May 18, 2024
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Green Bay Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Green Bay Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 235 [displaying comments 201 to 211]
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S. R. from Midwest City
(5/21/2003)
 "Incredible Community Support" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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. | |
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R. R. from Petersburg, Illinois
(5/21/2003)
 "Well Organized, Supportive Spectators" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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J. P. from The home of the Indy 500 mini marathon
(5/21/2003)
"Terrific Event" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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R. B. from Sioux Falls, SD
(5/20/2003)
 "Great Marathon for Beginners" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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. | |
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J. S. from Louisville, Kentucky
(5/19/2003)
"Great Marathon with Fantastic Tailgate Party" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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! | |
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L. B. from Naperville, IL
(5/18/2003)
"Excellent first time marathon (2003)" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!! | |
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A Runner from Kansas City
(11/13/2002)
"Nice course but hot weather 2 years in a row" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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. | |
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A Runner from Pittsburgh
(11/4/2002)
"Great Race - Bad conditions" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was hot, but I guess they moved up the date for next year. They need to take it back into Lambeau field. It would be nice to finish on the 50yard line. Fans were great, but spread out. It was a lonely course. | |
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A Runner from Omaha, Ne
(7/2/2002)
"I thought this was an excellent marathon." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The people who devoted their time to help out at aid stations along the coarse route where really great, it was extremely hot for them to stay out there on the coarse that long for all the runners. The runner who said the aid stations where to far apart was totally wrong, I don't know what he expects, I've run 43 Marathons, and it was the most aid stations on any Marathon course I've done. I would like to do this again and would recommend it to anyone, aside for the hot weather it was great, hopefully the race will change its date to have a little bit cooler weather. | |
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A Runner from Tampa, FL
(7/1/2002)
"Overall I thought this marathon was awesome." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is only my second marathon overall, and the 1st out of town one for my brother and I. I thought the race was extremely well organized, to the point that we were even able to drive the course for the most part the day before just to get an idea. The course was pretty, especially sections on the trail, but the mid section was too neighborhoody and difficult to run through. The people with their garden hoses were a life saver, and did their best to cool us off. The water stop people were all very friendly, willing to help, and the extra treats toward the end, like sponges, cold cloths and root beer were the best. The law enforcement did a great job with traffic and first aid, as well as the cellcom guys on the bikes who let me call home to Florida. For as new and as small as this race was, I thought it had a lot of great community support and creative snacks etc, and some interesting ways to cheer us on, from cake pans to cowbells. I agree with someone else on the Ultima, ugggg. Not a good choice. What happened to good ole Gatorade? I would like to see a course more along the water, and would also say that there should be more portolets. I have a lot of relatives right there in the area and it certainly made it extra special seeing them pop up along the race in several places. The race was very accessible for them too. Definitely looking forward to doing this one again sometime in the next few years. |
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