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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 811 to 821]
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A Runner from South Wisconsin
(11/3/2002)
"Too Crowded for a PR or Boston Qualification" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run this race for the last 6 years. In that time the count of runners has grown from 10,000 to 40,000. This makes it rather difficult to set a PR or qualify for Boston because you are either telling the person in front of you 'on your left', 'right' or 'between' OR you are up and down from the street to the sidewalk just to get around the bulk crowd. Otherwise, all aspects of this race are very good: The expo, the elite, the stations, volunteers, finish, aid stations and the crowd. | |
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Bruce Fahrner from Peoria Illinois
(11/3/2002)
"perfect running weather" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My first marathon. Conditions were perfect for running this distance.Well organized and crowded and what spectator support! Overall an incredible experience. The windy City has once again lived up to it's name. | |
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A Runner from Chicago
(10/29/2002)
"Not for slower runners" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Beautiful course. The crowds are amazing. Such encouragement! But this is not for the slower runner. And we're not talking double digits! (5:17)There was no Gatorade or water for 3 miles. No gels left at the CLIF station. No oranges left at that stop. And not enough toilets. Seemed like fast and elite was the catered-to crowd. I will travel to my next one. | |
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A Runner from St. Augustine, FL
(10/29/2002)
"Sweet Race, Chicago" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My 3rd Chicago and it just keeps getting better.I'm biased since I used to live in the Lakeview neighborhood, but the crowds & 'the cheerleaders' from miles 6-7 are the BEST! I'm in FL now, but will always be up for running Chicago. Thanks to all the volunteers, organizers and specatators. | |
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A Runner from from PA
(10/29/2002)
"Unbelievable - the best!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and many others - no marathon compares to this. Spectators (so many, so boisterous), course (truly flat and fast), city (clean and gorgeously adorned with flowers everywhere, friendly fans and citizens), organization (top notch, it will really spoil you) - all the best! While some may think the field is crowded, this is the norm for any top flight, large marathon (the crowded feeling is nothing compared to Boston where it took me literally 15 miles to break free to my own running without a jam). Top courses and top marathons do that as everyone wants to run them. Like the other issues listed above, that is yet another strong compliment in the world of marathons! Anyone considering running a marathon MUST come here! | |
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A Runner from Georgia, USA
(10/27/2002)
"Too Many People" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This is my third marathon and my most disappointing. There were way too many runners this year. For 26.2 miles I felt crowded and was not able to set my own pace or get my stride. It reminded me of the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. Which is billed as an 'event', not a serious race. | |
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A Runner from calgary, ab, canada
(10/27/2002)
"awesome race and great people in chicago!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 ran chicago as my first marathon...a great choice! marathon experience and the city itself were first-rate. amazing crowd support with very friendly people and an urban scenic, flat course with a huge pack of runners. if you are a middle of the pack runner (like me) don't count on running a negative-split...my advice...try to move ahead sooner (rather than later) and don't count on the pack thinning too much if you are a >4hr runner. post-race at navy pier was great. lots to do in chicago...consider sticking around for a few days after the race to enjoy all that the city has to offer. hope to run this one again. | |
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A Runner from Shelby Township, MI
(10/26/2002)
"My first one was a success!!!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was an experience I'll never forget. And when I have children, I can't wait to tell them! My wife ran the Detroit Marathon last year on our 1st anniversary, and after that, I wanted to do a marathon together, and train all Spring and Summer. I have never run before, so I thought it would be the challenge of a lifetime. Battling shinsplints at the beginning, I stuck through 30 weeks of training and achieved something that has changed my life. I had a net time of 4:29:18. I was quite happy with myself. I even ran the 2nd half about 9 minutes faster than the first half. Makes me wonder if I should have given it a little more at the beginning??? By the way, my wife beat me by 9 minutes. :( I'm so proud of her, she finished nearly 20 minutes faster than her time from her first marathon. Now, I think I'm hooked. I want to run more marathons. The experience was much to thrilling and enriching to let it stop at one! | |
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A Runner from Charleston, South Carolina
(10/25/2002)
"I think I saw Oprah! ! ! True 26.2 Miracle Miler!" (about: 1997)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run 3 marathons (Tupalo, MS & Memphis, TN) and running Chi-town I realized that I ain't about diddley squat. I thought I was DA MAN down in Mississippi w/ a great PB of 3:10 but there are a lotta great runners out there that look more outta shape than my ol Man that I couldn't hang with! There is nuthing like a great crowd & I wore a shirt w/ my name on the front & everyone was reading my shirt w/ my name & cheering for me. It was like every section was MY PEEPS! No, I didn't really see Oprah, but if I did I think I'd give her a wedgie. LOL! I will be back to run it again, but I feel the need to do New York next. Isn't it cool how everyone gives Chi such high marks? I felt the need to contribute. Best part was some photographer got a great shot of me rounding the corner in Chinatown high fiving this awesome lil honey & man did I pay for that proof w/ a smile. My 'old' girlfriend didn't like me smiling that big in the photo for good reason, but any guy would have! I think she was a real HOOTER GIRL! :-) | |
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A Runner from Haddon Heights, NJ
(10/25/2002)
"The Best Marathon, Best Town" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago is a great course. The start is tight but workable. Even with the wind at the end the course is still superfast. The fans are the best and everything in the city is easy access. Chicago goes all out to welcome the marathoners. The expo is very organized. I would absolutely go back. Only improvements needed would be some sort of downtown shuttle to start. The cabs are tough to get race morning, and more bathrooms at start. Otherwise, Perfect!!! |
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