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Green Bay Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Green Bay Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.0 
 
 
Number of comments: 235 [displaying comments 131 to 141]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 12 13 14 15 16 .. 24 > ]

 

S. G. from Minnesota (5/21/2007)
"Great, fast run!" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was a really good experience. (I PR'ed!) Good expo, and great location (hotels and restruants are plentiful). Course is a nice flat-fast mix of residential and river trail - you never get too bored before the scenery changes. Would have been a GREAT finish line party, if the weather would have warmed up! Also, the lap around Lambeau is great; just wish the Jumbo-tron had been on! No finisher shirt; just a cotton shirt - too bad.
 

N. G. from Plymouth, WI (5/21/2007)
"Best Little Marathon Around" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Green Bay Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I ran it last year also, and the changes in the course made a big difference. You can tell when an event has its act together just by looking at the signs, the volunteers, and the set-up the day before the event. This marathon has its act together! It's so well organized, clean, and easy to follow. There is nothing to get confused about during the entire weekend, and I'll be back next year! Great pacing work also.
 

S. S. from Madison (5/20/2007)
"Don't miss this small, well-run marathon" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I had the pleasure of finishing this race with a 17-minute PR and big BQ time. The course is mainly flat and fast, with no crowding. The highlight was running through Lambeau Field before, pushing the final .2 miles to the finish.

The spectators, while sparse in areas, are enthusiastic, and there was music in 6 locations throughout the course, which pepped things up.

Two ways to improve would be a technical t-shirt vs. cotton and more food for the marathoners. I was a 3:39 finisher and things were sparse due to the half and 5K finishers. Neither of these would deter me from recommending this race to as many people as possible.

Put it on your list.
 

Kelly Thompson from Wausau, WI (2/7/2007)
"Ego booster!!" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Green Bay Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I ran a PR on this course last year! It's fast and flat: the course changed a bit from '05, and I thought it was for the better!!

I signed up late this year, but hotels were still available: I ended up at a new Country Inn and Suites across the belt line. My husband was able to drive me right up to the front of the expo/starting area to drop me off on race morning.

Again, the spectators and workers were so positive and helpful: I felt I had to thank each one as I went past! They truly made me feel as important as if I had been an elite runner.

Running through Lambeau and high-fiving my step-son and husband as they leaned down from the stands to cheer me on was the coolest feeling I've ever experienced as a runner. Another unique touch this year was the GB cheerleaders cheering ME on as I passed them into and out of the stadium. It actually made me laugh... no easy feat at mile 25++!!

The music was better this year too, as were the cool blue shoeprint t-shirts and the congratulatory finish photo card that came in the mail.

This marathon just keeps getting better with each year. I can't wait to run it again in '07!! (Oh, and p.s. Thank you to the spectators who gave me the green and gold beads just before mile 25.... What a cool and unexpected souvenir!)
 

Jerry Knowles from Hanover Park, Illinois (1/24/2007)
"A very well organized event." (about: 2006)

2 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The expo was fun and the pasta dinner was excellent. Course was flat and scenic. Plenty of spectators and volunteers from beginning to end. Water stops were well organized and plentiful. I'm a slow runner but even when I finished (5:25), the finish line support was also plentiful and well organized. Loved the trek around hallowed Lambeau Field. We stayed at the Holiday Inn, which was 1 block from the start line, so that worked out well. This is a point-to-point race and we had friends, so I couldn't comment on what the bus ride was like back to the hotel. I've done two Chicago Marathons and highly recommend this event.
 

T. B. from Laporte, IN (7/5/2006)
"Lots of Bang for the Buck" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I enjoyed toeing the start line with my wife and daugter who were running the half. My dad also ran the 5K, so there is a distance for all. Highlights included, the instant text message updates you had available, splits at every mile, plentiful water/Gatorade/Gu stations, friendly volunteers, beer at the finish and massages in such a short wait. I enjoyed the mix of residential and commercial areas of the course. I would suggest t-shirts that don't look like credit card company freebies, and nicer medals that distinguish Green Bay in some way and a bigger expo. This is organized like a big-city marathon, so I felt like I got a bargain (low entry fees, relatively inexpensive hotels, restaurants, etc.).
 

J. K. from Michigan (6/24/2006)
"another thing..." (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Green Bay Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Ok, forget it... have you all gotten your race postcard?! I got mine today and it was awesome. I know it sounds silly but it's the coolest one I've ever gotten (and I really don't care about stuff like that). It's personalized with one of your marathon photos on the front amidst a caricature of Green Bay around it and your finishing time displayed really nicely on the back. Although it's a very minor thing it's another unexpected perk of this race.
 

Tim Prust from Racine, WI (6/20/2006)
"Excellent Marathon!!!! Great for First Timers!!!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and most everything about this marathon was perfect! The Green Bay Marathon gave me such a great experience that I will most likely run more marathons. IT WAS GREAT!! I loved the Chip Mats every Mile!! Spectators were Awesome and very encouraging, especially the guy that was at 3 different mile markers, that called out everyone by their number and gave encouragement. Thank you so much to all the volunteers, there were absolutely fantastic! Water stations and Port-a-potties were plentiful and well placed.

The only negatives was the approx. 5 Miles running along the river trail. It got to be secluded and boring after awhile. Another negative which doesnt have to do with the race organizers but the fact that the hotels would not let us take showers or have a late check out. The last negative is the bands that were supposed to be playing every mile for the last 4-5 miles. There was 1 band and that was it...being a first timer at that point in the race I really was looking forward to the band excitement, as I was starting to hit the wall HARD!! Will run again. A+++++
 

J. K. from Gladstone, Michigan (6/7/2006)
"Loved Green Bay" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Green Bay Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second time running Green Bay and it's getting better and better. The race director totally kicked it up a notch this year and it had the feel of a finely tuned big city race. I was VERY impressed. I have been to Boston, New York, Chicago, Grandmas... this ranks right up there with those as far as organization goes. Obviously the volume of spectators isn't going to be nearly what the big races have but give this community a chance to grow with the race. Have you ever seen a Packer fan? They're NUTS!!!!! Get them hooked on this race and it will be a different story on marathon day. I do not feel the need to nitpick a race that went so smoothly and had so many good qualities. Blaming the Green Bay marathon for lost airline luggage, a bad experience at your hotel, or the weather is just silly. Great job, Sean Ryan, and if you're looking for a great spring race head to Green Bay. We're spoiled with great races in the midwest!!!!
 

R. R. from Chicago, IL (6/6/2006)
"Awesome Event - Great PR Course Too!" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


This was an extremely well run event! The organizers and volunteers should be commended on setting the perfect atmosphere for a good race event! The course is not advertised as flat and fast and it could have been. (By the way, there is no such thing as a fast marathon!) The hills on the course were minor and the scenery was nice along the trail.

I loved the timing mats every mile!! All marathons should do that!!!!

I was blessed to have taken 10 minutes off my PR at this course. Four of my running buddies also set PRs at this race!

Three GU stations was nice too! I never got tired of all of the water/Gatorade stations... wow! There are a lot of marathons that could learn from this race.
Spectators were sparse, but enthusiastic. Running around Lambeau was cool - would love to finish on the frozen tundra!
 

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