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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 591 to 601]
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J. L. from NYC
(3/7/2006)
"Wow - such energy! Great marathon!!!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon! It was an amazing experience. The energy of the crowds just keeps on driving you... great organization... and a nice flat course. | |
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J. Q. from Florida
(2/22/2006)
"Not good for a first-timer who is slow." (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 I knew going in that the time limit was too short for me but was not prepared for how early they push you to the sidewalks (in Chinatown and other areas where sidewalks are full of people). Also did not appreciate the lack of protection for runners at the starting area or along the course. No pre-race food was a big letdown. Fans were great and the course gave a good overview of Chicago. Just would not recommend this for a first-timer (as I was) or for someone who needs more than 4 hours. | |
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Lisa Gunnett from Birmingham, AL
(2/15/2006)
"This marathon is a MUST!!!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Chicago Marathon is the absolute best marathon. The course, crowd and surroundings cannot be beat. The atmosphere is fantastic and everyone - from the runners to the crowd - is supportive and upbeat. | |
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N. M. from New York, NY
(1/21/2006)
"Fantastic marathon!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've ran 3 NYC Marathons and thought nothing could compare. I was wrong. Everything was perfect. The weather, the start, the crowds, the finish.... The only thing I was missing was my PR. I was sick, so I just took it easy. I recommend this race to everyone. It's flat, and the abundance of support from the crowds really pulls you through.... | |
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Roberto Flores from Oswego, IL
(12/21/2005)
"It was great" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I loved it, the people were great. Support all around, helped me complete the course. Thank you everyone. | |
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S. O. from Clearwater, FL
(12/4/2005)
"What a marathon should be!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Oh my goodness! I've run 8 marathons prior to Chicago and have never run a marathon with more than 2500 participants and maybe 300 spectators on a good day. So running with 30K+ participants with spectators lined at every mile was the best experience any runner could ask for. I found myself smiling throughout the whole race! Going through the different parts of Chicago was amazing. Although the finish up that short hill was torture, the deafening sounds of the spectators made me forget all about the pain. The ONLY negative comment I can make was that finding people at the end near Buckingham Fountain was nearly impossible with the other tens of thousands of people there. Fortunately I had my cell phone in my race bag. | |
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Tim Hancock from Naples, FL
(12/2/2005)
"Great first or second marathon!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second year and I returned mainly due to the flat course, great temps and the incredible fan turnout!! Great expo, and meeting Hal Higdon was nice. Post-race meeting area was way too crowded. Last thing you want to do after a marathon is get stuck in a crowd looking for your family. I'll probably look for smaller marathons in the future, but I highly recommend Chicago for a positive first or second race experience. | |
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Ryan Murphy from Des Moines, IA
(12/1/2005)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Any first-timer who is looking for a race, this is the one. Chicago was my first marathon and it was everything I hoped it would be, and then some. The crowd absolutely blew my mind; it was by far the closest I will ever come to feeling like a professional athlete. There were plenty of aid stations and the course is very manageable. I was a little surprised that there was not more food at the end, but that is just being picky. If you are thinking about running a smaller one for your first time, DON'T! You will be amazed how much the huge crowds help you during the last couple miles. I left Chicago feeling like I had experienced what a real marathon is like, and I don't know if that would have been as true in a smaller setting. | |
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b. k. from Midwest
(11/15/2005)
"Chicago gets better every year" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I run this race every year. Every year I notice something better than the last. This year they had better food and plenty of it at the finish. Absolutely no problem with water, as much as you can drink, and plentiful volunteers that were well informed. Medical help was attentive at the end and not afraid to ask you if everything was ok. There was an ice tent with only ice and pretty volunteers handing out baggies of it. The post party was excellent with Chicago's finest eateries and almost everything was free with a few beers included. Live entertainment was also real good this year. This race is fast, a definite PR course. On the negative side, I did notice that the expo was a little lean this year. Same old problem of never having enough porta johns. I also think they could use a new design for the medal. It would also be great if they could get more music and bands in the 2nd half of the race. Get some grade school and high school bands to perform with some inspiration. | |
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C. B. from New Jersey, U.S.
(11/7/2005)
"First marathon, can't imagine a better one!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago 2005 was my first marathon ever, and I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. I ran New York a month later and it was awesome too, but not quite as friendly and welcoming as Chicago. And for having close to the same number of runners, the organization of Chicago was so much better than that of New York as far as start-line logistics, etc. I think I will always have a soft spot for Chicago; it was truly a great tour of a world-class city. |
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