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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 21 to 31]

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

J. L. from Glen Ellyn, Illinois (9/24/2014) "Small race with nice course & great organization" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run Chicago several times and got tired of the crowds and just plain hassle to even participate. This was my first Fox Valley marathon and was really impressed. Smaller race that's easy to get to, has free and convenient parking, and packet pick-up is a breeze. The course is nice, the volunteers are great, and the organization is exceptional. Would recommend this race to anyone looking to do a really nice, well-done marathon, half, or 20-miler.
thomas crain from i,m from normal,illinois (4/15/2014) "awsome race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 this race is fast the people are great . awsome run, the view of the course is something . never gets old love it
Suzanne Bansley from Brattleboro, Vermont, USA (12/13/2013) "Incredible, Awesome, Super, Great Race!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Incredible, awesome, super, great race! I totally recommend it! It's a perfect course, scenic along the Fox River the greater bulk of the way. There was little traffic to worry about because it's almost all on a bike path. Gorgeous houses and manicured lawns, plus lovely parks and even a windmill, all kept my mind busy. The pace group leader for the 4:00 group was awesome, even though I couldn't keep up with him, he was encouraging and helpful with advice along the way. The advance race communication couldn't be beat, they kept coming in regular intervals and I felt excited to run the race well before race day. It was organized better than most races, everyone knew what to do, no one missed a beat. Best part: the finish line announcer! He was awesome and had so much enthusiasm for every single runner that crossed the finish all the way up to the 6:30 finishers. Now that was sportsmanship! Every runner wants a well supported finish and they did that very well. Steak as the only post race food with protein was really nice for a carnivore, vegetarian options would have been nice. That's my only complaint, this is a super race. Read my detailed take on the race on my blog: http://empoweredbyrunning.com/?p=526
Brown Maria from US (11/29/2013) "Very friendly runners and supporters." (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I enjoyed my experience and can't wait for next year. Very friendly race with awesome support.
C. B. from Chicagoland (11/14/2013) "Organization makes this small marathon feel bigger" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course: Gently rolling and pretty, it runs along the Fox River. The only reason that I gave it four stars is that it is quite narrow in spots and has several tight turns. It is not closed and some runners had bicycles pacing them which took up a lot of space. The fans: Spectators were in small groups scattered along the course, but they were fun and cheered for everyone. The organization: This is where the race really shines. Aid stations were frequent and well-stocked, the volunteers were terrific, the course was well-marked and guided by more terrific volunteers, and everything ran like a well-oiled machine. The only exception was the chaos at gear drop. It was running fine by pick up though. I love the flex option, where runners who choose it can decide at packet pick up which of three events to run. It takes some of the worry out of an early signup. Last but not least, my pace group was awesome. I owe my BQ for 2015 to Robin and Trisha. I highly recommend this well-organized race.
B. S. from Geneva, Illinois (11/12/2013) "Great but keep it small" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Fox Valley Marathon is an awesome event. The people who run the event are great. The course however can become congested in spots where the runners are running on both sides of the bike path. This only happens for a few miles so it's ok however if they keep adding more people they are going to ruin the marathon. They need to stop adding more runners or change the course. Please if the race director reads this no more runners please please.
K. L. from Sandwich, IL (11/11/2013) "Small and Top Class" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and now is an annual event that my husband and I participate in. The second year I ran the Fall 20, now I am a spectator, and my husband has ran the 1/2 marathon the past 3 years. The course is beautiful and the organizers work 18 hour days to put this on. Highly recommend any of the three races offered.
t. r. from elgin, il (11/7/2013) "good race...course was not the best" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Didn't care for the tight twists and turns on the course. I heard lots of similar comments and complaints during/after the running of the race.
Jay Marshall from Northern Illinois (10/29/2013) "This is my every year Marathon!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Fox Valley Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are thinking about doing this Marathon, just do it. It is a small expo, but that is not why you run a Marathon. It is a great race.
J. D. from Ada, MI (10/21/2013) "Great race to run a PR" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Fox Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Loved this race. Everything leading up to it was top notch and well organized. Perfect weather too, how did you do that? I agree with a a lot of the comments about it not being real flat. Yes it is fairly flat but still train on some hills. I did not have the issues that some have said about the overcrowding. Wave start is terrific and it seemed like most runners actually lined up where they should. I was able to shave 6+ minutes off my personal best and set a new pr for myself. My only complaint to this marathon is the finish line food. I don't understand the thinking of having soda to drink at the finish. Water and Gatorade I get, but soda? I would much rather have chocolate milk or some other protein recovery drink. Nice size marathon and had no issues with directions along the course. I much prefer the smaller marathons as all runners are made to feel special.

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

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