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Lakeshore Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Lakeshore Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.5 
Organization 1.8 
Spectators 2.7
Number of comments: 209 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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B. G. from St. Louis, Mo
(5/31/2004)
 "I was very disappointed in this race" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I was very disappointed in the overall race, organization, and spectators. The course was was not marked well at all. The group I was running with was misguided and ran several minutes off course. The course was not marked at every mile so it was impossible to keep track of your pace or to tell if you were on track to reach a certain goal. The race crew was not familiar with the area of the course they were in. They could not tell you what mile marker you were near. The start of the race was very disorganized. It was a good idea to start in waves. The course was not crowded. There were no restrooms along the course at all. I asked several crew members where I might find one and no one could tell me. Every race I have been in has had several restrooms along the route. The parking was very expensive to pick up packets and to park the day of the race. Also, in the race packets there was no map of the course. This should be included. Every race I have been in has included a map of the race. Overall, I would probably not drive from St. Louis again for this race. Hopefully, the crew can get their act straight. The course is so beautiful and the weather was perfect. There is no reason this race couldn't be first class. | |
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J. S. from N.W. Indiana
(5/31/2004)
 "Disappointing to say the least" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The lack of organization tested my patience through the whole race. I too was led off course midway. There were very little mile markers, water was scarce with some aid stations passing out cups of ICE since there was no water!? Even ran out of medals for the half-marathon finishers. The lake front bike path is very beautiful and I will hopefully be back on the path soon, but never with this organization. Please tell the assist massage people to take that crazy massage back wherever they came from. | |
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anonymous runner from Chicago, Il
(5/31/2004)
"In dire need of work(ers)!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The 2004 half marathon was definitely a debacle. The map on the website (posted for months) was not the same course as the one run. The workers told the leaders of the half to do the marathon loop via Lincoln Park with added as much as 3-4 miles on! When I notified the race official, he seemed somewhat aloof as well. The half marathoners did not get a chip time at the 10K, as promised. Instead, we got a random time, which was about 7 miles. There were no solid mile markers after 6, and it was a guessing game as to what mile we were on. There was a pencilled in '12 mile' around the planetarium - but how shady is that? None of the vital points of the course were adequately labeled, roped off, or guided by volunteers. Lastly, as I finished the race I asked for a Mylar blanket (given out at the end of the chute). I was rudely told they were only for the marathoners! As if people that run the half aren't liable to be freezing from their run? I felt that this race had good potential, but was a huge letdown. I was up for a PR, but will never know how well I could have done. When I work this hard for something, I am not taking my chances on a non-CARA sponsored race. | |
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T. W. from Chicago, Illinois
(5/31/2004)
"Race organization debacle" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 These comments are on the half marathon event held simultaneously with the marathon. At one of the key spots in the course where the route should merge with the last 6 miles of the marathon course, volunteers were sending racers the wrong way (the course also was not marked at this point), adding on a nearly 2-mile detour, with the result of destroying the race for all the leaders and many of the mid-packers. When race officials were informed of this after the finish, they seemed to think that this was not a very big deal. I talked with racers who had travelled to Chicago from out of state for the race who were as angry as you might expect. Others were there to get qualifying times for other races. An unbelievable debacle when you think that most runners really only want 2 things from a race: an accurate course and an accurate time. Apparently, the marathon course was also messed up for some of the leaders. I was talking after the race with Dick Beardsley (who had spoken at the expo the day before and who ran the marathon), and he (with gallows humor) noted that he had set a new 'world record' of 1:47:00 by being sent off course. | |
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M. D. from Chicago, Illinois
(5/31/2004)
 "Much better in 2004" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I just finished the Lakeshore Marathon 2004 just a couple of hours ago, and I must say that it was much better than previous years. It was my first Lakeshore marathon after running 6 Chicago Marathons. The number of entrants, from what I've been told is getting bigger and bigger, but a crowded course was never a problem -- especially toward the second half (I was running alone for parts of it). There were bicyclists and other runners toward the end, but I never felt they hindered my speed. The cops who were controlling traffic were great -- they always stopped traffic for a runner to get through. There's no denying the beautiful course (however, it rained the night before and we had to run through a grassy area by Lasalle Bridge which was wet and marshy and soaked my shoes). They had power gel at 12 mile, but I didn't see any at 20 mile as there was supposed to be. The start of the race seemed a bit disorganized, and people didn't really know where and when to start. The 'nerve assist' massage afterward was weird and didn't offer me much relief. Parking was expensive (careful, when the race started, there was still a long line of cars waiting to get into McCormick place lot C -- get there early!). The race was adequately organized, but those who are used to running Chicago Marathon expected more: instruction booklet, better expo, better communication of where to go, busses to expo, etc. The entry fee for Lakeshore is comparable to Chicago's -- so we expect a comparable race experience and didn't always get it. But overall, a very pleasant experience. Count me in for next year! | |
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J. Z. from , WI
(3/12/2004)
 "First Time Marathoner and I'd do it again!" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lakeshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. What a beautiful course. I read the first year comments and hesitated to sign up, but was looking for one around that time and decided to go for it. The small crowds were nice - although I almost got lost a few times on the course and saw others in the same boat. The water station aids were awesome - as were my fellow runners. I met a few wonderful people along the route which really made the day all the more extra special. The staggered start was nice - not too much competition out there to encourage a quicker pace. I am looking forward to running the La Salle this fall. I would most certaintly recommend this to others interested in a beautiful, scenic, low stress marathon in Chicagoland. | |
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K. O. from Overland Park, KS
(6/11/2003)
 "I'll be back!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Like others, I read comments for year one and was hesitant to sign up. I needed a replacement run, since Grandma's Marathon (Duluth, MN) filled-up (9,000 runners) and returned my entry $$. Mostly positive experience in Chicago. Still some minor confusion on the course route. Water stations were well placed, and the sport drinks/energy packages are greatly appreciated. My worst experience came from inconsiderate bikers as the paths started to fill up ~ 9:00 AM timeframe. At mile 25 a biker nearly ran into me. I was also concerned about feeling crowded on the path, however, the staggered start appeared to solve this. No large crowds, but the ones who are there were great, and aid station volunteers were exceptional. I don't know what number of entrants is ideal for this marathon, (how many can the path hold?), but I'll be back. | |
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Cristian Tsakiris from Chicago, IL
(6/7/2003)
 "Park and Shore Scenic Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is the first that I ran in the US. It had a very interesting course, with exciting detours in Lincoln Park. I enjoyed the spring green color and the Michigan Lake shore, rocky or sandy, with waves and an unbounded water surface view. On the way back to McCormick, other marathon runners encouraged me. Also, many people strolling and other occasional runners greeted us. There was plenty of water, and 'fuel liquid' was well served. The photos were taken in good places, such as at the 6-mile mark - with downtown Chicago in the background, across the lake surface - and at the finish. The weather was fine. | |
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David Hughes from Grand Raipds, MI
(6/1/2003)
"Beautiful but lonely" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Perfect running day. The course was not entirely easy to follow - almost got lost several times. Hopefully it will be more competetive in future (no prizes, but expensive race: where's all the money going?). Not much competetion, even for amateur runner like me, so I didn't push myself much, since there was nobody for miles in front or back of me. Outstanding scenery otherwise. | |
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S. J. from Jacksonville, IL
(6/1/2003)
"Awesome experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 As this was my first marathon, I was a bit anxious about organization 'cause of inaugural race [2002] comments. Other than the disappearing expo, I feel runners were well accomodated this year - superior course, seeded bibs, abundant aid, well marked course (except for after the last bridge), host hotel proximity, post-race massage, etc. Local lakeshore path users were encouraging, but not too many of them for the 6 AM. race. Will return, especially if improvements are as significant as this year's appeared to be, and as long as the date remains. A beautiful weather day simply magnified the lakeshore scenery. THANK YOU SUPPORT PERSONS!! |
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