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☰
Naperville Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Naperville Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 78 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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c. d. from wheaton, il
(11/11/2013)
"course could've been better" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall it was a great race - miles 14 - 21 in Greene valley were too brutal - not much fan support possible in the toughest stretch - way too many hills. Then the little run up the parking lot before the finish also seemed uncalled for. Lastly, it would have been nice if printed out maps of the race were given out or at least available at the expo. Overall though, great event. | |
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F. L. from Naperville
(11/11/2013)
"Excellent event - Well done!" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a superbly planned and executed event. Congratulations and thank you to all the planners, volunteers, and spectators who made this event so much fun. | |
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C. C. from Illinois
(11/11/2013)
"Good first year! Could use a few tweaks" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was Naperville's first year doing a marathon and they did an overall nice job. I think there is room for improvement, which is not surprising after the first year of a race, so I am going mostly 4 stars on it. I'll give info on the race and then a few suggestions to improve. Course: Like most marathons these days, this was advertised as fast and flat. As with many that say that, it didn't entirely fit that bill. I got a huge PR on the course, but I think it was despite the course, not because of it. This is not to say the course is slow. It just isn't going to be the fastest around either. The slowing factors are that the course consists of some lengthy sections of crushed limestone, most of which is in good shape, but there were some areas of deep sand, gravel, and in one spot, mud. Then there are the hills. Not monster hills, but either short steep sections or long slow inclines that are plentiful enough throughout the race to both slow you down and beat you up. Add hills late race (miles 14-20 or so) in open areas on crushed limestone with wind (obviously wind is beyond the race director's control) and it gets difficult at times. Most important, there is a short and rather steep hill at mile 26. You also can't see it coming. Instead, you turn off the street and are headed for home and there it suddenly is. 26 is at the top. I knew about it and was prepared, but I suspect people who did not would have probably started kicking at the turn and then have serious troubles on it. My husband watched a number of runners stop and curse at it and then walk up it. It really could be a PR or BQ killer for the unwary who was trying to squeak in. Finally, there are a lot of twists and turns in the race on the trails, making running the tangents difficult. I ran 26.54 miles in this one, even when trying to run the tangents, which I think is the farthest I have gone in 9 marathons. That took close to 3 minutes off of my time (and for those who might come in and complain that the course is mismeasured, no that isn't it. It just is particularly challenging to run this one as measured, which always measures the shortest possible distance). OK, so with all that, it isn't really a truly flat or fast course in my mind, but here is why it is worth running: It is a very pretty and interesting course with some really good crowd support. The section through Springbrook prairie is beautiful in fall and there was a surprisingly good amount of support there. In the neighborhoods, residents came out in force. The Green Valley area (where the course was also the most challenging) was rather lonely, but even there, people came out and it is a very pretty area to run in. Downtown Naperville after the race was a lot of fun. I would happily run this again, but probably not if trying for a time goal. Race Organization: The race was quite well organized. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because the events before the race involved some concerns about pricing (which got changed, showing that the race directors are a class act that listen to and respond to the public) and a course change after registration was over, which was not a huge deal, but not great either. I was disappointed because the original course included one of my favorite areas to run in (it would have been flatter and faster too). The start corral was also far too small. Everything else was great. Packet pickup was well organized, with a small expo and, for the first time ever for me at a race, there were no real long waits for porta potties beforehand. They had a ton, plus an indoor area with heated restrooms. Post race food included beef sandwiches (I didn't want one, but it was cool to be offered) and there were both post race stretching and massage. Nice! For a small race, they did a nice job at raising money for charity too and even had a small charity village. Suggestions for improvement: I'm putting these in because I think this could easily become a 5 star race in my mind, and I think the race directors are good at responding to comments. (1) Lengthen and open up the start corral. It was too small, even dangerously so. People could only enter from the back and were unable to push through to their pace groups. If a few side rails were taken out to allow for multiple points of entry and the whole thing lengthened a bit, that would probably fix the problem. (2) Add another aid station in the first half, stations at 2.5 and 5 and 8 were a bit too spread out. I carried Gatorade with me the first half because of that. The spacing on the second half was fine. (3) Races that offer orange slices at aid stations rock! How about adding a few more aside from just at mile 16? Yes, I have thing for orange slices.... (4) Get rid of the mile 26 hill. Since there were 2 out and back sections of the race, it seems those could be lengthened and then the finish could run in past where the gear check and porta potties were, eliminating that hill. Better yet, try to get the college to let you finish on the field. That would be awesome! There has to be a way to tweak the course to get rid of that hill. (4) I don't think the race should be advertised as flat and fast. Advertised as scenic, fun, even good for beginners is fine, but not flat and fast. | |
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J. C. from naperville il
(11/11/2013)
"not a very thoughtout race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Hi, I have run in over 25 full and half marathons. I was disappointed in the way to wave starts were handled. Where the chips mats were placed (the first one was 4.9 instead of the first 5k) and the alternate finish for the full verse the half. All the trail running for a full makes it very difficult to keep your spirits up in the later miles. I think the half course looked good but the full was another story. And to have us run up that horrible incline just before the mile 26 mark was very disappointing. Once I got to the top of the steep incline I got leg cramps from the steep grade that I was almost not able to finish. I had to try to work them out to be able to finish. I was tired but fine until that point. Not to have bands or loud speakers with up lifting music throughout the race made it for a long run. Not a race to refer to people. I was looking forward to running a race in my hometown. I think Naperville should stick to the half marathon. | |
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Robert Burnett from Naperville, Il.
(11/11/2013)
"Outstanding course and community support" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great job for a first time marathon in Naperville. This was my 14th and I was impressed at how well it was all done for a first time event. I would not change the course at all. There are some hills, but I believe it is easier on the legs to have some variety in the run. I would try to eliminate the very steep, but short hill at mile 26.1. Many runners cramp up trying to run such a steep hill at the end. All in all, congratulations on a great job, and thank you to all the many great volunteers. | |
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A. D. from Naperville, IL
(11/11/2013)
"Excellent, fun, well run." (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was lots of fun and challenging course. Great aid stations. Great field marshalling at ever turn. This course was not fast and flat. | |
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J. K. from Naperville
(11/11/2013)
"Nice flat course. Very supportive crowds." (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran the half. The only glitch for me was after crossing the finish and having my chip snipped off my shoe, I did not get a medal. I went through the food tent and once outside was directed to the command tent. A very nice lady got it for me. ( I have run 5 previous halves in Chicago RnR) | |
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L. G. from North Carolina
(11/11/2013)
"One of the best inaugural races I've run!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent inaugural marathon. Course was pretty flat, with a few minor hills, and included a mixture of urban, residential, and forest preserve routes. The dirt paths through the reserves were a welcome relief from the pavement, and course volunteers were abundant to ensure no one took a wrong turn. Ample water, Gatorade, and gel throughout the course. My only suggestion would be to have aid stations every mile after mile 20 (there were only two between mile 20 and 26.).Other than that, super job!!! | |
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m. s. from Joliet Illinois
(11/11/2013)
"Awesome!" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course and volunteers and the crowds cheering were awesome! I also love that they call your full name out as you head to the finish line!! | |
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D. R. from Oswego, Illinois
(11/11/2013)
"Great course with spectators galore" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Naperville Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For a first time race, this was incredibly well organized. I appreciated not waiting for a porta-pottie before the race and having a warm spot to stand before heading to the finish line. Crowd support and volunteers were awesome. The course itself was really challenging, especially for a flat suburb of Chicago. The only complaint I had was the speed bump at the end. When you turn the corner, you are focused on the finish line and finding your family, not looking at the ground. I tripped on that bump and I am surprised there were not more incidents. |
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