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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 141 to 151]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 13 14 15 16 17 .. 24 > ]

 

E. M. from Dayton, Ohio (6/4/2006)
"Nice city with a classy marathon" (about: 2006)

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


The good:
* Using chip mats at every mile was great. Not just for reviewing our split times after the race, but also because it created a sort of Pavlovian response. Within a few minutes of crossing one mat, you would begin to hear the beeping of people crossing the mat at the next mile marker. It provided a nice periodic mental boost throughout the run. Additionally, the computers at the finish line allowed me to track my wife's progress so I could be next to chute cheering as she crossed the finish line.
* The water stops were plentiful and well stocked.
* The volunteers and other locals who came out to cheer were very friendly and encouraging.
* The weather was perfect for running in shorts and a long sleeve shirt.
* In just three days, we got to visit a state we've never been in before, see the Twins whoop the Brewers, watch a Packers mini-camp practice, and check one more state off our list.

The not-so-good:
* I'm amazed that so many race directors are still buying cotton t-shirts and plastering them with non-breathable silkscreen ink. Shirts made of technical fabric are the only way to go. And keep the logo simple to avoid a heavy, gaudy, unwearable shirt.
* Volunteers handing out drinks basically only need to be told one thing-don't put your fingers in the runners' drinks. Tell them to hold the cups at their base. If they refuse, at least get them some sanitary gloves.
* We never saw the busses that were supposed to be ferrying people back to the start line. Luckily, one of the locals was nice enough to give us a ride in his truck.
* I'm not a big fan of running a lot of miles on bike paths. They get a little boring after a while.
* We were given wet towels at about mile 18-20. First, dry towels would have been more appropriate due to the cold weather. And I would rather get a towel at the finish line. It looked like a nice souvenir, but there was no way I was carrying a wet towel for the last six miles of the run so I had to toss a perfectly good towel in a dumpster as I ran by.

Other changes that would enhance the experience:
* It was very cold after we cooled down from the run. When I tried to go inside the arena next to the finish area, the security guard told me I could only stay for a few minutes. Maybe there should be a heated tent set up to help warm runners while they're waiting for their friends and spouses.
* If they're going to stick with the bike path, it would be nice to have some signs posted along the path that describe the view. For instance, during our run along the path we could see numerous factory-type buildings on the other side of the river. I was curious about them (were they the meat-packing plants that inspired the football team's name?), but there was no way to know what they were.
* I like other people's suggestions to use the scoreboard in Lambeau in some way. Elapsed time, runner names, etc.
 

V. B. from Riverside, California (6/3/2006)
"Great course, fastest ever for me, good job." (about: 2006)

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


What a great day!! I run in the high desert, and So Cal. so the cool weather was sooooo welcome. Only in Wisconsin will you get a beer and a brat. No stinking health food for us!! The only thing missing was a POLKA band somewhere...but all the bands were great! especially at the finish line, when I could hang around to hear them a while.
Great idea to have engraving there, so I took advantage of that to inscribe my new personal best time.
If I didn't have a picture of me, my medal and a brat, no one would believe me here. I might bring reinforcements with me next year. Hope to do it again. This is my 3rd state, going for all of them.
Good picture taking in the stadium, they took one with the scoreboard behind me, definitly getting that one. Can I get Brett to sign it???
 

Bill Lorenz from Carlisle Iowa (6/2/2006)
"New Standard for Timing/Results" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The Green Bay Marathon has set the standard for timing and results by which I will compare every other race I run. The logistics and coordination needed to have timing mats at EVERY mile of a marathon course is mind boggling. The online results are the most comprehensive and informative I have ever seen. I was impressed a few years back when Boston had timing mats at every 5K. To say I am merely impressed with Green Bay is a true understatement. It will be interesting to see how long it takes the majors to catch up.
 

C. K. from Phoenix, AZ (6/1/2006)
"Fantastic running experience" (about: 2006)

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


As a die-hard Packer fan, I had to run this marathon. What a fantastic race!!The spectators were terrific. The course was wonderful - especially running through Lambeau Field. Loved the food along the race route - orange slices, bananas, Gu, chocolate chip cookies. The volunteers were great. And best of all - brats and beer at the finish line. A local band, Big Mouth played at the finish - they're great, too!
 

B. R. from Chicago, IL (5/30/2006)
"Great Times in Brett Favre's Home" (about: 2006)

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


Tough to admit for a dyed in the wool Bear fan, Green Bay puts on a whale of a marathon. Although a little chilly at the start (it was cold) and seemingly a headwind for about 17 miles (I swear), I was able to knock 10 minutes off my previous marathon best.
Pluses: The little lady at the end of her driveway with the table full of bananas somewhere in between Mile 20-24. Oranges and water everywhere you turned. Timing mats at each mile. Encouraging fans throughout the race. Coming through the tunnel at Lambeau. Hearing many names, including mine, as we crossed the finish line. The brats and beer at the end. The overall organization including the pasta dinner.
Nitpicks:A half marathon split mat (Can't even consider it a minus). More streets and less running path along the river.
 

T. K. from Rockford IL (5/30/2006)
"Great marathon" (about: 2006)

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


What a great day for a run (besides the wind the last 5 miles). There were plenty of water stops the entire race and the timing mats every mile, good idea. Thank you to the volunteers for all your help and especially the one who caught up to me with Gu after I had dropped it - thank you. Lambeau Field was pretty awesome, even though I'm a Vikings fan. Our hotel let us come back a take a shower and even relax an hour or so. Overall a great race. Will be back next year.
 

Rob Ginnow from Green Bay, Wisconsin (5/25/2006)
"Great Day for Running!" (about: 2006)

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


This was my second marathon and so far my best. The turnout of runners and spectators was great and my hat's off to everyone who volunteered and cheered for us!

It was 38 degrees at the start which helped me obtain my goal of finishing under 4 hours. I finished at 3:47. The worst part was running into a strong headwind the last 5 miles.

The only recommendation would be to make the finish line inside Lambeau Field as you kind-of peak with 1/2 more mile to go after you leave Lambeau. Otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.
 

V. H. from Chicago, Illinois (5/25/2006)
"great fans and volunteers!" (about: 2006)

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


This was a fun and enjoyable race. Great support from spectators and great volunteers! My favorite part of the course was the river trail, which was beautiful and came just at the right time (about miles 15-20). The only negative I would have about the course is how much of it is on concrete. There was some wind and the course has some gentle hills. Running through Lambeau was really fun, although at that stage of the race I could have done without the twists and turns getting in and out of the stadium. Overall a great experience though.
 

Troy Haller from Denver,Colorado (5/24/2006)
"Well organized, beautiful course, few spectators" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Green Bay Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Overall, the organization of the event was great. The course is very flat with the exception of one small hill before the bridge. I was disappointed with the number of spectators on the course. They also need to tell runners from out of state that they cannot park on the street overnight, even if the sign says it is okay. From our hotel we had 15 cars towed the morning of the race and we all had to pay $130.00. They may want to inform the city that all of the out-of-state runners bring in revenue to the city. We were all very angry and it was a terrible way to remember a great weekend. This would be a great course for first-timers.
 

chris tortorice from usa (5/24/2006)
"Great fun." (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Even though the weather was cold to start (30's), there were lots of fans to cheer the runners on. the volunteers were fantastic. The timing chip time at each mile marker was great. So many smiling faces from volunteers to runners. Great fun for all. Lambeau is just awesome to run through. Wish we could have done the Lambeau Leap at the end. Definitely will do this one again. Loved the beer and brats at the end too.
 

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