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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 631 to 641]
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Bonnie Reichardt from Chicago, IL
(10/11/2005)
"The most fun thing I have ever done!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I loved every minute from start to finish. I wish I could give the crowd 10 stars, they were so enthusiastic the whole way and there were very few areas that I noticed not many people were around. It was very crowded with 40,000 runners, but I can't wait for next year to do it again. | |
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S. T. from Chicago
(10/11/2005)
"Best large marathon...." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great organization, great expo, great spectator support. If you are looking for a fast course, this is it. For out-of-towners, just hop on the L from either airport and you are downtown. The food is good, and the weather was just right for a race. This is my 3rd time, and there will be many more to come.... | |
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M. S. from USA
(10/10/2005)
"Flat course, flawless organization, & what a crowd" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The crowd support, flat course, & world-class city make this an outstanding event year after year. What more can you say? The run through 'Boys Town' is not to be missed! | |
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John Grieco from Bedminster, NJ
(10/10/2005)
"A great experience" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It's hard to believe a race with so many runners going through the heart of a major city can go off so smoothly. However the organizers of the Chicago marathon pull it off. This is a great race for the beginner and experienced runner alike. The course is fast and flat (some make reference to the hill after mile 25 but that is short and gradual, IMHO). Most of the course is lined with specators, some places 2 and 3 people deep. The walls of sound in the caverns between the buildings sent chills through me and all the high-5's also helped me along. I feel the location of the last course bathroom stop (mile 18?) could be better placed, farther away from the corner. Its corner location created a blind spot between runners rounding the corner and those heading to, or out of, port-a-potties. Otherwise organization is a 5. If you run it, line up early to ensure you get in your desired pace area. | |
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J. V. from Florida
(10/10/2005)
"This really is the best organized marathon" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run over 100 marathons and Chicago lives up to all the hype and praise. It was hard to believe that there were that many runners due to how smoothly everthing is planned. No hassles. This is one of the best for a first-timer or a vet looking for a PR. | |
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C. H. from Libertyville, IL
(10/10/2005)
"Big-city marathon; big-time excitement; great race" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Chicago Marathon is a spectacle and a first-class event that excites the whole city. Chicago has annual events that epitomize the city's pulse (Taste of Chicago, Air & Water Show) and the Chicago Marathon is in the same group. With over 1 million spectators, interesting entertainment along the way, and a start and finish that gives you goose bumps, it's a great marathon experience. The only drawbacks are the port-a-potty lines before the race, and the spotty spectator support in areas of the second half. | |
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v. v. from Chicago, IL
(9/29/2005)
"Great course but getting a little crowded" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run Chicago six times and the course is great as are the spectators. You can't beat the entertainment, especially in the miles between 4 and 11. The only complaint is all the charity runners who have no intention of running any portion of the course. If applaud anyone that wants to walk 26 miles for a charity, but they need to start in a different spot, preferably behind those that actually want to run. As the race has expanded to 40,000 it's getting way too crowded. | |
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N. P. from Cleveland, OH
(7/20/2005)
"Absolute best way to see the city!" (General Comments)
3 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 As a native Chicagoan, I may be biased, but the city looks beautiful while you run past historic landmarks, gorgeous buildings, charming neigborhoods, and thousands of cheering fans for 26 miles. It's a big party and the spectators really help the first 20 miles. The spectators taper off the last six miles, along the south side, and you're left with your thoughts and mind games to help you finish. The only downside is that the race is clogged with runners the first 10-15 miles. You may want to line up at a pace that's 30-45 seconds faster than you usually run in order to avoid zig-zagging around slower runners. I plan on running it again every year! | |
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L. H. from Missouri
(7/7/2005)
"My very favorite marathon - even over Boston." (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love, love, love this marathon. I've run it three times and found the crowd support to be the very best of any large city marathon I've run. Organization is very good, the course is terrific, and the expo is outstanding as well. I ran Boston this past spring and felt very disppointed in the crowd support compared to Chicago. The only drawback is how expensive everything can be for one weekend. Chicago will always be my first pick for a fall marathon. | |
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J. U. from Canton, Ohio
(7/3/2005)
"more portable toilets needed" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is the ultimate marathon in the country. There is a reason why it reaches its 40,000 entries every year and is on record pace in 2005 to do so again. The people who have run Chicago want to run it again and again. 2005 will be my 3rd Chicago. Two things bother me though: 1. The starting line is too narrow. The street at the start is 8 lanes wide but at the point where the runners cross the starting line the runners are funneled into 3 1/2 lanes. I do not see the reason for this. This increases the time for those near the back to about 20 minutes. That could be reduced if the start were 6 or 8 lanes wide. 2. There is a shortage of portable toilets at the start and along the course. This might not be fixable as the spectators would probably use the course toilets if their numbers were increased. Because of these two problems I could not give the organization a 5. Even with the problems, if you have a "competitive" green number or a "preferred" purple number, this is a race that can't be topped in terms of crowd noise and fast finishing times due to the flat course. |
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