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Apr 28, 2024

Lake Geneva Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.9

Organization 2.9

Spectators 2.3

Number of comments: 73 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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

G. H. from Milwaukee, WI (3/25/2007) "Needs Clearer Markings" (about: 1999) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I ran the full marathon in 1999 as my 2nd. The hills were a killer. I was somewhat disappointed as I expected a more scenic setting. Instead, I felt mostly out in "cow town" on the rural highway. There are several things that should be improved on (and it looks by more recent comments, that this some would still apply): 1) Clearer markings and/or volunteers and critical turns giving directions. In a very low-key marathon with 2 races (25K) starting at once, it is EASY make a wrong turn! 2) More porta-johns (fortunately I did not need to use them); I only recalled 1 or 2 porta-john stops with only a few porat johns 3) More finish-line support. The year I ran, there was no one taking pictures (maybe no company wants to). Another year, I heard that they skipped finisher medals. In light of such, I would recommend this marathon realy only as a "training run."
J. H. from Chicago, IL (1/17/2007) "Worst. Marathon. Ever" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I did this a couple years ago and was shocked at the lack of support. At some point after mile 20 there was a 'water stop' which consisted of a water cooler on a chair with some cups lying next to it. Shocked was all I could think. The course isn't bad but the organization was just plain awful. Do yourself a favor and skip this marathon.
Clay Williams from Falls Church, Va. (5/15/2006) "FANTASTIC RACE" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 22 mile eurocross and am reluctant to give it anything but five stars, so I lied about the organization and the spectators. The course around the lake was beautiful. You run on nearly every type of surface imaginable: Wood decking, stone paving stones, stone & brick walkways, blacktop, mud, grass, ceramic pavers, beach sand and gravel. You dodge the piers that haven't yet been put in the water (and an occassional boat), but how often do you get to run through a millionaire's back yard and not get chased? Sure it rained all day. Yea, the directional signs weren't great and I got lost a few times, yes, they said water would be at mile 7 & 13 and actually it was at mile 3.5 and 9, admittedly there were almost no cheering throngs and I ran alone most of the time, but it all added up to a thouroughly quirky good time. Even if it isn't part of a race, run the lakeshore path. To get to do it and have some support and get a medal and a sweatshirt just makes it better. I've done 19 marathons in all parts of the country and this is one of the best. If I could give it ten stars I would.
T. B. from Columbus, IN (5/15/2006) "You either love it or you hate it--I'm the latter" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I'll try to 'say something good or say nothing at all'. Will confess I was not well-rested after fighting I-90 construction the night before and getting 3 hours less sleep than I like. Marathon number 11 for me--least favorite. Small number of participants (99), but the other 7 events running concurrently overwhelmed the registration desk--line was 45-50 people at times. Beautiful lakefront property, but I did not like running through back yards on trail that had widely differing pavers and no mile markers. Mile markers clearly painted on the road only, IF you were running on the right side to see them (how about cones with the numbers clearly visible??). Red arrows directed you at the turns, if you could see the tree, mailbox, post, or stake they were fixed to. Faithful crowd (in the rain)--mainly family of the runners (less than 20 the whole marathon, though it was cloudy and raining). (A business manager in the Riviera building that afternoon was unaware the event took place right in front of their building--little publicity?) Aide station at mile 22 (4:10 hours for me) had no table, no people, only cups of Gatorade lying on the side of the road (perhaps called away on emergency??) Nice pizza/salad/soup buffet afterwards, but the facility had far too little seating for all participants--how many want to STAND and balance plate, cup, soup bowl after running 26.2? And sorry, but the medal stinks--no year on it, basic. Looks like the same one is used each year. Sorry -- would not recommend this, though by other reviews, some loved it.
K. K. from Colorado Springs, CO (5/15/2006) "Fun Marathon" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the most fun course I have ever run, despite the cold rain (can't blame the race director for that). The first part was flat, through rural areas with cows, farms etc. Then came the hills and Victorian neighborhoods. The last part was the most fun on the lakefront path through people's yards. Yes, the hills were tough but if you go in knowing that, they are doable- just don't plan on a PR. They had an early start for walkers which was great. Very walker/ slow jogger friendly. A free lunch was held afterwards which was great: pizza, salad, great cheesy bread sticks, cookies etc. Usually you get a bagel and a banana, but not here! The YMCA was available for showers after the race, a nice touch for people travelling in for the race. If you need a big expo and lots of cheering crowd support, better look elsewhere. But if you just want a fun, low-key, well organized marathon that is easily worth the marathon fee, check this one out. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone who wants to have a good time and run a challenging course.
t. s. from Chicago IL (5/14/2006) "Brutal! Brutal! Brutal!" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This was my 4th marathon - all Chicago, with the exception of this one in Lake Geneva. I heard past comments about mile 16 plus - with the hills - and they weren't wrong! Forgetting the course, however, it was very disappointing to cross the finish line and be handed a bottle of water along with 'thanks' for participating. What, no fruit? Not even a granola bar? My son ran the 1/2 marathon - same place, same time, and crossed the finish line awaited with fruit galore! Also, mile markers were so-so, and not enough water stations. All in all, after 21 years doing this, I would have hoped for a more well-run event. Won't do it again!
Dean Diefendorf from New York, New York (5/14/2006) "Very scenic course!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I love these small town marathons. Very scenic marathon! You start off running by Lake Geneva and then through farm land. It is true that there are some hills around mile 17 or so, but nothing outrageous. The course ends by running along the lake once again....the lakeside houses are stunning. My suggestion to the race director would be to better mark the course. Towards the end it was a bit confusing.
B. P. from Chicago, IL (5/13/2006) "No mile markers for 1/2 and slow bus to start" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Lake Geneva Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I loved this course; the hills are tough, but very scenic and worth the extra effort. However, after mile 6 the mile markers for the 1/2 marathon disappear (the marathon course takes an additional loop and reconnects). Also, the bus back to the start leaves too infrequently... we waited almost an hour in the rain for the bus that was too full and we had to stand. Also, the t-shirt design sucks every year; can't they do something cool and NOT tan?
Chris Sloan from Fort Bragg, NC (3/6/2006) "Great time, great scenery - stop crying about hill" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I had a great time running the full marathon. I was running it as a warm-up for the Ice Age 50-Miler the following weekend. Sure the hills were tough, but that was expected. If you don't want to run hills then go to Chicago and run on the lakefront (boring). I especially liked the end of the race where you actually run through people's lakefront backyards!! The pre-race dinner was good and full of food, the post-race food was great, but the prizes completely sucked. I was first in my age group and got a crappy six-pack cooler that said, "Lake Geneva," and had a hole in it. I would definitely run the marathon again if I was still in the area. Cheers!!
n. p. from wi. (2/4/2006) "not the best" (General Comments) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I did 25K and was left behind with ten others by the bus. Was even told he would be back, but he was not. We all missed awards and food, and did not get picked up until it was all over 3 hours later... not to mention many of us didn't get t-shirts with registration (the ones we were promised). A year later, I gave the race director one more chance, and I ran the very hilly Snake Hill 10K. Again, a wreck.... He ran out of medals (I finished 1st in my division), promised to send them, and never did. This is my hometown and I will never try his races again.

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