Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon Chicagoland
Geneva, IL
- Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
BQ.2 Marathon Races are specifically scheduled and designed to be your best chance to qualify for Boston at 1 minutes under your standard to get you to the starting line in Hopkinton. The field will be capped at 300 runners per race to insure a quality experience. Last Chance BQ.2 … MORE
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Great Course, 8 Loops
It was a great course, but also a little confusing of the logistics. I also would have preferred with Boston time that we would have had pacers for at least … MORE
It was a great course, but also a little confusing of the logistics. I also would have preferred with Boston time that we would have had pacers for at least five minutes better than qualifying times than three. Also, it was not necessary to purchase the seven bottles. I actually ended up leaving all seven bottles on there because they had gatorade, water and gels on the course.
Course could have been better
The pros of this race: -Easy logistically. Easy parking, easy gear check, easy check-in, etc. -The water bottle stations during the race are genius and so helpful! -The race volunteers … MORE
The pros of this race:
-Easy logistically. Easy parking, easy gear check, easy check-in, etc.
-The water bottle stations during the race are genius and so helpful!
-The race volunteers are awesome and the running of the entire race is efficient and smooth.
-The course is pretty running along the river.
The cons of this race:
-There are not enough porta potties at start of race. There were only 6. There should have been at least 10. Very long line and I almost missed the start of the race.
-The continuous loop caused me left calf pain starting at mile 12, which has continued during recovery. It is from running a continuous loop where your right leg is on a slightly lower grade than your left.
-This course is not pancake flat. There is a long section that is uphill. By loop 6 through 8, this slight hill feels like a punishing mountain. My watch said I had an elevation gain of 281 feet overall for the race, even though the website says it’s a net downhill. I would have preferred a more flat course considering the high stakes involved.
-On the back-end of this course, it is flat with a lot of tree cover. It’s perfect, but the other half, there is little relief from the sun.
-The path is not closed to recreational cyclists, walkers, and runners. WHY?? As I crossed the finish line, an annoying guy on his bike was crossing next to me ringing his bell for me to get out of the way. At a minimum out of safety concerns, the path should be closed to cyclists.
-Sadly I did not make my goal time and actually had my slowest race to date.
Your last chance/best chance for a BQ
This race is designed strictly for people who want one last attempt to qualify or to improve their qualifying time for the follow year's Boston Marathon. The race is well-run, … MORE
This race is designed strictly for people who want one last attempt to qualify or to improve their qualifying time for the follow year’s Boston Marathon. The race is well-run, stocked with volunteers, and true to its word that this is your “last chance/best chance.” I PRed on this course, which is eight 3.2 mile laps plus a little mileage in the beginning to get to the 26.2. The support is unlike any other since everyone has the same goal and the crowd is cheering for everyone to achieve that goal. The race directors are so energetic and supportive. I really loved this race. Of course, loops can get boring, but with pacer groups for your BQ time and people all over the course, it never gets lonely!