This was my third marathon, and my first time running Green Bay. I am a 'local' from the area. The course is really pretty nice, however there is alot of concrete, so beware. The race is advertised as flat, but there are definitely a few hills. Volunteers and local people were out on the course cheering and offering snacks. Outstanding. We even ran by a nun out on the course, saying 'bless you!' as we ran by! If we could've finish in Lambeau Field, that would have made it truly sensational. Perfect weather, if a little warm at the end. However, based on the awful, cold spring we had in the upper Midwest this year for training, I'll take a warm day ANY day. I don't really find brats and pickles and beer to be particularly appetizing after running 26.2 miles, but hey, we do live in Wisconsin, and other food was available! All in all, I did enjoy this race and would definitely recommend it to runners considering a May marathon. Great job, Green Bay!

Good points: Good sized expo, Great weather, Plenty of water stops, Nice run along trail for last 8 miles along the Fox River, Space set aside at the finish line with food, drink, massages, etc., Nice medals
Bad points: Walkers were at the front of the pack which bottlenecked the start for the runners, Portion of last half mile or so was over some uneven surfaces.

On behalf of the NLWC walking club from Florida, thank you Green Bay for a most enjoyable weekend. The pasta party was delicious and Helen Klein's talk was an inspiration to all. Perfect weather, excellent organization, nice course, wonderful spectators - especially the kids handing out cookies and candy, and an awesome party at the finish line including brats and beer. I would highly recommend this race for anyone contemplating a full or half marathon because it is very walker friendly.

If John Mellenkamp singing Little Pink Houses brings a tear to your eye ? this is the marathon for you, and anybody you have ever called a friend. There is a reason why a city of about 100,000 is able to support an NFL team; it is a strong sense of community. Green Bay deserves the highest compliments. Although from New York, I live in another mid-western city, and these folks were beyond words. But words are necessary:

· When I ran Chicago (I?m strictly middle of the pack), I was offered oranges only once. On this course, I was offered oranges probably twenty times, as well as bananas, bagels or cookies at least five times, and apples at least twice. The impromptu aid stations were much appreciated.
· The volunteer effort in my first two marathons impressed me, the yellow-shirted volunteers of Green Bay amazed me.
· This is the kind of race where a Mom finished in about 5:00, while crossing the finishing line with her husband who was pushing a stroller with their nine-month old twins. Nobody fussed about the rules. This is the kind of race where the middle of the pack was called out on the loudspeaker by name and city as they approached the finish. I really got the sense, ?It?s a Family Affair??
· I gained an appreciation of being able to stay in a hotel (I had several choices) right on the starting line, and was only a short walk from the finish line.
· The post-race event was not limited to runners, there were family and friends all over the place. When the brochure says ?tailgate party,? believe them. The race was small enough, and the planning big enough, to accommodate all eaters and drinkers with ease.
· I travel a lot, and have lived all over the U.S. I appreciate the nuances of the different locales. Green Bay gave me a new appreciation of cheese and brats. Although the customary post-race foods were available, I?m sure I will never confront pickles, nor cheese-wiz and crackers (among the customaries) as post-race edibles. I?ve also never seen so many 50+ men with Harley?s and gray beards, much less volunteering.
· And saving the best for last, thank you to Stacy R. It wasn?t my best day, so I took a page out of the training manual and decided to talk to somebody who needed a little help. From about 16 through 21, we chatted as we ran. I received an invitation to her home for a post-race party at about 19, and an unsuccessful barrage of encouragement at 21.5; she got the most out of her training and a P.R. Whenever you give, and get back more than you get, something really good is happening.

Now for some suggestions for improvement:

· The same sort of relaxed living that made the race great, affected traffic on the course. There was too much willingness to let drivers drive on a side of the road. As a mid-western convert, I relaxed and accepted it, and only one driver left me totally disappointed.
· When all is said and done, I probably ran 26.2. The cones to mark the course and its corners need some work. My brain is too dead, too soon, to pay attention to cones. (Maybe not ? I was aware enough to ignore some of them!)
· I?m not a medal collector, but an upgrade would be nice.
· The half-marathon turnaround needs a little work. I felt sorry for half-marathoners. Some were coming back on the left side of the road, others on the right.
· I know this race was moved up several weeks this year to avoid the heat. Please move it some more. Although it was a perfect day for spectators, high-60?s is still too much. As a mid-westerner, I know Spring-weather is a gamble, but please consider a move of another six weeks.

I?m a guy, and I?ve already finished two to have a little bit of experience, but the city of Green Bay has left me with a tear in my eye. Thanks.

The 2003 edition of the Green Bay Marathon was well organized. There were a lot of helpful, cheerful volunteers from the packet pickup/expo to the pasta party to the aid stations on the course. Also, I was impressed with the people of the Green Bay area who turned out to encourage the runners along the course. Thank you volunteers and everyone for all of your support. You deserve a big pat on the back for a job well done--without you we runners wouldn't be able to have the times of our lives.
The course itself was mostly flat with a few small uphills. It wasn't the most scenic course, however miles 18-24 on the Fox River Trail (along the Fox River) were good. The finish area with the brats, beer, other goodies and fun was a treat after the run. All and all it was a good marathon experience and one that I would recommend.

Green Bay is a great place to have a marathon. The course is fairly flat and well managed by the police, fire dept and volunteers. Thank you for making my day easier at all those intersections. There were few porta-potties along the course. This is one of the few areas that needs improvement. The little kids helping out along the course were a lot of fun. Very enthusiastic spectators with all kinds of treats, wash sponges and socks, food and ice. I saw at least four places for ice. Couldn't believe the support from the homeowners along the course. Reminded me of Twin Cities but better. What a treat. I didn't care for the part of the course running along the river because I was in the back of the pack and it was humid with little air movement. Mainly, because the path is below street level in many areas. That was my fault and a faster runner wouldn't have this to deal with. Don't pass this marathon up and stay at the Holiday Inn which is at the start/finish line and across the parking lot from the expo. We had a problem with our reservation which they fixed right away and gave runners a 2pm check out which was great. Super job Green Bay. And now you know why it's called Titletown.

Green Bay was my first completed marathon. The course was flat, the weather was perfect, and the crowd was supportive. The only complaint I have is that there was no Gatorade or sports drink offered at the first water stations. Otherwise, it was a great course.

Moving this marathon to mid-May produced a day with ideal temperatures. The course is flat with loads of water/Gatorade stops, and enthusiastic spectators. But what makes this marathon truly outstanding is the tailgate party afterwards. I'll be back again next year!

This was my first marathon and what a great one to do. The community of Greenbay was so wonderful and friendly...sitting outside on lawn chairs in front of their homes all day to cheer everyone on...offering ice, oranges and home made goodies. The course was nice and flat, the best part was the last 8 miles along the river trail. There were so many water/gatorade stations, those with oranges, bananas, cookies & more. Also, at least 3 stations with wet rags/sponges, and possibly 5 with vaseline!! The support was outstanding. We could have used a few more port-a-potties during the first 5 miles (I think there was only an outhouse in the park until close to mile 5). A wonderful first marathon experience...would highly recommend this one!!

I have ran the GB Marathon 2 years in a row. The course is nice and flat but the weather was hot/humid two years in a row. It was a good idea to move the race up to May 18th but it could still be too warm then. There was not much shade between 8 and 20 miles, the last 6 miles on the fox river trail was nice.