I agree with the previous post completely. This was my 7th marathon but 1st and last in Milwaukee. The support and spectators were great. It was really hot, and spectators were handing out water they purchased themselves in front of their homes. I would not run this race again because it's not actually along the lake front as described. I should have done more homework. Only 3 miles of the race are actually along the lake front and then you have to dodge people that had no idea a race was going on. It was not a scenic run at all. The traffic didn't bother me because I was up front; however, if you are in the middle of the pack, it would be very narrow running room. I almost collided with another runner as he was passing me. Between the leaves in the street and the narrow coned-off lane, it was almost single-track in spots.

OK, first the good stuff. The volunteers and spectators were simply incredible. By far they are the highlights of the race. The organization at the expo and start were perfect. Nice big area at the start to stretch and warmup.

Now the negative. The course was not what I thought it would be. You have the whole road to yourself the first couple miles (which is great). After that you were running on the shoulder of the road with the roads open to traffic, so you had about four feet to run in without having to go out into the traffic to pass. Then when you got into the residential areas, you had to battle with cars turning into the course and look over your shoulder making sure there were no cars coming to take some of the turns. Then when you finally get to see the lake (around mile 23) you're running on the open lake front path, dodging walkers and bikers. Once you get to mile 25, there was a dirt path with some rocks and metal sticking out for about a half mile. Didn't feel good on the feet.

I know this is a small marathon and it's run by wonderful volunteers, but there's no reason that you should have to worry about cars like that.

Overall I was very disappointed by the race, especially with reading all the positive reviews on here. If they could close a single lane or half lane, I think it would be a much better race.

I thought overall this race was very good. I did have a few complaints though, all of them small things that the race organizers may consider changing for next year. First, I love the fact that the race has a Clydesdale division, but I don't love the fact that XXL was not an option for shirt size, please add this for next year for those of us who are on the bigger side. Second, the porta potties were very clean, which was surprising given what porta potties usually look like. However, it would have been nice to have more along the course. Third, I enjoyed starting at the high school, but I wish it would have been more clear that there was a runner drop off, I had to park half a mile away and walk to the start because I didn't realize I could be dropped off at the start. Not a real big problem, but it was a small annoyance.
Overall, though this is a very good race. The organization was wonderful (I find something to complain about in every race I run). The volunteers were amazing, especially the Homestead cross country team in the 8-10 mile area. Also a big thanks has to go to all those who put their sprinklers out and provided extra water stops in their driveways.
I recommend this race to anyone considering, as long as Milwaukee is Milwaukee next October, and not Miami.

This was a high quality, well organized race. I had a painful and humbling expierience due to the heat. I was determined to run under 3 hours but barely made it under 4. I would have made it nowhere but the hospital without the help of the volunteers and spectators. The first half of the coursre was nice (rural, rolling and scenic). As for the second half I can't say, as the heat had transformed me into a drooling zombie. Thank god there were plenty of aid stations and supportive people. The weather was awful but the race was perfect. This was my first marathon since Boston in 1990, and my first marathon since recovering from years of alchohal and drug abuse and homelesness. Despite the pain and the dissapointing finishing time, this race was an extremely positive expierience for me and I am looking foreward to running it again next year.

I was looking forward to this race and the extreme heat was not what I was expecting this late in the year. Everything was well organized but a few more water stations would have been good especially good, IE from 4 to 7.5 miles no aid stations and with this heat it's just important to keep your fluid intake up early not just at the end.

Having heard all of the bad news pertaining to the Chicago Marathon, I am especially appreciative of the great job done by the 100% volunteer staff in Milwaukee. By not paying appearance fees and big prize money to attract elite runners, this group had ample resources to take care of ALL of their participants. This includes having long-sleeved tech shirts (without advertising), nice medals, plenty of help all along the course, organized bus shuttles to the start line from downtown Milwaukee and shuttles from the finish line back to the host hotels, lots of Gatorade and water at every station (take note Chicago), two gel locations, etc. The heat was still a serious problem, and I heard more sirens during this marathon than I hope to ever hear again, but ultimately we runners must know our own physical limitations. I would encourage everyone looking for a great fall marathon to do this one in 2008.

My first marathon and I thought it was very well done. The organizers seemed prepared to handle the record-high temperatures and there was plenty of water and Gatorade. The spectators were great. One's name is on the race bib and people made a point of calling my name when cheering. That was very helpful. The farmer playing the accordion and singing near mile 2 was fantastic.

Great job to the organizers of this event. In extremely warm temps there was no shortage of anything including water, gatorade, gel, volunteers, and spectators. I have read articles on the race to the south and can only say thanks to those involved for making for a safe and well put together event. You cant control the weather and the fact that that finishing time was pushed back to allow for slower pace shows that organizers truely cared about the participants. My advice to those looking for a good race. Bigger doesnt always mean better. See you next year.

I was really looking forward to running this race - as the course goes along Lake Michigan; unfortunately I had to wait until mile 23 to see it (unless you count the little peeks through residents' backyards to see it). It really should be renamed the Milwaukee Marathon - 'Lakefront' is a cruel misnomer. The course was mostly suburban roads (or country ones, if coming from a big city like me), which was ok not great. Mostly flat, a little rolling.
I knew the conditions were going to be challenging with the warm weather; thankfully the cloud and tree coverage in the first part of the marathon helped immensely.
I am grateful for all the hoses that residents put out on the course for us.
An important note to those considering doing this one in the future - you will need to bring your own stash of food/energy because aside from the Hammergels you get at mile 19, there was not an orange or banana or cookie or bagel in sight (neither from race or crowd support). I was absolutely craving orange slices, but had to make do with three gels I brought with me, two from the race, and a kind lady dispensing Jolly Ranchers. Alas, no quick deli to run in and buy some other type of carbohydrate.
There were a lot of runners who needed medical attention - aid stations were every couple of miles. It is unfortunate that race officials were not able to add more stops. Also, I really need to stress that if you know this is the case and the weather is practically record-breaking, you really want to have your own water bottle that you can refill.
In the end, I was happy with my finishing time but somewhat disappointed with the course and amenities.

This was possibly the best small marathon I've run. My hat is off to the Badgerland Striders who organize this run. Kudos, too, to the many people along the route on this hot day who were out with hoses and sprinklers to help keep us going. This was a HOT day, but the organizers seemed to do all they could to help. There could have been more aid stations, but these had been fixed before the weather turned hot. Each aid station had a race official about 1/4 mile ahead giving instructions and advising us to 'hydrate!!!' The paper cups for both Gatorade and water were the largest I have ever seen at any race and there always seemed to be plenty of liquids.

If I could change anything, it would be to have more of the race run inside Milwaukee. This is a historic and attractive city and worthy of a few miles of running.