May 2, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Lake City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Lake City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 30 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
|
c. p. from Chambersburg, PA
(9/14/2009)
 "Nice Race, Nice Value" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race to get Indiana off of my state list and was concerned because of the comments from last year. I was very wrong to be concerned. For my entry fee I received a wonderful race shirt, nice duffel bag, pre- and post-race meals, aid stations less than a mile apart, fast course, post-race massage and a wonderful community. Getting through the course can be tricky. The race director shared that they could not paint on the roads, which is why they used chalk to mark the course. I can see where rain could be a problem for them, as to keep the course in such a small area, there are quite a few turns. With a small field you do have to pay attention, as you can't always see the runner in front of you. But if you study the course map, you will be fine. I would recommend this race over all of the big races for value as well. I was simply not expecting all that they had to offer for such a reasonable entry fee. If you are looking for a nice, early fall, low-key race, this is it. | |
|
R. M. from New York State
(9/12/2009)
 "Best small-town, low-key marathon in the USA" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Wonderful, low-key marathon. Flat, triple-loop course through parks, neighborhood streets and shaded bicycle paths - all near and around a small lake. Nice surprise having Hal Higdon as the guest speaker at the pre-race dinner. Good food, great price and dedicated race organizers. It doesn't get much better than this if you want a friendly, fun, relaxed experience for your marathon. I would highly recommend this race for Boston qualifiers and first-time marathoners. If I only ran only one marathon each year, this would be the one! (There's also a concurrent 50K race along the same course.) | |
|
G. P. from IN
(9/26/2008)
 "Elite field - loops a bonus!" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first - and I only ran the half - but I think that, for the awful conditions, they did a great job. When I was running the race, I hated all the loops (and I did get off course once), but it was nice (as I am soooo slow) to see the other runners coming and going! It was great to see the ultra people on the course - so inspiring - and yes, having the Kenyans pass me was an honor! Several of the better runners (MARATHONGUIDE.COM team) urged me on and encouraged me as I stuggled along. So, all the loops were a definite plus for me! It was awesome to be running the same race with such an elite field. The race delay was posted on the website by 5 a.m., so I never wondered why we were waiting around. All of the aid station staff were great, joking about the rain and giving encouragement as needed! If I train better next year, I will do it again. | |
|
m. r. from ankeny, ia
(9/21/2008)
 "not my all-time favorite" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This course was horrible. it was very confusing to follow, and marked with chalk (which was washing away in the rain) - and it was a mental nightmare. I understand that the weather is unpredictable, but it just wasn't a good experience overall. The race director and volunteers were VERY nice, and I appreciate all that they did. It was very frustrating that we were supposed to start at 7 a.m. but stood around (wondering?) until 8 a.m. We didn't know what was going on. Perhaps a bull-horn type system could have been in place for last-minute announcements. I have never run a marathon with so many loops. This was set up as a half-marathon course, so the total number of loops run by a full marathoner was about 18 loops!! What a mess. I enjoyed getting to see Lake Winona and the City of Warsaw. also, the water stops were plentiful. the price was right, too! Thank you to the event staff, but I would highly suggest a different route in the future. | |
|
M. C. from Al
(9/20/2008)
 "Terrific volunteers who stood out in the rain!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The volunteers made my day. They stood out in the rain from before the race began until the last person crossed the finish line. The race director had everything well organized - but the weather nixed his well laid plans. Although we had to wait for weather clearance, it was delightful meeting and conversing with other runners, especially the Wal-Mart dweller! Thanks to the race director and all the terrific volunteers I thoroughly enjoyed the marathon and recommend it to anyone. My thanks to you all. One of the beauties of the multi-loop course was the opportunity to observe the Kenyan runners who run with such grace. I can only dream! | |
|
Rob Klein from Aurora, CO
(9/17/2008)
"Small, Friendly, and Wet" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Weather impacted this race from pre-dawn. There was thunder, lightning, and a tornado alert in effect, so the early start was eliminated. Start was eventually pushed to 7:30, but then as that time passed, we continued to wait. Eventually the race director showed up. The race was nearly canceled because of the weather, but once the threat of the tornado was cleared by the weather service, the race finally started. The course had eight loops - one and two to the north, three to the west, and A through E to the south and east, run twice through. It was really confusing hearing the course description at the starting line, but it all worked out fine. The course was marked with chalk (which kept washing away in the rain) and signs directing the way. There were some hills, but it was mostly flat. And volunteers directed the runners where there was the potential to make a wrong turn. There was an abundance of aid stations - usually less than a mile apart, serving Gatorade, water, and fruit (apple slices, orange slices, and bananas). PowerBar pieces were available too. The aid station volunteers cheered on the runners along the way. There were a couple of things to add to the confusion: The website said timing chips would be issued race day morning, but that did not happen. Timing was done the old-fashioned way. Then the race director was late starting the race, because he was getting clearance from the weather service about the tornado (a good thing he did, but the runners did not know what was going on at the time). The runners got pretty spread out, but that is more typical of a small race of 150 to 200 runners. There were no clocks on the course. The only clock was at the finish line - which runners crossed two times, being a double loop course. At the pavilion, there was plenty of meat - burgers, brats, and chicken, among other things for post-race food. This was a decent small-town marathon, that's well supported by the community, and is not too difficult. There were rain showers through much of the race, and it definitely helped keep the body temperature down. | |
|
D. I. from Gainesville, Florida
(9/15/2008)
 "WELL DONE!! WELL DONE!!!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The weather for this race was awful, but the race crew made everything go smoothly. There was no early start for the walkers because of the weather. BUT, the crew held the finish line until the last of us came in. In spite of the rain, there were lots of encouraging volunteers. A BIG thanks to TYSON, who had ice cold water towards the end! I also have to thank CHRIS, who walked/biked throughout the day to make sure that those of us at the end were on course! The course was paved and well marked. There were also volunteers directing us. The race director also rode the course throughout the day, keeping it well marked and ensuring that everyone was OK. It is very clear that the race director is committed to this marathon. Simply put, it was WELL DONE! There was also great food at the end. Nelson's chicken was delicious! The race director and crew cannot control the weather, but they can control their response to it... and this group should be proud! I would recommend this marathon to anyone! I really felt that I was taken care of! Thanks again!!! | |
|
R. H. from Minnesota
(10/18/2007)
"Good Marathon - Not Crowded" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was a good marathon through the city of Warsaw. The course was actually set up for the half marathon, with the full marathoners running it twice. There were plenty of loops, but I found the markings to be clear and easy to follow. One risk with this many loops someone shortchanging their run. There were a couple of spots where volunteers actually checked my number, but there were a few other places where this should have occurred also. The route took us by beautiful homes, a trail through the woods and a short stretch along the lake. I opted for the early start 6:00 am vs. 7:00 am and for much of the first hour, it was dark, but flashlights were provided. If you select an early start, be sure to bring a bottle since it was about mile eight before the volunteers were at the aid stations with water and Gatorade (we were warned of this, so I am only reminding those that start early). Great post race food of pizza and chicken. I am on the quest for the 50 states and am happy I selected this for my Indiana marathon over an oversized race. A friend ran this marathon the year before and after comparing notes, we knew a number of improvements were made. The race director truly cares about this event and made it a success. I recommend this marathon. | |
|
C. S. from Fort Wayne, IN
(2/26/2007)
"Very enjoyable marathon" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well organized and relatively flat course. Aid stations were well stocked, and located at perfect intervals. Course marking could be improved; watch out for the sand in the parking lot, as it gets in your shoes. | |
|
C. K. from Chicago, Illinois
(2/14/2007)
 "This is a work in progress" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This race is a work in progress and truly a citizen's race. Mile markers and directions were (as advertised in an earlier comment) in chalk on the street, which led to extreme confusion the group I was in. This led to problems at the end of the marathon when directions were poorly marked and I wound up on the ultra course. I wound up running an extra four miles that day on a dirty course. I guess if you stay with locals who know what to expect in terms of directions, this course would be fine. Otherwise, I thought the crowds were great and the organizers did make a great effort. A suggestion is to use raised signs to better indicate the course route. |
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
