I ran the first edition and have returned more than 20 times. With all of the marathon races out there, I could go elsewhere, but when there is a great course, great people helping and cheering, I choose to return often. Two years ago, when it was very hot, families came out of their homes with bottled water and offered them to us, although there was plenty on hand at the aid stations. When a race is put on by runners for runners, all of the things they expect from a race are the things you find in the race. There is no cause that you have to run for; just let yourself go and have a great race.

Even though I ended up having a not-great race time (very hot that day!), this was my favorite marathon. The race organization and communication was great, the course was nice, and everyone involved was friendly and supportive. The other runners were friendly and fun to run with during the race. The bibs of first-time marathoners are labeled and it was nice to see so many people being extra supportive of the new runners. For the size of the race, there were a surprising number of spectators on the course, and when running through the residential areas, many homes had their hoses on for runners to cool down or grab a drink, which was great in the hot weather. Despite the heat, the aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were wonderful!

After running Chicago 3 times and Disney once, I was looking for a well organized, smaller marathon. I definitely found what I was looking for in Milwaukee. While Chicago has 10-deep crowd support, it also has so many runners that you are more focused on avoiding tripping over someone than on running a PR. This was more like a training run on a flat, fairly scenic course. You run on a combination of country roads, city streets and a lakefront path through many beautiful neighborhoods and parks before reaching sight of Lake Michigan and the city skyline. Not one complaint. I will be running Milwaukee for the second time in 2009, shooting for another PR.

As you can tell from the previous comments, this is a great race. No race is better organized and has better volunteer support. While some might argue that the course is scenic or not (that depends on your sense of aesthetics and point of view), I thought it was a pretty good-looking course. But that is not really an important point for me, so I may not be the best judge. Either way it is a good serious marathoner's course. Not hilly, but not completely flat either - pretty continual inclines/declines (no big West Coast-style hills here and probably seems flat, if you come from a hilly/mountainous area), but for a flat-lander from Chicago like me, I felt the effects of the inclines and declines before mile 20 as did my running peers from Illinois. If you have prepared well in your marathon training, it is a PR kind of course.

There are many reasons to run this race, but the main virtues from my perspective are:

* Organization and volunteers - well stocked and frequent aid stations with Hammer Gel (my favorite!). Hats off to the volunteers who did an outstanding job.
* Point-to-point course with neither flat nor hilly terrain through countryside, nice "leafy" (as the NY Times likes to call them) suburbs and cityscape.
* Availability of the high school to wait in provided nice comfort (i.e., don't have to freeze your butt off waiting outside in the cold for the race to start).
* Good-size field - you're never running alone (unless, perhaps you're a sub-3-hour type) and never too crowded to run your race.
* Laid-back friendly people and town.
* PR course.

From a Chicago vs. Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon point of view (I have run Chicago 3 times), my preference is Milwaukee because I find Chicago to be an annoying logistical challenge with waaaaaaaaaaay too many people (the number of runners and spectators spilling out on the course) from a runner's standpoint, since my objective in running a marathon at this point is to either PR or BQ (I was able to BQ at this year's Milwaukee). However, if you have never run Chicago, New York or Boston, Chicago (or one of the other races) is a great race to experience at least once with all of the crowds cheering you on throughout the race - especially for some new or relatively new to running a marathon. But if you have experienced that, or don't find you need or want to be running through the masses, I think you will find, as I have, that Milwaukee is the better race for you.

One soap box point: All of you runners who refuse to use porta-potties and pee on people's property need to STOP IT! Your race time is not so important that it gives you the right to urinate on someone's property. I am pretty sure you would not like them to come to your house and pee on it. We don't need to turn the residents of the communities we run in against us because, like it or not, we marathoners are inconveniencing them anyway by running on their town's thoroughfares. We don't need to risk turning residents of the communities we race in against us by behaving rudely. We risk losing these great events.
Peace.

There were good things about the marathon, and there were bad things. First, the best thing is the shirt.  You get a long-sleeve, tech shirt by Race Ready.  Best shirt I've gotten at any marathon (tied with Disney, worst is Nashville).  The water stops were well manned, and there were sufficient numbers of them as well as portable bathrooms.  The crowds were sparse, yet those who were there were very supportive and energetic despite the cold.  The course isn't the best I've run; kinda hilly and bland at parts, yet other parts are very scenic and the last 8 to 10 miles are the best part.  One huge drawback is the medal.  It has to be the WORST medal ever.  It has four holes in it, and is hung by one.  Why four?  Also it is not square; it looks like someone cut it with scissors.  And the writing isn't even close to straight.  The medal we get for our local 15K Steamboat Classic is better by far.  This is the worst marathon medal in quality that I've seen, by far.  Food was good at finish and bus transportation was good.  If you are like me and love to display your medals, this isn't your race.  If you want a nice shirt, you can't pick a better one.

What a well-organized and awesome marathon experience!!! Lots of fluid stops, amazing volunteers and all those friendly Midwestern Wisconsinites who cheered you on by name for 26.2 miles. And as soon as you crossed the finish line, you had a blanket draped over you and a bottle of water in your hand. And of course, there was FREE BEER FOR EVERYONE at the finish line; my buddy drove down from Chicago to see me finish, and he just may make this an annual deal just for the beer (whether I run it again or not - which I will one day!!!!!!!!!!).

This is one of the best marathons I have run. My wife ran this 2 years ago and we were impressed then, and it was better this year.

The course is great, mostly downhill, but it has some nice rolls to keep you interested. The volunteers/water stops are well manned and stocked. Organizers seem to follow through on the little details to ensure the runners feel welcome.

I could go on and on about this race, but if you are considering running, 3 things that seemed great to me:

1. Improved course maps for spectators to print (this shows that the race directors listened to comments)

2. Arrangements with local hotels (Hyatt) to have a 2 p.m. checkout for runners. This is just nice planning.

3. As always, a great long-sleeve Cool Max shirt. This is the petty side, but we all love a good shirt.

Run this race!

Kudos to the Badgerland Striders. I don't know if you have ever run Milwaukee, but I want to let you know it is a terrific race. For those unsure about the crowds in Chicago, this is a great option. First, the entry fees are half of what they are in Chicago, and I am sure lodging is as well. It is as well organized race as you will find. The course is scenic and while there are some hills, they aren't severe and the last three miles to the finish are a slight downhill. I have never seen the number of course workers as there were on this course - it felt like 300 or more - plus there were 17 water stations and 15 bathroom stops (all with toilet paper, my wife reported). Maybe the neatest thing was that we started at a high school in Grafton, and they opened it up so that we could wait inside (warm and dry) in the cafeteria and the halls. The expo was great (I heard and met Dick Beardsley), the T-shirt (long-sleeve, technical) was as good-looking as I have ever received, and the medal was the best one this side of 26.2 with Donna. Had I not been running this event with my wife as she attempted and completed her first marathon, this would absolutely have been a PR course. I can't wait to run it again! I can't recommend this event enough.

This marathon is well put-together, with shuttles to the expo and start from the hotels suggested. Opening the high school and the use of bathrooms before the start is nice. The volunteers really work hard to make this a great race. Weather-wise, the temperature was cool and there was very little wind. Getting to the finish line is a little confusing (the way they have you wind around). I definitely would suggest running this race if you haven't. The fans, volunteers, and the smaller number of runners made running this race enjoyable.

This is a really well-run race, with fewer than 3,000 runners between the marathon and the relay. The Badgerland Striders do an excellent job in all areas of the race. OK expo, but the long-sleeve tech shirt is ad-free, which is a nice touch. Hearing Dick Beardsley speak is always a treat.

After the bus trip to the start, runners have access to the entire Grafton HS building, so it's easy to stay warm, stretch and use inside bathrooms. The course is a great point-to-point, along Lake Michigan, although you don't really get to see it until the last six miles. And even though the race is on active roadways, the police and volunteers do a great job with traffic control. The crowds are spotty, but very loud and supportive. And the finish area is well organized.

This is an excellent option if you prefer a smaller race on a good course, rather than running in NYC, MCM, PTL or CHI in the fall.