This race is so well run it's amazing - from the early-morning parking, to the shuttle buses, to the sense of humor while getting on the shuttle with a sign that reads, "Get Loaded Here." The race itself is pretty quiet out in the country, but beautiful. It's a fast course and the support along the way is awesome. This is my second time running it.

This race was great in almost every respect. The course is good, the volunteers are awesome, and the high school at the start is something you just don't get other places. My only issue is spectator access. It's relatively limited so don't expect to see your family more than twice on the course even though it's a smaller venue. This was my 5th marathon and I PR'd by 17 minutes. What is not to love? I'd recommend it hands down over Chicago. And how could I forget the entry fee? The value is unbelievable - on par with most half entries.

I had run 6 marathons before and this was my 4th serious attempt to qualify for Boston. I did it!! The weather was perfect, the course is great and I ran with the 9:33/4:10 pacer and he was awesome. I know he helped me qualify! He was very encouraging and very precise each mile. His name is John Reed and I am so thankful for all of his help along the way! I experienced some cramps in my calf at mile 24 so I had to slow down. I fought through the pain and wouldn't give up! The fans at the end were so great and I cried like a baby when I crossed the finish line and realized: I am a Boston qualifier. I can't even decribe those feelings. I just started running in February of 2002, so I wasn't sure if I could even run a marathon when I started. So, Boston - here I come!!! It was an experience that I will never forget!!

This was my second time running this event and I have to say that the organization of this event is superb. The race director should be proud. The volunteers were very helpful and knowledgeable. Crowd support was good for the size of the event (~2000 people). The one reason why I likely will not run this event again is the course. It's just not very interesting or scenic. The finish on the lake is very nice (I'll skip the rant about not seeing the lake til mile 23), but the rest of the course is cornfield-lined country roads or residential subdivision streets near the highway. If this race could go through parts of downtown Milwaukee or something similar to break up the monotony, that would help a lot.

This marathon is top-notch in every way. Race Director, Kris, seems to know ALL the runners, because she really CARES to get to know them. Thank you so much, Kris and Crew, for the fantastic marathon once again. It just keeps getting better. The expo was awesome. The course is so nice with part of it being out in the country and this year, with the wind at our backs. :) The T-shirts are "classier than classy," and the spectators here are the friendliest I've ever encountered. I can't run the marathon times that I once could, but I still love this one more every time I run it. Thank you so much for this awesome event! I always recommend this one to friends, and for good reason. I can't wait to run this one again!

Fast, scenic and well organized event... loved not having half marathoners in this event. Being able to hang at the high school before the start was a real nice touch! A little congested around the post-race area and the food was pretty weak. Nice medal and tech shirt. Overall, a very nice venue.

I am absolutely pleased with my experience in Milwaukee! I chose this race as an alternative to Chicago, with hopes of a new PR (I did!) and smaller crowds to deal with.

Pros:
~There are enough runners so that you are never alone, but not so many that you are tripping over other runners.
~Perfect weather for running.
~Shirts are GREAT; I can't wait to wear mine again!
~Very well organized.
~Crowds were sparse, but enthusiastic.
~There was a person at every mile marker calling off splits.
~My husband (as a spectator) followed the maps and was able to find me 7 times on the course.

Cons:
~The hills are not bad, but my quads are definitely telling me otherwise. Just be prepared for some inclines.
~Pace groups were difficult to find.
~If you are looking to run on the lakefront, you will only be running on the lakefront for about the last 4 miles or so. I was aware of this coming into the race; just be prepared for this.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons. If you are looking for a good, well-organized, fall marathon in the Midwest, this is a great race!

Things I liked about the Lakefront Marathon:
1) Size: about 2,000 runners, which meant plenty of company but no congestion. No half-marathoners/walkers. The finish area was well laid out and uncrowded; if it hadn't been so chilly we might've hung around until I felt like ingesting cheese and beer.
2) Course: slight inclines/declines (can't call them hills) most of the way with a nice downhill at mile 23, which is about the perfect time for that. Most of the course was routed on paved roads through residential/countryside terrain, which was scenic enough for me.
3) Un-Rock'n'Roll-ness:  about as uncommercial a race as I've done. Organized by the Badgerland Striders, a local running club that's not about making money. Entry fee of $70 included a really nice, long-sleeve shirt with zero ads. Also, the organizers made a huge deal out of reminding spectators to be considerate of the neighborhoods we ran through; it was obvious they took great pride in the amount of community support and intend to keep it that way. That's a big reason they limit the field to 2,750 plus a few relay teams. A little different attitude from almost every other race these days, where the goal is to maximize the number of event participants and revenue, and if the running experience suffers, thats OK, because their "event" really isn't about racing or even running hard.
4) Logistical support: mile markers with human announcers every mile, plus clocks at most. Markers were located right on the money per my Garmin. Aid stations were well staffed, spaced about right, and they provided GU at miles 7 and 19, just as advertised - something that a lot of races seem to have difficulty with. The race also arranged buses to the start directly from downtown hotels, and a shuttle back to hotels from the finish area, which made things really easy for out-of-towners.

Things I didn't like: nothing worth making a big deal about. There were lots of pacers but I didn't run with one. Having paced a few times before, I can attest that it's not easy to entertain a large group for 3+ hours, so some of the pacers with negative comments might need to lower their expectations.

I will definitely return to Lakefront if I can stay in one piece long enough to get all 50 states.

Overall, a very enjoyable race. Transportation to the start was well organized, with the local high school open for restrooms/warmth. The course is quite narrow in spots with runners restricted to a narrow shoulder. Drivers generally seemed respectful, though. Food at the end was basic, but plentiful.

With regard to pacers, I'm wondering if the previous commenter and I ran the same race! I joined the 3:30 pacer and he was pretty much spot on the entire way. Very friendly, too - always upbeat and ready with a corny joke (nothing distasteful, though). I find pacers in general to be helpful in races this size. Not just during the race, but in the starting corrals to get folks organized so there aren't jams at the front from slower runners hindering those who step off the line quickly. I would definitely run with a pacer again, maybe a little quicker next time!

The course is nice and fairly fast. Not much scenery on the course. Spectators are sparse. The race director is a piece of work. She claims not to process transfers due to planning for drop outs. Threatens to ban people from the course who run with another person's bib. GU stops are few and at very awkward spots.