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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 21 to 31]

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

a. H. from Chicago area (5/10/2009) "Beautiful, challenging but lack of support" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 It is a challenging, beautiful, and hilly course, but the race organizers try to do too many events with not enough staff. They should cut back the number of races and focus on quality for the others. VERY small for all three "marathon" events.
J. W. from Chicago, Illinois (1/7/2009) "Very small race and very hilly course" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have never run the full marathon in Lake Geneva, but I have run the other races (5K, 10K and half). Here is what to expect: few race volunteers, packet pick up will be a little disorganized, there will be almost no crowd support, weather is usually perfect, the area is very scenic and the entry fee is cheap (compared to Chicago races). If you know this going into the race, you will enjoy the race. If you expect a Chicago Marathon-type race experience, you will be very disappointed.
Christopher Stevens from Illinois (8/20/2008) "Tough one..." (about: 2000) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was, in my opinion, one tough course. Concerning hills, I've done one dozen marathons and this one has the most. I didn't run it for the cheering section - I ran it for the challenge. If you want a cheering section, run Chicago.
Rick Hilderth from Wonder Lake, Illinois (5/22/2008) "A good, small-town marathon, but not enough fans." (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first time here and my second marathon, and I enjoyed this race very much. The first seven were run with the half marathoners so there were a lot of people to run and pace with but not so many that it was overcrowded. Once the marathon split, it thinned out considerably until we joined with them again for the last three miles of their race. There was one really killer hill right before the 17-mile mark, but the rest were not that bad. I thought the majority of the hills were long and not very steep, except for a few others near Fontanna. The only problem I had was that they did not shut down the roads, so there were some cars. It got especially bad running down the shoulder of a four-lane highway. Also, the spectators were not very willing to cheer people on. Aside from at each of the finishes and the aid station, the majority of the people I saw didn't cheer for me they were to busy looking for their friends. Again, overall this was a very good small-town race. The course markers, although small, were easy to find and follow, and their was an abundance of aid stations. I would recommend this race to anyone who is looking for a fun and challenging marathon, especially if they're just starting out.
P. K. from Chicago, IL (5/15/2008) "Great location; poor support and course" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Lake Geneva Marathon is not a bad small-town marathon. It's best advantage is a location. You run around the lake, but places where you actually see the water are very rare. Usually the course is on the country roads or residential areas. The event is small - about 140 marathon runners and 200 half. There is little support along the course, and whatever support there is, is minimal. Expect to get only water and Gatorade along the way. No food - maybe that's why you get a Clif Bar, and a gel in your registration pack. My biggest complaint: safety! Late in the run, around mile 20, you run on a very busy road. Two-lane road, where trucks and school buses are doing 60 MPH right next to you, three feet away from you! There are no cones separating you from the traffic, let alone the police presence! That is very unsafe, waiting for a poor runner to catch a cramp (likely at this stage in the run) and swerve into the traffic. Additionally, the course directions are very poor. Little arrows leading the way are hard to see, small, placed inconsistently and occasionally just missing. Just hope to be in the middle of the crowd, so you won't get lost. If you lead the pack, keep your eyes wide open. I will not run this marathon again due to my own safety and will discourage my friends also. I've run over 15 marathons and I know what I'm talking about. This is the worst marathon in regards to organization and safety. Still, the registration center and the number packet were nice, and pretty well organized.
K. C. from Milwaukee, WI (5/13/2008) "Can't help but love this race." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Lake Geneva Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the second year in a row that I have run this race and I must say that despite its faults, it is a great race! First the positives: 1. The course is wonderful. Not flat, but not extraordinarily hilly either. There are some big hills at certain spots but nothing that is not manageable. 2. The weather: It seems it is always about 50 degrees with just a little bit of sun- perfect running weather! 3. The people: I really felt welcomed and well supported by the fans and race officials that I did see. (There are not a lot, but the few I saw were awesome). Now the negatives: 1. As I commented last year, the course could be marked in a more obvious fashion. It was better this year, but at mile 20, it was still confusing as to which way the marathon goes and which way the euro cross race goes. I saw one marathoner go the wrong way and another marathoner had to yell out to him to get him back on the course. 2. Water stations: While I believe there were more of them this year, I would still like more. However, it is doable with what they have. 3. This is just a personal preference, but I actually liked the sweatshirt from 2007 better than the sweat wicking t-shirt from 2008. Overall I recommend this marathon as long as you are not someone who feels they need to be pampered while running a race. If you are looking for a race that is not too expensive, a fun run, and you can live without some of the perks of big races this is your race.
D. S. from Chicago (5/13/2008) "The Little Marathon That Could" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon ever and I thought it was fantastic. I would caution everyone to read as many comments as possible here because past LGMs have apparently had their share of problems, but I loved the 2008 version. Water stops were plentiful. The course was scenic and very hilly, but don't let that intimidate you. If you are mentally prepared for a marathon, you can be ready for these hills (I was and did not train for hills!). I have a few small constructive suggestions: the map could have been formatted better, the course could have been marked a bit better and the people handing out timing chips and numbers could have been a bit more instructive. I heard some people talking about getting lost but they did not even seem so bothered by it. Adventure is the spice of life, right? Just don't count on this race for a qualifier or personal best of any kind, keep an open mind, don't be a race snob and you will love it too.
C. R. from HW, Illinois (5/12/2008) "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Based on prior years' comments, I was very apprehensive going into this race. However, I thought it was great. Water stops were nicely spaced along the route, well marked with mile marker signs/arrows and spray paint on the road. Can't help the spectator issue... it is a small race. The hills are a good challenge for the experienced runner! (And a killer for the novice!)
N. L. from Chicago, IL (5/12/2008) "Challenging Course, Recommended" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I am glad I got to experience such a challenging course the first time out! My only complaint would be mile markings not displayed prominently. However, running out in the country with a small collection of great spectators was terrific. The hills were tough - but the organizers don't hide that fact. All the runners were giving each other support as if we all knew what we were going through. Extremely rewarding to finish such a tough course.
K. K. from Chicago, Illinois (5/11/2008) "Very Disorganized" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I was very surprised with the lack of organization for these events. It is billed as Marathon Weekend and there was no indication that anything was happening in this town. No one knew where the start line was. No banners, no signs, no microphones - unreal. It was like a crappy 5K. No mile markers. No spectators. Rather sad event. It was clear that they don't get repeat runners. No one knew what was going on.

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