Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon Reviews

  Great Place to Get that BQ!

By CAN about 2022

Review

I loved the logistical ease and friendliness of this race. The course and pacers are great, and it's a race where you can show up and run without anything complicated. For a small race, the crowd support is really great and the race volunteers are so enthusiastic and friendly. I smashed my PR and got my BQ (minus almost 5 minutes). I would definitely do this race again!

Race Tips

The race offers a 5k course preview run at 4pm the night before the 6:30am race -- I did not do this because my coach and I decided that I should do my shakeout in the morning rather than the late afternoon. I was not hindered in any way. The course is an 8 mile loop and is fool proof. So, if you don't want to run a 5k the night before your very early morning start, then don't sweat it. You don't need to. Also, you are treated like an elite athlete and allowed to have your own personal drinks table with 7 bottles - take advantage of this! I used this as an opportunity to get more carbs on board and, at the end when the sun was warming up, more sodium/electrolytes. Take advantage of everything that is offered! I arrived at the race at about 6:10am for the 6:30am start and it was perfect timing. Got my personalized bottles situated and headed to the start line to meet my pacer and the rest of the pace group.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I used VRBO to find a wonderful river-front cottage 10 min from the race start and then went to the Heritage Inn and Spa down the street for a massage after the race. Sublime.

  Great race for a BQ, definitely recommend!

By JN about 2017

Race Tips

Take advantage of their "elite" drinking station.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The Fairfield Inn - St. Charles is a 10 min drive from race course, my room did not have a microwave, make sure you pick the right room if you need it.

  

By HP about 2016

  

By LG about 2015

Review

The race organizers do everything they can to help you qualify for Boston. All runners are treated like elite athletes: every time around the course (8 laps), you can pick up your own bottle and/or energy snacks from a series of tables, refuel, and then about 200 yards after throw the bottle at a drop zone target for volunteers to put back onto the table for you the next time you pass by. Your bib number encodes your BQ time, e.g. bib 315xx means 3hr 15min is your goal time, so you instantly have friends to pace with. Weather is the only question mark with this race. Average temperature is in the mid 60s, but in 2015, it was 51F, which was perfect for racing.

Race Tips

The 2015 race was small. The running path is about 4 runners wide for most of the course. The course was not closed off for marathon runners only - there were a few casual joggers and bicycle riders going in the same or opposite direction as the marathon, but they were courteous and moved over for us.

The course has 8 loops. This is a bonus because it ensures no surprises in the course after the first 3.5 miles and that you can maximize utility of your elite table. The course crosses 2 short bridges. The first time across, my legs felt weird and my balance was a little off -- it was a bit like walking on a ship at sea and the impact is completely different than running on asphalt. But, I quickly got used to it. There one oddity was that due to construction, the race course detoured through a McDonald's parking lot!

  

By EBB about 2014

Review

I absolutely loved this race! The course was flat and beautiful! The pacers were excellent! The elite aid station was my favorite. Having my specific nutrition in my spot was perfect. The weather was ideal. This was the inaugural year and everything went seamlessly. I cannot say enough awesome things about this race!

Race Tips

Pacers were steady and great encouragers. Course was 8 3.25 mile loops. Do not be afraid of this. It is long enough that you are not bothered by the loops but instead look forward to the next time you see your friend, windmill(yes, I said windmill), sculpted shrubs, river, etc. extremely organized race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I strongly encourage anyone going to geneva for any reason to stay at the Herrington Inn and Spa. It was truly delightful right down to the homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed!