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May 16, 2024

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 81 to 91]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 7 8 9 10 11 .. 18 > ]

D. D. from St Louis (10/11/2007) "This was my first marathon and a very exciting exp" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and unfortunately an unseasonably hot one, I was not able to go farther than 19.5 miles. At that point is where the course workers were exceptional. One person specifically (Colleen)stayed with me until medical help arrived and then went out of her way to ensure I made it to the finish area where my family and friends were waiting. The run was fantastic and although I didn't finish people like her are a major reason why I will be back, I will complete the Lakefront marathon. My thanks go out to her and all the other volunteers that ensured a safe and memorable experience for the runners
L. E. from Phoenix, Arizona (10/10/2007) "Great organization!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! I was impressed with the race organization, kudos to the Badger Striders. Having read the comments about the Chicago Marathon, the organizers of this race are to be highly commended. Extending the course limit to seven hours and asking residents to turn on their sprinklers and hoses for us is to be applauded. The volunteers at each stop were also wonderful. Couldn't ask for more. However, I do have one complaint. No pasta party. Traveling by myself to this race, this would have been a nice way to connect with fellow runners and welcome out-of-towners. Not much fun eating at a "recommended" restaurant by yourself. Having said that, I take my hat off to the volunteers, the residents and all involved with this race. The residents were out with their hoses and sprinklers, and several had even set up water stops themselves for us. The ice at the later aid stations was a nice bonus. I carry a water bottle and my own gels so the distance between aid stations wasn't an issue for me. Having trained in the heat, it didn't bother me, but the humidity did. Plus, the rolling hills in the early part of the course.... Nope, it's not flat as advertised. Again, thanks to the volunteers, residents and organizers.
D. S. from milwaukee wi (10/10/2007) "Excellent Organization, Volunteers & Course" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was stressed several times before the race that this marathon is put on solely by volunteers. I never expected the level of enthusiasm, cohesion and thoughtfulness that I experienced that day. The weather was very warm, so the race director did what she could to accommodate the runners by extending the finish time and supplying the water stops with ice. The volunteers at every stop were very enthusiastic and mindful of all the runners - asking if we were ok, if anything looked amiss. The course is scenic, not crowded by runners, had spectators and was mostly downhill. As my first marathon (opting to forgo running in Chicago), I couldn't have been happier. I have done many races big and small, and would say this was the best experience I could have asked for. I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a well-run, scenic, fun and intimate experience.
Bill Akins from Chicago, Illinois (10/10/2007) "Great support and spectators, but less than scenic" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I agree with the previous post completely. This was my 7th marathon but 1st and last in Milwaukee. The support and spectators were great. It was really hot, and spectators were handing out water they purchased themselves in front of their homes. I would not run this race again because it's not actually along the lake front as described. I should have done more homework. Only 3 miles of the race are actually along the lake front and then you have to dodge people that had no idea a race was going on. It was not a scenic run at all. The traffic didn't bother me because I was up front; however, if you are in the middle of the pack, it would be very narrow running room. I almost collided with another runner as he was passing me. Between the leaves in the street and the narrow coned-off lane, it was almost single-track in spots.
M. S. from Minneapolis, MN (10/10/2007) "Spectators and Volunteers were great" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 OK, first the good stuff. The volunteers and spectators were simply incredible. By far they are the highlights of the race. The organization at the expo and start were perfect. Nice big area at the start to stretch and warmup. Now the negative. The course was not what I thought it would be. You have the whole road to yourself the first couple miles (which is great). After that you were running on the shoulder of the road with the roads open to traffic, so you had about four feet to run in without having to go out into the traffic to pass. Then when you got into the residential areas, you had to battle with cars turning into the course and look over your shoulder making sure there were no cars coming to take some of the turns. Then when you finally get to see the lake (around mile 23) you're running on the open lake front path, dodging walkers and bikers. Once you get to mile 25, there was a dirt path with some rocks and metal sticking out for about a half mile. Didn't feel good on the feet. I know this is a small marathon and it's run by wonderful volunteers, but there's no reason that you should have to worry about cars like that. Overall I was very disappointed by the race, especially with reading all the positive reviews on here. If they could close a single lane or half lane, I think it would be a much better race.
K. C. from Milwaukee, WI (10/10/2007) "Overall a very good race." (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I thought overall this race was very good. I did have a few complaints though, all of them small things that the race organizers may consider changing for next year. First, I love the fact that the race has a Clydesdale division, but I don't love the fact that XXL was not an option for shirt size, please add this for next year for those of us who are on the bigger side. Second, the porta potties were very clean, which was surprising given what porta potties usually look like. However, it would have been nice to have more along the course. Third, I enjoyed starting at the high school, but I wish it would have been more clear that there was a runner drop off, I had to park half a mile away and walk to the start because I didn't realize I could be dropped off at the start. Not a real big problem, but it was a small annoyance. Overall, though this is a very good race. The organization was wonderful (I find something to complain about in every race I run). The volunteers were amazing, especially the Homestead cross country team in the 8-10 mile area. Also a big thanks has to go to all those who put their sprinklers out and provided extra water stops in their driveways. I recommend this race to anyone considering, as long as Milwaukee is Milwaukee next October, and not Miami.
J. M. from Madison, WI (10/10/2007) "humbled by heat" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a high quality, well organized race. I had a painful and humbling expierience due to the heat. I was determined to run under 3 hours but barely made it under 4. I would have made it nowhere but the hospital without the help of the volunteers and spectators. The first half of the coursre was nice (rural, rolling and scenic). As for the second half I can't say, as the heat had transformed me into a drooling zombie. Thank god there were plenty of aid stations and supportive people. The weather was awful but the race was perfect. This was my first marathon since Boston in 1990, and my first marathon since recovering from years of alchohal and drug abuse and homelesness. Despite the pain and the dissapointing finishing time, this race was an extremely positive expierience for me and I am looking foreward to running it again next year.
G. F. from Chicago (10/10/2007) "Good Race but need more Aid Stations" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I was looking forward to this race and the extreme heat was not what I was expecting this late in the year. Everything was well organized but a few more water stations would have been good especially good, IE from 4 to 7.5 miles no aid stations and with this heat it's just important to keep your fluid intake up early not just at the end.
S. L. from Iowa (10/9/2007) "Crown Jewel in Tropical Milwaukee" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having heard all of the bad news pertaining to the Chicago Marathon, I am especially appreciative of the great job done by the 100% volunteer staff in Milwaukee. By not paying appearance fees and big prize money to attract elite runners, this group had ample resources to take care of ALL of their participants. This includes having long-sleeved tech shirts (without advertising), nice medals, plenty of help all along the course, organized bus shuttles to the start line from downtown Milwaukee and shuttles from the finish line back to the host hotels, lots of Gatorade and water at every station (take note Chicago), two gel locations, etc. The heat was still a serious problem, and I heard more sirens during this marathon than I hope to ever hear again, but ultimately we runners must know our own physical limitations. I would encourage everyone looking for a great fall marathon to do this one in 2008.
A. G. from Minneapolis, Minnesota (10/9/2007) "Well done" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lakefront Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 My first marathon and I thought it was very well done. The organizers seemed prepared to handle the record-high temperatures and there was plenty of water and Gatorade. The spectators were great. One's name is on the race bib and people made a point of calling my name when cheering. That was very helpful. The farmer playing the accordion and singing near mile 2 was fantastic.

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