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Apr 28, 2024

Lake Geneva Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Lake Geneva Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 2.9

Spectators 2.3

Number of comments: 73 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

J. B. from Chicago, Illinois (5/10/2010) "Very hilly but scenic course with poor support." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 The course is extremely hilly, but it has some beautiful scenery. Not a place for a PR, but if you're looking for a challenge, this will do it. Poorly marked course with the route running along a lakefront path and through backyards at the end - with minimal signage and no other guidance. Very little crowd support as well. Watered down HEED and minimal porta-a-potties also left room for improvement. Once was OK, but it's probably not one that I'll repeat.
j. f. from united states (5/9/2010) "Great course; needs more porta-potties" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The course is very, very challenging; you won't want to run or see another hill for some time. This was great for those who needed a change from the flat marathons. I really enjoyed the challenge. The weather was a perfect 43 degrees. I would recommend this to those who think they have run all possible marathons. This course will change that thought in a heartbeat. They do need more then one porta-potty per stop. I waited 5 minutes in line. The water stations could have been 2 miles apart instead of 3 miles. Next time use Gatorade - not HEED. Try the hills for the change of pace.
J. R. from Chicago, Il (5/9/2010) "very different marathon" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 25th marathon and one of the most different ones I have run. It was not all bad, but not all good. First, for the course, it was like they went out and marked a 26-mile training run using arrow signs to direct you. The only place there were people directing you where to go was at the half and marathon split. Once we - the marathoners - split off, we basically had to follow the signs. There was one intersection were the police stopped traffic, but other than that, you were pretty much on your own. It was pretty unnerving running miles 18 through 20 along a major 4-lane highway with our backs to traffic and cars going by a foot away at 60 mph. I felt like I was one teenager text message away from death. Then there were the water stops - anything from one guy sitting in his front yard reading the paper to 10 people cheering you on. A big thanks to all of those who came out in 39-degree weather with 30 mph cold winds and mist. It was very hilly course and a great workout. Packet pickup was great and it was nice to stay indoors at the hotel in the cold weather until 5 minutes before race time. The final 6 miles were cruel. It seemed like 90% of miles 20 through 25 were uphill, and then the last mile along the lake path was spent saying hi to all of the people working on their yards, docks etc. The best part were all of the people associated with the marathon - from packet pickup to the water stops to the finish line. Everybody was great. Even people just waiting for other runners at the finish were really supportive Like I said, just a really different marathon.
M. R. from Chicago, IL (5/8/2010) "A Great Challenge" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I know this race has the reputation of being loosely organized, but I found it to be really well done by a small army of generous, enthusiastic, supportive volunteers. The hills punish you twice - going up on your cardiovascular system and going down on your joints. The small number of participants makes the mental challenge significantly greater. The spectators were terrific and brave, too, considering the cold!
Leon Lavallin from Lake Geneva (5/3/2010) "Great first-marathon experience" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Last year was my first marathon. I live in Lake Geneva, so my first thought was of course to run the marathon on my doorstep. This was never going to be a course on which to run a quick time, which didn't bother me, as all I wanted to do was finish! It's true the support is pretty minimal, but there are supporters out there. I had my own support, which was great to keep me going. I understand people not liking the section on the highway - it is a highway. I don't know how much people appreciate that there is an event going on. There is room to move over and keep away from the cars. It's a judgment you would have to make. For me it was an awesome day; I will do it every year, if I can. I will be running this year too (2010)
Amy Reynolds from Batavia, IL (2/16/2010) "My first half marathon" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 While I have done two marathons, this was my first half. I decided to do this one because I live in Chicago and wanted something close and familiar. I know the area very well, so it was perfect. It is hilly, so make sure you train for those hills and inclines. I made my time goal on this course, so that was exciting for me. I am one who trains alone, so this was another reason I like the course. Not a lot of people racing the course, so for me, it was nice to "zone" out; however, when you were running with the group, there was great energy and it was very friendly. There could have been more water stations in the country road area, and yes, there was not much fan support. But overall, I will be doing this race again and again.
E. E. from Wisconsin (1/4/2010) "Fun change but no fast times" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I ran the "Euro XC Marathon," which is actually like 22 miles. This takes place on a footpath that goes around Lake Geneva, basically along the shore of the lake through the front edge of people's lawns. Every property you cross has a different idea of how to define the path, from a slightly worn grassy trail to bricks to gravel to patio-type cement circles and more. If you want a fast run, this is not the place. If you want scenic views of the lake, a chance to look at some great landscaping and expensive houses, and a really varied running surface, you'll enjoy this. Support is minimal, so a Fuel Belt or the like is a good idea, as is any food you want to consume along the way. There are not a lot of runners, but I happened to match paces with a guy also running alone, and we kept each other company through much of the run. There are no mile markers, so if it is really important for you to know where you are, you will want your Garmin for sure. As I said, not the place for a PR, but I plan to run it again this spring just because it was such a change from my normal routine of road running. Come prepared and stay relaxed, and you'll have a good time!
K. L. from NY, NY (5/24/2009) "Beautiful, but a bit lonely out on those hills!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Overall, this is a very picturesque race with lots of fields and barns and beautiful greenery. Wisconsin is really pretty! There were very sparse spectators and rare water stations. Some of the mile markers had blown away in the 5-10 mile range and I found myself feeling all alone for many miles. The hills were very challenging. Despite these issues, I really did love this race. The last mile was great as we ran on a small lane that encircled the lake. This took us along beautiful backyards below shady trees - an amazing way to end such a tough run. If you want a gorgeous, rural race without many bells and whistles but one that will make you work, this one is for you.
T. P. from Whitewater, Wis. (5/12/2009) "Nice, small-town marathon on a budget" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This is a very nice, small-town marathon event on a budget. If you seek a more traditional old-time marathon experience, without the bells and whistles of modern big-city events, this would be a good choice. This marathon is most definitely not for new PR's or BQ's. The course is challenging, especially in the second half, with some monster hills. The first half is very nice and I will definitely go back to do the half marathon every year from now on. For those looking to do a marathon in each of the 50 states, this one would be a very good one for Wisconsin. You will get a nice sampling of everything Wisconsin on the course. I had so much fun with this one.
K. S. from Chicago (5/11/2009) "Very challenging course. Not for novices." (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Parts of this marathon are so scenic and beautiful (ironically, nowhere near the lake; the best stretches take place in the rolling hills of farmland - very little of the course actually borders the lake), it almost makes up for having to run miles 21-23 on the shoulder of a highway (without cones or any sort of marker signaling a race going on) and the utter lack of aid stations. Of the few stations that you encounter, fewer than half offer anything other than water. Around mile 23, there was a wonderful couple in front of their house with orange slices and Gatorade; if not for them, I doubt I would have made it through. Having trained all winter in brutal Chicago weather, I thought I would be in decent shape for a May marathon. I didn't count on the hills around Lake Geneva being as tough as they were, or the fact that I might be running alone for miles at a stretch, with very little in the way of course markers! This was not a good choice for a first marathon, but I could see how someone seeking a technically rigorous course might appreciate it.

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