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Apr 29, 2024

Lakefront Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.4

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 172 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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C. G. from Overland Park, KS (10/4/2010) "Terrific, medium-sized, fall race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Things I liked about the Lakefront Marathon: 1) Size: about 2,000 runners, which meant plenty of company but no congestion. No half-marathoners/walkers. The finish area was well laid out and uncrowded; if it hadn't been so chilly we might've hung around until I felt like ingesting cheese and beer. 2) Course: slight inclines/declines (can't call them hills) most of the way with a nice downhill at mile 23, which is about the perfect time for that. Most of the course was routed on paved roads through residential/countryside terrain, which was scenic enough for me. 3) Un-Rock'n'Roll-ness: about as uncommercial a race as I've done. Organized by the Badgerland Striders, a local running club that's not about making money. Entry fee of $70 included a really nice, long-sleeve shirt with zero ads. Also, the organizers made a huge deal out of reminding spectators to be considerate of the neighborhoods we ran through; it was obvious they took great pride in the amount of community support and intend to keep it that way. That's a big reason they limit the field to 2,750 plus a few relay teams. A little different attitude from almost every other race these days, where the goal is to maximize the number of event participants and revenue, and if the running experience suffers, thats OK, because their "event" really isn't about racing or even running hard. 4) Logistical support: mile markers with human announcers every mile, plus clocks at most. Markers were located right on the money per my Garmin. Aid stations were well staffed, spaced about right, and they provided GU at miles 7 and 19, just as advertised - something that a lot of races seem to have difficulty with. The race also arranged buses to the start directly from downtown hotels, and a shuttle back to hotels from the finish area, which made things really easy for out-of-towners. Things I didn't like: nothing worth making a big deal about. There were lots of pacers but I didn't run with one. Having paced a few times before, I can attest that it's not easy to entertain a large group for 3+ hours, so some of the pacers with negative comments might need to lower their expectations. I will definitely return to Lakefront if I can stay in one piece long enough to get all 50 states.
A. Runner from USA (9/10/2010) "Quality Race, Excellent Pacers!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall, a very enjoyable race. Transportation to the start was well organized, with the local high school open for restrooms/warmth. The course is quite narrow in spots with runners restricted to a narrow shoulder. Drivers generally seemed respectful, though. Food at the end was basic, but plentiful. With regard to pacers, I'm wondering if the previous commenter and I ran the same race! I joined the 3:30 pacer and he was pretty much spot on the entire way. Very friendly, too - always upbeat and ready with a corny joke (nothing distasteful, though). I find pacers in general to be helpful in races this size. Not just during the race, but in the starting corrals to get folks organized so there aren't jams at the front from slower runners hindering those who step off the line quickly. I would definitely run with a pacer again, maybe a little quicker next time!
j. j. from Milwaukee, WI (5/31/2010) "Nice race but inflexible director" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Lakefront Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course is nice and fairly fast. Not much scenery on the course. Spectators are sparse. The race director is a piece of work. She claims not to process transfers due to planning for drop outs. Threatens to ban people from the course who run with another person's bib. GU stops are few and at very awkward spots.
B. S. from Chicago, IL (3/22/2010) "Pacer Teams were Overrated" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Lakefront Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second year in a row running the marathon. I thought it was ridiculous to raise all of our entries just to hire someone to staff pacers in the race for us. I was very unimpressed with the pacer I ran behind. She was so quiet and rude that the race was very uninviting to the group around her. My suggestion is to save some money and put out better finish line food for all. I thought most of the pacers were a bit egotistical and very much into their own selves. Can we ever get runner friendly pacers who actually know how to talk with respect? I will be back to run in 2010, but nowhere near a pacer runner. Thanks.
W. S. from Chicago, IL (10/24/2009) "Just plain fun" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was my first marathon, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but the organization was great, the support was helpful all along, and even the starting place at the high school was fun. The last hill was surprisingly long - all downhill.
Dave Powers from Milwaukee (10/18/2009) "First Full Marathon; Great Experience!!!" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first full marathon and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! All in all, I thought it was done very well. I'm a Milwaukeean and I run much of this course often. With all if the support, I did extremely well!!! All of the turns of the race seemed smooth. If I were to change anything, it would be within the last mile of the race; there were two 90-degree turns, which seemed pretty sharp. Maybe it's just me, but that took its toll. I'll be back!!!
J. D. from Tuscaloosa AL (10/14/2009) "Great Marathon" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Being from Alabama, I was looking for a place to run a fall marathon before basketball season gets started in the middle of October. I had run Chicago twice and was looking for something different this year. So I got on here and found the Lakefront Marathon and it looked pretty interesting and fell on the perfect weekend for me. I had read conflicting reports on what people thought about the course being flat or not. Well, to me this course is relatively flat with the first 16 miles having some gradual uphills and the last 10 miles having a lot of gradual downhill. This is a very nice course and the finish area is very nice being on the lake. The weather this year was great. I could actually breathe not having to deal with 95-degree heat with 95% humidity. I wound up running a 25-minute PB. I am already making plans next year to return and run the race again. On a side note, I had never been to the City of Milwaukee, but it is a beautiful and very clean city overall. I was very impressed with Milwaukee as a whole. My only two complaints would be that the expo is very weak, even for a race this size (I have been to 10ks with bigger expos); and also, running on the side of the road in that one stretch was a little annoying. But if that is all I have to complain about, I can get over it. I will be back next year.
J. B. from Madison, WI (10/9/2009) "a great first-marathon experience" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and only my third race ever, so I didn't quite know what to expect. It was great (besides the whole running 26.2 miles thing)! I like that they limit the number of participants, because it felt like just the right number of runners. I was never alone, but I was also never tripping over anyone. The aid stations were plentiful and filled with enthusiastic volunteers. Each mile was marked and had a volunteer shouting out times and paces. There were a good number of spectators, but also stretches where there weren't any. Things that could have been improved: - The course. More lake views would have been nice. You really only see Lake Michigan in the last five miles or so. And I would have preferred for the course to wind around the city more, instead of through random towns. - Availability of gels. I don't use them, but if I did, I would want them way before mile 19. Aid stations at mile 19 and 22 had gels. - Starting time. I would prefer for the race to have started at 7 (it started at 8). We lucked out with the weather this year, with 50 degrees and overcast skies, but October in Wisconsin can surprise you. If it had gotten into the 70s or 80s, starting an hour earlier would have been a godsend. Plus, we trained all through the summer; we're used to getting up early to beat the heat! - Post-race food consisted of... carbs. Bagels and fruit, pretty much. The half-marathon that I ran had chocolate milk and string cheese for recovery food, which was awesome!
C. S. from Chicago, IL (10/7/2009) "Awesome race! Put on by runners for runners!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Lakefront Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run many marathons. Races like Chicago are just too full; I never get to open up to my pace until it is too late. This race is much smaller and the personal touches are nice. The splits are called out by a human, along with encouraging words. So you don't just run by a clock mile after mile. There are plenty of water and Gatorade stations. I know some of you think this is a flat course; I might be a wimp, but I thought that there were lots of little hills. It's okay though - it keeps it interesting. The community was very nice and encouraging. I loved that they made it easy for my family to come cheer me on. They have course maps with suggestions on areas to cheer. The finish of the race is beautiful and the people putting my medal on and wrapping my Mylar genuinely congratulated me. The volunteers all feel like extended family members with genuine encouragement and support - I LOVE THAT! Oh, and the best part: when you email a question, an actual human being responds back quickly. The marathon shirts are great. Names are on your bib, so everyone calls out your name throughout the course. Anything and everything you need/want as a runner is there. I hope that they keep it small. It's a great race. It also seems to be a good race for time (PR). But be prepared: the location and date of this race means that it could be 100 or 45 degrees... it's like roulette. Milwaukee has some of the best frozen custard, so this is incentive to finish and treat yourself. Some people think this is overflow of Chicago. I live in Chicago and ran it many times, and since I have done Milwaukee, I always choose Milwaukee over Chicago. For me, it's not overflow; it's choice. I heart you, Lakefront Marathon!
D. C. from Kenosha, WI (10/7/2009) "Outstanding Experience" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was well-organized with friendly, hard-working people. It was a remarkable experience.

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