our spring, so conditions could have been much different. But it was probably in the 40's overnight, and we were welcomed to a cloudless sky at daybreak. The sun was out early, and pretty much stayed out for the day. Maybe some high cirrus clouds factored in, and there were a few spots on shade on the course, but mid-60's is probably as warm as it got. And as close as we were to the lake, there was a cooling effect rolling in off the lake all day. It was near-perfect for running. Just needed a little sun-screen to keep exposed skin from being sun-burned. This was a great marathon, there were lots of volunteers, it had been well-planned and was well executed too. Well done!

I have run this 7 of the 10 and keep going back. Every runner is friendly and just out to run the best race possible. The course is pavement and gravel and the variation keeps legs fresh. Aid workers are superb as are the kids from Carthage college. Yes, it can be brutal weather along the lake, but then any race can be.

I have run all but 2 of these marathons. It is hard to train for a spring marathon with Chicago winters but this one is worth the effort. Everyone is all about the runners having a great experience. It was extremely windy and cold, but well worth it. The course was new this year and it was much better. The half runners were with us up to mile 13 so more runners to share the course with. I do not know how they can do such a great job at a cost of less than 80 dollars. Some big marathons do not provide anywhere near the level of support they do. So I will be back next year even in the wind and cold. A special thanks to the little girl at mile 18 who made her dad put out water for us and she handed it out herself!