May 11, 2024
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☰
Illinois Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Illinois Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.5
Number of comments: 168 [displaying comments 161 to 166]
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D. P. from Milwaukee, WI
(4/11/2009)
 "Represents the state well!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran it today - nice weather for an inaugural marathon (cool, clear skies, and the wind wasn't too strong). The course is flat, with the steepest long hill section just west of the country club, where a lot of neat homes draw your attention. Mile markers were easy to spot big blue signs, often with porta-potties by them and/or liquid refreshments. Finishing on the 50 yard-line of any stadium is always sweet! Spectators were everywhere, lining downtown streets or sitting or standing outside their homes. There was no lack for friendly encouragement. The pasta dinner the night before the race was good. I heard Beardsley speak (for the second time, though he didn't play his "Lucky" song) and I heard the other speakers were good also. The expo was fine, and I was surprised to find that we could keep the timing chip (nice souvenir to keep on my shoe). The finisher's medal is probably the best in my collection, and I've never seen one with a moving piece before - pretty cool. Excellent post-race massages, and plenty of food, even for late finishers. Two suggestions for improvements: 1) Several stops had bottled water for runners - these were full-sized bottles, which is way too much for any runner to consume, and thus produces lots of waste. I would suggest mini-bottles, which would work fine. 2) Let the field stretch out more before heading into the park with the statues and the narrow trail (mile 5) - it bottle-necked things a bit, though not too bad. | |
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K. B. from Southern IL
(4/11/2009)
 "Wow! IL needed this marathon!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved it! really enjoyed the campus atmosphere for the start and finish. Great organization and the best fans and water stations I could ask for - plus parking, plenty of toilets, water, and a great post-race atmosphere. But, some of the residential roads were a little rough i.e. cracks/holes, and the starting area was really crowded (and just think of next year, with more runners.) I waited behind the porta-potties to try to squeeze in! Overall, it was definitely worth my weekend in C-U! Thanks for a fantastic event, and I can't wait to see you next year. | |
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m. g. from Shorewood, IL
(4/11/2009)
"A well run, mid-sized, Midwest marathon" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race organizers and Champaign-Urbana can be proud of the job they did today. Packet pick-up was easy as there was plenty of parking spaces close to the expo. Volunteers were helpful and friendly at the expo and on the course. As for the course itself, the roads were flat, relatively pothole-free, and had very little camber. Aid stations were well stocked, predictably spaced, and had many friendly volunteers to help out. My only suggestions to race organizers are to have the porta-potties that were located at the start line aimed so the doors open away from the road. As it was (doors opening to the road), the lines for runners needing to use the bathroom extended into the location where runners were lining up to start. Also, along the course, porta-potties need to be positioned differently. I almost got clipped by a door that was opened just as I was running by. Overall, this was a great race. I would recommend it if you're looking for a well run, mid-sized, springtime marathon in the Midwest. | |
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C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA
(4/11/2009)
"The organizers hit a home run on this race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a first-year race. It was first-class, with no deficiencies. If someone has a problem with this race, from the expo, to the race, to the after-race food, they need to find some other hobby. Results were on the internet by 3:30 p.m. The RD has figured out how to master directing a race. His biggest problem will be doing as well next year. | |
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J. E. from Illinois
(4/11/2009)
"A great inaugural marathon." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A very impressive first-time marathon, for the most part. The expo was the perfect size and well organized. More information at the finish about where the post-race food was located would have been helpful, but the Biaggi's pasta was excellent! The course was flat and scenic - a little tight through Meadowbrook Park, however - with well stocked aid stations and enthusiastic spectators. The finish in Memorial Stadium was fun. Overall, a great inaugural marathon that could become a must-run spring marathon. | |
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P. N. from Batavia, IL
(4/11/2009)
 "Fantastic Inaugural Race" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Illinois Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course was flat and fast. It wound through nice neighborhoods and downtown areas in Urbana and Champaign, including U of I's campus town. It finished on the 50-yard-line in Memorial Stadium - it was a great feeling running through the tunnel and onto the field. Great support by the volunteers and organizers. |
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