The course - even for being two separate out-and-back loops - had a lot to see, with lake views, parks, and nice neighborhoods. The volunteers at the water/HEED stops were friendly and efficient, and did a great job. The race course was almost 26.5-miles long, according to my GPS. The race also had promised Hammer Gels at mile 17, but there were none! The parking logistics of the downtown area were a bit confusing for out-of-town runners.

I thought the weather was perfect and the course was very scenic along Lake Michigan and through the residential neighborhoods. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were great. It seemed like only a few people came to watch. Even through the residential neighborhoods, there were very few spectators. Driving from out of state (not neighboring Illinois), I would have preferred a race-day packet pickup. It seemed like a relatively long trek from the motels (I-94) so I wasn't early to begin with; but, since I wasn't sure if there was a bag drop-off, I left my warm clothes in my car. This turned out to be fine as I had to park 10 blocks from the start/finish area and got to the starting line only a couple minutes before the race actually started. It took me nearly 40 minutes after the race to walk back to my car and then drive back to my motel. A shuttle both ways might have been nice. All in all, this was a good race with a beautiful course.

What a great first effort! My comments are based on running the half-marathon. I parked 3 blocks from the starting line. I walked to the starting corral 15 minutes prior to the race. The weather was perfect, which added to my enjoyment of the course. Within two minutes of the start there was enough spacing to find my stride. It seemed like 8 of the 13.1 miles were run along the Lake Michigan lakefront. On the first part of the course there were a number of inclines & declines that made the run a bit of a challenge. All of the water stops were well stocked and supported. Nice finish at a park along the lake. Great finisher's medal and tech shirt. Besides the usual post-run food, each runner was provided with a brat and a beer!! In regard to previous porta-potty complaints, I did not use one on the course. However, I did use one after the race and I am glad to report that they were clean and well stocked - clearly a rarity at this type of event. The crowd support was spotty, but that's to be expected at a small, first-time race. If you are looking for a smaller, well supported marathon, then this race should be considered. I suspect it will sell out rather quickly next year.

Thanks to the race organizers and the city of Kenosha for a great marathon!

There was very convenient race-day parking, and packet pick-up at Runner's Edge was a breeze. There were not enough porta-potties at the start, but I'm sure that will be corrected for next year's race.

The double out-and-back course was very scenic, with views of the lakefront for much of the way. Aside from a couple of gradual inclines during the first half, the course was mostly flat. The "parade loop" in the beginning was distracting, and I heard a lot of runners griping about it.

Thanks to all the volunteers and spectators for coming out on a beautiful Saturday morning; even some of the the motorcycle police officers were cheering on the runners!

The HEED drink is receiving mixed reviews, in part because many runners are not used to it. I found it impossible to tell whether I was drinking water or HEED until I actually tasted it; having a flavored version would eliminate this problem.

Smaller races like Kenosha have their own unique charm. I hope the Wisconsin Marathon becomes an annual spring tradition.

This was my 4th marathon and first inaugural marathon. Most comments on other marathons say to stay away from inaugural marathons till they have time to work out the kinks. This one was too tempting to pass up as it was within easy driving distance, was when I wanted to run, and is basically run on a flat course.

The only marathon that I have run that compares to this one in terms of size is the Bayshore in Traverse City, MI, which is almost universally lauded as a very well run race on a scenic course. This race seemed to be as well run as Bayshore and was almost as scenic. (It is only "almost as scenic" as Bayshore because Bayshore stays on the shore for longer distances.)

Pros and cons of the race:

Pros: Flat course with only one real hill around mile 7 or 8, but you are still fresh at this point (or should be); it's within easy driving distance from Chicago, a spring marathon, but not too early (you can still get a decent amount roadwork in at temps above 30); it has double out-and-back loops - I like them, as you get to see more runners this way. This allows you to see runners that are both ahead of you and behind you in addition to just those around you (which may not be many in a marathon of this size); they have free beer - after 26.2, having a cold one before noon does not seem wrong.

Cons: They could do without the initial loop back to the start, but it is good for the spectators; gels were not available on the course, which is a problem, since they were advertised; spacing of aid stations on the back half seemed inconsistent (could have just been my perception as I was slowing down); and a section of the course on the first out-and-back had many potholes and bad footing.

All in all, a very good race. Sure, some things can be improved, but this race should only get better.

For a first-year race, I think that congratulations are in order. The race was well organized and there was plenty of support directing runners.

The spectators were scarce, but those that were there were great!

On the negative side, a different sports drink would be nice and one was was not clear.

On the mile 18 turnaround part, I saw several cars inter-mixed with the runners. One car was riding a two feet behind a runner, obviously upset. I suppose at this point we could probably have all of the runners on one side.

Bands were advertised, but if they were there, I missed them. Same for gel.

All in all, great job.

A friend of mine didn't even have her time recorded at all. HEED IS AWFUL; I thought I was going to be sick. Not enough bathrooms before starting, or porta-potties. I didn't like the loop in the beginning. However I liked running to the lake and back. I did the half marathon, and I would definitely do it again. Maybe I'll do a full this time.

Overall, this was a very good race. I was surprised at how many spectators there were out on the course. The course itself was exactly as advertised, although a lot of my training runs were run on the course, so it wasn't as scenic during the race as it was in training.

The only problems with the race were the number of porta-potties at the start, and I don't remember seeing any gels out on the course.

There was also a last minute change to the course that threw some people off, but it wasn't a major problem.

I am looking forward to running it again next year.

I really liked the lake-shore running, the city running, and the rural/suburban routes all mixed together in one course. Maybe a little too loopy at the start, but it wasn't bad. Overall flatness was appreciated, with just enough gentle rolling hills on the northern half to be interesting. Southern half was a little desolate; may want to import cheering groups or spectators down there for next year. Some kindly homeowners in Pleasant Prairie sat out on their lawns/driveways and cheered, beat on pots, or offered water - much appreciated. (One guy had a card table with little coffee shots - and unlike Kramer's marathon coffee, this wasn't hot!)

Kenosha is a very pretty little city. My wife (a non-runner) appreciated the spectator-friendliness of the race: easy to see the finishers, roomy spaces in the park area, navigable parking. The race directors will have to consider how much they want to grow the event without making it over-sized and unfriendly.

Contrary to other comments, I liked the HEED energy drink and will look for it at the running store. Gatorade often gets too sweetly-sickening for my palate and my stomach after Mile 20. Contrary to another runner's comment, I liked having a start without the national anthem. Enough with the überpatriotism; it's a race, for Pete's sake, not a shrine to nationalism! In agreement with some others' comments, the aid stations were not well spaced, some coming much too close to the others; I'm sure they'll figure this out next year.

I also liked the medal and the whole cheesy theme. The volunteers' shirts were cooler (cheesier-yellow looking) than the racers' shirts. (A design suggestion for next year's shirt makers?) We never made it up north to the Mars Cheese Castle to buy some souvenir cheese, but if they'd had a booth at the finish area, we surely would have gotten some. (What else does one take home from Wisconsin?) I was surprised that so few people wore cheese hats at the start, and almost no one finished with one on. (I did!) I'm sure the organizers will get even more cheesy themes cooked up as the race gains momentum.

The bananas in the finish area were too green to eat, though I tried; I'm sure Jonathon and crew got stuck with a ton of perfectly ripe bananas the day after the run.

Another suggestion: have the Kenosha News publish more photos and cover the women athletes more; they focused too much on the men in the Sunday paper. Now that the city is becoming aware of what a cool deal it is to have a marathon run through town, I anticipate the local support will only grow from here.

In sum, good effort for a first-time event. Will recommend to my friends. Thanks, Cheeseheads!

A great race. My only comment would be that I didn't care for the Heed drink, and it was easy to grab it in error, thinking it was water because it is clear. Everything else was top-notch.