I ran Chicago in 1999, and I am totally in agreement with all of the rest of you - the Chicago Marathon is a phenomenal experience! I actually enjoyed the race itself a little better than Boston because the course was much flatter and wider - ie. much faster & what's not to like about that!! My one suggestion to others would be: don't assume that it will be easy to just catch a taxi to the start. I stayed in the John Hancock building and I was among app. 3 dozen people on that block trying to hail (sp?) a cab in the dark at 6 am in the freezing cold...the cabs were all full and taxi after taxi just went right on by. Take it from me, you do not want to be stressing about this right before the race and/or debating walking/jogging 3 or 4 miles to the start because you are not sure what else to do. Learn from my blunder (& enjoy the race; I'll be back this year too!!)

I thought the entire event was exceptional! Since it was my first marathon, I didn't know what to expect, but this one got me hooked! The attitude of the runners, volunteers and spectators really made my experience special. The only thing that I didn't like was how the course looped back around (by the stadium) and you could see the people who were 3-4 miles ahead of you, which made me think about how much further I really had to go! Overall it was great though!

The Chicago Marathon was my first. It is a great race for first timers. The course is flat and the crowd is fabulous. The people on the streets cheering me on helped me through those 26.2 miles!! Chicago hooked me!!

This was my first marathon and there are not enough fantastic things to say about it- The organization was amazing! The expo was easy to navigate and well staffed, the actual race race was a blast! I ran with the pacers and finished well above my predicted time and feeling great! Hint: train at high altitudes!:) Cresting the final 'hill' and seeing the finish gives you a rush like no other and running through the grandstands to cross the line is incredible. My family made it around the city easily to cheer me on and were at all the places I needed them! The crowds were enthusiatic and the general attitude of the racers was incredibly encouraging! Crowd control at the end was handled very well- I recommend this marathon to anyone who wants the experience of a lifetime and please PLEASE don't limit the entries! I LOVED having so many people. I'm sure it's a logistical nightmare for your staff, but your team pulls it off seamlessly! You've heard it hundreds of times before, but congratulations on an incredible event!

Without reservation, I recommend this race for a first timer or for someone with several races under his or her belt. This was my first marathon in '97, I've run it in '98, '99 and '00, and I hope to run it again this year. For an event this size, it is exceptionally well organized and well run. I cannot believe the number of friendly volunteers who help make this event operate so smoothly. The course is flat, fast and mostly interesting. The weather has been good the last 4 years (clear, sunny and essentially windless each year; a bit warm in 2000; a bit cool in 1999; just right in 1998 and 1997). The crowd support is great, except at about miles 20-22, where it is a bit thin. Other than that, I can't think of anything that could be improved.

Chicago is a great run. The size of the race makes it even more incredible. What a beautiful place to run. I've done Chicago twice, and I'll be back. Please don't limit the size. Only one person can win the race; if you think you can win, get in front. You can't beat Khalid so just relax, enjoy the trip. If it gets too big -- run it in waves. I hope I'm not the one that hears 'sorry the race is closed.'

This is a great marathon with fantastic crowd support. It is fairly flat and makes for a good marathon overall.

Just about perfect. Honest -- they do everything right, the crowds are great (with the exception of about 3 miles between miles 19 - 22), the course is flat and interesting, the city is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend. We have run it twice now, and are booked again for 2001. Only big hint -- book your hotel early!

This was my first marathon, and it got me hooked! Everything about it was amazing. The organization was phenomenal and the crowds invigorating. I want to do the 50 states and DC, but I will go out of my way to run this one every year, too. Congratulations to everyone involved...you make marathon running in Chicago an experience of a lifetime! BRAVO!!!

This race keeps me coming back again and again. With 30,000 runners, the organizing committee stages a race better that any other a tenth of its size. The expo is second to none, as is the pasta dinner. The start and finish area are well-organized, and the genuinely friendly volounteers greet you with that midwestern warmth that you always hear about. The crowds motivate and push you effortlessly, as does the beauty of the fall foilage.
The host hotel does a great job, too. This is the race for first-timers. The pace groups are also well-organized and do their jobs well considering the masses of runners (the first few miles are hairy as you jostle for position and set your pacing). There's tons of water and aid on the course, too. You also get to see up-close the diversity of one of America's great cities; the place is clean, litter and graffitti free; a pleasant surprise! The entire city seems to embrace the event; the local merchants, airport workers, just about eveyone knows that the marathon is in town for the weekend. All they need to do is bring back those crazy cows! Don't let the size of this race deter you; it is a very well-oiled machine that treats its participants like you're in a small hometown event. I can hardly wait to be back in the fall. The post-race party is also a kick and the book and certificate sent to you in the winter is the final act of kindness you receive which just reminds you of how much fun you had in Chicago.