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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 541 to 551]
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L. L. from Lake Tahoe, CA
(10/24/2006)
"Great marathon if you want the big crowds" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race! Despite the weather calling for rain, snow flurries, and 30 MPH winds, the crowds were out in full support. There were always crowds cheering, many with funny signs that you'd see a few times along the course. Spectators handed our oreos, candies, fruit and happily would cheer your name if it was written on your shirt. Also, there is nothing like standing around with the energy of 40,000 other runners. The Expo was great, the organization was great, the medals were nice, and it was a wonderful time. This was my first marathon and I finished 20 minutes faster than my 26 mile training run. Wonderful first experience! | |
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J. C. from Memphis, TN
(10/24/2006)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great race. Fan support is great. The course is very flat and you cover much of the city. Large expo with many vendors. Tons of support on the course. This is an excellent race all the way around. Weather is always a big variable in any race that is completely out of the control of organizers or runners. This year was a little windy but other than that, low 40s was great. | |
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Sid Bell from Chicago, IL
(10/24/2006)
"World Class Race Fans and Runners!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my 4th Chicago and even in spite of lousy weather the public was out in force as only Chicago can rally behind its runners! If you want to experience world class runners-and World class cheering sections then you have to come to Chicago on Oct. 7, 2007 for the 30th Anniversary! Yah that mite sound biased, but it will be something that you will Come away from with a BIG GRIN on your face! Sid Bell - #19491 | |
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P. E. from Charlotte, NC
(10/24/2006)
"Great experience from start to finish" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago's reputation is well deserved. Great organization, great fans and a great course. Every race organizer in the country (including NYC) needs to experience Chicago before they put on their own race. | |
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G. M. from Chicago, Illinois USA
(10/24/2006)
"Great spectator support. Felt like a rock star!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved going through the neighborhoods. I think the Chicago Marathon should give away somthing to THE BEST SUPPORTING NEIGHBORHOOD. It made my race to see so many people come out in support of others. It was like each neighborhood was trying to out do the other (Belmont area was my favorite) It was my first Marathon and if I never run another I will always make my way out along the route and srcreem support to the runners because it made my race. | |
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D. L. from Houston, Texas
(10/24/2006)
"Great experience" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my 3rd marathon. I only have Houston to compare it to but it was just as good. The course was interesting. I hadn't been to Chicago before, so that was neat. I did run a PR as I hoped, but it was definitely not without it's challenges. I was a bit surprised by the strong headwinds and little hill on the last mile. The crowd was great. 4 people deep in parts, non-existent in some other spots. The weather had to be a somewhat of a deterent though. The organization was tremendous for that amount of people. Very efficient packet pick-up. The morning of the race seemed organized too. I had no trouble getting to my pace group. I would highly recommend the Trophy Tent. It was worth the $75. | |
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T. W. from Alpharetta, GA
(10/24/2006)
"Pace Teams are Awesome!!!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The pace team leaders are experienced, inspirational and landed me my first BQ finish! Next stop Boston, April 2007. | |
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R. S. from Columbus, OHIO
(10/24/2006)
"Pros way out weight the cons - great marathon!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 If you've never run with 40,000 of your closests friends then you should be aware there are pros and cons to it.... PROS=Crowd support is amazing. Every step of the way, people cheering. Water stops are very big, I'd advise running thru the middle and stopping at the end, amazing organization considering the # of runners! CONS=Need a few more toilets early on in the course. There were plenty at the start/finish. I only waited 10 minutes before the race but early in the course, not enough. Close quarters...The whole time during the marathon, you are very near to other runners, at all times. So water stops and turning corners can be quite congested. But I knew that going in, so how can anyone complain about that aspect! The other con, b/c you are so close when people stop to walk, you sometimes run into them or swerve to avoid them. I lost alot of time swerve/running around people/trying not to ram into someone from behind...That was a little frustrating too. However, it is way more pro than con and I'll have some lifetime memories from it...I will never forget runnning through all the different neighborhoods, its like a tour of Chicago on foot....I also won't forget running down the shoot with hundreds of people screaming for me. That's what makes Chicago, Chicago! I loved it! I'll probably not do it again, I like small marathons, but if you haven't done Chicago, you MUST add it to your list. | |
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j. a. from brooklyn,oh
(10/24/2006)
"Wow, wow, wow, wow!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It would be hard to believe that another city could top the Chicago LaSalle Marathon. Amazing crowd support, and plenty of fluid stations. Oh, did I mention the crowd? Unbelievable. Thanks Chicago. See you next year. | |
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Paul Semendinger from Wyckoff, New Jersey
(10/24/2006)
"THE BEST EVER!!!!!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Limiting this to 1,000 words will be difficult... I have loved all of my marathon experiences, and I LOVE the NYC Marathon, BUT, I have to say, this marathon was the best one I have EVER experienced. The Expo was great. Lots of vendors, EVERYONE was nice, friendly, helpful, kind. It was spacious. The race itself was organized unbelievably well. The runners were kind, the officials were kind. It really was great. Top notch. Really, it could not have been better. And, with 34,000+ runners, I was still able to set a P.R. at 3:25:16. But, the spectators, oh, the spectators. THEY WERE AMAZING!!! It was cold and windy, but they were out in force. In NYC, the great thrill is 1st avenue with the great crowds...in Chicago, there were countless times when the crowds went on for what seemed like miles screaming like 1st Ave in NYC. They were that great! Even through the water stops, the volunteers cheered. I ran on air for miles and miles... Since my name was on my shirt, for miles I heard: 'Go Paul!' 'Yeah Paul' 'Looking great Paul!' 'Way to Go Paul' 'PAUL!!!!!!!!' I tried to say 'Thank you' whenever anyone called my name, and/or pump my fist, give a thumbs up, and make eye contact with the spectators. This went on for MILES! Because of all this screaming for me, a number of runners said nice things to me about the crowds and such...but one guy running next to me said, 'Is this your hometown?' I said, 'No...' He said, 'It is today!' THANK YOU CHICAGO FOR A GREAT MARATHON. IT WAS THE BEST! |
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