May 16, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Lakefront Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Lakefront Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.7 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 172 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
|
J. S. from Chicago,il
(10/5/2004)
 "Nice run, but very, very windy" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First time running this marathon. The course was very nice. The wind on the other hand got bad as you came near the lake. Nice and small. I have run Chicago 2 times so it was good not to have the big crowds; could find my family easily after the race. | |
|
M. M. from US
(10/5/2004)
 "a very user friendly race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While this race was very well organized, I thought its greatest attribute is the course itself. Some roll the first 10 miles or so but mostly flat with interesting neighborhoods and beautiful view of the lake the last 10 miles. Traffic was not an issue and the running surfaces were smooth and plenty wide. While there were nearly 2,000 runners it was a relaxed atmosphere and other runners seemed helpful and supportive. Having access to the high school at the start is very nice. I also thought spectator support was better than expected- especially later on when it comes in handy. A very good marathon that seems to be catching on and getting bigger. | |
|
w. e. from indiana
(10/5/2004)
 "Good time/Bad time" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Good time: at the age of 63, the 2004 Milwaukee Marathon was my 5th and the first one that actually meant it when they advertised it as flat. The course was not only flat, fast and fun (have you heard that one before?), but the crowd, although small, was very supportive and strategically placed. One of the little things they do at Milwaukee is to put your name on the race/bib so the other runners and the fans could encourage you by name. They also put a small pink sticker on your bib if you were a 1st time marathoner. These were just a couple of the things that made the Milwaukee event better than the others. I am a 'race talker', and I found the other runners to be some of the friendliest marathon runners I have ever been around, especially Becky, my 21 mile partner. Add to all this the fact that the race was one of the best managed I?ve seen and you've got a great marathon - one that I would advise you not to miss in the year 2005. Bad time: my race time was terrible, but that was my fault not the Milwaukee Marathon's. In summation, if this was a 4-star rating system, I would give it 5! I can not say enough good things about this marathon. It's not Chicago, but who cares? | |
|
Jeff Morgan from Dallas, TX
(10/4/2004)
 "Lakefront Marathon: Run at your own Risk" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This would be a fine marathon if the field were limited to 1000 runners or fewer. The entire course is open to vehicular traffic, and with the first 10 miles or so on narrow two lane country roads, it seemed very dangerous for the 2500 or so runners in the 2004 edition. The runners' portion of the street narrows as the course progresses so that at mile nine the runners are entitled to only about a four foot area of the shoulder. The resulting congestion of runners resulted in at least one runner being knocked to the ground at that point. The disorganization and congestion in the post-race area was very disappointing. There may have been some refreshments after the race somewhere, but there was no indication to the runners how to find the refreshments, nor any effort to control spectators in this area in any way. The long and short of it is that this race has neither the appeal of a small town marathon nor the excitement of a true big city marathon. | |
|
R. T. from Chicago, Illinois
(10/4/2004)
"Weather permitting, you can burn it up here!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 With less than 2,000 registered runners, prevailing southwest winds and average temps that range from the mid 40's to mid-50's, this would ordinarily be a great point-to-point course on which to set a PR and (as advertised) to qualify for Boston. 2004, however, was an exception with killer headwinds off of Lake Michigan for most of the last 3 miles. Even this year's temps in the high 30's before the start were OK, but the wind was tough going, especially toward the end, which happened to be the most exposed part of the course near the lake. The course itself was nice and relatively flat with a net elevation drop. The only hill of real significance luckily went DOWN near the 23 mile mark. For the most part, the course is on asphalt and very smooth. A couple of zigs and zags, but not too many tight turns - the only real exceptions were some turns around the harbor during the last mile, but we were told that it was due to last-minute changes in the course to avoid a construction area. The spectators were sparse in many places - e.g., throughout a more rural area shortly after the starting line well north of Milwaukee, but they were plentiful at recommended viewing areas such as Concordia College and enthusuastic everywhere. One of the coolest things about this race was that they printed your first name in bold letters above your bib number, so that everyone who was close enough to read it could cheer you on by name! The personal touch helped make up for the lack of spectators, who tended to be clumped together in various neighborhoods and not spread all along the route, even as you entered Milwaukee proper. There is definitely not as much positive energy generated here as there would be by the party atmosphere and gazillion spectators associated with a mega-race like Chicago, but it was extremely well-organized, had adequate facilities and also some great finish line amenities. Other nice touches included free bus service from downtown Milwaukee to the start at Grafton High School and numbered gear bags with your warm-up clothes awaiting you at the finish. Milwaukee's Lakefront is a great place to go if you want to get away from the crowds, especially if you are not necessarily an elite runner but are nonetheless serious about running for a PR or qualifying time. | |
|
E. H. from northeastern Illinois
(10/4/2004)
"Fantastic event" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and it could not have been better. The course begins in rural Wisconsin north of Milwaukee and makes it way down to the lakefront for the finish. A few minor rolling hills at the beginning but relatively flat after that. Runners stay inside Grafton High School prior to the start. There were plenty of course marshals and volunteers handing out water and Gatorade. The only concrete sidewalks encountered are at the very end as runners enter Lincoln Park for the finish - the rest of the race is run on country and neighborhood roads. We did have a strong headwind (about 30 m.p.h.) right at the finish but by then it no longer mattered. The event was very well organized, with no confusion or difficulty at the end finding food, drink, grab bag and supporting family. Fan support was pretty good considering the small size of the race. It is easy for those out cheering to support you because the race numbers have your name printed on them. I would definitely enter this race again. Next year is its 25th anniversary. Thank you to the Badgerland Striders club, the organizer! | |
|
A. A. from Janesville, Wisconsin
(10/4/2004)
"A Great Little Marathon" (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Lakefront Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've done this race at least 4 times and it's one of my favorite runs. You've got to love a race that stages in a heated high school building. Some of the scenery is spectacular. Well organized with plenty of support. | |
|
Jim Schnitzler from Madison, WI
(10/3/2004)
"Tremendous course and well organized" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Lakefront Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fourth Lakefront Marathon and thirty-third overall. The course and organization ranks near the top. Keep up the good work and we'll see you next year. | |
|
D. C. from Normal, IL
(12/11/2003)
"Beautiful race with great spectator support" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 2nd marathon and I thought it was a great experience. I highly recommmend this one. Nice course, especially the last 3 miles downhill around the lake - breathtaking. Spectator support was fantastic, even a man out in the country playing the accordion in his front yard. Milwaukee is a great city with lots to offer in the way of food and entertainment (also a very clean city). The ONLY negative thing I can say at the finish line it was a cluster of runners/friends/family/volunteers and hard to find the refreshments. | |
|
P. S. from Stoughton, WI
(10/17/2003)
 "Fast, pretty course, but needs more spectators" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The Lakefront Marathon was my first marathon. I found the course to be beautiful. The volunteers were helpful and friendly. However, the Milwaukee area is completely oblivious to the event and does not come out to watch. Perhaps offering more prize money or spending more on publicity would help. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
