May 16, 2024
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☰
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 301 to 311]
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K. S. from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(10/31/2005)
 "nice for a small race" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Fairly good route, great weather, fairly good aid stations, well organized, and good post-race food/support, but they need to include the chip in the packet. | |
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P. W. from St Joseph, MI
(10/31/2005)
 "Nice course, well-organized" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We had the good fortune of wonderful weather to complement the beautiful fall day, with golden leaves falling on this nice course winding along the river. Great starting spot at a really nice YMCA - you can stay warm before the race. This was the opposite of running the Chicago Marathon. Few spectators (but very supportive), most of the run is away from the downtown; you aren't running in the moving human sardine can for this one. This is about running - you and the road. The aid stations were set up very well; in fact I can't really complain about anything. It was just a really nice race, and I personally had more fun in the Grand Rapids Marathon than I did in Chicago a few weeks before. Don't get me wrong - Chicago was good too, this was just a very nice race, and better for running. Excellent chili and other snacks at the end of the race. Kudos to the race organizers and the many very nice volunteers! I'll do this one again. | |
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j. s. from Oak Forest, IL
(10/31/2005)
 "Good event and even better town" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The day was blessed with perfect weather: Cool (40's) at the start and a mild, low-60's high. Although from Chicago, I have never been to Grand Rapids. I was pleasantly surprised it is a very nice city, bigger than expected. The downtown is very clean and has a lot to offer. For being only in the 2nd year, the race was well done. The course is the main downside of this event; there are too many out-and-back segments. If you need spectators, they are sparse. This did not affect me, for I ran with a pace group 3:29, which rocked. The celebrity theme pacers were a nice touch. At the finish there were no massage tables, although medical did do a brief and great job when I asked for a massage. The entry fee was a value - for $55 you received a nice long-sleeve wicking race shirt & a unique medal. One of the best features was an unheard of 4pm check-out from the Days Inn; runners were able to take their time after the event. If your looking for a medium-sized fall marathon in the Midwest, this is a nice event. If I were not pursuing all 50 states, I would run this event again. Overall grade: B. | |
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B. S. from Indiana, USA
(10/31/2005)
"Great small marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great host facility in the local YMCA. Course was nice if you like paved trails along the river. Excellent race shirts and posters given to participants. Very well organized and friendly volunteers. I would highly recommend this marathon. | |
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d. f. from Chicago
(10/31/2005)
"Well organized, great colors" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great weather. Course was pleasant. Most of it on paved trails in woods with great fall colors; miles 16-19ish through really boring industrial area. Paths sometimes narrow, but passing was never a problem. Got to be a tad monotonous at times. Volunteers were great, high energy bunch, having fun. Limited spectators. Good beer from area micro afterward, could have had as much as one desired. Chili afterward was like licking an ashtray (see also comments from last year posts); might be time to switch to chicken soup. Pretty fall colors, well organized; if you don't need the crowds it is one to try. | |
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E. M. from Skokie, Illinois
(10/31/2005)
 "I would run it again" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I liked when the MC said that there were no Kenyans in today's race. Great start. The only thing that I regretted, as I entered Grand Rapids, is that I forgot to buy a tequila bottle (in Chicago) for the race director. However, next year I will bring him a whole litter just for himself (so that he missinterprets the numbers and we all get PRs). The expectators were very well distributed and my question is, do you tell them where to stand or they just come out and cheer us? A lot of them took pictures of us despite the fact that we were not their relatives or celebrities like Khalid Kanouchi. I love the witch that gave me vaseline. The foliage was expectacular. The only problem is that you have cameramen in the final miles asking us to smile when we wanted to cry, to stop, to be carried on an ambulance. Marathons are hard, but we are like Quijotes. As my son and I were returning to Chicago, I was planning my next one. It will be Grand Rapids. Thank you. | |
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K. S. from Edwardsville, IL
(10/31/2005)
 "awesome!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This has got to be one of the best marathons in the country. Pretty much anything you need, this marathon has got. I was extremely impressed! The entire idea of celebrity pace teams is a lot of fun; there were lots of aids stations (which is very much appreciated) with Gu, the volunteers were very energetic and enthusiastic, the specators that were on the course were great, and the course is flat and not a double-loop (they were really creative in not making it a double-loop, which I really appreciated). I also appreciated getting a navy technical shirt rather than a white t-shirt. I really felt they bent over backwards to make it a positive experience. If you want to be treated like a champion and have a wonderful marathon experience, this marathon is it! The only negative about the marathon is that they should do ChampionChips at the expo, rather than on race morning. If the race gets any larger, race-day ChampionChips could get to be a serious problem. I plan to be back next year. Thanks Don! | |
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E. W. from Central Pennsylvania
(10/31/2005)
"Beautiful Race that Needs Some Tweaking" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The course was great - flat as advertised, and makes for fast times. Not a lot of spectators but lots of chances to pass by other runners at the turn-around points. My two major complaints: Gatorade was extremely weak and timing chips weren't available until race-day morning - a little stressful. Otherwise a nicely done race - definitely put on by runners! | |
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Rick Karampatsos from Salisbury,NC
(10/31/2005)
"A Great Fall Treat!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 My hat is off to the marathon team, fans, and the many 'first time marathoners' that I talked to.... It was a pleasure to run this. I even ran a PR (and this was my fourth in five weeks!). The only area that I would have liked to have been done differently was the 'same day chip pickup'.... I am proud to wear your neat shirt! Best to you next year! | |
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R. P. from Naperville, IL
(10/31/2005)
"Beautiful Marathon! " (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I cannot say enough good things about this marathon. It was flat, fast, and beautiful. The day didn't hurt, either, as the weather was absolutely perfect. The race organization was exceptional and we received updates from the race director daily leading up to the race. The YMCA was a great host and the host hotel is literally 4 blocks from the marathon start/finish. Kudos to Don, his staff, and the volunteers. This marathon will grow with this kind of management and locale. Thank you! |
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