Jun 11, 2024

Grand Rapids Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Grand Rapids Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 329 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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neutronjer 26th Marathon from Naperville, IL (10/26/2012) "Absolutely Oustanding Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is an excellent race for beginners or veterans. The course is super. Great scenery, shade and good even track to run on. The aid stations were well stocked and the voluteers were fantastic. Organization was excellent. Spectators were ethusiastic. Some may complain about how few there were, but that's not what this course is about. Besides all the medals, bagels and bananas we all have come to expect, you get free beer and chili after the race. Just an oustanding experience.
A. H. from Appleton, Wisconsin (10/25/2012) "Really well-organized, top-notch race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was looking for a fast, well-organized marathon and this didn't disappoint. The course was almost all flat (a few small hills, but nothing that cost more than a few seconds) and very scenic, going by a small lake, the river, and over a few (flat!) bridges. The level of organization was superb and you could tell the race director really loved putting on a good race. Plenty of water stops, enough runners for it not to be lonely out there but no overcrowding, more spectators than I would have expected, and great volunteers.
J. D. from Michigan (10/23/2012) "Superb Race and Organization" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall great course, experience, and organization. Having the YMCA open prior to the race proved a bonus because runners could stay inside for the pre-race rituals without worrying about the cold. Indoor restrooms were great too. Parking was plentiful. I only had to walk across the street to reach my car after running 26.2...enough said. Most importantly the GR marathon is a small race. For those of us who are tired of marathons with 30K or more this is a welcome relief. If you want a small, well organized marathon GR is a good one to run.
C. J. from Cincinnati, OH (10/23/2012) "Great Race" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Race director Marathon Don has done a great job with this race. A great Boston qualifier, this fairly flat course has a large portion of the race through a park. Very scenic with the colorful leaves, this year even featured fog early in the race through the park area which just added to the beauty. The volunteers were great, and you are personally greeted by Marathon Don at the finish. How many marathons can say that. The comments from previous posters are still all true. A great race to add to your calender.
T. E. from SW Mich (10/22/2012) "Great all around!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was one of the best marathons I've ran! There are so many great things about it, but I'll try to hi-light the best: -Race organization SUPERB! Don's e-mails leading up to the race were frequent & perfect. Nothing was left to question. -Course was beautiful! A few small hills, but just enough to break things up. Scenery was terrific, just enough shade, there was always something to look at. -Water stops were perfectly placed & very well stocked! Volunteers were tremendous & supportive. -Spectators - just enough spaced out just right throughout the course. It's not a Chicago or New York crowd, but for a marathon this size, they were enough to give you a boost throughout the course. -Finish - Don was at the finish line & shook the hand of every runner. He made you feel like a very welcomed guest. -Post race food, etc was plentiful & great! The only negative I would report was on the out & back from mile 16-22'ish...the road was fairly slanted & made it a little uncomfortable to run. You couldn't quite find a flat spot. BUT...this is just a slight negative :) I am planning on making this run an annual event - LOVED IT!!
L. F. from Chicago area (10/18/2012) "A beautiful, scenic and well organized marathon" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Grand Rapids Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fast, mostly flat and extremely well organized. How many marathons can you run and get a hug from the race director after you cross the finish line? Don Kern is outstanding.
N. K. from Atlanta, Georgia (11/13/2011) "Beautiful course and well organized event!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought the course was scenic and not too crowded with runners. The section along the river was lovely. The race director is dynamite and made himself totally available during the expo and at the finish line. I got the impression that he truly appreciates every single person running in the race. Grand Rapids is a really cool city and this is a great race! The only downside: by the time the marathoners were finishing, all the half runners had finished off the free beer!
M. G. from Bentonville, Arkansas (11/11/2011) "Great Race!" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We came all the way from Arkansas to to the GRM based on reviews here on MarathonGuide.com and we weren't dissapointed. Great race organization. Plenty of parking near the start/finish. Everyone is super supportive and great supply of food/beer at end. Was my wife's first full and it couldn't have gone better.
E. G. from Crystal Lake, IL (11/4/2011) "Professionally Run Event - Recommended" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: 1) Super flat course. Probably only two 'hills' on the course and to call them hills is an insult to real hills 2) Better than expected crowd support. I had low expectations but was impressed with the number of people that came out and cheered. 3) Awesome finishing medal 4) Pre-race facilities were nice and warm. Shuttles from hotels made it a snap. Start was right off the freeway. 5) Running through the downtown area was very cool as was Millennium Park. 6) Some of the best runner support ever. Many water stops with good volunteers. 6) Loved the food / treats at the end of the race. Cons: 1) The Out and back sections of the course were a bit dull. Would've loved to have run more in the city section. 2) The technical t-shirt is definitely serviceable, but it won't be my favorite. Needs to be jazzed up. 3) Would've been nice to know ahead of time about the pickle juice stops. They always say never try anything new on race day and pickle juice definitely would've been new. Overall, I'd highly recommend this racing for those looking for a PR. This is a professionally run race that is worthy of your attention. My hats off to the fantastic volunteers and the wonderful people of Grand Rapids for pulling off an excellent race.
M. B. from West Michigan (10/24/2011) "Beer and chili at the finish line? Your Kidding..." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Grand Rapids Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a great race, this is the 3rd time running this race.. I would put this race in the top 3 events i have participated in. Pros Course is flat and fast Aid stations are perfectly spaced and well staffed The volunteers are awesome, what would you expect from a staff of marathon runners? Beer and chili at the finish line.. are you kidding me? Lots of other choices to eat like chocolate milk, and ice cream celebrity pace groups Pickle juice on the course Cons Course is a little boring and remote Not a lot of spectators on the course Cheap$$ shirt.. come on Don really why did you change it from the awesome shirt? Price..a little pricey Did i say the shirt was really cheap this year already.. for that price really? Overall i would definitely recommend this race to every one.. having fun with the cheap shirt... But Don if you try to pass that cheap thing next year for a shirt... we will have issues

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