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☰
Illinois Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Illinois Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 168 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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A. D. from Champaign, IL
(6/6/2009)
 "Without a Hitch" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The only thing that really bothered me at all was the porta-potties facing the race's starting area, which has been a common criticism from what I can see. But if that is the biggest problem, I think the crew did an excellent job putting it together! KUDOS!!! Loved how we finished on the 50 yard-line!!! C-U is beautiful; continue to show it off to the runners in the future!! :) I ran the 5K, but watched the others finish too. | |
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J. W. from New York
(5/6/2009)
 "Great job, except face the porta-potties outwards!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thought the organizers did a tremendous job. Of course, a first-time marathon will invariably have a few logistical issues;for the inaugural Illinois marathon, it was simply the direction the portable bathrooms faced. They were facing the street where all the runners were lined up to start, and it created a gridlock of folks pointed toward the starting line versus folks pointed towards the bathroom. I couldn't make it to my pacing group, and for the first 5 miles I was dodging slow half-marathoners (which is another problem, but one that occurs in lots of races, unfortunately). The course is great--very flat and a good PR course. I loved finishing in the stadium at the 50 yard line of the football field. Go Fighting Illini! I will definitely run this again. | |
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K. S. from Urbana, IL
(5/5/2009)
"Pleasantly Surprised At Every Step" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Disclaimer: My only other marathon experience was Chicago 2007, with extreme heat, no water, and a race that was canceled halfway through. So, I came into this event a little skeptical. However, at each step of the event, I was pleasantly surprised with the organization and well thought-out details of a first-time event. Being from Urbana, I'd have to say that I was proud of everything that transpired throughout the weekend. The minor improvements that come to mind include a change to the port-a-potties at the start, the narrow path through Meadowbrook Park, the drop-off point for the bags, and more detailed instructions inside the packet. I was unsure of where to drop off my stuff and what to do with the chip at the end. Otherwise, 6 stars for everything else. What a day it was. | |
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Sheryl Walsh from Danville, IL
(5/4/2009)
"Great fun" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first race, ever. I did the half-marathon and never felt like a second-class citizen. I felt like a rock star, actually. The cheering fans were awesome. I thought there was to be more music; the little bit I encountered was awesome, and I would have loved more to pep up with. I accomplished what I set out to do, and will definitely do it again. The finish at the 50-yard line at U of I stadium gave me goosebumps. I am a 57-year-old resident of Champaign and graduate of U of I schools. What a trip to run onto the field, and hear my name announced. It was great. I look forward to next year. | |
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E. L. from Sylva, NC
(5/4/2009)
"High 5 for an inaugural race!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Kudos: 1) Very nice, ROOMY expo. I didn't feel like a sardine. 2) The list of local churches in the packet was a nice touch. Thanks! 3) Those orange-shirted volunteers were far from green-horns! Wonderful support. 4) Well organized. I salute the director! 5) Nice finisher's medal and the best shirt I have ever earned. 6) Brazzo and Beardsley were very entertaining. 7) Spectators were plentiful and gave great support. The only marathon I've run that might have had more was Marine Corps in DC in 2005. 8) I ran with the four-hour pace team. Great job, pacer Bill! Oh, and if you have a way, put in a request for the exact same weather for 2010! Perfect! :(: 1) There were a good number of porta-potties but they were just plain too close to the starting line. 2) Please turn the half marathoners loose at a 15-minute or so interval from the marathoners. It got too tight on the narrow sidewalk run-path near mile 5. 3) I loved Fazoli's pasta feed. It was very good, but a little on the light side. I had to add a supplementary gyro on the way to my hotel. Overall, one of my favorite marathons so far. | |
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K. O. from LaGrange, IL
(5/2/2009)
"Solid Work for a First-Time Event" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was really impressed with the organization for a first time marathon. I ran with the 3:15 pace group and the pacer was outstanding. The finish in the stadium was great. The course was really packed in during the early miles and I was concerned about getting tangled up, but things opened up later on. I caught some people running the half near the end as I entered the stadium. I came within inches of running into the backs of two half-marathoners as I entered the stadium (as I was sprinting and they were walking). Perhaps there is a way to avoid this in the future. Regarding the bottled water, I think most people don't realize that it was donated from a local flood preparation program and was going to expire soon. While bottles weren't ideal, the race organizers were actually being green (which is very trendy now!) by using water that was going to be thrown out. Kudos to all of the locals who showed up to cheer and volunteer. The support was great. Regarding the end-of-race food, the pre-race instructions explained where post-race food and drink would be located after the race. I thought this part of the race was very good. | |
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b. b. from Chicago, IL
(5/2/2009)
 "A look back" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run many different marathons in my tenure as a runner, generally larger races that have been very well organized. Considering that this was an inaugural race, I would say that this was a success, but a few things should be considered for next year: 1. There was no organization at the start as to how people should line up according to pace. This created some confusion, and there were people towards the front of the race wearing running restricting costumes. They should have started farther towards the back for safety reasons. 2. There were port-a-potties at the start line. This caused lines of non-runners intermingling with actual runners. 3. Instead of giving out cups of water, many of the aid stations were handing out full bottles of water rather then cups. This was a frustrating concept because once the runners were done with the bottle, it would then be discarded on the course, creating an unsafe clearing. Also, it was rather wasteful. Overall, I'd say that the course was interesting and the race was rather smooth. If I would run this race again, I would just hope for a more competitive field. | |
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R. H. from Springboro, OH
(5/1/2009)
"Fantastic!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was great to be back on campus after nearly 25 years, and being able to run onto the field was spectacular. I was very impressed with how many people turned out to cheer us on. It was a great feeling. My only suggestion is to try to get smaller water bottles next time or use cups, and I agree with others that they should have water every mile after mile 6 or alternate with, say, Gatorade. All in all, it was a perfect day and a great route to run. | |
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D. K. from Champaign, IL
(4/30/2009)
"Impressive inaugural race" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This race surpassed all my expectations. Very well organized, great turnout, professionally executed. A few nits and suggestions: 1) Eliminate the hairpin turn before entering stadium (half-marathon). 2) Hand out GU packets a bit before water stations so runners have time to eat GU first, then wash it down with water. 3) Mile marker at mile 12 (half-marathon) was missing. 4) The stadium PA system was much too loud. 5) Spectators were spectacular! 6) As always, thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers! | |
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FRED LIN from San Jose, CA
(4/29/2009)
"Great first-time marathon for Champaign" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For a first-time marathon, it was a great experience overall. First, I asked for a late checkout at Econolodge; no problem. I asked for extra pasta for dinner at a local restaurant; no problem. I was getting tired at the 20 mile-mark; a kid ran up to tell me to keep going and not to give up. This marathon is about the support of the community, not just the organizer. In all of my marathon running, this was one of the best! |
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