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☰
Rockford Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Rockford Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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S. P. from Chicago, IL
(5/17/2010)
 "Pleasantly surprised!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I signed up for Rockford kind of at the last minute. I was going to run a different marathon 2 weeks before, but had a conflict. Rockford was local and doable, so I signed up and wasn't expecting much. WOW, was I pleasantly surprised! GREAT organization and volunteers. The course had some rolling hills and was challenging at times, but it was also BEAUTIFUL! There were lovely parts of the course that went through the parks and on the bike paths by the river. I honestly didn't know Rockford was so lovely. It's a small marathon, so there aren't a lot of spectators, but the few that are out there were great and a lot of fun! Some of the aid stations were sponsored by local schools and the kids were out there cheering us on and getting into it. I'm so glad that I ran this race and will definitely do it again!! Bravo, Rockford! | |
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N. S. from Dekalb, Illinois
(5/17/2010)
 "It was an OK race." (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my fourth marathon. From reading the comments below, I have to disagree with one thing. There were a lot of hills, but no major ones; however, they were enough that you just stop realizing it. Plus, they were gradual hills. At mile 12 there was a volunteer on the corner where the half and the full split up; he said that this was the last hill. He was wrong. There were more hills on the second half of the race. One good thing about this marathon is that they had PowerAde at almost each station. I ran a 3:58 in the Green Bay Marathon last year, which is held at the same time every year at the same time as the Rockford. I didn't even break 4:30 with this marathon. It's a good marathon if you are trying to save money and if you want to stay in the Chicago area. | |
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Hugh Mainard from Chicago
(9/11/2009)
 "Great spring marathon in Illinois" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run in 14 marathons and ultras before this, and this event was the best mix of an ultra and a marathon. It was like an ultra in the sense there were very small numbers of participants, and the volunteers treated you like family (which was maybe easier to experience because the volunteers outnumbered the participants). My only prior experience with Rockford was for court appearances on weekdays, which is a bit dead, but the course stretched through scenic areas I never knew existed (waterfronts and parks/forest preserves). The course is not pancake flat, so I doubt you'd ever PR on this course, but its "hills" are more gently rolling than back-breakers. Extremely well organized, and easy for logistics (parking, start and finish access, and spectator access for any fans you bring along). I strongly recommend this race to any Midwestern marathoner. | |
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A. M. from Palatine
(5/23/2009)
"Enjoyable Spring Marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Rockford Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The changes made to the course for the second half were great! While there were still a few hills, the course was much more scenic and enjoyable. Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for putting on a great race. I would recommend this race for those in the area who enjoy a well organized, smaller event. | |
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R. K. from Chicago
(5/21/2009)
"Low-key, well organized" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Rockford put on a well organized race with tons of enthusiastic volunteers, efficient water stations, and good traffic control at the many street crossings. The course had its dull spots, but also some nice stretches running along the Rock River and, toward the end, on a trail through a nice, forested area. We were lucky to have perfect weather for running. This small event is sort of like the anti-Chicago Marathon, but if you don't need big crowds for motivation, it fits the bill. Nice spread of food afterward! I hope the race keeps expanding. | |
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Doug Widowski from Rockford, Illinois
(5/20/2009)
"Great support on the course." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 42nd marathon and my first DNF, but I have to comment on how well the volunteers, police, and the few spectators on the course offered their support on the course. When you are the last person out there with only a squad car, an ambulance, and the van from special events behind you, you appreciate things in a whole new light. I will train better and definitely do this one again. If you don't like crowds, then this one is for you. The weather was perfect and the aid stations and police went all out. Parking was free and close, and running along the river made for a nice change of pace. For the 50-Staters, this is one way to run Illinois on a budget. | |
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S. H. from Northern Illinois
(5/19/2009)
"Would recommend this marathon" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 If you are expecting Chicago, you will be disappointed. But if you want a well run race, maybe to get a PR, this is a good choice. I give the course 5 stars. Fairly flat, but enough hills to break up the monotony. What I really like is that because it was so small (only 250 marathoners the year I ran it), you could run your own pace without worrying about tripping over people or weaving in and out of other runners. Yes, there aren't a lot of spectators, but in my opinion, in the big marathons the blur of noise after awhile is not motivating - it's just noise. I found it more inspiring to run in silence for a half-mile or so, and when there would be a group clapping and cheering you know it is for you - because there are no other runners around! Organization was good, aid stations were excellent, but I dinged my rating down 1 star because they were late starting the packet pickup Friday afternoon, and the finisher's medal was fairly pedestrian (I would have liked a date on the medal). In summary, I would recommend this race to someone who has run a few marathons and is getting tired of the hassles of the mega-city marathons. | |
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Baltazar Ordonez from Chicago
(5/19/2009)
"Excellent spectator support. Great organization." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Rockford Marathon was well organized. Volunteers were extremely friendly and helpful. There were more than enough refreshment stations. Intersections were well under control by volunteers and police officers. In short, I encourage the organizers to keep the good work and I wish further success for this marathon. | |
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R. P. from Illinois
(5/18/2009)
"Small, friendly marathon." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Beautiful day for a marathon with a nice course. I enjoyed the paved bike paths. The course was well protected from traffic, although a friend of mine was "bumped" by a car on the course. I hope the race continues. | |
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ollie nanyes from Peoria, IL
(5/18/2009)
"Mostly good" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Rockford Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I walked the 2009 version (finished in 5:14). My take is this: Pre-race and post-race: excellent! Good parking, easy packet pick-up, disposable chip. Even at my late finish, there was plenty of post-race food (bagels, fruit, drinks). There were plenty of aid stations and the volunteers really gave it their all. Course: my only negative remark was that there was a .8-mile stretch between miles 18 and 19 on a two-lane, moderately busy road that had no shoulder at all and no traffic control. The rest of the course was well coned and was interesting. It featured city, residential areas, rural areas, some slight inclines, parks, woods, paved bike paths and a river stretch. If it weren't for the "bad" stretch, I would have given the course 5 stars. One note for walkers and slower runners: the course does empty out at 13 miles and you'll have some long solo stretches. |
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