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May 7, 2024

Fox Valley Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Fox Valley Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 431 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 43 > ]

Curt Palmer from Plymouth, Indiana (10/2/2015) "Great flat, fast course" (about: 2015) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great running trail course with no exposure to traffic. 95% flat with just a few small rolling hills. Con was bread pudding dished up for all finishers in the food tent, but most servings were covered in BEES! Maybe think of something else next year.
Gail Ranville from Grand Rapids. Michigan (9/28/2015) "Simply Awesome Race!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run this race several times and thoroughly enjoyed it every time. I find the course fast, friendly, and interesting. Much of the course is shaded along the Fox River. The race directors have smartly made slight course changes as the field of participants has grown. Well worth including any of the options 1/2, 20 miler, or full marathon into your schedule!!!
M. L. from Sarasota, FL (9/28/2015) "A Must Do!" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Fox Valley to get a 2nd Illinois, and was extremely happy with the choice. The RD is totally accessible and very helpful. The course was really flat and slight downhills you could easily run. Nice expo, perfect parking. Friendly, plentiful and helpful course support. My best finish time in 3 years. Would definitely do it again.
J. R. from Hampshire, England (9/28/2015) "Superb fast flat marathon with a great atmosphere" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 2015 Fox Valley Marathon was a great running experience from the pre-race exhibition, to the moving start with the sung national anthem, to the finish. The course is fast and flat and the weather was superb for distance running. The volunteer support and drinks stations were excellent and, as a visitor to the USA, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. The organization is excellent - well done and thanks. (PS loved the steak at the finish).
M. C. from Aurora, IL (9/25/2015) "I am highly recommending this race to all runners." (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I gave the course 4/5 because I got a little faked out at the end when I thought I was almost done and then we had to turn left and make all those loops, my bad for not studying the course map. Great organization, lots of water stations, beautiful course that was a bit hillier than I expected. While not a lot of spectators, the ones that were there were fantastic! I will definitely do this race again and am recommending it to everyone. My favorite race shirt by far. Great job!!
S. M. from Grand Ledge, Michigan (9/24/2015) "A Marathon definitely worth running!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 37th Marathon, but 1st Fox Valley Marathon. Really nice mid-sized race. It probably helps that I ran the exact race I wanted to and we had absolutely perfect weather (low 50's, sunny, and no wind early and low 60's by the finish). Expo - Small, but volunteers were very friendly. Easy packet pickup. Good expo for this race. Parking - GREAT. I stayed in a hotel 3 miles away and was able to park 1 block from the finish on race morning. Lots of good, accessible parking. Dinner - Francesca's on the River was really good, and has gluten-free pasta options. It is a block or so from the start/finish area. Course - Lots of twists and turns, but it is a good course. Stretch from 8.5 to 14.5 near the turnaround was a little desolate going out, but nice seeing the marathoners as we came back. There is a 20 Mile training run, and the marathon reconnects with them around mile 18 which helps. Nice having others to run with the last 8 miles. Small hills/inclines between 19-21. Suggestions: Minor suggestions. I liked the random timing mats where they were (helps with keeping the integrity of the race), but it would be nice to have a mat at 13.1. Runners like having an official half split. Also, is there any way to have the 20 mile runners wear a back race bib to identify them? It was hard separating marathoners and 20 milers. You need a little more space for the food/beverages after the race. It was a little tight and congested. Finally, a little more crowd support or something between that 8.5 to 14.5 mile stretch would help. The 20 mile runners were all great and very supportive on the course. I like that idea and it really helped get me through those last 8 miles. More marathons, especially September marathons, should do this. Keep the number of runners manageable, but a really good idea. Overall: Really nice marathon that I would recommend. Thanks to everyone for putting on such a nice race!
D. Q. from St. Charles, IL (9/24/2015) "The FVM is extremely well organized." (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 3 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A 1/4 marathon option would be a nice addition to this event.
K. A. from United States Aurora IL (9/24/2015) "Wonderful experience" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon was great experience
T. J. from Lombard, IL (10/2/2014) "a small and beautiful marathon" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I had heard a lot about this marathon and thought I should try it out. The course was beautiful, but hillier than I thought it would be. There were not a great deal of spectators on the course, but the course was along the Fox River and had great scenery. There were one or two times that the course was not marked very well, but I managed to stay on course throughout. I will do this race again!
Joe Ely from Indiana (9/30/2014) "Awesome small race, fantastic course!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was pure joy to run!! The course is the real star here...the path along the Fox River is just fantastic. Shaded, beautiful, just awesome. The organizers made the course better with a very well-conceived wave start in 2014 which allowed the filed to spread and let us all enjoy the narrow running path. The finish was terrific...very enthusiastic and a great path...make a left turn and then 200m to a wide, welcoming finish line. Parking was terrific...free and close to the start/finish. This is a huge plus. I completely enjoyed this race. Thanks to the organizers for a terrific event. I heartily recommend this race.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 43 > ]

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