calendar icon May 15, 2024

Chicago Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Chicago Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.7 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.3 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 949 [displaying comments 891 to 901]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 88 89 90 91 92 .. 95 > ]

 

A Runner from Cleveland (10/9/2001)
"First Time = Fun Time" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and I really enjoyed the race. The crowd made the it so much better. Bravo to all the organizers and volunteers! I'll be back next year...
 

Mark Mahan from New York, NY (10/9/2001)
"One helluva race" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Chicago put together an amazing marathon! Fast course, eager crowd, well assembled organization, nice scenery for most of the course, and the most incredible weather made for an absolutely fantastic race.

This was my first marathon, so my enthusiasm might be expected. Nonetheless it was truly an exhilarating experience for me. I beat my goal by a long shot; trimming 10 minutes off of what I thought might be my fastest time. (It's wise to train with hills).

The only issue I have with the race was the back half lacked the view and excitement of the first half. Industrial parks are low on my list of inspiring views.

All in all, the city's ebullience turned all of my training into a thrilling victory.
 

A Runner from San Francisco, CA (10/9/2001)
"Great Place for a Breakthrough" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was #4 marathon for me this year (LA, Big Sur, Stockholm), and impressive from the moment I signed up - - I took advantage of the Higdon Virtual Trainer program and started getting daily e-mails on how far and how fast to run each day. So I echo the compliments elsewhere on this site; nearly everything about the Chicago Marathon is 98% great. On the 2% that could be improved: I didn't see Vaseline until around mile 20 around Comiskey Park. Earsplitting rock at mile 25 in the tunnel at McCormick place. Much of the roads are run on lumpy older concrete, so leave the flats at home and be careful not to turn an ankle.
 

A Runner from indiana (10/8/2001)
"the crowds were great and weather was great" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon, trained with the OE marathon team. Had a great time. The crowds were great and the weather was fantastic.
 

A Runner from Des Moines, IA (10/8/2001)
"Thank you" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I'd like to thank the coordinators and volunteers for 2001. As you can see from the other comments there's an overall feeling of appreciation for all the work you do the keep things moving smoothly. I know you're always looking for ways to improve the experience so I offer this suggestion. Limit the areas where spectators can travel. I found it challenging to push my way through a crowd of spectators after running 26.2 miles so I could get my warmer clothes and go stretch. Please, consider roping off post-race areas so runners can get the liquids they need and the opporunity to stretch and have spectators meet their runners by the fountain.
 

A Runner from East Brunswick,NJ (10/8/2001)
"Truly a must-do marathon" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second marathon (the first being Philadelphia 2000) and it was a truly wonderful experience. My fellow marathoners and the crowds helped me run the course continuously resulting in a PR (4:41:03), which compared to my time in Philadelphia (6:01:12) is an awesome improvement! I will come back to run this race again but only after I finish New York, Boston and Marine Corps! But seriously, every marathoner should experience a world-class marathon experience at least once in their running career and the organizers for the event go above and beyond the call of duty to provide it. Go, Chicago!
 

A Runner from Ann Arbor, Michigan (10/8/2001)
"AWSOME!!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon and it was the best experience of my life! The expo was fun, the city is beautiful and the crowd supprt was so energizing that I did not stop once to walk! The course was also very flat and scenic which helped me finish my first race in under 4 hours. Thank you Chicago for getting me hooked on racing!
 

A Runner from Wilmette, Illinois (10/8/2001)
"Ran Chicago 3 times; what more can I say?" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Chicago's is the only marathon I've run, but yesterday was my third time. No endorsement's better than repeat business. Of course, I live in the burbs. Perfect for first timer because course is flat and crowds are fantastic. I've never experienced a city in any better way than this. Last year the chant runners and fans shouted in unison was: 'who let the dogs out, who, who, who who.' This year: 'U - S - A, U - S - A.' Has the country changed since Sept. 11th or what?
 

Desiree from Centreville, VA (10/8/2001)
"Chicago Marathon-- A Must Do Experience" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I just ran my first marathon yesterday, and I can't explain how much it means to have done it in my home town. Living away from Chicago now, I've learned to appreciate the people of this city even more... and the spirit of Chicago too. I knew this coming in to run, but now I know it even better!!! The fans were wonderful and supportive (Chicago has the friendliest and loudest people--they will talk to anyone!). The course was great, taking you through a wonderful tour of this magnificent city... and the organization was terrific~ I'm addicted and I plan to be back next year!! This memory will be with me forever!!
 

A Runner from Philly (10/8/2001)
"A Close Second to New York!" (about: 2001)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is a great race. Perfect organization. It's amazing to me how user friendly all aspects of the race were given that more than 35,000 people run this race. Very easy to get numbers, get a good start position and get up to speed after the start gun. Plus Chicago is a great town with great people and great fans. I really enjoyed myself. New York is still more exciting with more fans(much more actually) and more buzz. It does have some difficulties being a point-to-point race that starts on an island (i.e., the race starts very late (11am), getting to the start is a drag, and bag pick-up can be tough with the crowds) But the NY excitement, even with its problems, edges out Chicago, but just barely.
 

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