Apr 29, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Des Plaines River Trail Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Des Plaines River Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 18 [displaying comments 11 to 18]
|
L. B. from Chicago
(10/23/2013)
 "Beautiful, no-hassle, well organized marathon" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Des Plaines River Trail Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love this marathon. Easy on the joints. The course is dry, well packed gravel instead of potholed crowned asphalt/concrete. It's a beautiful path through fall foliage along a pretty river. If your finish time is shaky, no worries as the course is open while folks are finishing a 50-miler. No getting pushed onto the sidewalk short of the finish. You can pick up your shirt, number, and chip the morning of the event. You can send a goody bag to the midpoint, just like Ironman. You don't waste energy dodging potholes or trying to sneak around clusters. You can register really close to race date. Lots of variety at the aid stations. Cookies, chips, candy, beverages, goo. Better than the usual gaterade vs. water choice. A choice of burgers at the finishline for so you can hang out with other runners and get a little protein on board. No crowds, but no craziness either. A pair of really nice guys put on the show. | |
|
T. J. from Chicago area
(10/22/2013)
 "A Small but Great Marathon" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This Marathon was quite a contrast to the Chicago Marathon which I had run six days earlier, as did several other runners. The course was beautiful, and was almost entirely on crushed gravel, covered by leaves in a lot of places, about as easy a marathon on your legs as you could get! The race started on time. There were less than 500 runners in the full marathon and the 50 mile race together (I didn't see the half marathon participants because of their later start and earlier finish, but I know there were only a few hundred participants as well). Virtually the only spectators were volunteers at the various aid stations, who were enthusiastic and friendly. The miles were clearly marked throughout the race, although it seemed like the 'mile' between 14 and 15 was unusually long. The weather this year was almost perfect, and the race was also almost perfect. I will be doing this marathon again next year, unless I get talked into the 50 mile race instead. What a wonderful marathon! | |
|
C. G. from Naperville IL
(11/14/2012)
"First Class Race! Excellent course & organization." (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Plenty of signs to always know you are on the correct path. Lime stone path in excellent condition. Great aid stations with plenty of variety. Free burgers at the finsih line and free parking. | |
|
D. F. from barrington, IL
(10/22/2012)
 "Nice course" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Very pretty course on the des plaines trail. Could of used more organization at the start and finish area. Loved the burgers after the race. If you are looking for a good trail run, run this one. | |
|
B. D. from Lake Villa, IL
(4/26/2012)
"Nice course - wrong distance??" (about: 2011)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I second what everyone else had to say. Really nice course. I wanted my first marathon to be smaller so this was perfect. One water station had water that tasted like milk (might need to watch that for this year) but I had gone through the night before and dropped water bottles at strategic locations and pretty much carried it with me. But everything was great - fans, finish line, nice food at the end, everything was nice. Except the distance. My garmin had it listed as 0.5 miles short. I was very disappointed as this was my first marathon and I felt like I didn't really do a marathon based on the distance. I would definately do it again but please, please, please make sure the distance is accurate for 2012. I will most likely be back for 2012. Thanks! | |
|
K. W. from Southern California
(11/30/2011)
"Beautiful flat trail in the woods" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon was more than I expected, a flat trail in a forest preserve with fall leaves and cool weather. What more can you ask for? Even though there were only 120 or so participants, I was never running alone and although worried about getting lost or taking a wrong turn, everything was well marked and it was never an issue. My husband was able to see me at several places on the trail thanks to a map they provided. We stayed in the hotel across the street which was perfect. I've done both small and big city marathons, but this was a nice surprise and one of my favorites, and would definitely consider running this again. | |
|
G. B. from Jackson Michigan
(11/5/2011)
"Very nice small marathon" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 When they said the hotel was close by, they weren't kidding. It was just across the street. The hotel was very clean and accomodating to late check out. This is a small race; don't be expecting bands and hoopla. A really beautiful course through the woods and meadows. The running surface was really the best I've every run on. Very fine limestone; some thick socks to protect against junk in you shoes would be good. I was worried I would be all by myself with only 125 runners in the marathon, but I was always around somebody. The weather just happened to be gorgeous, which only helps the experience, but it was a well organized race. The race directors were attentive, but I suspect they could have used more volunteers. All the aid stations were fully stocked, and each mile was marked. I would definitely do this one again. | |
|
K. H. from Minnesota, USA
(10/23/2011)
"Small marathon on beautiful, flat trail." (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Plaines River Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a beautiful little marathon on a wide, flat, easy-on-your-feet trail through a forest preserve just north of Chicago. The course is simply spectacular - through forests and marshland. Much of the trail has forest cover so if it's hot you'd be protected from the sun. The day I ran the weather was perfect - 40s to start and high 50s at the finish. There were not a lot of spectators because there were not a lot of participants, but if someone wanted to follow a runner there were several places where roads or parking access intersected the trail. I saw one family at maybe 4 different points on the course. The course is an out and back which is generally not my first choice because who wants to run the same thing twice. In this case, I didn't mind at all because the course was just so beautiful. The trail itself was very well maintained and a hard enough surface so that you didn't feel like you were running in sand but so, so easy on the feet. I'm used to road races where my feet are just screaming by mile 23 from the pounding. Water and aid stops were every 2-3 miles and consisted of one table with loads of options - water, electrolyte drink, m&ms, pretzels, gels, etc. I'm used to running through water stops and drinking on the run which wasn't possible here because there just weren't enough volunteers to pick up garbage. So I stopped at each aid staton drank two cups of water and threw my cups in the trash. Would probably be a good idea if they would put one garbage can 50 feet down the path but not a big deal. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful. I ran alone for much of the race and if you're a runner who relies on thousands of spectators to keep you going, this race does not have that. I do enjoy that aspect of road races but I loved this too. I registered just days before the race and was told that I would have to wait to get my shirt and medal sent to me in the mail. The race organizers had so many last minute entries their surplus supply was depleted. I didn't expect to get anything but they said they would place an additional shirt and medal order after the marathon to make sure everyone who participated got the shirt and medal which I thought was great. Parking was available at the start and they also do morning of packet pick up which was so so nice. I've done alot of big city marathons (new york, chicago, boston) and I like those too but they are a hassle. This race was just so relaxed, convenient, easy to navigate and enjoyable. |
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
