Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 11, 2024

Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.5

Number of comments: 90 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

R. P. from Chicago, IL. (4/20/2021) "An amazing race!" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running the BQ.2 and I was blown away in the level of organization and the thought that was put into our safety. From all the communication that consistently was being shared with us prior to race day to packet pick up the the race. I was in the first wave on Saturday so we were the first group they had to try it on. Everything went incredibly easy and it made me so comfortable and helped me prepare to start! The overall course was perfect and the weather was incredible. I'd recommend this race to everyone!
W. S. from Waukesha, WI (4/20/2021) "Great marathon for a BQ attempt!!" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love the BQ races. I'be ran the Chicago one twice and Grand Rapids once. I qualified in Grand Rapids but missed the cut. I qualified in Chicago both times. Each a PR, one by over 8 minutes, and the other by over 6 minutes. The course is great and I was fortunate to have ideal conditions each time. The race staff is fantastic!! Very well organized and great runner support. No big post race festivities or super great swag but I don't care about that. Nice shirts and medals. The real reward is Boston if you qualify.
G. P. from Indiana (4/19/2021) "Great BQ race." (about: 2021) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Elite bottle and laps are solid advantages. I cut corners hard and still 26.35. So cut corners as aggressively as you can. There is 486' of elevation gain and net elevation gain of -20'. So using the 2 second per 10' gain rule the elevation is going to cost 1:36 secs. Others will be on the course who aren't racing. Wasn't a problem but be aware. The crowd support was the best. The lap set up makes it a great race to bring your crew too. No crew? no problem. Make sure you have your name on you and you'll get fans. Great BQ and being your family race. But it's a straight up time trial type of race. If you look at results it's a clinic on pace management. Most have flat to neg splits. Weather was really good. Slight southbound wind. Path pretty protected from sun and wind.
M. G. from NYC (1/15/2021) "Poorly Run Race - Be Careful If It Is Cancelled" (about: 2020) First Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I signed up for the April 18, 2020, BQ2 Marathon. The race was cancelled. Apparently a mass email was sent to participants that they needed to make an election by August 1 to roll their entry to next year or the Fox Valley Marathon. The email by the race director must have got stuck in my spam filter because I never received it. I contacted the race director after August 1st and was told they would not accommodate me in any way because I did not respond by August 1. I would recommend people avoid this race company. Poor business practices and not runner friendly.
Naomi McRae from Auckland, New Zealand (4/20/2019) "Cannot say enough great things about this race." (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Excellent course for PR/BQ. Fast, flat, 8 loops & scenic. No vehicle traffic as on park pathway, the odd cyclist and some geese! Superb organisation in every aspect. Easy parking a very short walk to start. Not thousands of spectators but those there sure made up for it with terrific support & they got to recognise the runners due to it being a lap course. Excellent for family to spectate at.
R. D. from Joliet, Illinois (4/19/2019) "Most fun I ever had running a marathon!" (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Most fun I ever had running a marathon! This race was recommended to me by someone in our running club and I will be forever grateful! This was my 6th marathon in as many years. Great conditions weather-wise, dry and cool, but the flatness of the course and familiarity of looping was also a big plus, knowing what to expect. This was the first marathon I didn't have to wear a fuel/water belt and that definitely was a big thing for me! Most races have plenty of water, but to have a Cliff Shot available every loop took away the anxiety of running out of fuel! I heard great comments about the music which I could only get momentarily with each loop, but absolutely LOVED the energy and encouragement of the Announcer that I could hear even when on the other side of the river! So well organized,too, for parking and post-race refreshments. I think I could have gone another loop or two...it was that energizing. Now I know why it's the #1 qualifier and can recommend it as it was recommended to me!
M. S. from Texarkana, TX (4/18/2019) "Very well organized and supported" (about: 2019) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was exactly as billed! It gave the runners an exceptional opportunity to achieve a PR and a BQ. Added bonus was the strong support by the volunteers!
T. M. from Chicago, IL (4/18/2019) "Great PR ready race even if you don't BQ!" (about: 2019) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I signed up for general entry after the race was opened to those not meeting BQ requirements. I have to compliment race directors- they have all the important logistical considerations taken care of! Personally I like the multi loop format. This really helped me focus towards the end of the race- it's easier to think "just one more lap" than "three long miles to go". Plus the loop is beautiful, along the Fox river the entire time. Also, I can honestly say this is the first marathon I have run where there were too many water stations. I am always worried about race day nutrition so this helped to have more options for hydration and gel than I needed. Pace groups were similarly solid. Spectators were not as numerous as big city races but enthusiastic and you get to know them with the multiple loops. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a well run small race, but BQ.2 would be especially good for someone looking to try out an aggressive or atypical race strategy. If you go out and die, you are never more than 1.5 miles from the finish line!
K. W. from Central illinois (4/18/2019) "Great race experience!" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized and all the amenities of a large race! Staff and volunteers went out of their way to make this a great race experience! If you are trying to qualify for Boston, this is an excellent race to do so. The loop course helps the runner know what to expect on each loop. Water and supplement stations about every 1.5 miles. Could not ask for any better situation. Qualified with time to spare!
Mike Else from Fort Wayne, IN (4/18/2019) "well organized great amenities" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought the race was well organized and the pacers I saw were right on target for their specific group.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use