May 16, 2024
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☰
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 151 to 161]
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John Coleman from LaGrange, IL
(10/9/2003)
 "A very nice, small marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and it really couldn't have been much better. If you want a small race, this is for you. It's a charming event, well organized by caring, enthusiastic volunteers. There is good crowd support (race numbers have first names in big letters and everyone encourages you along) and nice scenery to look at just when you need it. Comments about porta-potties (at least when you get out of the corn fields) and narrowing course are valid, and maybe there is a way to encourage more spectators to come out for the final 5 miles. But, for $37.78 you get a great, small race run by friendly people on a flat course, a bus ride to the starting line, a nice sweatshirt and medal, and beer at the finish line. | |
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D. G. from Richmond, Va
(10/8/2003)
 "Good, Fast Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This a good, fast race. A group of us (all experienced marathoners) decided to try this race because the course looked fast and with the time of the year, we thought we had a chance for good weather. We were right on both counts. The course had no major ascents and only one major descent. You could not have asked for better weather (althought talking to people on the course the weather was not so good last year). This is a smaller marathon that had a big jump in numbers in 2003. Even with this jump, they handled the race well. Even though there were fewer water stops than in some marathons, they were well staffed and had water and Gatorade at all stops. They did not have any energy gels on the course like most races do. Spectators were somewhat slim early in the race (you start far north of downtown and run back into town, so the first part of the race is fairly rural). One fun thing was the guy on his accordion playing polka music). But the view at about 23 where you come down the hill to the lake was spectacular. Post-race was a little subpar. The lines for food were far too long and the food was skimpy and the beer line (we were in Milwaukee) was a bit of a wait. Overall I rate this race very high. Our group had three people trying to get their first Boston qualifying time. All three succeeded. | |
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D. L. from Appleton, Wisconsin
(10/6/2003)
"One of the best in the midwest!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 While the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon doesn't have the 'Huge Event' feel of Chicago, etc., it was nonetheless a great marathon. Milwaukee was my eighth so far, and was a lot of fun. I like one-way courses (as opposed to loops), and this course was flat, fast, uncluttered, clean, and scenic. We had near perfect weather, and the race was very well organized and executed. The spectators were enthusiastic and really helped us along. I like the idea of printing our first names on the bib number. It's great to hear so many people shouting your name with words of encouragement. Some suggestions: More music along the way would be nice. More beer spigots at the finish area (long lines!). Thank you all for sponsoring this marathon and doing such a great job (at a reasonable price) - it helps put our sport in the best light. A great way to spend the day - basking in positive energy and health. | |
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B. H. from Milwaukee
(10/6/2003)
"Wow -- this is a fantastic race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the Lakefront Marathon for the first time this year. I was very impressed. The race was exceptionally well run - from start to finish. The buses to the start were easy to use and plentiful; we had a large high school to warm-up in before the start; not too much crowding the first mile; and plenty of water stops and port-a-johns along the route. The course was beautiful (and mostly flat) - it starts out along country roads and gradually works its way into the city, passing mansions and ending on Milwaukee's beautiful lakefront. The near-perfect weather was a bonus. The only minus of the whole experience was the long line for food at the finish. Runners should not have to wait 15 minutes in line for food after running 26.2 miles. That said, it was a fantastic marathon experience. I'll definitely run it again. | |
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c. n. from Indianapolis, IN, USA
(10/6/2003)
"This was a beautiful race from start to finish" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Thank you for a wonderful first marathon. The weather, which I know you all ordered, was pristine. The course was a wonderful transformation from rural to urban life. The drying fields complete with geese feeding to the brilliant blue Lake Michigan. Also, having never been to Milwaukee, it really showed off some of the nice points of your town. The volunteers were helpful and courteous. Eveything was well organized. The water stands could use some Gu, Power Gel or PowerBars. The spectators seemed a little reluctant to do much more than stand and stare. | |
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J. S. from Indianapolis
(10/5/2003)
 "I'll never run this marathon again." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 This was my first time running this marathon and the third overall. It was easily the worst. Course: much of the marathon is run along the side of roads with regular traffic, sometimes in both directions. There were some police officers along the course, who even stopped runners to let cars through. Organization: there were few waterstops (at least each had Gatorade as well) and even fewer porta-toliets. How much can it cost to rent a few of those? Spectators: the people we saw were great but there were not many and most were not doing the entertaining sorts of things that their comrades in other cities do. | |
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C. S. from Madison WI
(10/2/2003)
 "Not the greatest" (about: 1997)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 For a city the size of Milwaukee, you would expect a lot more. The course starts out in Grafton and then makes almost a straight shot to the finish on the lakefront in Milwaukee. The vast majority of this race is run on boring country roads with virtually no spectators at all. The course scenery improves in the last few miles as you approach the finish but the number of spectators stays very low. The only plus is that the course is all a gradual downhill. The packet pick-up is a joke. There is no expo whatsoever - basically a card table with a couple of volunteers handing out packets. I did like the fact that runners received a sweatshirt rather than another T-shirt. The medals were also nice the year I ran it. My comments are about the 1997 race so the packet pickup and spectator support may have improved with time. | |
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Erika from Boston, MA
(11/5/2002)
"Accordion Serenade In The Cornfield" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I recommend wholeheartedly the Lakefront Marathon. The fresh air, the beautiful scenery, the friendly camaraderie of only about 1000 marathoners, the guy playing the accordion ?it?s in just the right place, with just the right size and spirit. This was my first marathon and it started, appropriately, at my hometown high school and led into the Big City (a metaphor for my own life?s progress.) A few more water stops, especially between miles nine and thirteen and after mile 20 would have improved it. However, from cornfields to stately Milwaukee mansions to wind-blown lakefront vistas, this marathon was a visual (and physical) treat. And where else will you be serenaded live with polka hits played by a guy sitting out in his front yard in the rain with his accordion and amps at 8 am? | |
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Gary from Apopka, Florida (suburb of Orlando)
(10/23/2002)
"Great all-around fall marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a well-organized, medium-sized marathon with a scenic course, then this is the marathon for you. I've run over 20 marathons, including large marathons such as Boston, New York, Walt Disney World and Chicago and smaller marathons such as Space Coast and Grandfather Mountain. Kristine Hinrichs, race director, and her volunteer staff did a great job in all areas. The web site, packet pickup, adequacy of parking and facilities at the start, water stations, mile splits, food and drink at the finish and the beautiful course were all excellent, especially for a race this size. For the faster runner, everything allows one to have the opportunity to run one's best without the logistical worries at the larger marathons that sometimes make it difficult to use rest rooms, get properly hydrated and get a proper starting position. I highly recommend this race to my fellow marathoners looking for a first class, medium-sized fall race. One final comment - If you like good beer, the post race beers on draft from a local pub were the best beers I've ever had after any race!!! | |
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Tony Dougherty from Madison, WI
(10/10/2002)
"First Marathon'Windy'" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought Chicago was the windy city. Today it was Milwaukee. For my first Marathon I thought this was a great course. Vintage Wisconsin, Country running to city residentual in a few minutes. Great scenery, with good crowd support. The race is small enough that my family got to cheer me on at several points along the course. My only complaint is there could have been more water stations. I will suggest this race to other runners. Had a great time, thanks to the organizers. |
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