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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 391 to 401]
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K. K. from Chicago
(10/9/2007)
"Hot, humid and humbling" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was all of the above, and only I can run for and accept the medal. So, there is no one to give credit or blame to. I ran it slower than I wanted, but it was a great race. | |
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John Walker from Tennessee
(10/9/2007)
"A tough race; my worst finish and still gratifying" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 My 6th marathon, my very worst marathon time (90 minutes off my goal), and maybe one of the most soul-cleansing experiences I've had in a while. The officials had very little to do with how well or badly I ran. The stations had plenty of fluids the whole way (but not for others, I hear). My legs started cramping at mile 18, I was suffering (and swearing this was my last marathon) at mile 21 when they canceled the race, but I trudged on walking and running some. I was probably suffering from Hyperthermia at 24; I had stopped sweating and I was dizzy. I trudged on walking, running very little and even stopping and lying down in the grass twice. As I approached the finish I broke into a small trot just to show em I wasn't beaten. This is one of those times when everything is stripped away and all that's left is your metal. And now, when it's all over, I'm already thinking about the next one. Crazy? Probably. Notes for the future races: 1. Pee around mile 6-8 (this might help the leg cramps) 2. Use the Camelbak (just in case, and that way you know what you're drinking) 3. Do your best - no regrets. - John | |
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J. H. from Pella, IA
(10/9/2007)
"Race director failed and should admit it" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 I have run the Chicago Marathon 3 times. This last weekend being the most recent. It was the hottest day in race history and the organizer did not adjust to the weather by adding enough extra water and Gatorade at stops. I was only able to get 1 cup of Gatorade through the first twelve miles. Never had trouble like this before, but never had weather like this before. It was predicted days ahead of time that it would be hot, so there was warning. I believe they should have consulted other hot weather marathons and gotten advice. If they did, they did not put it into practice. What is especially irritating is that now they are blaming runners for complaining about lack of water. Marathon Guide should be aware that many of the finishers did not finish the course. They were stopped at the 16, 18, 20 and even 23 mile mark and brought back to the finish and unloaded through the finish chute, where they crossed the finish line and were counted as finishers. | |
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Aaron Pendergraft from Springfield, Ohio
(10/9/2007)
"Pink speedo guy struggles to stay cool" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I wasted a perfectly good 3:15 pace band... but then again, I've got an experience to tell my grandchildren about. I survived the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Death March/ Marathon. 4:07 is better than not finishing at all. I feel so bad for all those people who were trying their hardest... but then again, I feel relieved, because I think the body count might have been higher if they didn't call an end to the insanity. | |
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Kevin Hoard from Montrose, California
(10/9/2007)
"Could have done more" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Yes, we all knew it would be hot. However other races have aid at 1 mile intervals, not every mile and half. There should have been ice and sponges before mile 20. The race organizers knew it was going to be hot, they should/could have made aid station changes before the race. | |
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J. M. from Chicago
(10/9/2007)
"Extreme Conditions Trumps Best Efforts" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my eighth marathon (sixth in last two years) and at mile 8 I knew I had to slow down, or quit. A few months ago I ran a 3:43, but here I ran 4:54. It was that hot. I never saw a water or Gatorade shortage, indeed, the last few aid stations had supplies piled high. I have heard many conflicting stories, and it is like the blind men describing the elephant - the most anyone can do is describe a small part of the whole animal. As an example, when I met friends at the finish line, they told me the police pulled them off the course telling them that there was no water or Gatorade past mile 16 or 18. So these runners started telling the press that the race ran out of water. Actually, that was the (probably improvised) story the police were telling to get people off the course for their own good. In particular the last few aid stations had plenty of supplies. However, the early aid stations either ran out, or had trouble keeping water and gatorade available for the whole race. I have heard from people who said there was nothing available at the second or third aid station, but people who came behind them said there was either water or gatorade, but not both. It seems at the very least the volunteers had trouble keeping up with the demand at some of the earlier stations for the back-of-the-pack runners, who of course, have every right to be angry. However, stopping the race was the wise thing to do. I was in the part of the pack that had NO trouble getting fluids, and people were dropping left and right. If the race wasn't stopped when it was, there would be many more injuries, or even a death (the one death has been determined to be caused by a congenital heart defect). The race managers added supplies of extra fluids, added air conditioned buses to the aid stations, repeatedly warned people of the effects of the heat (via email and in announcements before the start). Of course, adverse conditions are part of the sport, and I would rather see races being run in adverse conditions, and leave it to the runners to decide whether or not (or how far and how fast) they will run, than calling off the race ahead of time. | |
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Nikki Wade from Ohio
(10/9/2007)
"kudos to the residents of chicago!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Wow! Didn't know I signed up for what would turn into utter chaos... I have so many thoughts about this race but will try to make this short and 'sweet'. I can not believe that water stations were not set up every 1-1.5 miles - almost 3 mi. between each one was bound to cause trouble. And where exactly were the 'misters' that I heard about from the race coordinators at the expo? I only saw a few fire hydrants spraying and kind residents bringing out their own sprinklers and hoses to help people. What a colossal waste of time, money and energy for so many... Do I get a discount should I consider coming back next year?! (ps - regardless of the 'issues' this race had, I seriously can't believe for the amount of money this race costs you don't even get a technical T-shirt) | |
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Welsh Brian from Barrington, NewJersey
(10/9/2007)
"PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Hat off to Chicago... while it was a war zone out there I saw many thing that made me want to scratch my head. First with the impending heat from the start I saw many people running without gels or other nutrition, during the run the for the first 18 miles there was shade from the buildings, yet people were running in the direct sunlight. I was able to see I came in the top 5000 at 4:07 so I did not experience the shortage of water or gatorade. However knowing in advance that the weather was going to be extreme I scrapped my idea of running a sub 3:30 and used my HR monitor as my guide and stuck to a regimented gel plan at 35 minutes between. I also prepared for the worst and carried money in the event there was no water to be found. I found the decision to cancel the run to be a good one, I did witness many runners who appeared to be time focused nearly collapsing and must have heard the cry of 'runner down' at least 20 times. I loved the course and the spectators were truly amazing, I will come again... Great job Chicago & Carey there is always room for better, but you did a great job all things considered... Maybe this can inspire and ER episode... god knows I heard sirens for 4 hours after I finished. | |
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V. G. from Chicago, IL USA
(10/9/2007)
"My fellow Chicagoans are the Best!!!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I also ran the marathon and I was feeling awesome. This was my first marathon ever and I ran 20 miles 3 ½ weeks prior; so I was ready!! What I wasn't ready for was 90 degree weather (with humidity) and the shortage of water and Gatorade. I was there people, along with 3 other Imerman Angels (Charity Team) and there was a shortage of water and Gatorade. The heat alone was brutal and I know that no one controls the temperature. But seriously, everyone knew since Friday that it would be that Hot and they should have been prepared. Sadly, I only made it to mile 15 ½ as I stopped sweating, felt chills everywhere and couldn't breathe!! Crazy! So the nurse in the emergency tent (Where my fellow Chicagoan basically carried me to) asked me not to continue. And I didn't. My health comes first. However.. Cheers to my fellow Chicagoans for stepping up and being the amazing city of Chicago that we are. People were bringing out their water hose to hose people down and filling peoples cups with water. I even saw a man in Boys Town setting Styrofoam cups out and filling them with water for the runners to take! Thank you!! And another past the 15 miles handing out bottles waters!! Bravo Chicago!!! Bravo!!! I love my hometown Chicago and the people in it!!! | |
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N. P. from Colorado
(10/9/2007)
"Take Responsibility for Yourself!" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Let's try taking responsibility for yourself?! I trained hard, I ran in heat and cold, and I was well prepared for adversity. I prepared for over a year and half to qualify for Boston, and I didn't. There is no one to blame! Marathon's are not easy. There is no easy part of 26.2 miles. What part of a weather report of 'hot and humid' makes you blame the organizers? They did the best they could. There is a point in a marathon or mountaineering where you have to be able to back off. Also, think about being a runner in the front...you are going to use as much water as you can get your hands on...nothing that a race organizer could predict or estimate. It's not their fault. Use your brain. Know your limits. Accept responsibility for yourself. |
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