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Latest reviews by Stacy
Stacy recommends this race
(2014)
"Cheese Race in a Cheese State!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Friday afternoon was packet pickup, which was so quick and easy that we could have been out in under 5 minutes. There were only a couple booths at the expo, which was fine with me.... I enjoy the shopping, but didn't need to spend all that money. There was also a fun cheese photo area!
On race day we found parking pretty quick. There was free parking on the streets and in a parking lot, and it was a short walk to the start. I didn't use the gear check, but it appeared to move smoothly.
The course is absolutely gorgeous. So much of it is by Lake Michigan, and even the parts of the full marathon that aren't by the lake are nature-y and pleasant. The crowd support is also good, but is mostly on the half marathon portion (near downtown Kenosha).
The aid stations were smooth and I have no complaints. I think offering gels at an earlier station as well as at mile 18 would have been a good idea though.
The course is very flat, with only a few small, not- intimidating hills. This could definitely be used as s Boston qualifier.
The cheese medals at the finish were very cool and unique! Medals are a big pull for me... Who wants to fight through a marathon and have a lame medal given in reward?? I love my huge medal with a running chunk of cheese on it! The t-shirts were pretty nice too, they had a women's cut option that came in purple.
My only complaint about this race was the finish line food. I love races that go overboard, because most people feel ravenous after finishing a marathon. All this race had was bagels, bananas, cups of cheese chunks, and each runner got one brat and one beer. Being s vegetarian, I checked online and saw that no veggie brat would be offered. I found out 2 days later there was a veggie brat, unadvertised :-( you were only allowed ONE beer, or ONE bottle of water or ONE can of pop. I thought that was super stingy. We paid out entry and finished the race, they could at least provide bottomless pop.
Aside from the lack of finish line food, I really enjoyed this race and would definitely do it again and recommend it!
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Stacy recommends this race
(2014)
"March Madness 2014"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The whole experience starts when you register December 31st at 6 AM. March Madness fills up in less than 20 minutes, so anyone planning on registering needs to do what I do.... Set up your computer, credit card, wake up at 5:45 to get yourself positioned and ready, and type like the wind as soon as the clock strikes 6. Then go back to bed.
I did not pick up my packet the day before the race, my parents got it for me at the Running Depot with no problem.
Parking was no issue, there is plenty of free parking in the Cary Grove High School parking lot. If you arrive a little late and the lot is filled, you will be directed down the street for more free parking, but it is about a half mile walk to the school and the start. So I guess it can be seen as a warm up, right?
March Madness is considered the most difficult half marathon in Northern Illinois, and I would very much agree! The course is extremely challenging. Lots of hills. They even name the hills. What makes this race even more difficult is the unpredictability. There have been years of warm sunny weather, and there are years with snow or rain, or like this one.....WIND. It was 14 degrees at the start, and a wind chill that gave it a real feel below zero. It was a cold, uncomfortable race! Be prepared for ANYTHING as far as weather is concerned!
Aid stations are packed with people handing out water, and there were some very spirited people cheering on the course despite the terrible weather....props to them! The Powergel station was great because the gels were handed out well in advance to the water, giving you plenty of time to squeeze down the gel without slowing up to wash it down (I hate it when gel is handed out too close to the water).
The mile markers were tall and yellow, easy to see! There was no missing a turn on this course, it was well marked and kept under control via volunteers and local police. I don't believe very many roads were completely closed, but cars never became a problem for runners.
After finishing, there is the usual spread of post-race snacks, plus the addition of soft pretzels (yuuuum!). The only part that I didn't like after the race was going back outside into the cold to pick up my results card. This is one of the few races these days that isn't chip timed, and I know that this is a point of confusion and inconvenience for many people. I have no problem with non-chip racing, but I'm pretty such this race will be switching over in the future anyways.
For anybody in the Northern Illinois area, this is a great race. It is a challenging half marathon, so you will need to train hard. You might have a miserable time while running if you don't like hills or bad weather, but it is one of the best-run local races and would also make a fantastic training race for a spring marathon.
Stacy recommends this race
(2014)
"awesome January marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
My boyfriend and I did this race to escape the below zero temps in northern Illinois, he ran the half and I ran the full. VERY well organized race, gel stations were well done, and the was great crowd support from the locals. The weather was perfect for running. Best finishers medals ever. The last 10k though is filled with hills... The rest of the course was completely manageable and not too bad, but those last 6 miles killed!
See my full review and some pictures on my blog....
stacyjantz.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/mississippi-blues-marathon-2014/#wpl-likebox