Apr 28, 2024
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☰
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 51 to 61]
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M. J. from Iowa
(12/14/2005)
 "Too Hilly" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This race was really pretty when it was near the lake. But the mile 17 and 18 hills were absolutely awful. It was nice by the lake but I wish it was by the lake more than we were. There also were not many spectators besides a small group of great people that followed us around offering support. They were great, but more support would've been even better. The bad part was the hills, my race time was awful, but at least I finished. | |
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Rob Runkle from Cincinnati, Ohio
(5/10/2005)
 "Beautiful Race - Tough Hills" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was a great little race. I ran the 26.2 mile version. With this course, the 1/2 marathoners took a shortcut, and their 11-mile point was at about the 13th mile for the FULL. That was kind of cool for me, because, when I met up with the 1/2 marathoners again, the people at that pace were about 1-2 min/mile slower than my current pace. This just boosted my spirits, as it made me feel like I was going faster, since I was able to pass people. Thanks to those 1/2ers. You carried me to mile 16... The course was pretty easy up til the 16 mile point. Mile 17 was killer, and after mile 17, it didn't seem to get much better, but that might have just been the effects of having miles on the legs. I ran (shuffled) mile 17, because I was stubborn, but I think that it caught up to me later. I walked several of the later hills. If I had it to do over, I'd walk the mile 17 hills, and save something for the later hills. | |
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S. C. from Wisconsin
(5/7/2005)
"hills not exaggerated" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Did this as my first marathon and was continually surprised by the number and incline of the hills. Also felt lost and unsure about the route at times after about mile 16. Need better markings and mile markers. Had to run through a bush at one point on the lake path or else jump in the water as it was blocking the path. | |
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Chuck Evans from Geneva, IL
(6/7/2004)
 "Most challenging and fun race ever." (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran this for the first time this year because I wasn't able to join friends in Cincinatti for 'The Flying Pig'. This was a riot... from the pasta dinner the night before and a expo with one table to finishing a fun, challenging course with only 85 others doing the marathon. Yes, there are hellish hills and obstacles on the lake path. I arrived the night before to see lightning crashing down into the lake and awoke to cold rain, followed by sun. My favorite comment came from a woman who asked me at the beginning of the race "Which are you running?" I told her the full marathon and she pointed out (because course maps suck) that "there are nasty hills after Fontana." I responded "Okay, so I prepare for hills after Fontana..." Her response: "No. There are hills all through the course, it's just the worst ones are AFTER Fontana!" Many runners echoed this and it put me in a very conservative mode for running the race which made it fun, enjoyable and took all the time pressure off as soon as I knew that I'd be running hills that would suck the speed out of my race. Don't run this if you are trying to find a qualifying race... run this if you want to try running something other than an urban race with 40,000 people. It was a riot!! | |
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J. M. from Chicago
(5/12/2004)
 "Fun marathon but be aware of what lies ahead." (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lake Geneva Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my 24th but by far the smallest marathon. I had read about the hills but was still surprised by the incline. My biggest complaint would be the markings. After the 25K turned off, I was really alone and often not sure I was still on the course. More sprayed LGM's on the road would suffice. Additional mile markers would also be nice. The lake trail could be dangerous without slowing down. It was more of an obstacle course with the steps and piers on the trail The brunch and awards at the resturant were a nice touch. All things considered, if you are looking for a fun marathon without worrying about times, I would certainly recommend this race. | |
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Ed Sauder from Central Illinois
(5/3/2004)
"Small marathon, hilly course, run alone." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Lake Geneva Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Have run this marathon 11 times. Love the challanging course. Tough hills start at 16-17 miles. Wimps go to Boston. Course is a circle, so if windy, only lasts awhile. Wish they would mark the mile splits accurately. Forget about a fast time. Great finish along the lake. | |
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louie tieman from milmine,illinois
(1/17/2004)
"Put this on your 'to do' list of marathons" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Was really enjoyable to do the euro cross-country. Have done it twice and really enjoyed it. Nice party town and clear blue lake. All of us from KENNEKUK enjoyed it. | |
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ryan stricker from belvidere, il.
(6/4/2003)
"Flat first half , hill after hill second half." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I was not ready for the hills in the second half. With only 109 runners in the full marathon, I felt alone on the second half (4:40 finish). Need more markers; I was unable to determine where I was, except for the start/half/and finish. Hill training a must. Great drink stations, but no fruit 'til finish. Not recommended for first marathon. I was pushed to my limits, and I will run it next year. | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(5/12/2003)
"Challenging, but beautiful" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Before signing up for this marathon, I studied all of the comments from the previous years, so I was aware of some of the 'faults' from the past. Docks were still pulled up across the paths, and there could have been a few more water stops, but one could not have asked for a more perfect day weather-wise or a more beautiful course... not to mention interesting. The paths along the lake were hard to run on in some areas, and I literally had to stop and laugh when I came to the stairs somewhere after mile 20. You gotta be kidding! I am not a fast runner, so things like this (plus, did I mention the hills) make for a memorable run. The horn from the boat just off shore was a fun way to start the race, too. I would consider doing this marathon again if I am in the area. My only negative comment is that I wish the race committee would have informed everyone to park on the side streets and not at the metered spaces! I returned to my car just as the meter maid was getting ready to put ANOTHER parking ticket on my car. There were some very ANGRY people over this. Being from out of town, I had no way of knowing where else to park. I don't think any of the several hundred runners (there were several events) were aware that tickets would be written either. So my advice is to park on a side street and enjoy a good run. | |
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T. S. from Whitefish Bay, WI
(5/12/2003)
 "Euro X-Country Marathon Comments" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I ran the 25k course last year, and this year stepped up to the x-country race. As advertised, 22 miles of sidewalks, trails, grass, paving stones, and piers (like running through backyards and park hiking trails). It's a hard course, but lots of fun. Because it's not on roads, there's little to no spectator presence. Better organization at the end of the 25k course this year, thanks folks. My only constructive comment would be to offer some liquid a little earlier for the x-country runners. If you're feeling adventurous, try this race. |
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