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May 16, 2024

Lakefront Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.4

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 172 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

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G. G. from Sarasota, FL (10/8/2008) "A Great Alternative to Chicago" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Kudos to the Badgerland Striders. I don't know if you have ever run Milwaukee, but I want to let you know it is a terrific race. For those unsure about the crowds in Chicago, this is a great option. First, the entry fees are half of what they are in Chicago, and I am sure lodging is as well. It is as well organized race as you will find. The course is scenic and while there are some hills, they aren't severe and the last three miles to the finish are a slight downhill. I have never seen the number of course workers as there were on this course - it felt like 300 or more - plus there were 17 water stations and 15 bathroom stops (all with toilet paper, my wife reported). Maybe the neatest thing was that we started at a high school in Grafton, and they opened it up so that we could wait inside (warm and dry) in the cafeteria and the halls. The expo was great (I heard and met Dick Beardsley), the T-shirt (long-sleeve, technical) was as good-looking as I have ever received, and the medal was the best one this side of 26.2 with Donna. Had I not been running this event with my wife as she attempted and completed her first marathon, this would absolutely have been a PR course. I can't wait to run it again! I can't recommend this event enough.
N. R. from Wisc (10/7/2008) "Nicely run marathon" (about: 2008) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon is well put-together, with shuttles to the expo and start from the hotels suggested. Opening the high school and the use of bathrooms before the start is nice. The volunteers really work hard to make this a great race. Weather-wise, the temperature was cool and there was very little wind. Getting to the finish line is a little confusing (the way they have you wind around). I definitely would suggest running this race if you haven't. The fans, volunteers, and the smaller number of runners made running this race enjoyable.
S. K. from Chicago, IL (10/6/2008) "Great Alternative to the Fall Mega-Marathons" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a really well-run race, with fewer than 3,000 runners between the marathon and the relay. The Badgerland Striders do an excellent job in all areas of the race. OK expo, but the long-sleeve tech shirt is ad-free, which is a nice touch. Hearing Dick Beardsley speak is always a treat. After the bus trip to the start, runners have access to the entire Grafton HS building, so it's easy to stay warm, stretch and use inside bathrooms. The course is a great point-to-point, along Lake Michigan, although you don't really get to see it until the last six miles. And even though the race is on active roadways, the police and volunteers do a great job with traffic control. The crowds are spotty, but very loud and supportive. And the finish area is well organized. This is an excellent option if you prefer a smaller race on a good course, rather than running in NYC, MCM, PTL or CHI in the fall.
A. T. from Chicago (10/6/2008) "Scenic race; wonderful volunteers & spectators" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well-supported race. Friendly volunteers. Bus at Courtyard was a half-hour late (to bring us to the start). Scenic course through countryside and small towns, with glimpses of the lake along the way. Car traffic was not too bad, but running on one side meant running at a "tilt" for some of the route. Nice, cool day, so not much pedestrian traffic on the lakefront trail once we got to Milwaukee.
S. A. from Madison, WI (10/6/2008) "This is one smoothly-organized marathon" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From the expo to the awards ceremony, you can tell the race organizers know how to hold a marathon. Sure the course isn't the most scenic at times (there's an especially dreary stretch along I-43) and the race doesn't have the crowds that Chicago or Boston does, but for a smaller marathon with a very reasonable registration fee, you can't go wrong with Lakefront.
Laurie Brand from Waterford, Wisconsin (10/6/2008) "Great Experience for a 1st-Time Marathoner!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon was perfect and a very good experience. > The number of participants was just right. > The expo was small but just enough. > The high school had plenty of room in the hallways for us to stay warm (it was 38 degrees) and they opened all of the bathrooms, and even the teachers lounge. > The UPS truck was there and the volunteers were helpful. > The opening ceremony wasn't a concert or a big "to do"; it actually helped calm my nerves. > The water stops had volunteers from various cross-country teams - they knew what we were doing and the magnitude of our goals, so they were not short on encouragement. > The runners had the right of way at crossroads thanks to the volunteers in uniform - no need for us to break our stride. > From noon on, the Brewers were playing a must-win playoff game (first in 26 years) and the Packers also had a game, YET we still had plenty of people cheering us on! > The course was beautiful (farmland to subdivisions to huge houses with great landscaping and then the shore of Lake Michigan - all kept your mind occupied. > Finally the most anticipated finish - the crowd all yells your name and cheers you on. Once you cross the line, they announce your name, a medical person walks with you and asks if you are okay, and several volunteers take your chip, give you your blanket, give you water and walk with you to the resting area. > The resting area has food, massages, and tents to buy finisher items. One tent engraves your name and time! > Overall, a GREAT experience. THANK YOU, Milwaukee Badgers, and volunteers! I will remember this day as a great day!!!
J. G. from Boston, MA (7/7/2008) "Great race but bring your own fans" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Lakefront Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race is extremely well organized and easy to maneuver. The expo is fairly easy to get to and there was plenty of street parking. The expo is a little small, but at least it is held in a large space so people are not packed in. The marathon start is at an area high school and the building is open to use the bathroom or to stay warm and dry before the start (definitely not a problem this year though!). There is a USPS truck to drive your gear to the finish. The actual start is not over-crowded and it is well-marked, so you know where to line up based on your expected finish time. The fan base along the course can be sparse though. It makes the miles seem longer. Although this year it seemed that there was no shortage of people with hoses and sprinklers poised and ready. The finish is a mixed bag. It's slightly downhill (yay!) and along the waterfront. On hot days this means you smell rotten fish for about a mile though. :( You can also hear the announcer way too far in advance of the actual finish. It may sound motivating, but by the time you've reached mile 26, it's a little discouraging that you still have .2 miles to run. The volunteers at the finish area are great and make sure you have water and are pointed in the direction of food. The line for the food wasn't long and they had plenty of fruit and cookies. The bags are organized in a large area by number and the volunteers can quickly find your stuff and get it back to you. All in all, a well organized race, but I have a much better finishing time at larger races.
W. S. from Indianapolis, IN (12/2/2007) "Not flat, but very well organized" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful back half of the course but this course is not flat. It is rolling up and down for the first half. There is a dirt shoulder for a majority of the race so you can make this one into a trail race if you so desire. Lastly, the last 2 miles of the course are a mess. When you think you are at the finish because you hear the announcer, you aren't. You are only at 26. Be prepared for the 3.5+ mile gaps between the aid stations. Perhaps it was the heat, but I really noticed I needed fluids. The organizers warned and warned about the heat and there was plenty of volunteer and neighborhood support to keep people cool. I ignored the warnings at my own peril and suffered like a dog as a result. There were plenty of facilities (H20, area to lie down, toilets, etc...) at the finish to accommodate morons like me. Hey, I needed a Boston time and didn't want to run another race to get it. And best of all... the price!
V. G. from India (10/26/2007) "A race to remember - Just Amazing!!!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Just to give you an idea of the heat, LakeFront Marathon (LFM) 2007 was on the same day as Chicago 07 (where 1 person died and several hundreds were hospitalized from heat issues)! 90 miles north in Milwaukee, I had the experience of my life running the Lakefront Marathon (After I had decided against LaSalle Chicago Marathon, primarily because of the cost). First LFM Tee-Shirt was awesome... no Ad's!! expo was great! LFM organizers warned us at the start line to re assess our goals taking the heat into account... As a first timer I took the advice very seriously and started slower than planned. Other than this one wise decision I made, everything else to the success of my first marathon has to be attributed to the EXCELLENT race organization and SUPPORT AND GOODWILL of the volunteers and Milwaukeeans!! The course starts out in the rustic, scenic country side and meanders along to finish along Milwaukee's lake front. Course is pretty flat... rolling hills.. couple of hills and one downhill near the end! Aid stations logistically placed... water and Gatorade in every station... gel packets were available at mile 19 and 23... never was short of anything... in fact found a lot of fluids right through the end... crowd support was really great... people made sprinklers out of garden hoses to cool the runners down on a very hot and humid day... even though Milwaukee doesn't have the huge number of spectators as in other big races, they truly made this event extra special. I finished 50 minutes after my original time.. mainly because of a horrible hamstring pull.... in spite of that, it was a wonderful experience!!! Finish line was awesome... The medal... Place to shower.. PLENTY of food.. No complaints... Hats off to organizers, volunteers, and milwaukeeans... organizers Made the race memorable inspite of the extreme weather conditions... WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS RACE TO EVERYONE!!!
A. E. from Illinois (10/11/2007) "Wonderful" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very nice experience for my first marathon. I have run many other, shorter distances however. The organization was first rate and I never found myself looking for anything or wondering where to go. I like the idea of a pasta party, and a few more porta potties at the high school. That is really all I can see for improvement. Really a first rate race, I believe.

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