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Apr 29, 2024

Illinois Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.5

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.5

Number of comments: 167 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 17 > ]

S. J. from Bolingbrook, IL (5/14/2013) "Pretty Good Spring Option" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I went into this race (9th marathon) with a training plan to BQ and PR. I did not make either, mostly it just wasn't my day but the course was a bit more challenging than I had expected. There are a few stretches that are really long subtle grade increases that you feel in your legs. The one notable hill that I recall came at mile 24 which was really tough. The area was gorgeous in that section of the course but it's a tough spot to dig deep. Aid was great and plentiful to include several gel stations. There was definitely congestion in the park area (8-9.5ish) as others have described - hard to maintain your pace. I was a bit disappointed in the finish. It seemed somewhat empty with not many fans present. I only found this odd because I finished in under 4 hours. It seemed like all the excitement was focused more on the half, which was done at that point. Overall this race is well-run. The Expo was nice, the shirt was, well, BRIGHT, the pacers were good, the finish food was nothing exciting (but I don't run races for that) and the medal was fine! One note - book your hotel WELL in advance. If you are looking for a nice spring marathon for a great price, this is it!
T. M. from Davenport, IA (5/9/2013) "My new favorite marathon!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I absolutely loved this race! It was incredibly well organized, had an interesting course (always something to look at), was a good size (not too crowded but you were never alone), and had amazing fan support! Every few blocks there would be volunteers or fans cheering for you. I ran the marathon in just under five hours and the fan support was still fabulous! From the moment I checked in at my hotel (workers were in marathon t-shirts) to the time I got into my car to come home, I felt very welcomed in Champaign. I will definitely run this one again. One last amazing thing: I handed my 'throw away' shirt to a volunteer at the two mile mark and it made it back to my gear check bag!
A. D. from Chicago, IL (5/9/2013) "Fast course, GREAT organization" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As others mentioned, this is a good-size race with terrific organization and course support. Parking right by the start/finish is non-issue. Long-sleeve shirt this year was in a highlight bright yellow. A bit too much. Would love to get one in U of I collors, but that's a small complain. The medal is nice. Food is sufficient.
Ed Robins from Philadelphia, PA (5/6/2013) "Organized, flat marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a nice, well run marathon where a runner could certainly PR if the weather cooperates (it did in 2013). I usually avoid larger races like this one (1800 in full, 6200 in half and a 10k w/ a later start) but the logistics for this race made it feel easier like a smaller race. So you got the perks of a larger race like a bigger expo w/ race themed items; celebrities like Katherine Switzer, music on the course and good fan support. The race begins and ends on the U of Illinois campus (at the football stadium) and the expo is in their Rec center. All the parking lots used for a game makes parking super easy (and free). There were signs up directing runners to the lots. So the usual parking nightmares associated w/ a bigger race weren't an issue. The course as already stated is very flat but its not scenic. The route just weaves through a series of neighborhoods. Pleasant but monontonous. There were some rough roads while we were in the campus but otherwise the roads were fine. There is a 2 mile section from miles 8-10 where we run on a path through a park. Its pretty but the race is too big for such a small path. These miles were very congested especially with the Half marathon runners still in the pack. For a race this size there were not enough port-a-potties on the course. Even with 4 or more there were very long lines especially early in the race. There were plenty of water stops, they all had sports drink and quite a few had gel. My only critism here is the stops were disorganized and each one was different. Some times water was first, sometimes gatorade and the markings on the cup meant nothing. I know this sounds picky but late in a race when fatigue is an issue uniformity really helps. After the race I opted to use the showers at the Rec center. This was a nice perk! Also the race ends on the football field which is a fun ending! I liked the medal (of the stadium), the long sleeve tech shirt and we got a good quality gear bag.
M. C. from Chicago (5/1/2013) "Flat, wind can be an issue, well organised" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Illinois Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 At my pace, 3:20s, the field was crowded through Urbana until we split from the half. It then got lonesome for help cheating the wind heading back into Champaign. Thanks to all the great volunteers....I wasn't being rude just unable to speak ;)
J. G. from St. Louis (5/1/2013) "Fast, flat course with good organization." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 32nd marathon and enjoyed running this event. It's a fast course with really no challenging hills. A great deal of the course is on concrete roads though and my 55 year-old knees took a pounding. Good race support and organization and everyone in town was great.
Adam Pratt from Chicago (4/28/2013) "flat, fast, well-organized" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Illinois Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Not very scenic and the crowds are just average, but this was one of the best organized marathons I've ever participated in even with thousands of runners and multiple simultaneous events. The course is very flat and very fast. After running 50+ marathons I PRed by 8 minutes on this course. When I'm ready to attempt to qualify for Boston I'll come back here. Their 'challenge' races are also fun as I ran the 5k Friday night and the marathon Saturday morning for some nice medals.
J. P. from Indiana (4/28/2013) "Love it!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Illinois Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My comments are for the half only. I've run it the past two years. Great volunteers and crowd support. Organization is fantastic. No problems with the packet pickup, pre-race bag drop, parking or the race itself. Excellent street control. The whole area is 'in-tune' with the race and very supportive. The course is moderately fast with only some gentle up and down grades. There is a section in the first part of the race where you run through a park/bike/walking area for maybe a couple miles. Basically it's a double wide concrete sidewalk. It's crowded during the race and they won't be able to grow this race without addressing this issue and altering the course. Don't tell anyone how wonderful this race is as I want to come back again and again! Huge thank you's to all the volunteers and support folks that make this race go. Fantastic job.
Fighting Illini from Chicago (9/23/2012) "Great race to qualify for Boston" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Illinois Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this marathon every year since its debut - it is a great marathon! Course is listed on the 'top ten' fastest for those looking to BQ. Course meanders through Urbana and Champaign (university campus towns about 2 hrs south of Chicago, IL). Best part: course includes well-spaced aid stations and Marathoners are offered 4 GU stops - this is amazing!! Strong crowd support throughout - which is great for this mid-size race. Event coordinators have made it a full 'weekend/family' event - with various race distances, pasta dinner and motivational speakers, and small race expo. Registration includes technical running shirts (first year was long sleeve, then went to short-sleeve, and now going back to long-sleeve) and nicer, heavy-weight medal. Post-race food spread has thinned down in the past few years - note that runners have to climb up a few stadium steps to get to the food. In summary, this marathon is awesome for the flat/fast course, generous race stations, great crowd support, and event-packed weekend schedule!
R. D. from Champaign, IL (9/18/2012) "Fast, Flat, and Volunteers/Spectators = Rad Run" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Illinois Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have run this race twice, and I'll be back again. It's not the most scenic, and living in this town, I've run this route about a billion times in training for other marathons. I could probably hit each tangent in my sleep. However, there is really something awesome about race day in this town. The support for this race is unbelievable and rivals races I've run in larger cities. There is really no part of this race I've run where you feel like you are alone, and that is beyond cool. You do run through mostly residential areas, and there is a slight, and i do mean slight elevation change between 23-25 miles. I admit, it's a crappy place for any elevation change, but honestly, if you run any marathons anywhere else in the country... It's not even a hill. This is about the flattest course I've ever run. The last mile of this race is almost completely downhill and you finish on the 50 yard line of memorial stadium, which is pretty awesome. Your family and friends can't wait for you there, but they are up in the stands, which are alphabetized, so it's easy to find them. You can buy a shower pass to clean up in the locker room there at the rec center for $5, and that is super handy if you are from out of town or if you aren't, and just want to relax those muscles in a warm shower and then eat without having to go home first.

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