Wausau Marathon - Race Reviews

I was the last to cross the finish line and had outstanding support the whole way. Special Thanks to Sue from the pacer team. You were an incredible coach and motivator. Thanks Wausau Marathon Team for a very well managed race!

Race director and his staff put the runners first all day. Had a great time and will be back.

This is a well run small marathon with a beautiful course. The aid stations were well-stocked and friendly. The frozen pickle juice was delicious. Be aware this Saturday marathon is an open road marathon for parts of the race, but that was not a problem in the least. I highly recomend this race.

A small (less 200 runners in the full marathon) well organized run. Packet pickup very easy. Getting to the start/finish line also very easy. Sections of the course on beautiful running trails. Pacers were top notch. Great medal. Would highly recommend staying at the Stewart Inn B and B located a very easy 1 mile from the start/finish line. Marvelous experience at this B and B. The host is awesome, has a great knowledge to the area with many recommendations of activities to do. Put together a nice pre-run breakfast for another runner and me early the morning of the race.

A friend and I were late entrants to this race after business travel requirements changed our plans for a September race. It was her first marathon. The race was very well organized and the course was well marked. The scenery was lovely and the people (volunteers, fans, townspeople) could not have been more friendly!

This race had everything you could need- excellent organization, well-marked course with varying scenery, and easy packet pick-up and logistics. Mile markers were easy to see and aid stations were ample (and full of enthusiastic volunteers). Race management was attuned to details that matter for runners. There were no hotels right by the start/finish but they were not far away- you could almost run there for some extra miles. This is a nice, friendly race where you can tell the race management cares about the runners. If you're flying in as I did, the drive to/from Minneapolis is pretty...but a lot of sitting before/ after a marathon. Oh- and this marathon is in a perfect location: Marathon County!

This marathon was held at a Wausau park. Check-in was held there and the start and finish lines were all co-located there. The marathon staff did a great job. The marathon group started first  at 7:00 am, and then the half folks started a short time later, so it was not too crowded at the start line. There was a campground in the park too, but it was sold out and full. The runners emerged from the Park on to Stewart Ave (under construction and closed) then transitioned to county and/or state roads. The course was a big closed loop that went to the south of town, looped around, and then headed back to town. We were basically on roads or sidewalks until mile post 16. Then on bike/foot paths until just before mile post 19, through a neighborhood, then back on the path until mile post 20. We transitioned over a couple of covered wood bridges too. At mile post 20 they had an ambulance, and that was the cut-off point. You had to be there before 5 hours and 30 minutes into the race to be able to continue. As far as I know, everyone made it (I was running pretty close to the end). After mile post 20, we were back on roads, and into a couple of different neighborhoods. Just past mile post 24 we exited a neighborhood and were on what was called 17th Street for the return to the park and the finish line. The course was extremely well marked. Early on, on the more major roads, the course was extensively coned to separate the running lane from car traffic. The last two miles on 17th Street was also extensively coned  giving one whole lane to the runners. Additionally, signs were used on the whole course to identify the route. There were a couple of places where there were long stretches with no signs or cones. But when there were turns, and such, there were always volunteers or course marshals to guide the runners. There were plenty of water/hydration stations on the course; Gatorade and water were served. Only two (MP 15 & 22) had gel. They used a product called Huma+. I had one at mile post 15, and it was like raspberry jam. Different, but good, and it seemed to work effectively. No other hydration stations, to my knowledge, had anything else for carbs. The weather was not the best. It rained pretty hard overnight. By daybreak, it was only light rain  if even that. The sky was overcast throughout the race. Of course, it was humid too, and the temperature was probably in the mid 60s. By 10:30 in the morning it was pouring rain (where I was at, anyway). Soon it stopped raining, but continued to threaten more rain. It was not bad weather for running. It never got hot, sunburn was not a factor, and that helped keep the runners from over-heating. I was warned weeks before the race to expect a hot day for running in Wausau (August in the upper Mid-west usually means it will be hot). So the rain helped keep things cool. There were some hills, but none that were too steep or too long. This is a great race to participate in during mid to late August.

This is a wonderful course that has an excellent start/finish line. Plenty of flush toilets, no bathroom lines at the start. I walked from my hotel (Super 8) on Stewart Avenue to the start/finish line. Perfect warm up/cool down. The course has a couple of hills in it early...contrary to previous comments, these small hills were not challenging. Nice course with city, bridges, asphalt bike trails, and country roads in residential areas. One of the best courses I have run a marathon on. Spectators, I rated 5.....I only saw a handful here and there, but I prefer that....Volunteers were great! Note to director, it would be nice to have gatorade cups for gatorade, white colored cups for water....I enjoyed the medal...t shirt and can't say enough positive about the course....Also, great job to have the tents and refreshments afterwards. You have a lot to be proud of!

nice small marathon, nice city, ample parking, nice people, talkative fellow runners

This is one of the best run marathons I have experienced. All of the turns and crossing were well marked and staffed. Much of the race was runs on streets and roads open to traffic but there was at least one lane coned off and no traffic conflicts. There were 16 water stations well staffed. It was a warm day and thanks to the 'iceman' at mile 20. The food and drink at the finish were outstanding. This was a great summer marathon.

I picked this race as it fit well in my running calendar for the fall. The course is rolling, with more hills on the first half than the last. Only 185 finishers in 2015, so spent most of the day running alone. The course was OK but not great. The long portions in industrial areas or along busy roads were disappointing. The finish line was well handled, though, with the tent and chairs a welcome break from the warm sun of the day. The hot burger and chocolate milk on ice was truly restorative.

Summer marathons, like trail marathons and hill-infested courses, are naturally smaller and different in scope than competitive marathons wherein goals include PR and Boston qualification. A 'slow down and enjoy it' attitude can prevail, and such an attitude is strongly supported by the organizers, course, supporters, and spectators. And Wausau itself: lovely Wisconsin city!

The Wausau Marathon is currently a small event that is a great excuse to travel to Wausau. The start/finish lines are just a couple hundred yards apart in a large city park. Very helpful volunteers throughout the course and at the finish. A couple sections of the course are long, straight sections along country road, but the last 10 miles make up for it on paved trail and then winding through some residential areas. Few fans along the course, but great support from water stations and medical bikers on route, as well as several homeowners. A nice choice of food at the finish, plus beer and brats for those true Wisconsinites. I plan to be back next year.

My 34th marathon and enjoyed it. Course was good mixture of in city and out of city running. Especially enjoyed the wooded trail section to get out of the sun. Water stations were good but at beginning could have been more. SHOUT out to the 'ice man'! THANKS!!

Last minute decision to do this. I knew it was going to be a small # of marathoners, but needed to get out of the crazy heat index where I live. Had no real expectations but was very impressed with the organization and support. I'm at the back of the pack, so used to confusion in directions, less fluid support etc towards the end....not this one....either people (volunteers) at each turn or very clear signage. Great course markers (mile markers, directions, humour etc). And , great set up at the end....tent cover, food etc and most of all, just incrediably friendy and helpful people.

Challenging hills but worthy of any serious marathon runner. Lots of turns but plenty of signs and volunteers to guide you. Conditions were not ideal. Warm and humid but coming from Florida I had some advantage. This was my 31st marathon and BQ for 2015. Finished with 30 minutes to spare.

Awesome marathon, well organized for being so small. Flat course for the most part, a few rolling hills. The volunteers were awesome and you always knew where you were going, but not a lot of runners or spectators on the course. It was a hot day but they either had sports drink or water at well positioned places as well as Gu, thanks to the spectators who turned on their hoses and passed out bags of ice. The metal was small but I finished 3rd in my division which I never would have done in a larger race!

Nice scenic shaded run along the Wisconsin River from mile marker 17 then over the river. Never felt that you would get lost or confused. Many volunteers along course to offer assistance if needed. Good safe course.