May 14, 2024
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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 71 to 81]
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S. H. from Illinois
(5/11/2010)
 "Poorly organized in terms of volunteers & fluids" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon last year and the full this year, and I did notice some good changes - such as the set-up of porta-potties in start area. There were NO fluids available at the first water stop (I ran with the 4:10 pace group), and no Gatorade until Mile 7. Mile 7 is way too late in the race for mid-to-back-of-the-pack runners. That is the equivalent of making faster runners wait until Mile 14. I had to wait for drinks to be poured at several water stops and eventually had to accompany a friend (who was dehydrated) in an ambulance to the hospital. The management of the water stops was poor during the first half, although I was told things improved the second half. This was too late for my friend - he only made it to Mile 13. (He was released after 3 hours.) Given the warm and humid conditions, which can certainly happen in May, when runners have not had time to acclimate, the handling of the fluid situation was not good and potentially dangerous for runners. | |
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A. S. from West Chicago, Illinois
(5/11/2010)
 "Excellent Half Marathon" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first half marathon and I was very pleased! I have run shorter races - 5K and 10K - but this race tops any of those on organization. There were a couple of things I would like to see changed for next year. First, get the walkers out of the way of people who want to run. Second, find a different/wider path than running through the park. Finally, is there a way to run some of the race on asphalt? The concrete got to be brutal on my feet. | |
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D. M. from Illinois
(5/10/2010)
 "Spectators great - course not so much" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall, a good race and the finish in Memorial Stadium is nice. I lost quite a bit of time running on the sidewalk path in the park; I recommend a different route. Post-race food was OK; all of the post-race drinks were warm, which is not OK. | |
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J. B. from Chicago, Illinois
(5/10/2010)
"Very nice race in all areas!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 A few minor issues to improve upon, but overall, a nice race that is worth repeating! The negatives (all minor): The race started 15 minutes late, which threw off the spectators who expected people at certain places and times; there was no Gatorade at the first few water stops (on a hot/humid day); post-race food was at the top of the stadium steps (after running a marathon!); and there was poor security for the kids' run. The positives: very good course and overall organization; great crowd support; and a great idea worth repeating with the kids' run and other post-race activities. The race director seemed to listen to MarathonGuide runner comments from last year. A few more tweaks, and year number 3 will be outstanding. | |
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S. F. from Oak Park, Illinois
(5/8/2010)
 "Impressive for a 2nd-year marathon!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My husband ran the half and I ran the full, and it was hard NOT to switch races at the split with the humidity!!! The volunteers were the heart of this race, and those cheering were a wonderful motivator! The course had more of an incline than I expected, but I thought the organization was great for a 2nd-year marathon. I enjoyed the water stop with the "hippy" volunteers, and I encourage you to run this race before it gets as large as the Chicago Marathon! I would suggest that transportation be provided to those parked in the lots farther away from the stadium. After running 26.2 miles, I was GRATEFUL for Eileen (a volunteer), who dropped us off at our car. Again, the volunteers were amazing! | |
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B. F. from So. IL
(5/7/2010)
 "Well Organized, Runner Supported" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was about my sixth one in about 10 weeks, and the best organized of them all. I ran it because of the excellent '09 posted reviews - and 2010 was better yet. Plentiful aid stations, gels, medical support, and volunteers. The stadium finish was special. It seemed like most of the course was through scenic neighborhoods. That beats the endless, tired, concrete roads of the business districts. The post-race pasta and pizza were so appreciated and needed. I would recommend this race to first-timers who need a memorable experience and also to the veteran runner who desires a kind, honest, and generous race director and staff. This organization is a model for any of the worn out, same-old, same-olds that simply understand neither the runner's needs nor how to organize. Thanks to so many volunteers, friendly spectators, and the race director. I may be back with more runners. | |
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D. L. from Arlington, Texas
(5/6/2010)
"The half marathon was OK - not as flat as I hoped" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had to wait for water to be poured on the very first stop. I don't know if running through that park was such a great idea for the number of participants! MANY runners stopped without regard to the person RIGHT behind him/her! Both of these cost several of us precious minutes. I enjoyed the stadium finish but had to watch the uneven pavement to prevent myself from falling. I may try again next year IF the course is out of the park into streets - the park was TOO crowded. | |
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V. G. from Champaign,IL
(5/5/2010)
"Fantastic and memorable experience" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am a local and have never run even a 5K. I wanted to be part of this great event, and the sheer enjoyment of going through all of the local streets and being cheered by everyone helped me complete the full marathon. Excellent organization, plenty of volunteers who are the true heroes of this event, and a great finish. I am so proud of belonging to CU. | |
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M. K. from Kentucky
(5/4/2010)
"Second-year marathon, but first-rate!" (about: 2010)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It is hard to believe this event is only in its second year. My training partners and I were looking for a flatter marathon (after running the Cincinnati Flying Pig the past two years). The course lived up to its "flat" reputation, but the humidity played havoc on the "fast" claim (at least for me). A few more slight uphills might have saved my quads and my P.R. I definitely recommend this race and hope to run the Illinois Marathon again soon. | |
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J. E. from Indiana
(5/3/2010)
"Enjoyable Event" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Illinois Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've run this marathon now for both years it was offered. The organizers did a nice job modifying the course for 2010. By extending it, the last 2 miles were much more pleasing to the eye and the psyche. Whereas in 2009 we got near the stadium and then had to loop for 3 more miles, this year we just ran to the stadium with no interruption. It really helped. My only suggestion on the course is about the 1.5 miles or so in Meadowbrook Park. It's a darn shame that the path is so narrow. Even though the RD moved that part of the course from mile 5 to mile 8 this year, it was still much too crowded there with all of the halfers and full marathoners together. It is a pretty park and would be nice to include... but it's just too narrow to enjoy running on in that crowd. For what it's worth, this runner liked the April date of 2009 rather than the May date of 2010. It was unfortunately warm and humid this year. Emergency personnel did a terrific job but had their hands full, from my view. Mega congrats to the volunteers... they really made the race go and go well. Thanks for a nice event! |
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