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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 681 to 691]
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J. K. from Chicago, IL
(10/19/2004)
"Crowded But Fun" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a marathon that is a 26.2-mile party, and you do not have a time goal, Chicago is your race! Do not run this marathon if you have a time goal and do not qualify for the preferred corrals. Chicago likes to advertise itself as a 'fast course' and this is true, so long as you are well ahead of the masses (33,000+ in 2004). You spend a lot of time dodging and weaving around other runners for the entire race, not just the beginning as it was in years past. According to my GPS I ran 26.7 miles; which is the result of having to maneuver around people the entire race. Chicago is a fun marathon, however, and the fans are spectacular throughout. Just be forewarned about the crowds and have a great time! | |
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K. K. from Winfield, Illinois
(10/19/2004)
"superb experience from a 1st time marathoner" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything was excellent...including the weather! | |
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L. G. from Maryland, USA
(10/18/2004)
"A great race in a great city!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon (I ran NYC last year) and I had a great experience. The race organization was fantastic considering the large number of runners. Chicago is a nice city to visit and the people make you feel very welcome. The course itself is scenic and flat (great for a PR or Boston qualifying time) with plenty of aid stations and toilets along the way. The spectators were really enthusiastic and there were plenty of them along the entire course. I highly recommend this marathon to any runner, whether it's your first marathon or you've run several. You are guaranteed a fun time in a well organized event with lots of spectator support! I look forward to running Chicago again! | |
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M. F. from Taylor Mill, Ky
(10/18/2004)
"Very nicely done" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my third marathon and I would definitely do it again. The organization for this race is excellent, everything runs very smoothly. I didn't even have to wait in line for my finish line beer! | |
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Ann Singer from Suffern, New York
(10/18/2004)
"Chicago, Chicago... gracious town" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my 30th marathon since age 50, my 19th state marathon. This is a must marathon on your list. Even from a 'back of the pack' marathoner the race is great. Chicago is a wonderful town to visit. Expo was well run, fun and very informative. Spectators are really into cheering. Volunteers could not be more helpful and pleasant. Bands were fabulous. Next to Disney this is my favorite marathon. Easy to get on line and register. Easy to get to Grant Park and start race. Party at Navy Pier night of marathon with jumbo screen showing marathon great idea. Follow information on LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon website for all your needs for this super race. They even think to help 26.2 Support Crew that are following their family and friends during race. | |
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David Cuthbertson from Naperville, Illinois
(10/17/2004)
"Great Debut Marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a great first marathon. Everything was absolutely first class from on-line registration through the finish line. The crowds were awesome. The course is set up so that your family can see you three or four times during the race by walking point to point. A must run for all first-timers. | |
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J. O. from Chicago
(10/16/2004)
"A+" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There is no better big marathon. (I've also done Boston and NYC). Everything about this is first rate. There is no better big marathon experience. The only legitimate beef could be about the number of runners. But that's the way any big marathon is. The logistics are excellent. If you qualify for a 'preferred' or 'competitive' starting bin, the number of runners is not an issue. In any event, this is fast course. There certainly is no big marathon course that is faster. | |
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C. P. from Little Rock, Arkansas
(10/16/2004)
"Great Race" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As all people have already said, the 2004 marathon was great, weather was perfect, fans great, course well done. I will say a couple of things for others thinking about doing this race, maybe for the first time. Yes it is crowded. I was lucky enough to have a preferred start (2 minutes behind the start) and had plenty of room to get moving without having to watch feet. Obviously, aid stations are crowded and you do need to move through carefully. Expo was awesome, and I would encourage people to go early before the masses show up. From 10 am to noon it was very easy to get around. I agree with a previous poster about running the course backwards. The first half is very scenic and the crowds are huge. It does thin out the second half, though it's not empty by any means and it also is out in the open without much shade. It did get a little warm this year and the shady neighborhoods in the first part of the race would have been nice at the end, as well as all the fans being between 18 and 26 and not 1 to 10. I will certainly try and come back. A great race in the best city in the world. Congratulations Chicago!!!! | |
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Todd Livingston from Omaha, NE
(10/16/2004)
"Extraordinary Experience" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Completing, my fifth marathon was awesome, but completing my first Chicago Marathon was an experience like none other! My first marathon was the Twin Cities Marathon (great event), one I thought I would continue to run year after year. Needless to say, I haven't run it again since... I always seem to find another location to try out. But I can guarantee it: I will run the Chicago Marathon every year until I can no longer run! The crowd support is like no other, the organization and content of the convention was mind-boggling and the course was flat, fast and incredibly scenic. Other than cramping up at mile 18 and not getting that PR I was hoping for, I had the best experience I could have imagined! Major kudos to the event staff and organization; a standing ovation to all the spectators (without you, the majority of the runners could not finish); and lastly, to the City of Chicago, what more can I say but, 'You Are The Greatest City!' | |
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t. n. from Northern California
(10/15/2004)
"Everything it's cracked up to be" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I got the excellent experience I expected, and the Boston qualifying time that I hoped for. I endorse everyone else's positive comments. Regarding the crowd: In 2002's Chicago Marathon I started in back, with the giant crowd. This year/2004, my San Francisco Marathon's sub-3:45 time got me a purple tag, so I got to start up front in 'preferred.' Definitely THE WAY TO GO: a start ahead of the crowd and Chicago's first-rate support the whole way. IF, on the other hand, you can't start in the reserved groups because you don't have a qualifying marathon in the bag, and you're on the cusp for some target time, and that target time is the only thing that matters to you, I'd suggest considering a smaller race somewhere else. Chicago's wonderful but it would be a real downer for a crowded field to keep you from your time which you otherwise would get - and there are lots of great races out there. |
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