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Marathon Details - Rockford Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > IL > Rockford > Rockford Marathon

Rockford Marathon

Rockford Marathon & Half Marathon, 10k

Rockford, IL USA

May 21, 2017

http://www.chicagoevents.com/events/rockfordmarathon

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2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Scenic double loop course along the Rock River. Mostly residential streets with a few miles on bike paths. A few rolling hills but mostly flat.

Contact Information

Name:
Address:	Special Events Management 2221 W. 43rd Street Chicago, IL 60609
Phone Number:	773-584-6638
Fax Number:	773-523-6760
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

2015 Rockford Marathon (8/22/14)

Josh Ruston

The 8th Annual Rockford Marathon will be held on May 31, 2015. We have brought the marathon back after a one year hiatus. Registration will be opening September 8, 2014.

Runner Reviews (34)

Course 4.1

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.4

Write a review

Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

John Holland from National city california (2/8/2018) "Touring the town" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I could live in this town Hope to run next year again
a. c. from oregon, il (6/26/2017) "excellent value for $25" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Since I rapped this event in 2016, time to give kudos for 2017. The criteria used by marathonguide.com is misleading to a race of this sorts. There needs to be a rating for 'Value', which is much more important than something like Spectators. Find me another marathon than offers a $25 entry fee. Though I don't care for the course much, the low price of entry of what sells me on this marathon. Sure, the Chicago Marathon is superior, but I would sign up for Rockford ahead of Chicago because of the difference in pricing. Compared to 2016, the organization of aid stations was improved. All sites were manned and volunteers did satisfactory job. Plenty of beverage and gel. Post-race finish was so-so.
M. H. from Chicago (7/26/2016) "Great local marathon" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This my second time running the Rockford Marathon (2008 and 2016). I liked the 13.1 loop repeat and fast down hills. You can't beat the low race entry. Close enough to Chicago, easy parking and easy gear check. Street closures were great - officers very friendly. The 6 am start was great to beat the heat. This small marathon is a PR race for sure!
R. R. from Chicago Suburbs (6/4/2016) "Great Marathon Without the Pressure" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Course was well marked, volunteers were great and the crowd that was there was supportive. Not only is the price hard to beat, but the fact that you can drop down to any race distance without paying a transfer fee is awesome. This is quickly becoming my favorite marathon although I did not have the best race because of the heat. :)
a. c. from oregon, il (5/30/2016) "so-so" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Organizers did an adequate job setting up course, but Rockford is not a town conducive to marathons. The two main reasons I entered was close proximity to home and the early bird pricing. Maybe I'm spoiled by good trail running options at Rock Cut and have lost my desire for road racing. Bottom line - there is nothing special about this race and the course leaves a lot to be desired. One disappointment was not seeing GU anywhere. It may have been on course, but volunteers made no mention of it.
C. C. from Illinois (5/25/2016) "Nice Affordable Race, Aid Stations Need Work" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Rockford is a nice and very affordable marathon on a relatively flat and fast course (two smallish hills). Weather at this time of year can be hot and the course has little shade. However, the race starts at 6am, which helps with that. I liked the smaller size of the race and there is a rather nice, albeit short, scenic section along the river. The race is pretty low on spectators. There were a couple of serious problems with the aid stations that kept me from rating this one higher. The first aid station did not have anyone at it when the race started and was barely set up when the race looped back around at the half. The second was barely ready with only a couple of cups filled. In the second half the table had cups of water, but no one handing them out. A few other stations lacked gatorade, and I never once saw anyone handing out Gu. It was left in boxes on the tables. Not a good situation for anyone running with a time goal. Finish line food was bananas and a few energy bars. I enjoyed the run but don't think I would run this one again.
R. P. from Illinois (5/24/2016) "Close to Home" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Only fifteen minutes from my house, hard not to run. The course is okay. Friendly helpful volunteers. Post race food... a few bananas. Overall a pleasant small marathon.
J. B. from Janesville, WI (6/5/2015) "Great course with a wonderful small atmosphere." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for this event after seeing a special on Facebook for a twenty dollar entry fee. This marathon course was a two loop course shared with half marathoners on a 45 to 60 degree sunny day in May. I parked 400 yards from the start, packet pick-up was a breeze, a wonderful, primarily flat course through residential areas, with great volunteers! The police at intersections were superb! The medal was nice, finish line was spectacular, post race food was marginal but the finish area was great with a park to relax and recover in. I will be back! I do recommend a few more port-a-potties on the course and at the beginning would be appreciated..Thanks for a well done event!
Rob Stoltz from Hanover Park, IL (6/1/2015) "Great Course For a Fast Time" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I agree with everything in the review 'J. H. from Virginia (5/20/11)'. On top of that, the 6 a.m. start resulted in a 44 degree start temp, and an ending temp in the low 50s... perfect for running a fast time! The course had no steep inclines, and all long gradual downhills, also making for fast times. The low volume of participants in the marathon combined with the high volume of awesome volunteers means you get dedicated attention at water stops when every second counts. If you're looking for a Boston qualifier, this is a great place to do it!
T. S. from Chicago, IL (5/31/2015) "Ran the full marathon today" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 1st time running Rockford Marathon. Pros: Easy, abundant, free parking near start/finish. Quick friendly gear check. Super friendly law enforcement & volunteers. Great price. Plenty of porta-potties on course. (Glad I didn't need them!) Perfect temps today, but the strong headwind made it tough at times. Cons: Not enough porta-potties at start. Fewest I've ever seen. One section of the course we were running on weird 'chunky' concrete slabs, uncomfortable. Not a closed course, had a couple of near-auto issues. Very poor post-race food options. Power bars, bananas, apples, bagel chunks, water, Gatorade. No beer, no hot food. Not even salty chips. Full marathon course loops, so it was discouraging to do the 'hills' again at mile 14 ish....they were easy the 1st time! That said, I had my 2nd fastest time, and the friendly volunteers and race officials (and police!) made it a great time.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]



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John Holland from National city california (2/8/2018) "Touring the town" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I could live in this town Hope to run next year again
a. c. from oregon, il (6/26/2017) "excellent value for $25" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Since I rapped this event in 2016, time to give kudos for 2017. The criteria used by marathonguide.com is misleading to a race of this sorts. There needs to be a rating for 'Value', which is much more important than something like Spectators. Find me another marathon than offers a $25 entry fee. Though I don't care for the course much, the low price of entry of what sells me on this marathon. Sure, the Chicago Marathon is superior, but I would sign up for Rockford ahead of Chicago because of the difference in pricing. Compared to 2016, the organization of aid stations was improved. All sites were manned and volunteers did satisfactory job. Plenty of beverage and gel. Post-race finish was so-so.
M. H. from Chicago (7/26/2016) "Great local marathon" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This my second time running the Rockford Marathon (2008 and 2016). I liked the 13.1 loop repeat and fast down hills. You can't beat the low race entry. Close enough to Chicago, easy parking and easy gear check. Street closures were great - officers very friendly. The 6 am start was great to beat the heat. This small marathon is a PR race for sure!
R. R. from Chicago Suburbs (6/4/2016) "Great Marathon Without the Pressure" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Course was well marked, volunteers were great and the crowd that was there was supportive. Not only is the price hard to beat, but the fact that you can drop down to any race distance without paying a transfer fee is awesome. This is quickly becoming my favorite marathon although I did not have the best race because of the heat. :)
a. c. from oregon, il (5/30/2016) "so-so" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Organizers did an adequate job setting up course, but Rockford is not a town conducive to marathons. The two main reasons I entered was close proximity to home and the early bird pricing. Maybe I'm spoiled by good trail running options at Rock Cut and have lost my desire for road racing. Bottom line - there is nothing special about this race and the course leaves a lot to be desired. One disappointment was not seeing GU anywhere. It may have been on course, but volunteers made no mention of it.
C. C. from Illinois (5/25/2016) "Nice Affordable Race, Aid Stations Need Work" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Rockford is a nice and very affordable marathon on a relatively flat and fast course (two smallish hills). Weather at this time of year can be hot and the course has little shade. However, the race starts at 6am, which helps with that. I liked the smaller size of the race and there is a rather nice, albeit short, scenic section along the river. The race is pretty low on spectators. There were a couple of serious problems with the aid stations that kept me from rating this one higher. The first aid station did not have anyone at it when the race started and was barely set up when the race looped back around at the half. The second was barely ready with only a couple of cups filled. In the second half the table had cups of water, but no one handing them out. A few other stations lacked gatorade, and I never once saw anyone handing out Gu. It was left in boxes on the tables. Not a good situation for anyone running with a time goal. Finish line food was bananas and a few energy bars. I enjoyed the run but don't think I would run this one again.
R. P. from Illinois (5/24/2016) "Close to Home" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Rockford Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Only fifteen minutes from my house, hard not to run. The course is okay. Friendly helpful volunteers. Post race food... a few bananas. Overall a pleasant small marathon.
J. B. from Janesville, WI (6/5/2015) "Great course with a wonderful small atmosphere." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for this event after seeing a special on Facebook for a twenty dollar entry fee. This marathon course was a two loop course shared with half marathoners on a 45 to 60 degree sunny day in May. I parked 400 yards from the start, packet pick-up was a breeze, a wonderful, primarily flat course through residential areas, with great volunteers! The police at intersections were superb! The medal was nice, finish line was spectacular, post race food was marginal but the finish area was great with a park to relax and recover in. I will be back! I do recommend a few more port-a-potties on the course and at the beginning would be appreciated..Thanks for a well done event!
Rob Stoltz from Hanover Park, IL (6/1/2015) "Great Course For a Fast Time" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I agree with everything in the review 'J. H. from Virginia (5/20/11)'. On top of that, the 6 a.m. start resulted in a 44 degree start temp, and an ending temp in the low 50s... perfect for running a fast time! The course had no steep inclines, and all long gradual downhills, also making for fast times. The low volume of participants in the marathon combined with the high volume of awesome volunteers means you get dedicated attention at water stops when every second counts. If you're looking for a Boston qualifier, this is a great place to do it!
T. S. from Chicago, IL (5/31/2015) "Ran the full marathon today" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Rockford Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 1st time running Rockford Marathon. Pros: Easy, abundant, free parking near start/finish. Quick friendly gear check. Super friendly law enforcement & volunteers. Great price. Plenty of porta-potties on course. (Glad I didn't need them!) Perfect temps today, but the strong headwind made it tough at times. Cons: Not enough porta-potties at start. Fewest I've ever seen. One section of the course we were running on weird 'chunky' concrete slabs, uncomfortable. Not a closed course, had a couple of near-auto issues. Very poor post-race food options. Power bars, bananas, apples, bagel chunks, water, Gatorade. No beer, no hot food. Not even salty chips. Full marathon course loops, so it was discouraging to do the 'hills' again at mile 14 ish....they were easy the 1st time! That said, I had my 2nd fastest time, and the friendly volunteers and race officials (and police!) made it a great time.

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Marathon Details - Rockford Marathon