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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: 949 [displaying comments 381 to 391]
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E. S. from Cedar Rapids, IA
(10/9/2007)
"Excellent 1st Marathon Lessons" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The organizers did not control the weather. I think they made the best call for them, but I pressed on based on my own management of my body. . .which ultimately each person needs to be responsible for. I read and prepared myself for possible issues that can happen at marathons. I took my own water bottle with some cash. . . I never used the cash and I finished my first marathon in 5:48:29. About a whole hour slower than my goal time, but I also listened to my HRM and decided finishing was the ultimate goal. I stopped running about half-way and started alternating walking and jogging so I could keep the heart rate down. Having my own bottle allowed me to fill up when stations were out of cups or when I got near a hydrant. . . I witnessed the frustration over stations and the confusion of one station not having water and the next not having gatorade, but I do think people should also be prepared to take care of themselves. | |
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M. R. from Chicago, Illinois
(10/9/2007)
"Don't cast stones on this great race" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a native Chicagoan and someone who has run two previous Chicago Marathons, I am saddened by how the unfortunate circumstances around the 2007 version have given the Chicago Marathon national attention for all the wrong reasons. This is a fantastic marathon that is wonderfully organized and tremendously supported by the City of Chicago. Anyone who is familiar with Chicago weather knows how much it can vary at this time of year. Last year we had temperatures in the 30s with a strong wind and people complained of the cold, inclement conditions. As a runner, it's important to know your limits and listen to your body. It's critical to know when to push yourself and when to pull back the reins. As marathoners, we are already willing to subject our bodies to a certain amount of pain and torture with some level of enjoyment - that is why we run. However, at some point, common sense has to take over. I certainly feel for those who required medical attention and even more so for the family of the individual who died during the race. But at the same time, I think it is unfair to blame the organizers for something out of their control such as the extreme weather. From my vantage point (someone who finished in 5:08), there was plenty of water and Gatorade on the course. I always run with a hand-held water bottle or two which was critical in this case. That is certainly something any runner can do and should consider on a hot, humid day. I was on the course (about 22 miles into it) when the race was called and while it was disappointing to hear the news, I understood that the race organizers were acting in the best interests of everyone involved. Just think what the fallout would have been had the race continued and there had been a shortage of medical assistance or worse, additional deaths. I don't want to sound callous but we all choose to run marathons for varied reasons and when we embark on the journey, we know the risks - especially on a hot day. We recreational marathoners have to know when to drop out and when not to start at all. While there is no nobility in a DNF, it is not worth risking life and limb to finish a race. I purposely slowed my pace from mile 1 knowing it would not be wise to run at my normal 9:30 pace. That is what kept me going all 26.2 miles and why I felt no ill effects from the heat when it was all done. I hope that when we are further removed from the event, runners and non-runners alike will reflect on the day and realize that the organizers did the best job they could and that the Chicago Marathon is a phenomenally organized race and a wonderful event. I hope people who ran Chicago for the first time decide to come back again. Please don't abandon this great race! | |
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Sid Busch from Charleston SC
(10/9/2007)
"discount or free entry for 2008" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I am from Charleston SC, so train in heat all the time. This was to be my 147th marathon and 4th in 4 weeks - what a mess. We were told about all the steps taken to provide fluids for us at the expo, but at the first water stop - nothing. At the second - nothing. If it wasn't for the great people of Chicago buying water and giving it out, there would have been a lot more runners in bad shape. I actually had to drink from a fountain in Lincoln park. The other thing is the stopping of the run, I was past the half way point before the cut off time they set, and was still not allowed to finish, and I was feeling good. I would have made it in 6 hours no problem, not fast, but at least I would have earned my medal. I now have a finishers shirt I can't wear, a medal that means nothing and a loss of close to a thousand dollars for plane, hotel and food as well as entry fees. I believe that the Chicago Marathon owes all of us they would not let finish free or 75 percent off next years entry. One more thing, on the Sunday evening news, the RD made the statement that they had plenty of water on the course and that the runners missed it. Oh really, all those tables folded up and placed on the sidewalk were ready for us? The next morning it had changed to that they had problems getting the water to the sites. The temps were know at least a week before, when the forecast changed from thunderstorms to hot. And that was enough time to maybe move the start to 6am. 2 hours earlier would have made a difference. You put your heart and soul into running a marathon and even though most of us are never going to be anywhere near world class, we try as hard as anyone. It hurts when your goal is taken away. | |
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J. L. from Cape Girardeau, Missouri
(10/9/2007)
"My Chicago Marathon" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 This marathon should not have been stopped. I don't know anyone who entered the Chicago Marathon who didn't train for the marathon do you? Heat is part of running, you deal with it. A great deal was lost by Carey Pinkowski stopping the race. We runners were adjusting to a race that was in worse than anticipated heat and humidity and there was no wind. We were adjusting down our time goals given the lack of hydration provided by the organizers. The communities were pitching in with their help for 35,000 runners left in the sun without race support by the organizer. These people and shop owners along route were doing this cheerfully. What was unfolding was a wonderful heartwarming story for the world to wonder at and for the people of the Pilsen, Chinatown, Bronzeville communities to take pride in and cherish memories of and to tell stories about. Why was the race called? And then why did this race director place blame on us runners for wasting water etc.? Why did he blatantly lie about the lack of hydration? Calling the race was their way of showing lack of faith in those communities who were quickly organizing and providing help to the runners that the Lasalle Bank had stranded on the hot city streets without support. I cherish my memories of the acts of kindness I observed by runners helping runners and the communities of Pilsen, Chinatown, and Bronzeville helping runners. I do truly love the dear people of the city of Chicago and plan to run on those streets again in 2008. I detest the contempt the race director and organizers showed the Chicago communities by not allowing them to support us runners through the final miles of the 2007 Chicago Marathon and the cowardly and contemptuous manner in which they have defended their decision to cut their losses by canceling a race they ran so ineptly. Chicago- take applications for new sponsors of the Chicago Marathon. And get a race director. | |
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S. E. from Chicago, IL
(10/9/2007)
"Refund." (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Not enough water or Gatorade until mile 10. I have run Chicago several times. It is not uncommon for runners to use water to cool themselves, instead of drinking it. It was 90 degrees! Get more water! | |
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W. P. from Miami
(10/9/2007)
"Great Fan Support" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 There were fans at every inch of the course. The fan support was the best that I've experienced from any of my previous marathons. I thought the organization was lacking. Record heat was forecasted and in my opinion little was done about it. There was only 15 water stops and the slower runners found many of the water stops were completely empty by the time they arrived. The course was nice. This was my first trip to Chicago so it was great to see so much of the city via the run. It would have been better if the race included a section along the lake. Did I mention that the race was canceled and this was the LaSalle Bank Chicago Fun Run?! | |
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M. F. from USA
(10/9/2007)
"excellent staff" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I didn't accomplish my goal of PR(3:10), ending with 3:46 finish; but I received my complete satisfaction from the fans and people who helped out the marathon. The fans were fantastic! Their words of encouragement and handing out water bottles to complete strangers/runners meant so much to us. I was particularly touched by the people working at the finish line and the medical tent, how seriously and professionally they regard their job. When I crossed the finishing line I was immediately assisted by one of the staff there. When she sensed I couldn't maintain good balance, she insisted to walk with me to ensure I would not fall suddenly. Thanks for her persistence, I received proper and timely medical care. Inside the medical tent, I was treated by the wonderful staff. They carefully treated each patient with sincerity and kindness despite how many patients they had to deal with. Mother Nature can crash our egos and time goals, but cannot change the tender care we recived from the marathon staff. They are truly the one makes the Chicago Marathon proud!!! | |
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J. S. from Windsor, Ontario, Canada
(10/9/2007)
"Hot... but YOU need to be prepared yourself" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Yes, it was very hot, but hey, I trained in 90-degree weather through the summer, so it wasn't a shock to the system. I knew what my limits would be. I did try and stay strong with my pace, but I did slow over the last 8 miles. I was only 10 minutes of my PB and 7 minutes off my Boston time earlier in the year. I think the organizers did a fair job of handling the weather conditions. I have a couple of thoughts though on the set up. The forecast for the past 2 weeks had not changed... it was going to be hot, period. So, why not start the race at 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m.? That decision could have been made early enough to warn runners via email/website. Secondly, although hard to remember, there were a couple of stretches where the fluid stations seemed to be too far apart. However, with all that went on this weekend, I'll be back!!! Just love the city and the race!!!! | |
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M. D. from Columbus, Ohio
(10/9/2007)
"An experience you will never forget" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 As I read people complaining about this race and the organization, I remember at about mile 9 when the guy next to me said, "Why is everyone running in the sun," as he and I ran in the shadows of the buildings. People choose not to listen to reason or their bodies - that is not a race director's fault. I also saw people without gels, and that is not a race directors fault. I thought other than the goofy bag drop at the back of the start when you're in the corrals up front, the race was great. The fans were spectacular and the volunteers did a fabulous job. It was just chance that we landed on the hottest day in the marathon's history. Get over it and keep running! | |
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D. V. from Cincinnati, Ohio
(10/9/2007)
"Please stop defending the race organizers" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Yes, it was hot and humid, and the decision to stop the race might have saved lives. However, I was upset with the race coordinator for saying that there were nothing that they could have done better. Well, they knew the forecast days in advance and could have started the race a couple of hours earlier. The people in Boston did it this year (and they even had to bus runners to the starting line), so we know that it could be done in a big race. So Mr. Pinkowski, please accept your responsibility and admit that you messed up big-time. |
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