I loved this race! Great course, AWESOME SHIRT, cool medal - fantastic race. The pacer I ran with was right on and I got an awesome PR! I would go back to this race in a heartbeat! Keep it up, Illinois! Great Boston qualifier.

This was my first marathon, so I can't compare it to others. However, I can say that this proved to be a really good choice for my first. I came here to qualify for Boston, and conditions were just about perfect. The flat course posed no exceptional challenges, the course management was terrific, and the 3:30 pacer took us out at pace and kept it steady throughout. I finally dropped off pace around Mile 18 but still managed to run 3:38:20 - well below the 3:45 I needed for Boston. I might have enjoyed the first 10 miles more if the half-marathoners had started separately from the marathoners, but the heavy traffic didn't pose any problems for staying on pace.

I'd recommend this race for anyone looking for a Boston qualifier or a first marathon. I couldn't have asked for a better first-marathon experience.

Congratulations, and thank you to the race directors, staff and volunteers for pulling off a truly successful inaugural marathon.

This was my 7th marathon, and I was so impressed by the changing neighborhoods, well placed turns, and enthusiastic spectators and volunteers.

The finish in the Memorial Stadium was the best finish of any race I can remember.

May I make two suggestions?
1. Please have clocks, if possible, at the mile markers for those of us who still refuse to wear running watches.

2. I think most runners come to the expo assuming that they will receive free samples. We were a little disappointed not to have any free munchies or drinks. It's silly, but we get a kick out of playing "Pacman" at these expos.

Thank you again - this race reminds me why the smaller, less-urban marathons are truly the best-kept secrets!

Kudos to you, Mark, and your organization. There wasn't anything lacking. The course was just fabulous. Mark, you sure know how to throw a good party. I'm definitely looking forward to your next inaugural marathon.

Very fast and flat. They had water and Gatorade every 1 or 2 miles. Power gel was given at 7, 11, and 19 miles. The finish area-food was fantastic. The course was beautiful through the campus of University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana.

This was the most organized marathon among my 18 finished marathons. They had plenty of free parking. There were lots of nice restaurants around campus, and good places for lodging.

This is a highly recommended 5-star marathon and half-marathon.

This was my first marathon and I thought it was a terrific experience. The organization was awesome, and the volunteers were great! Plenty of rest stops. I love the GU!! Super fast course; I loved it all!! Spectators were a lot of fun!!

Course: Would've been perfect had the part on the sidewalk/trail not been there.
Organization: Excellent all of the way around; the finish was awesome.
Spectators: Surprisingly strong, given the race size and population of the city (I gave 5 stars with recognition that it's not a major metro marathon). I hope it won't drop off after the first year

This was, all in all, a great race. Congrats, organizers!

The expo was a tad light on offerings, but nicely organized. Quarter-zip long-sleeve is nice, and the finisher's medal is terrific. The towns did a nice job coming out to support the first annual race. Terrific atmosphere, finishing in the stadium. Volunteers were top-notch. There were a couple of logistical things that they can improve: Need porta-johns in the largest parking lot north of the start line. Too many participants were allowed to enter the start line from the front; they need to close that off with volunteers. Finishers should be provided with space blankets at the finish line - it is a necessity! The exit from the field turf up to the concourse was TOO congested. Offer at least two sets of stairs, please. Minor suggestion: The course had too much winding through empty residential neighborhood (miles 15-18). There was no crowd there and lots of annoying turns. All in all, a solid event that will surely grow in scope. The stadium PA announcer needs to have good music ready BEFORE the event - not someone's iPod with a couple of Christmas tunes. C'mon. Volume was an issue as well. Congratulations, volunteers, and thanks.

My only real complaint is that returning the chip was confusing. Before the race, runners were told in writing that they'd be charged 30 bucks if the chip was not turned in after the race. I couldn't find the chip return location after the race, but then I thought I heard an announcement that we did not have to turn in the chip. Overall, though, this being the first-ever Illinois Marathon, I was very impressed with the organization. The lines at the expo and the race-day porta-potty lines were not long (and sometimes non-existent). I hated the long lines at Chicago's Marathon. I will definitely run the Illinois Marathon again in 2010 or 2011.

Organization was good! I had a good, fun weekend, with good support from the public and neighborhoods. I had a better time here than in Chicago - except for the fact we had to climb lots and lots of steps to get to the bag check, food and exit. But I would recommend this to anyone doing an Illinois marathon.