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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 221 to 231]
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C. H. from Anchorage, Alaska
(4/25/2009)
"Absolutely Amazing!!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my first FULL marathon, but I've done 3 previous half-marathons, all in Alaska. I also ran the Nike Human Race in Portland Oregon. I just started running 2 years ago, and I only had plans to do one full marathon as a life goal, which I accomplished this last October in Chicago. I must say... Chicago has changed my mind! In fact, I would love to do this one again. The course was flat, which was refreshing after the hilly course of the Mayor's Marathon, and the main reason I chose Chicago. The organization of the race was unbelievable! I've never done a race of this size, but I was more impressed with the organization of Chicago than I was with the smaller, local Alaska marathons. I read about the 2007 Chicago Marathon, and how it was canceled due to the heat, and as I ran past the Subway sign I saw it was nearly 90 degrees. Throughout the race they would raise the warning level, and I heard rumors they were going to stop it again. If it weren't for the helpful and cheerful spectators outside of their homes with garden hoses and ice cups, it just may have happened that way. Have you ever seen the Chicago skyline from a distance? To think that we ran through it amazes me. The diversity of the city and the different neighborhoods was a treat and made it easy to forget about the blisters, the heat, and all the pain in my knees; it pushed me to the finish. If you have life goals like me, and completing a marathon is one of them, I would recommend Chicago. I have never in my life experienced something so amazing when my body was hurting so badly! The expo was huge! And finishing at the start made it easy to find your friends. | |
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S. B. from Texas
(2/26/2009)
"Great first Marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Chicago was my first marathon. Though I didn't finish due to knee issues, the course was great. Plenty of aid stations and the spectators were so encouraging. I can't wait to run this marathon again! | |
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A. G. from DALLAS, TX
(2/4/2009)
"Fun but crowded" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon, and 1st Chicago. It was really fun. You need to LOVE a big marathon to appreciate this race... thousands of runners! The expo was great. The spectators really made the race. I appreciated all the support. It was a hot race, but who can predict that? The race organizers were very prepared with water hoses and drinks. My only complaint about the organization is the finish line. There were so many spectators inside the finish corral that I couldn't figure out where to go. The only other complaint I have is that I wanted to run around the lake more. I was looking forward to the beautiful lakefront, but only saw it for a second. I understand that the race is too big to run on the lakefront trail, but a little more lake time would be nice. I WILL run this race again. I loved it. | |
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Andy Wilson from Manhattan, NY
(1/14/2009)
"PHENOMENAL MARATHON" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have never experienced such a fantastically well-organized, beautifully scenic marathon! I have run NY, Berlin, Boston, and Tampa - and CHICAGO beats all! The spectators are one of a kind; the runners share an insurmountable camaraderie; the course is amazing; the fluids are ample; and the post-race stuff is incredibly fun. It's the PERFECT MARATHON for elite and novice alike! | |
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T. S. from Chicago, IL
(1/9/2009)
"Organizers were ready for Mother Nature's fury!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was afraid that the heat would reappear again this year, and it did. Luckily, the race organizers and everyone along the route were prepared. Not only were all the aid stations well stocked, but there were also several spectators along the way eager to help supply runners with more than support. I was offered water, sprayed by a few garden hoses, and even given cups of ice by happy non-participants. This is why I love this city! You can always find a fan of all walks of life everywhere you go, from the north side, out west and to the south. | |
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T. M. from Chicago
(11/30/2008)
"My first marathon was a major!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, as it was for 40% of the participants. Keep that number in mind when you plan your run. The good: Excellent organization, huge expo, aid stations are 17 tables deep, with plenty of H20 and Gatorade. There were fans on nearly every inch of the course, except for a mile-wide stretch in a warehouse district. Write your name on your bib; I had nearly 200 shouts of encouragement from the fans. I thoroughly enjoyed the Elvis impersonator at mile 8. The bad: 20,000 people are running their first marathon. When they walk, you are forced to walk. Dodging the walkers becomes tiresome as they block the middle and sides of the street, sometimes three abreast. The race starts and ends at the same place, and it is a long stretch that is blocked off by a chain link fence. When you finish, you are forced to walk (it seemed like forever) to find a place to sit down or pee. Getting in to this area to start the run entailed squeezing through a small opening in the fence. Imagine 40,000+ others trying to squeeze in the same place and then plan on getting there early. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives. I have since run another, much smaller, marathon and I have a greater appreciation for this race. I would recommend this one to anyone. | |
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S. B. from Bergen County, NJ
(11/19/2008)
"Overall GREAT experience!!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 9th marathon, first Chicago. As a veteran of 5 Boston Marathons, I thought no other race could come close... but I was pleasantly surprised by the top notch organization, particularly the pre-race corrals. Everything was orderly and easy to navigate. The course is a little flat for my taste, but the fans were wonderful! Plenty of water and Gatorade as well as misting stations. I have nothing but good things to say about this race... well, except for Mother Nature smacking us around a bit with the high temps.... | |
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bob thompson from il.
(11/8/2008)
"wonderful" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After not being able to finish last year's Chicago Marathon due to the heat and the fact that they stopped it, I was very impressed by the way this year's was run. They had vast amounts of water and medical support. This was my 19th Chicago Marathon. | |
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M. A. from Colorado
(11/5/2008)
"Even with hot weather, Chicago rocks!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Chicago Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Chicago twice - in 2007 and 2008. The logistics of the course are awesome. Both times the weather was hot, but I really enjoyed the route and spectators. There's something magical about running Chicago... you'll never forget it. | |
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R. C. from Alexandria, VA
(11/2/2008)
"Well organized for such a large race" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Chicago Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of the very large marathons, and never have been. But I decided to run Chicago this year because my running friends really wanted to do it. I was pleasantly surprised. No, not enough to make me a convert; I still prefer the mid-size marathons, but I have to give Chicago the kudos they deserve. This race is VERY well organized from start to finish. And the first few miles weren't nearly as congested as I expected, that points to smart course design. I found parts towards the end more congested but I think that's because it was so hot that more people than normal were doing some walking. The race organizers certainly did everything they could to help with the heat during the race; misters, cold sponges, frequent and plentiful water stops. Just one question/complaint: isn't it time to PLEASE start the race an hour earlier? I know Chicago weather is iffy year to year, but a 7 a.m. start would be fine whether it's hot, cold or in between. |
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