Sunday October 29, 2006 was truly a fantastic day. The marathon was everything the website and previous reviews said it would be. Fun and fast. From the fun spirit of the website to the smooth packet pick-up, then onto the course and to the finish line with my personal best - AWESOME! Thanks for a great time.

I love the fact that GR is finally host to a great 1/2 marathon/marathon event. My only issue (which I must take partial responsibility for) is that there was not anyone at the fork for the 1/2 marathon when I reached it. I took off with the early runners and was never waved to keep straight. There were no postings that separated the two courses. I was at mile 10 of the marathon before anyone could answer the fact that I needed to head back 1 1/2 miles to the bridge to get back on the 1/2 marathon course. I had asked two aid stations prior and no one seemed to know where the fork was. Had I read the map I would have known... but of couse this time I didn't. The extra three miles were a real drag!

This was my first time running the Grand Rapids Marathon and I am very impressed with this first-class event. You can tell that this is a race put on by runners for runners; from the technical long-sleeve race shirts, to the great medals, Mylar "space" blankets at the finish, lots of port-o-johns at the start and at each aid station, well stocked aid stations and overall organization, Marathon Don and company put on one heck of a marathon. Do yourself a favor and try out Grand Rapids for your next fall marathon. It may lack the crowds of Detroit (which is a good thing) but it does not lack quality. A wonderful, scenic course with some city running and paved trails along the Grand River - it never gets boring. The packet pick-up is great too; being able to get your number on race morning is always a plus for those who need it and the host hotel (Amway Grand) is great and not far from the start.

The only negaitives of the race (believe me - this is kind of a stretch to find anything negative about the race) is that there are not very many spectators to cheer you on and there are a couple of sections of the course that are through an industrial park and could be improved a bit. The course offers a few out-and-back sections, which is good to cheer on your fellow racers and get cheered on by them as well. The course is relatively flat and fast (I was able to PR by over 7 minutes) but offers some terrain change and twists and turns to break things up.

Overall, a great race put on by great people. I am planning on coming back next year and shooting for another PR.

I volunteered for and also watched the 2006 GR Marathon. Everyone seemed to really like the course this year. Most people seem to agree that the race has improved in each its three years. One suggestion I would make is to close the GVSU parking lot that empties out onto the last quarter mile. Many runners had to tolerate cars that left the lot and crept directly on the runners' heels. Many of these drivers were finishers of the race.

This race is dedicated to and honors the true marathon runner. It is put on by runners, for runners. If you are a first-time marathon runner and want lots of fluff, run Chicago. If you want to have fun, run a well organized race, PR, get all the amenities a runner needs, have LOTS of great, well-stocked aid stations, run a flat course, get a hot shower at the end, meet great people and have a beer at the finish, then run Grand Rapids. This is the best orgainized and managed marathon I have ever run and I will be back again and again. Thanks Don and crew!

I have run over 20 marathons and several ultras. And Grand Rapids now ranks among my favorites.

This is a hometown race but it still has the organization and perks of a big race.

The size of it makes it very manageable. Easy to park, easy gear check. Start and finish in the same spot. But you avoid the inconveniences some of the larger marathons require you deal with.

The course is lovely. A few too many out-and-backs but it is still fun. The volunteers were top-notch. Absolutely perfect handoffs at the water stops every time. This is the kind of small thing that makes a race great. Because the folks in charge clearly care and want to make the experience the best possible.

Very nice awards. Decent food after. Performance fabric race shirt that is actually a very nice design as well.

This is a new race and this race director should be proud of the overall excellence of this race experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

This is a well-organized fall marathon that showcases the beautiful fall colors of Michigan. The organizers of the race were friendly and helpful and the volunteers were great. The course was flat, although the number of out-and-backs was a mental killer toward the end. Also, it did not showcase the best parts of Grand Rapids.... Why not take the runners through the downtown area at the beginning and/or end of the race? This would generate a lot more crowd support, I would think. Also - a minor annoyance - some of the water stations were on a turn, which created a bottleneck at some of the narrower parts of the course. Otherwise, a nice and well-done race - and GREAT shirts.

This was my 7th marathon and by far the most scenic. A large majority meanders through a park along the Grand River. It has a few small hills and you pass by fellow runners coming and going in a couple of spots, which is tricky, but very manageable. If you draw your energy from the surroundings and not a huge bunch of spectators, then this race is for you. I PR'ed by 13 minutes despite 25 mph winds the majority of the race.

Other positives are a great long-sleeved, technical-fabric shirt, an entertaining race director, and lots of hotels close to the start.

I thought that for a small-market marathon, Grand Rapids was very well managed. The water and aid stops were great. Though the fans may have been few and far between, the fans that were around were awesome. My biggest complaints are that the course route is canted (road beveled/tilted) the same way the entire time - killing my right knee/hip - and there are too many out-and-backs including one in the parking lot of a "waste water" treatment plant. Other than those two things, it's a great marathon and the people involved more than make up for my petty comments.

Beautiful fall marathon. Paved trail and road. Pace groups are great. I had Navy Seals pacing me!!! I also PR'd after running 5 marathons and came off and injury! Got a free DVD of the marathon and the award was unique, big and awesome. When done, there was lots of food, water, chili and BEER! THE RACE DIRECTOR LIKES BEER. MAKE SURE YOU RUN THIS RACE AND BRING HIM YOUR FAVORITE BEER!