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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 691 to 701]
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c. c. from Texas
(10/14/2004)
"Awesome crowds, great course, great organization" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event exceeded my expectations by far!! I had been told to expect a 'crowded' race, and to plan around the water stations, but neither were problems. I was able to get into my pace in the first mile, and never had an issue with congestion at the aid stations. The organization was superb, keeping runners very well informed leading up to the race. Best of all for me was the spectator support. The crowds lift you up when you most need it throughout the entire 26.2 miles!! This was my second marathon, and I think it will be hard to top. I'd highly recommend it for first timers looking for a flat course, or those that want to experience a 'big' marathon; don't think you'd be disappointed. | |
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D. G. from Patuxent River, MD
(10/14/2004)
"Best One Yet..." (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon in a year and although I had great experiences with my other two races (Richmond and San Diego) this was by far my favorite. Considering the number of runners, everything from port-a-pots to water stops to gear pickup was well thought out and convenient. The course was flat and fast as advertised, and the fan support at every mile of the way was amazing. This is one marathon I'd definitely do again and I'd highly recommend it to first-timers and seasoned runners alike!! Awesome city!! | |
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J. H. from NYC
(10/14/2004)
"Fantastic for First-Timers!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I recently ran the Chicago Marathon as my first attempt to take on the daunting 26.2 mile race. I didn't get into NYC this year and chose Chicago as my back-up. It turned out to be better than I could've ever imagined. I beat my own expectations by at least 10 minutes, running negative splits the whole way and finishing in 3:52! As a beginner, now I know what to expect in NYC next year and can't wait to run again! The spectators were fantastic and kept me going almost the whole way. By the time I reached mile 10 I hadn't realized 10 miles had already past! The only time that spectator support was lacking was between miles 23-25 (where you need it most). New Balance kept promoting the New Balance 'Final Five' with bands and spectators to help you through the last five miles, but it was a letdown when I reached the 'Final Five' and found little or no support on the roads. All of the complaints I've read in other reviews about the crowds is nonsense. The only times I got stuck were at a few water aid stations, but it was never for more than 10 seconds and I was able to run negative splits the entire race to make up for any time lost at the aid stations. With such a flat course, it's definitely one no beginner should pass up. Chicago is a beautiful city with amazing sites and people - no one should miss this marathon, especially if it's your first!! | |
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C. N. from New Jersey
(10/14/2004)
"How many people can you cram into a race?" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the best organized event I have ever been to. The crowd is outstanding and the city is beautiful. I can only think of two things that could possibly stop a person from running Chicago: Money & an overly crowded field - the hotel, parking, dining, and entry fee are all very pricey. The race was over-crowded also; I was getting cut off or stepped on for the first 20 miles. If you have a lot of $$$ and don't mind running in a people jam, this is a must do race. | |
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dennis wills from overland park KS
(10/14/2004)
"great city, race, spectators, weather & volunteers" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon, and the experience was great. Countless volunteers and spectators helped me finish. Very well run. | |
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B. H. from Chicago, IL
(10/13/2004)
"Great Race from a Chicago Resident's View" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a fun race. The spectators are amazing, it is really hard to explain how much support they give. I wore my name on my shirt and it made all the difference. We ran through areas that I have not even been to... and I LIVE HERE!! Great organization. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were having as good of time as the racers. I especially liked the Chicago Endurance Sports 'Free High Five Station' at mile 23.5. | |
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A. H. from Utah
(10/13/2004)
"Great Fan Support" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I'm fairly new to running marathons, but the spectators have no equal. Wow if there is a bigger support group I would like to know. I was motivated start to finish. Thank you one and all!! | |
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J. K. from Michigan
(10/13/2004)
"Chicago is great!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First of all, I have to say that any race that has drawn me back every year since 1998 must be awesome. The organization, crowd support, and overall experience in Chicago is second to none (including New York and Boston in my opinion). Carey Pinkowski, whoever and wherever you are, you do a phenomenal job! The only drawback to this race, which will prevent me from doing it next year, is the number of runners. My goodness there are too many out there. For those of us training for PRs and Boston qualifying it is almost a panicky feeling to have to run at another person's pace because you're stuck behind them for a while and to have to walk through the first 5 aid stations because everyone in front of you is, and you HAVE NO CHOICE. The inclusions of the competitive and preferred corral starts has helped but is still not the answer. Please consider taking this race to the next level and making it 'elite': not meaning to discourage runners of all pace capabilities but to cap the amount of people at a manageable number and hold a lottery for entrants. There's a reason that everyone is dying to run Boston and New York and it's because there's not a guaranteed entry. They're exclusive. Chicago is every bit as good (if not better than!) those two races and it should be held in the same esteem. I love this race dearly and want to see it stay as awesome as it is. By letting everyone and their brother in it takes away from it a little. PS. Does anyone else hope that they run the course backward at some point? The first 13.1 miles are by far more supported by crowd, and more interesting and scenic than the second half, and it might be fun to mix it up one year. | |
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Richard Ervais from New York
(10/13/2004)
"I wouldn't change a thing!!!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What an incredible experience. This was my 14th marathon, my fastest and I qualified for Boston -- how can I complain? Hard to believe that 40,000 runners ran this race considering how smoothly the expo and the race went. And the organizers were kind enough to provide wonderful weather too. Flat course, constant crowd support, great expo, great water stations (especially the Frontrunner station near mile 8, complete with high energy Village People music, costumes and cheerleaders -- too bad this station isn't in the last few miles to give that extra push many of us need nearing the finish line). | |
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Amanda Cizek from New York City!
(10/13/2004)
"The Chicago crowd sure beats NY!!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed the energy of the crowds and definitely the flat course. One big problem, though, involved the fact that the bridges did not have carpeting on them. As a result, the girl I was guiding, who is blind, tripped and split her knee on one of the metal separators (don't know what they are) just before the 13-mile mark and required seven stitches at the end. Aside from being dangerous for blind runners, I think for the safety of all runners that carpeting would be a very important thing to put down in years to come. The best news is that she was brave enough to run another 13 and change with a busted knee. The fellow runners were unbelievably wonderful with their encouragement and I am so grateful for the crowd support. It was like NY's First Avenue for 26 miles! |
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