May 1, 2024
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☰
Fox Cities Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Fox Cities Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.4
Number of comments: 94 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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C. A. from New York
(9/25/2006)
 "Highly Recommended for First-Timers and Veterans" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Fox Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization of this race is better than most of the national races I have run. They announced that there were several thousand volunteers for this weekend of races - almost one volunteer for each racer! The water stops were amazing. Almost each one had a theme with volunteers in costume and music playing. Their enthusiasm was welcome, especially late in the race. Kudos to the race staff, the volunteers, and the general public for making this a wonderful experience! | |
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S. S. from Madison WI
(9/24/2006)
"Great Volunteers, Fans, and Food!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I completed the full marathon twice and thought it was good, but I finished the half marathon today and thought it was GREAT! This is a small, well run event fueled by the enthusiasm of its volunteers (themed water stops!) and the fans that lined much of the course. This is an event really supported by the community. The course starts at the waterfront and migrates into typical neighborhoods, with some manageable hills. Post-race food was plentiful, included sandwiches, bagels, lots of cookies/bars, etc. For those that had a bad experience in '05, give them another chance. | |
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Thomas o'shaughnessy from Rochester, Mn
(7/7/2006)
"Well organized and super friendly." (about: 1999)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Fox Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done this a few times in the past. The course is NOT easy (with the hills), but the marathon caters to walkers also, which most don't. I have completed 43 marathons and ultras and next to LA, this is my favorite. Not as pretty as the Twin Cities Marathon, but it has an 8-hour clock. | |
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M. R. from Rochester, Minnesota
(7/2/2006)
"Great race!!!" (about: 2002)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Fox Cities Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First of all, let me say I was sad to read the previous comment telling people to "give this one a miss!" This was one person's bitter experience. I, on the other hand, have done this race 6 times over the last 12 years and find it to be one of the more enjoyable marathons in the Midwest!!! I have done over 60 marathons of different sizes and types, but this one is a fun time and a perfect size. Great organization, wonderfully challenging course with a good mix of flats and hills, and a great time of the year for a road trip to the Appelton, WI area as the fall weather is just starting to change the landscape with the turning of the leaves! I keep coming back to this race for so many reasons and now they have the race going over the tressel bridge, so beautiful! I will once again be there for the 2006 race to take on the course and enjoy yet another trip to beautiful Appleton. To the marathon organization... KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK YOU ALL DO TO PUT ON SUCH A GREAT MIDWEST MARATHON! | |
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K. C. from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(5/23/2006)
 "Give this one a miss!!!!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 This was one of my worst running experiences and the organizers still have not gotten it right! I was one of those not allowed to finish and it still leaves a bad taste, especially now when I am getting the flyers for the 2006 run. The organizers never were able to sort out my change of address and I never received what was promised in all the newspaper articles. Seems like they were all talk. Give this one a miss!!! | |
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M. J. from Florida
(11/8/2005)
 "Great Marathon!!" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Fox Cities Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is simply a wonderful marathon. Greaat volunteers and spectators, a beautiful course and well organized. This year there was an issue with the weather which caused some confusion but I am sure this will be addressed and in no way should affect your decision to run this great marathon. | |
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P. M. from Tinley Park, IL
(10/3/2005)
 "A Decent Small-Town Race" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 2005 race. I was not aware of the confusion related to the alleged closing of the course; if it had affected me, I would have graded the organization much lower. My experience with the organization was excellent - the race has a big-event feel. I even got to run a little bit with Bill Rodgers. For a small race (560 finishers) there was outstanding spectator support. Most of my 17 marathons have been run in bigger cities, and I didn't expect there to be nearly the crowd support that showed up on race-day. I was disappointed with the course. The pedestrian bridge over the Fox River is a nice touch, but it is at the 2=mile mark. Most of the race is run in residential neighborhoods which aren't particularly scenic. I am from out of town, so I don't know if there is there a way to incorporate more of the river and lake into the course. I was also disappointed by the fact that we had to share the roads with cars. I never felt as though I was crowded by the cars, but I never was able to be at ease with the fact the cars were just a few feet away. I would have also liked a few bands on the course. There were plenty of water stops, and the volunteers were exceptionally friendly. | |
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J. W. from Florida
(9/26/2005)
 "race officials lost control " (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 As reported in a local paper available through this website, the race director and a local police department are avoiding responsiblity for a very poor decision to close the race course during a rain. As a runner, I was told by police at mile 15.25 that I had to quit, not could or should quit, and all traffic control and support was being canceled for the last 11 miles of the run. Being from out of town, I did not know the course to continue on my own without run support. Turned out the officers were wrong and the course workers stayed in place. The race officials simply lost control of their event in an inexcusable fashion. | |
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A. M. from Appleton, WI
(9/26/2005)
"Great support, bad communication" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The Fox Cities Marathon was a bittersweet experience this year. I decided to compete in my first marathon last Christmas and along with a friend have been training for it for 9 months prior to the event. The big day came to an end with disappointment and a few tears. The bitter part: around mile 16 many of us (myself included) were told that the race was cancelled due to rain and more storms coming on the radar. We were also not allowed to run at our own risk. Many were shuttled to the finish line, while my running partner and I opted to be picked up by some of our supporters. Around an hour later I drove through Little Chute on my way home and was surprised to see marathoners still running. I was extremely upset to think that we were told we couldn?t finish and that others were not. I am appalled at the miscommunication between race officials. If the race was cancelled and we weren?t allowed to continue at our own risk than it should have been that way across the board, not only at certain stations. I would have kept going through the rain, storms, or whatever the day would bring. Cancellation due to storms is understandable; utter lack of communication between rest stops and race officials is not. Now the sweet part: the supporters and volunteers at water stations did a phenomenal job. Thank you for your efforts and words of encouragement. It was wonderful to see so many people out cheering on runners and taking pride in their community. It motivated me and my fellow runners to keep going. Time will tell if I decide to run again next year but if I don?t, I can guarantee you I will be one of those people cheering on runners as they make their way. | |
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B. J. from Cedarburg, WI
(9/26/2005)
"Great small-town marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fox Cities Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the Fox Cities marathon yesterday and it was a great event. Very well-organized race with good crowd support throughout the different communities (bands/cheerleaders/music). Lots of gel stops and fruit towards the end. Plus the course is scenic - you run across a mile-long pedestrian tressel bridge, have great views of the water, and even get to go through a 'drain-pipe like tunnel' later on in the course. Others said the course changes were a positive, with less cement. A few hills from 15-on, but nothing major. Best part was my 3:28 PR. Would definitely recommend this race for next year! |
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