Apr 29, 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 31 to 41]
|
R. S. from Illinois
(10/11/2011)
 "One Time, Fine, but not again" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Enjoyed the race, but with it being called 'Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon' I expected to see more of the Lake. You got to peak at the lake as you ran the course (Concordia College was nice) but for the most part, there was more viewing of corn fields and houses than lakefront until you get to the final stretch. (In fairness I knew this from the course map). Nothing wrong with the race, would just do a different one before I would repeat this one. Spectators were very good, but spread out. | |
|
E. O. from Brookfield, Wisconsin
(10/9/2011)
 "Great race + great day = PR" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 While you can't control the weather, the sunny 40s and 50s for the race were a welcome change from all those long traiing runs in the summer steam! The course was very scenic, the volunteers very helpful and there were plenty of well staffed stops along the course. The course coverred some sparsely populated areas at the beginning, but there wre always spectators out to encourage the runners. This was a absolutely great race and I highly recommend it to anyone. | |
|
K. B. from Lindenhurst, IL
(10/6/2011)
"I am one happy First-Timer!!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although I haven't run another marathon to compare this one to, I have run 40+ races from 5k-13.1. I must say that this is the BEST race I have ever competed in (4:46:45). The spectators were friendly, and cheering for everybody. The course was easy on my knees and very fast. The race itself the most organized I have seen. Best of all the weather was perfect (sunny and 50s by the end) and there was tons of shade in case we needed it. I can't wait to run this again, what a great memory! | |
|
Kathy Waldron from Green Bay, WI
(10/5/2011)
"YOU DID IT AGAIN!" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Lakefront Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thank you so much, Kris, and all for yet another most awesome marathon! You are absolutely the BEST! Thank you so much! | |
|
J. R. from Alexandria, VA
(10/4/2011)
 "Fast, small town race with big city bennies" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 O.k., LOVED this race. At first I was a little surprised that in a city with so much to see, the majority of this race is run north of town. Get over it. The organizers did a great job bussing the crowd to Grafton High School- minimal wait there. Easy start on a chilly (39F) morning with a course that zig zags through the corn fields and the burbs. I was a little worried that I'd be looking a miles of corn fields, but the scenery did vary enough to keep it interesting. You don't really hit a town till about 20 miles in, but there were groups of bundled up spectators here and there, plus some really nice older suburban neighborhoods. I'm not usually one for the pace crowd, but I found myself running with the 3:30 group (fast for me) for the first 14 or so before slowing a bit to finish with the 3:40 group. This one was my 10th marathon and almost an effortless PR for me (by a minute) with a great final three miles by the lakeshore. Great shirt too. Other pros for the out of towner: easy flights into Milwaukee, numerous hotels, great walking city, and some great microbrews to sample. Highly recommend this one. | |
|
B. V. from Chicago, IL
(10/3/2011)
 "So far, my favorite marathon" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is not only the best organized marathon I have run, it is one of the best organized races I have run. It really caters to the runners and their convenience. Having the high school open for the runners is great...warm, plenty of bathrooms. Starting in the country and ending on the lake front downtown gives wonderful scenery and views. My friends were able to cheer me on at several points during the race and I actually saw them as I crossed the finish line! (so much nicer than finishing at Chicago or Boston and not seeing anyone you know). The convenient (free)shuttles back to the hotels were MUCH appreciated as was the cheap entry fee. Would do it again. | |
|
Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, AZ
(10/3/2011)
"THIS is what a marathon should be..." (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You will be hard-pressed to find a better-organized, better-staged race than this one. I've run 60 of them and this race delivers a superior product. Field size is perfect; 3050 runners. The course is breath-taking: past stately homes, down tree-lined streets, pass rural farms and then finally along Lake Michigan. It starts precisely on time. Packet pick-up is a breeze. Shuttles to the start are easy. You get to hang out inside a high school; with chairs/tables/restrooms to relax and not get too chilled. Bag drop is very easy. The course is lined with an army of friendly volunteers guiding you all along the way; you cannot make a wrong turn. Water stops are consistent:Gatorade first, water second. They all have porta-lets and two have gels. All splits are well-marked and they also announce the time and est. time of finish. Spectators cluster in the neighborhoods and are friendly and supportive. Since your name is printed on your bib, they call out their kudos by name as well. The course is gentle-downhill with very minor uphills here and there. A good part of the race is closed to oncoming traffic but the entire race is coned. The weather was spectacular. After a bearable morning chill, it warmed just enough. The finish line is spacious and easy to navigate. Bag retrieval is a cinch and they also collect almost anything you've tossed mid-race and they have it there to pick up at the end as well: amazing! The medal is beautiful and all entrants receive a long-sleeve tech shirt without any advertising on it. Big goody bags full of treats are handed out as well as soda, water, chocolate milk, and more Gatorade. There's also a beer table with two kinds of beer and an area to purchase race clothing, etc. There is also a table with instant results to retrieve for yourself. Announcers cheer on finishers and call out as many as possible. Race communication is comprehensive; up-to-date info is steadily in your Inbox along with any last-minute concerns that may arise. This race is eco-friendly and cognizant of not wasting man-power or materials. Bottom line: this race has an incredible army of volunteers (almost 1200) to take care of everything and is a race that has thought of everything. The focus is squarely on its entrants. They have a lot of civic-minded ties with the community and are generous with their accommodations. This race sells out every year: it is obvious why. Put this on your agenda in January to sign up for its Fall date: you will NOT find a better race than this Midwest gem. | |
|
C. G. from Overland Park, KS
(2/17/2011)
"Terrific fall marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Things I liked: Course - fast, with minimal hills and good scenery (I'm a Midwestern guy, so think rural is fine). The downhill at mile 23 was perfectly located to provide momentum for the finish. Organization - every aspect of this race was geared toward accommodating the racers. Mile markers seemed accurate and volunteers were great. Having free shuttles to downtown hotels for family members as well as racers after the race was much appreciated. I thought it was a nice touch that they comped entries for previous winners of the race, and recognized them at the start. Field size - limiting entrants to 2,200+ ensures that the course isn't overcrowded, but there's plenty of company. I'm not a fan of having to negotiate a path through thousands of half-marathon runner-walkers, so this race was a treat. Swag - the shirt was awesome, so much that I bought another for $15 after the race (it was refreshing to see such reasonable pricing for race merchandise - unlike most races nowadays). Nice water bottles for age group winners. I'm not into medals but it was nice compared to most. Weather - perfect, with a slight tailwind. Even so, it was nice to be able wait indoors before the start, with plenty of restroom/porta-potties available). Milwaukee has plenty of interesting sights and fine restaurants. Things not to like: for me, nothing. Others may find the scarcity of spectators disappointing, but they can go to Chicago or elsewhere if noise is what they're after. I've run 25 marathons and this is definitely in the top 3. I would run this race every year if there weren't so many other races in October. | |
|
S. J. from Illinois
(12/18/2010)
"Great, Small Marathon" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Lakefront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I think this is one of the best races in the Midwest in the fall. It's well-run, completely organized and a great value. There are lots of perks to smaller races and Milwaukee is a great place to take advantage. Lodging is close and cheap. Transportation to the start is seamless and free, as is transportation from the finish back to your hotel. The high school availability at the start means you don't worry about getting cold or having to use a porta-potty. The weather was perfect in 2010 and, although the course has some rollers, the last 6 seem flat with some good downhill sections. The only challenge here was course access for my spectators. It's a bit tougher than other races but not enough to keep anyone away. This was my 6th marathon and my best experience (and fastest time!). | |
|
D. P. from Illinois
(10/20/2010)
"Well planned, well executed marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Lakefront Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful, relatively flat point-to-point course from the farmlands into the city. Not many spectators, but those that are there are enthusiastic. Logistically easy marathon, with ample porta-johns at the start, easy parking, many water stops... overall a well run race. Thanks again! |
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
