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Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.4 
Organization 3.8 
Spectators 2.9
Number of comments: 14 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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T. W. from Muncie, IN
(10/21/2013)
"Hilly remote marathon, but very runner friendly" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Not a major marathon, but you can't beat the serenity of this race. Was a cold & wet Fall morning for a race, and the course is full of generous rolling hills (although no single killer hill compared to other courses). You won't find much crowd/community support, but the water stations are adequately spread over the 26.2 miles and everyone running was more than friendly. The 'expo' is much more so simply a packet pick-up. Easy to find location wise, free parking, and huddling indoors before/after made for a very runner friendly race! | |
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T. M. from Roanoke, VA
(10/21/2013)
"Where was the Honky Tonk?" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 One thought kept going through my mind as I was running, and that was 'Where is the Honky Tonk?' There was not a single band or DJ on the course as advertised. The food at the end of the marathon was less than mediocre. I don't know if the 5k and half marathon runners received the same thing, but it was disappointing. I traveled from Virginia to run this event because it looked great on the website, but I was disappointed. I would like to say, on a positive note, that the course was pretty and I enjoyed the rolling hills. Also, the fleece jacket is very nice, the best marathon shirt I've received. This could be a great event with better planning, food, support, and organization. I hope it continues to get better. | |
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A. A. from Janesville, Wi
(10/20/2013)
"Hard to describe...." (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I like small races, but this one has some problems. First the good: easy start logistics with a heated indoor staging area, easy parking (they charge you $5), good fluid support, great shirt, and a cowboy hat: yee-haw!! Now the bad: the fewest spectators that I have ever seen (not seen?), dangerous last few miles of the course with poor traffic control, and no medical spotters. They either need to address the problems, or just turn it into a Half marathon. By the way, this is a terrible first marathon, with so many other close choices that would be a better experience. Hey, the Dells is a great venue...there has to be a way to make the course safer. | |
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Christopher Lee from Grasonville, MD
(10/24/2012)
"Outstanding small/midsized race" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is an outstanding smaller marathon. I traveled a long way to participate in this event (Maryland to Wisconsin). I have to admit I pestered the staff with emails asking various questions about the course, parking and such. They answer them all promptly and cheerfully. It was especially nice to be able to start the race at the Wisconsin Dells Center. It provided ample room for runners to stay inside and warm until the race started. There were nice warm restrooms inside the Center. They had a gear check there also. There was plenty of support on the course with water, Gator Aid and Gus. It is true that the race had hills. So do many others. I measured an elevation gain of 955 feet using Garmin. That's a bit more than Boston but less than The Quad Cities Marathon or San Francisco. But being able to run out in the country on a Sunday morning made it easier to run the tangents. Also the fact that the race was fairly small meant that you were not constantly having to maneuver around other runners. In addition, the weather is normally good with ideal temperatures for a run. Some people complained about lodging. I did not have a problem. I was able to get a over night stay 4 miles from the start with a 1PM check out using a Choice Privileges membership. For those who would like to bring along family, the Chula Vista Resort and Water Park seemed like an ideal location where the whole family could have a great time. All things considered, this is a great marathon supported by an outstanding event staff. | |
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G. B. from USA-WI
(10/23/2011)
"rolling but not a killer" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Pre-race unorganized. One early website showed date of Oct. 30. Main website indicated travel information soon to come but as of the night prior, nothing. Could sign up day of race at start/finish location but not able to pick up packet morning of race....?? Once beyond these items, run was hilly but expected that so can't complain. Spectators sparse but appreciated the ones who were out. Water/gu stations very well spaced out. Mile makers excellent. Route open to traffic but didn't seem to be an issue. Nicely controlled by local LE. Finish line non-eventful. No announcement of name when crossing the line. Pleasant person giving you a nice medal with about 10 people standing around and then it was.......over. Very nice shirt, jacket and hat that came with registration! | |
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chris tortorice from waukesha wi
(8/8/2011)
"awesome new route for the 2011 marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon last year. The race was organized excellently with lots of volunteers which made it a great racing experience. One problem - It was a really beautiful but super hilly route. I just recently went into the web site for the 2011 race and noticed to my surprise that the new route this year is one I am really familiar with. I love the new route for the marathon this year going from river road and continuing down city rd N. I run along standrock road/ hwy N all summer long. Awesome rolling hills. One of the most beautiful places to run in the dells area. Hwy N has many rolling hills with views of the beautiful countryside. It passes campgrounds, horse farms and even a small railroad station. Mile after mile of beautiful peaceful scenery. It should be a beautiful race | |
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K. J. from Michigan
(12/6/2010)
"Be prepared for LOTS of hills." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 From what I can recall, there was never a section of the course that was flat for longer than 1/4-1/2 mile. You are constantly climbing or falling. On the plus side the scenery is beautiful and allows you to see how beautiful Wisconsin is. Aid stations were all well stocked, volunteers were great, course was well marked, and the parking was possibly the best I've ever seen. I literally parked less than 100 meters from the starting line. A few things to improve on, but most are minor and after all this was an inaugural race: No age-group awards, which is rather lame. The organization at the finish line seemed rather lacking; people were friendly but seemed a bit overwhelmed at times. My biggest complaint would be the cost of the race and the host hotel, etc. If you really want people to enjoy the entire experience, the cost needs to be brought down and a 2-night minimum stay just doesn't cut it. I stayed a few miles away from the race activities in town and saved mucho dinero. | |
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A. S. from Chicago, Illinois
(12/4/2010)
"Hills, Hills, and More Hills" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This course was worse than Boston. It's definitely not one to run if you are looking for a PR. There was no pasta party and the host hotels that were closer to the start had a two-night minimum. I only wanted to stay for one night so I did not stay at either. I'm not sure why I couldn't have picked up my packet on race morning. There was nothing at the expo! There were fewer than 300 people in the full marathon. There were more spectators out on the course than I thought there would be, which was very welcome, but it was pretty lonely in spots. And, the course was not closed to cars. There were a few places where I thought this was pretty dangerous (blind curves in the road, hills). A couple of water stations at the end ran out of Gatorade, but they did have water. The post-race party was non-existent. There were no bananas left when I finished (in under 4 hours). The food that was left was not being watched and people were taking fistfuls of granola bars. It would have been nice to have a band and beer after the race. On the plus side, nice medal (though finisher's medal does NOT differentiate between the half and full). And the jacket and hat were okay. It was nice to be able to wait inside before the race. I would not run this again, but this is mostly due to the hilly course. | |
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Sonia Gomes from Brazil
(11/27/2010)
"Great Inaugural Marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The marathon route was a surprise, with ups and downs all the time - very fun. Easy parking; waiting for the start could not be in a better place. Fleece was beautiful and practical. The route was wonderful, the temperature was great, and there was perfect organization. Anyone who was home during the journey was on the street cheering. My only suggestion is that the organization make different medals and shirts for full marathon and half marathon. Congratulations to the inaugural Wisconsin Dells Marathon. | |
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B. T. from Chicago area
(11/3/2010)
"Great for inaugural marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wisconsin Dells Marathon & Half Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Another great, small marathon in Wisconsin! I believe the Wisconsin Dells' refusal to let the marathon run on its streets didn't hurt it - just the opposite. The course was set instead on rural roads through the forests in full fall colors. What could be better? The expo was OK for an inaugural marathon, but it was difficult to get into. The race day organization was good; however, there was not enough water for the mile 24 hydration station. It was not critical, though, because the next one was just a mile away. There were not too many fans along the race, but they all were very supportive. A lot of hills, so do not expect a PR. Overall, a great experience. |
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