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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 41 to 51]
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B. O. from Grand Rapids, MI
(10/21/2014)
 "Great race and beer at the finish!" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran my first marathon on this course, so I'm a bit partial, but I love this race. The race director has a passion for the running community and it shows. As he shakes hands and hugs as many finishers as he can, the whole event is special. For 2014, a local brewery and sponsor brewed the 'Mile 27', a special treat at the end. I should just spring for the 'lifetime entry' right now, because I know I'll be back over and over. | |
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Thomas Allred from Michigan
(10/21/2014)
 "PR course and a Great event." (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time pacing, and it was a great feeling to see some folks go after and get their Pr's and BQ's. I did not hear any complaints on the course, and you know with runners that is pretty rare. The meet director is accessible and genuinely cares about the runner and race. This is not a cash cow marathon, this is a well done marathon in a perfect fall setting with a flat course. Choose this race if you want to get the most bang for your buck, and get treated like an elite no matter what time you finish. First class. | |
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B. E. from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(10/21/2014)
"Best race yet!" (about: 2014)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've ran several races, this being my first half marathon so I had no idea what to expect. Very motivating and well organized. Beautiful scenery, I made sure to take it all in. I enjoyed every minute of the race and even finished 4 minutes earlier than my goal :) | |
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Dawn Milmine from Michigan, USA
(10/21/2014)
"Must-Do Fall Marathon" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was beautiful, awesome crowd support throughout, plenty of water stops (much appreciated!), the volunteers, easy & ample parking, the free kids marathon (which my daughter loved!), running my marathon PR, a free 26.2 sticker, a warm place to hang out before, and most of all, getting a hand shake and huge hug from Don when I crossed the finish line! I would recommend this race to anyone! | |
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M. P. from Indiana
(10/21/2014)
"Well Organized race, Great for BQ!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My second time running GRM, easy free parking, showers at the Y, free Beer, great pacers. For a small race the crowd support was great and the volunteers did an excellent job.You can tell this race was put together by a runner and race director that cares. Three gu stations, pickle juice, and plenty of fluids at the aid stations. Only item I would like to see would be Chicken broth, they provide it during Ironman races and its awesome. Especially luke warm on a cold fall day. Excellent course with some very minor rollers. Great place to run for a BQ, my second at GRM in two races. Great to see Don Kern greeting all runners at the finish. | |
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P. H. from IL
(10/20/2014)
"Even Better the 2nd time around" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Once again Grand Rapids had near ideal weather. We arrived in town the night before the race, went to the expo, had a quick packet pickup and found some deals on items for sale. Race morning was quite cold, thank goodness the YMCA lets the runners wait inside until race time, because standing outside would have been freezing! I had several more friends with me this year over last and we huddled close to the start at 7:45 and heard a great rendition of 'Oh Canada' and the 'Star Spangled Banner'. The pace group we we going to hang with was called the Sub Lancers - to represent Lance Armstrong's 2:59 marathon head up by Chris, Matt and Ken. These guys are the real deal, incredible pacers. We were off at 8:00 sharp and moved smoothly through downtown Grand Rapids to the trails. There were even more spectators there this year than last, and many more faster runners which really helps me. The route is beautiful and on some very wooded trails, but at no time was I ever alone, the number of runners for this race is close to ideal. the pickle juice was just what I needed at mile 21 as I was starting to cramp. Upon leaving the woods and heading back to the finish line was a relief knowing there a just a few miles left, and those miles went fast. I crossed the finish line seconds slower than last year. A volunteer must have thought I looked terrible because she escorted me for 5 minutes before letting me go. Speaking of volunteers - TOP NOTCH. From the aid stations, to the start and finish line. I finished with a hot shower to warm up. | |
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J. M. from Suburban Chicago
(10/20/2014)
"Nicely Organized, Perfect Weather" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 50th marathon and second time at Grand Rapids. A very nicely organized, well-run race, and both times the weather was just right for a marathon. It is a fast course, my second and third best times (out of 50) have been at Grand Rapids. It is obvious that it is run by runners, and not some corporate model. Lots of good local support, as evidenced by all the good food at the finish. Course does not cross too many roads, so the spectators are concentrated in a handful of areas. The pacer in my group, Rick Ganzi, was spot-on. Highly recommended. | |
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S. C. from Chicago, IL
(10/20/2014)
"Fast, flat, scenic, boston qualifier" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run 9 marathons (including big city runs - Chicago, Boston, NYC) and this marathon was top notch. Super organized. Easy to park/get to the expo (and nice expo for such a small race). LOVED that I could park 5 minutes from the Start (getting there only 1 1/2 hours before it began), sit in the YMCA until 7:40 and walk out and then be at the front of the starting line. The first few miles are nothing to write home about - through some city streets of GR. But, most of the course is beautiful, scenic and a fall foliage tour of SW Michigan. It's fast, mostly flat (maybe like 2 very very small hills) and an easy PR/BQ if thats what you are looking for. There are not a ton of spectators, but I thought quite a few considering the course went through a lot of beautiful forests. Totally paved, not a trail run. Lots of water stops with H20/Gatorade, Pickle Juice, Gummy Bears, I was impressed w/ the enthusiasm of the volunteers at the water stops. Easy to spectate (my husband drove around and saw me 5 times). If you like big city runs with wall to wall spectators and running through cities, this isn't for you. But, if you love a small town race that's pretty, and you can just zone out and run, I highly recommend. I drove up from Chicago and would do this race again! | |
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Z. Z. from Evanston, IL
(10/20/2014)
"Fantastic small-city marathon experience" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers clearly care deeply about the experience of the runners. Volunteers are plentiful and well-trained and provide all the GU, pickle juice and fruit along the course you could hope for. The route spends very little time on streets and focuses on the relative seclusion of well-paved park paths - for most of the route you can't even hear cars let along see them. The start and finish are at the most amazing YMCA ever created, which allowed runners to stay warm right until the gun went off and then, after it was over, there were warm showers and (I couldn't even believe this was happening) a hot tub in which I felt completely pampered before heading out for all-I-could-eat-and-drink chili and beer. Fantastic. | |
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C. V. from Usa
(10/20/2014)
"Amazing" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 All I have to say is amazing! What a great well organized race. This was my first marathon and I loved that it was close to home for me but gave a a beautiful color tour around the city with an amazing crowd that cheered at several areas of the course. My family was able to get around and watch at different spots and they found it easy to get around. Thank you!!! I'll be back! |
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