May 7, 2024
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☰
Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 92 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
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S. F. from Elmhurst, Illinois
(9/14/2015)
 "A dream became reality!" (about: 2015)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 An incredibly well managed and executed race! - Race staff and volunteers make you feel like an elite runner. - Pacers extremely helpful and supportive. I made a dream reality and qualified for Boston 2016! | |
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J. C. from Illinois
(9/14/2015)
"Nearly perfect race in every aspect." (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My only suggestion is that the race be run in a clock-wise direction as opposed to the counter clock-wise direction it was run this year. Otherwise, a perfect race in every aspect. | |
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C. D. from New York, NY
(9/14/2015)
 "Best place to BQ!!" (about: 2015)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A superb race, extremely professionally run, with great pacing teams, enthusiastic volunteers and crowd support and a really pretty course. The small field makes every runner feel special. BQ or not, this is a must-do! | |
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D. S. from chicago, il
(9/14/2015)
"I am already looking forward to running it in 2016" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I was blown away by this race...you so took care of us and our quest for the unicorn...from the tables for our fuel/bottles, to the top notch pacers, and always cheering volunteer staff..this was a top notch event...and I have seen a lot of marathon courses...Saturday was my 63 marathon. I also got a boost from seeing the welcome to hopkinton sign!! | |
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Tom Karnatz from Raleigh, NC
(10/24/2014)
"Great place to BQ" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race really delivered on its promise of a great place to BQ. It was small, so no crowded course to contend with. Parking and port-O-johns were convenient, so no pre-race worries there. Organization was excellent, there were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers at the Gatorade/water stops which were every 1.5 miles. There was an additional elite style table where volunteers would help organize your personal bottles. The course was a loop just over 3 miles that we ran 8 times, which was fine with me. Although some may tire of the same scenery 8 times, I thought it helped me pace myself since I knew exactly how much race was left. The course was flat and picturesque, all run along the Fox River. While there were not a lot of spectators, the ones that were there got to cheer for you 8 times and were enthusiastic. The weather even cooperated with an overcast morning that stayed in the 40's throughout the race. | |
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C. B. from Chaska, MN
(9/26/2014)
"Great race, laps not an issue" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 19th marathon and I have never written a review on this site but this race deserved it. If you are looking for a race to qualify for Boston this is the one. All facets of this race were top notch. I was a little concerned about run 8 laps but you end up following the mile markers more than counting the laps and forget about it. The best feeling is when you get to mile 20 you know exactly what you have in front of you, no surprises. I plan on doing the race again! | |
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Andy Chen from St. Charles, IL
(9/23/2014)
"The Best Boston Qualifier. Period." (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have tried again and again to BQ for the last 11 years. I've tried big races, small races, out-and-back courses, point-to-point courses, flat courses, and courses with gently rolling hills, and come very close to BQ many times. In the end, the Last Chance BQ.2 is the one that got me under the BAA standard to toe the line in Hopkinton. This race's field is limited to a small size, which means you WON'T feel crowded on the course, and you WILL be treated like an elite athlete, complete with elite water bottle tables. At the same time, you don't need to worry about the race feeling too small, because the 8-loop course lends itself to solid pacing and enthusiastic fan and volunteer support. Finally, by hugging the shorelines of the Fox River, there is just the slightest variation in elevation as you run the scenic 3.2-mile loops. Although I happen to live locally, a quick scan of the results will confirm that it warranted a trip from out of state for numerous runners. Treat yourself to this run and go for a BQ (more than 60% succeeded!), a PR, or just a great marathon experience. | |
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C. C. from Noblesville, IN
(9/22/2014)
"FABULOUS AND AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!!" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a fantastic experience for my first marathon ever (at age 63, I figured it was now or never!) and one that allowed me to qualify for Boston! Thanks to the organizers, volunteers, timers, and all of those who helped make this a marvelous day! The course was beautiful, the cool temps invigorating, and the loop layout enabled us runners to appreciate the scenery, the smiles and encouragement from the volunteers and spectators, and to truly focus on reaching our own personal goals! I would highly recommend this race to those wanting to make the dream and focus of a path to Boston become a reality! Cheers and kudos for The Last Chance BQ.2 Chicago Marathon!!! | |
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S. S. from Geneva, IL
(9/19/2014)
"The Marathon with a friendly personality" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was my first Marathon race competition in 19 years and my fifth overall Marathon. While I did not BQ with my performance (missed by 4 minutes or if I was 3 weeks older I would have qualified for 2016 with 6 minutes to spare) I did run my best marathon and best race of a lifetime by shaving 10 minutes off my prior best marathon time when I was 31 yrs old and now I'm 53. This race was well organized, and because it was small had a feel to it that you were visiting with a group of friendly next door neighbors that were volunteering to assist you in any way possible from the top to each individual and even though I did not know 1 person before the race there was an ambiance of we are all in this together and have the same goal to strive our best to qualify and/or run our best race possible. Although some like me did not qualify which was the goal, I can't say one negative remark about the race and there was an atmosphere of incredible support, positivity, fun and lots of smiles, and laughter. I was impressed it was a relaxed race atmosphere even though the runners shared tremendous focus and determination there was also a small town feel of friendliness and fun. Many thanks to the incredibly capable pacers, unselfish volunteers and Craig and race organizers for a job superbly well done. See you next year as I have some unfinished business to wrap up in Sep 2015 when I return to this marathon. Between now and the next BQ, I will focus on maintaining injury free health status, enhancing training and striving to get better as a work in progress to qualify for 2016. Many Thanks :-D | |
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J. T. from Florida
(9/19/2014)
"AWESOME!!!! DO IT!!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This really was my last chance for Boston 2015 and couldn't have had a more perfect course, organization, weather to make it happen! Thank you BQ.2 I'm officially in for 2015! :) |
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