Latest reviews by Amy Schlotthauer

(2017)
"Great half-marathon course!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I ran this race last year, had a great time, so I signed up again this year. After I signed up, the race changed management and names from the PNC Milwaukee Running Festival to the PNC Milwaukee Marathon.

Parking: A big deal was made about parking on social media before the race. I did not choose any of the pre-pay/reserved options that were available as I assumed that I would be able to find a street spot on a Sunday morning if I left my house early enough. I was not wrong. I easily found a street spot on 2nd Street not far from race start. I had some trouble getting back to my car after the race because of where the course was blocked off but it wasn't terrible.

Expo: I had to take my two young kids to the expo with me and we all had a good time, except it was fairly crowded. The set up was still at the Harley-Davidson museum but in a different building so it seemed better organized than 2016. I still think they could benefit from having more space in the aisles. I thought the variety of vendors was better this year than last.

T-Shirts/SWAG: The finisher shirt is awesome. I typically order a man's small sized shirt because I find that the "women's cut" are always super tiny but not here. I liked the sizing and the design of the shirt. The race also included a Milwaukee Brewing Company beer for all finishers. Last year they had a Coors beer and I was wishing they had included a local brewery so I was super happy to see this change. Great beer vendor!! Finally, the medals for this race were awesome. I really liked the design and that everyone had the same medal with different neck ribbons by color to designate the distance you participated in.

Aid Stations: The aid stations were well placed and well supplied. Volunteers were amazing.

Course: I liked this course a lot. I thought it offered a lot of variation and enough change that you were not bored.

Elevation: There was a bigger hill around mile 5, where Lincoln Memorial Drive turns into Lake Drive. Running west on Wisconsin Avenue is a slight uphill which feels harder because of the placement around mile 10.

Race Management: It seemed to go ok. I would like to see starting corrals by time put into place and I really did not like starting with the finisher chute tables in the way. The starting area was already quite narrow and it didn't help that you had to look out for the tables and that it was still dark at the start. I think the idea of having the start/finish be at the Yards seemed ok except, like last year, if there is any rain in the days leading up to the event (or during the event), the entire post-race party ends up being a giant mud pit. It seemed that the finish line tent areas were sort of half-assed put together; for example, the women's changing tent still had flaps unsecured so during big wind gusts, the flaps would fly open. Gear check was easy to use. The amount of porta potties was adequate. I liked that the food trucks and kids activities were at the finish. Unfortunately, the weather was not conducive to sticking around very long to participate in the post-race party, which is not in the management control. I noticed a lot of photographers along the course and while I haven't seen my photos yet, I know that they are free. I think the free race photos option is always a nice inclusion. One thing I was disappointed in is the time we had to wait for results. At this event last year, there was a results tent where you could get a printout of your results data right after your finished. This was awesome. Official results were not available until early afternoon of race day, by which time I was already home. I would love to seem them bring back the race printout technology that they had in 2016.

Overall, I think this is a great half marathon course!

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(2017)
"A fun race for Big 10 Network Fans!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the BTN Big10K as part of being a BibRave Pro.

My family (husband plus 2 little kids) decided to make a long weekend trip to Chicago culminating in this race on Sunday morning. My husband and I are both graduates of the University of Wisconsin Madison so we all were excited for the Big 10 action.

Parking: We stayed at a hotel on the Magnificent Mile and I ran to the start for a warm up (although with how hot and humid it already was at 5:45 AM this was NOT necessary!). My family took a bus to the Grant Park area so I can't comment on the parking.

Expo: Not applicable. I picked up my race packet at the Fleet Feet Old Town on Friday. It was SMOOTH sailing. I really like how Ram Racing uses the QR code for packet pickups.

T-Shirts/SWAG: When you register for this race, you get to pick one of the Big10 schools so I picked my undergraduate alma mater, Wisconsin. My shirt was then Wisconsin. I think this is a cool idea but the shirts definitely feel warm and thick - so will be a good fall running t-shirt. I like tanks better than T-shirts, but that is my personal preference.

Aid Stations: There were three aid stations on the course, featuring water and Nuun. I loved that Nuun was offered as I use that in my training. Two of the water stations also featured a SLIP AND SLIDE (which I did not use).

Course: The course was well marked but featured a lot of turns. I enjoyed the run along the lake the best and wish it was longer. I did not like running underground in the heat but that was a small part in the beginning. There are a LOT of participants in this race, so a lot of corrals. The corrals are spaced out so the course does not get too crowded, which was nice.

Elevation: Some small inclines, but this is Chicago, so pretty flat!

Race Management: Overall the race was managed well. There were more than enough porta-potties at the start area and it was nice that the start and finish were at the same area. Gear check was very easy and well organized. The post race party is pretty cool. Each Big10 school has their own tent of school-themed swag and we got a beer, and an AmyLu chicken sausage at the finish along with Clif bars, bananas, and water. The medal was also cool - it was a generic Big10 logo and then you went to your school to get a token which made the medal school-specific. The token adhered to the medal via magnet. I thought that was a fun touch! I was very grateful for the ice packs and cold towels at the finish too. Great volunteers!!!

All in all, I think this race is a must-do for Big 10 fans. The only disappointment we had is that we did not get to meet Bucky Badger (but met most of the other mascots).

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(2017)
"Bacon."
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

2017 was my second year in a row doing this race. It has a fun hometown feel and people are obviously passionate about the bacon.

Parking: Parking is very easy. You have to find a street spot along Sheridan Park. Both years that I ran, I came from work (read: early) and had ample opportunities.

Expo: Not applicable. I picked up my race packet at the race. It was very easy and streamlined.

T-Shirts/SWAG: The shirts for this race are classic cotton t-shirts with a new design every year. This year's design was ok. People it seems like collecting them, though! Also included in the packet are a coupon for Patrick Cudahy Bacon and a coupon for Performance Running Outfitters. Every finisher gets a package of bacon as well.

Aid Stations: There is one aid station, at about the 1.5 mile mark which has water and, you guessed it,
bacon. You can actually smell bacon cooking as you approach it, which may be a positive or negative for you.

Course: The course has the same start and finish line in Sheridan Park. Runners run south and then turn and head north on Lake Drive for a while and then turn to run on the Oak Leaf Trail. There is a wide section of street blocked off on Lake Drive. Cones and volunteers were plentiful directing you where to go.

Elevation: Some small inclines, but overall flat.

Race Management: Overall the race was managed well. For a small, hometown race, there are lots of fun perks. The post-race party features a live band, a boxed meal featuring a ham sandwich, two pasta salads, a bag of chips and a cookie AND a beverage from Sprecher Brewery. There are no medals. Top 3 males and top 3 females went home with a cooler full of, you guessed it, bacon and performance running outfitters gift certificates and age group winners get a coupon for a free package of, you guessed it, bacon.

If you love bacon AND running, this is the perfect race for you!

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(2017)
"A great first trail race!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Bigfoot Trail race as part of being a BibRave Pro.

I made the trip to Lake Geneva (an hour from my house) early Saturday morning to run this. The state park was very easy to find!

Parking: Parking was very easy. I got to the park over an hour ahead of the race and did not have to wait at all. I did not pre-pay for parking so had to pay $5 at the park entrance. They had a lot of volunteers out directing people into lawn parking spots right by the start/finish area. This was very convenient as I could just keep all of my gear in my car.

Expo: Not applicable. I picked up my race "packet" (aka bib + water bottle) the morning of the race and it was very smooth using the QR Code they emailed me a few days previous.

T-Shirts/SWAG: The SWAG for this race was a water bottle, no shirt. I would have preferred a shirt. Outside of the water bottle, there was no SWAG.

Aid Stations: There were two aid stations on the loop, featuring water and Nuun. I loved that Nuun was offered as I use that in my training.

Course: The course featured a 5K loop through Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva, WI. Since I did the 10K, I ran 2 of these loops. This was my first experience with a trail race and it was a great first trail race. The terrain featured mowed grass trails as well as dirt trails (the hiking paths through the state park). There was a very small portion of the course that ran on a paved service road but outside of that, it was all trail. There were some muddy spots, which I anticipated given all the rain we had lately, so I was glad that I wore an older pair of shoes. I liked that the course featured shady and sunny spots. There were a lot of twists and turns which made it fun. The course was impeccably marked and very pretty. I liked being able to see Lake Geneva at the start of the loops.

Elevation: Some small inclines and one steeper hill towards the end of the loop which didn't look like much but felt difficult given the placement.

Race Management: Overall the race was managed well. It seemed that they built on the Bigfoot Triathlon which was held the next day. There were more than enough porta-potties at the start area and it was nice that the start and finish were at the same spot, very close to the parking. I was disappointed that there was no food at the finish - just more Nuun and water - especially since Clif bar is listed as a sponsor on the website.

Miscellaneous: No finisher awards.

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(2017)
"A great home state race!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
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Elevation Difficulty
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My family and I traveled to Green Bay, WI for the race weekend. We stayed at the Tundra Lodge hotel and went through the race website to book the hotel which worked out well and was easy.

My kids did the kids run on Saturday which was really fun for them. They loved running into Lambeau Field and having all the fans cheer. Having an activity specific to them is always nice when hauling them to my races!

Parking: We did not have any issues with parking because we stayed at a hotel less than one mile from the start/finish. The race had shuttles from nearby hotels and because it was raining the morning of the marathon, I took the shuttle. I had family travel to spectate and they also had no issues with parking and they commented that the police and residents were very helpful in navigating course to find parking.

Expo: The expo was fine. Nothing exceptional. I did not participate in the yoga for runners, although I thought that was a cool offering. The location of the expo was convenient (in the Lambeau Field atrium) so we were able to pick up my race packet while there for the kids run.

T-Shirts/SWAG: Shirt is a nice, technical fabric short sleeve shirt with thumb holes and gender-specific. The colors this year were in the neon yellow/green family which aren't my favorite but that is personal preference.

Aid Stations: The aid stations were well spaced and organized. I was pleased that there were three gel stations spread out through the course in addition to Gatorade and water. They were very well marked - I could easily spot them in advance of when I arrived to them.

Course: The marathon course snakes through some neighborhoods in the beginning, then you run for 5 miles along the Fox river on a paved trail before you are back running through downtown Green Bay, City Stadium (where the Green Bay Packers first played), more neighborhoods and into Lambeau Field. I really enjoy looped, winding courses (vs. point to point) so this was a great course. The course was very well marked. I ran a lot of this race by myself and had no trouble navigating. My only complaint was that the marathon course merged with the half marathon course near the end (mile 25) to run into Lambeau Field together and after running the whole marathon course by myself, it was annoying to have to dodge in and out of half marathon runners. Running through Lambeau Field was AWESOME. I am not a huge football fan and loved it. I think if you are a Football fan, this course is a must do! The course is easy to spectate - I saw family members at several points along the course which is always a big bonus!!

Elevation: Very flat course. Ideal for a PR! (which I set!)

Race Management: Overall the race was managed well. The finish line chute went well, the food tents were well placed, gear check was a well-oiled machine, there were plenty of porta potties as well as "real" bathrooms in the Lambeau Field atrium which was open to runners. Obviously a NFL football stadium is well-equipped to handle crowds so having this be the start and finish area is ideal. The volunteers were AMAZING! Police officers were FANTASTIC in controlling the course.

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