May 19, 2024
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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 161 to 171]
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R. S. from Charlotte, NC
(5/30/2003)
 "Excellent race; I'd do it again!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was very pleased at how this race turned out. Excellent, flat course, that ran right along the lake. Plenty of water stops. And the volunteers and organizers are extremely friendly. The crowd was very thin, however the scenery made up for it. Don't let the fact that they start in 'waves' mislead you (based on times). The course was plenty big enough once you got going, and there never was such a big crowd that it affected my time. I would DEFINITELY do it again!! | |
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L. H. from Naperville, Illinois
(5/30/2003)
"Chicago's Springtime Marathon Rocks!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This 2nd running of the Lakeshore Marathon clearly shows that this event could become one of the premier Memorial Day marathons in the Midwest. The course runs North from McCormick Place (31st St. South) all the way up to the turnaround at Bryn Mawr Avenue (5600 North). The lakeshore scenery and skyline are really beautiful in the morning sun, and very different from October's big Chicago Marathon. Unlike a loop or point-to-point course, it felt surprisingly good to hit the half-way timing mat, turn around and head South right along the lake. The weather was in the 50's, cool, and sunny with a light headwind going up, and a tailwind back. The start was intelligently done in waves of 150 runners (by bib number) every two minutes, so the lakefront path was never congested. Traffic was light, and the police were relaxed and friendly in this smaller marathon. The miles were well marked, with aid stations every two miles or so. They served Cranksports E-fuel drink, which was pretty good, but was mixed too weak at most stations. One station mixed it perfectly - darker red - and it tasted so good that I drank three big glasses. (Really glad they didn't serve Optima or Sobe - they're nasty. Gotta have Gatorade, PowerAde or E-fuel). The all-important finisher's medal was nicely designed and looked good. The post-race awards event was held in a large grassy area, with plenty of vendor displays and samples to eat. It felt like a picnic. (Somebody get a brat and beer sponsor onboard!) Suggestions for the future? Mix the E-fuel stronger. Print 'Lakeshore Marathon of Chicago' in big letters on the front of the shirt. Just like the Park Forest 10-miler, combine the expo with the post-race event and add clothing and shoe vendors in that big grassy field. Print four tear-off tickets on the race bibs to get two food items and two drinks. Do all this and manage the growth well, and this race will become a classic! Congrats to the organizers for a great new event. | |
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H. K. from Lake Bluff, IL
(5/30/2003)
 "Really enjoyable marathon!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a new race, and while there is always room for improvement, overall this was a great marathon. The course is half soft gravel, half pavement, and is beautiful as it winds along the lakefront. The weather was perfect, and there were some great spectators who came out and did their best. I would have really appreciated some music, somewhere, anywhere, along the course (there wasn't ANY), and the toughest part of the race was the last 6 or so miles where we had to share the path with bikers, rollerbladers, etc. (This is not a closed course). The water stations were plentiful, the volunteers were friendly, and the medal and t-shirt - along with the trees - given were really great. I would definitely run this marathon again. After running two Chicago Marathons, where everything is perfectly executed, there is something organic about this new marathon that is very appealing. It will keep getting better. Weather permitting (but that's true for any marathon), this is a really fun and enjoyable race. Do it! | |
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M. G. from Chicago
(5/29/2003)
 "Better than last year, Great potential." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran this last year (the inaugural race) and thought it was about the most miserable run I'd ever done. What a difference a month makes in Chicago! A little later this year: temps in the 50's and a steady 10 MPH wind at your back for the second half! I can't imagine a more scenic course in the middle of a major city. Along the lake the whole way, with city and park views, no traffic... what more could you ask? This was only the second year of its running, and I think that once the bugs are worked out, this one will be a 'must do'. I'll do it again next year. Organization could still improve, and I wouldn't have minded a few more clocks along the way, but altogether only minor gripes. | |
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Daryll Smith from Windsor, Ontario, Canada
(5/28/2003)
"Great Day" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Perfect day for a first marathon. Beautiful weather, great course (no street running, all self-contained path) and the volunteers/aid stations were helpful and plentiful. Chip timing was nice (are you listening Forest City?), as was the wave start. Start/finish line just meters from host hotel was nice (although $25 a day to park there is a little stiff, especially on top of room rental). Very leery after board comments from last year, but except from curious last-minute disappearance of race expo (!!!), an excellent race and a great day. | |
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Mark Patton from Chicago
(5/27/2003)
"A Runner's Race " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Great race: the course was well marked, and there were plenty of aid stations and support. An officer controlling traffic at mile 24 even kept count of the number of racers, so I knew what place I was in. This was very motivational with two miles to go! Speaking of traffic, the course is entirely on the lakefront path; therefore the only traffic comes from cars entering the parking lot area, the amount of which is minimal. Having run this race both last year and this year, I could see that the race director was very responsive to the criticisms of last year. This is a nice race, and I would expect it to generate more participants in the years to come. | |
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M. R. from Chicago, IL
(5/27/2003)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and was overall a great experience. The course was well marked, fast and flat, and with the sun coming up over Lake Michigan, it was the perfect setting for a race. The fans weren't all that abundant, but for a 6 am start, they were enthusiastic. The support people were great, especially one man who ran and caught up with me with a cup of water at about mile 18, after I knocked over the cup I was going for. As I was very thirsty at that point, his kindness was exceptionally appreciated. Anyhow, hope to run this one again. | |
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E. C. from Chicago, IL
(5/26/2003)
"Outstanding small race destined to grow" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Aside from a moderate headwind that became a tailwind, the course and weather were nearly perfect: beginning at 50 and ending in the high 50's with sun. The organizers did an excellent job of dealing with some construction near the start of the race that led to rescheduling of the race to what will be a great time in Chicago (Sunday of Memorial Day weekend). For the past 22 years, I have complained about it being too cool on Memorial Day weekend in Chicago, but now I appreciate that the cool lake breeze makes for outstanding marathon weather. The wave start was an excellent idea and made for even less congestion at the start. In addition to spectators who came specifically to watch the race, many of the other runners on the lakefront path were very encouraging. | |
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James Cross from Chicago, IL
(5/26/2003)
 "Chicago's Hidden Gem" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After hearing first-hand accounts and reading horror stories about last year's inaugural race, I initially hesitated before signing up this winter. But my first marathon ended up being a runner's nirvana: perfect weather, every mile well-marked, great organization, fantastic lakefront scenery, dedicated volunteers and a sparse - but enthusiastic - crowd. What's not to like? A perfect small marathon to get you kick-started for the fall. Special shout out goes to Chicago's finest -- did a good job of cracking down on traffic. | |
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A. H. from Cleveland, Ohio
(5/26/2003)
"Beautiful course and friendly volunteers" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and it was the perfect way to begin my marathon career. The course was just beautiful, and very flat. The volunteers were very friendly and encouraging. There were plenty of aid stations and I needed them! We were blessed with a lovely, sunny, breezy spring day, which only enhanced the natural beauty of the course: right along side Lake Michigan, past the downtown skyline, through nature preserves and parks. Perfect. Not crowded either (the path was rather narrow, so a huge field of runners would have been difficult). Great massage afterward. Delicious smoothies too. I would recommend it. |
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