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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 61 to 71]
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J. P. from Indiana
(11/3/2013)
 "Great event for a first time marathon!" (about: 2013)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have ran several half marathon races and was looking for a nice midwest marathon in the fall for my first full. I looked at several picked the Grand Rapids race. I was drawn to the scenic, flat course, cooler temps and the size. It was large enough to have a good level of spectators but not too large to overwhelm me as a first time marathoner. The fall colors and great fall weather did not disappoint! Ending at the YMCA was a great bonus as I was able to get a hot shower before heading over to Founders for some great local beer. | |
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H. H. from Chicago
(11/1/2013)
 "Great Marathon for Everyone!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my favorite marathon! I live in Chicago but I run GRM (almost) every year and not Chicago. If you're running a full marathon for fun, go ahead and run in Chicago. If you want to make it to Boston, run GRM. If it's your first time running a full marathon, run GRM. If you have little kids, run GRM (because your kids will love it). My husband drives all over and cheers me on with our 3 kids at 3 different places during the race in addition to seeing me at the start line and then at the finish line, so I got to see them 5 times during the race (you'd be lucky if your family sees you running once during the race in Chicago!) The organization is superb as everyone agrees - Don and his team is the best. The course is flat and beautiful. My husband drops me off at the parking lot of the Y about 25 minutes before the race starts, then I check in my bag and then go to the bathroom INSIDE the building, hop into the moving crowd as the race starts. No waiting in the cold. No smelly port-a-potty! After the race I love taking a hot shower at the Y, then soak my cold and tired body in the hot tub for 10 minutes (I take my bathing suit too!). The post race food is superb - no leftover pasta from the night before! | |
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J. L. from Mitten State, USA
(10/31/2013)
"LOVE THIS COURSE!" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, but I've finished the half here three times. The Race Director is amazing! The course is flat and gorgeous. West Michigan in October is amazing. The aid stations are well-stocked and occur every 1.5 to 2 miles, which is great. The medals are super cool and so are the shirts. Free beer at the finish line, too, from a local brewery (so you know it's GOOD beer). They offer group training runs which includes race staff and the race director. They make a point to talk to as many people as they can. This truly is an amazing and incredibly well-organized event. Oh and the expo is fun, too!! | |
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D. D. from Grand Blanc, MI
(10/31/2013)
"Beautiful course, great amenities!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first time on this course. Beautiful! Most of it on paved trails through a park-like setting...through fields, around ponds and lakes, across rivers. Well-supported by residents. Great post-race refreshments. Also liked being able to stay in a warm building until just before the race instead of having to stand outside and shiver my energy away. Only concern is that part of the race (approx 6.5 miles) is on heavily-cambered road, with left foot hitting higher ground, right foot on lower ground. But a very good-looking medal and tech shirt made it worth it!. I would definitely run it again. | |
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A. M. from Jenison, MI
(10/30/2013)
"Perfect Race" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon in 2012 and 2013. I've never run another marathon, but have run other long races. The support of the race organizers, volunteers, and runners is amazing! Everyone bends over backwards to help you run your best. It doesn't matter if you're at the head of the pack or limping from aid station to aid station. Everyone you encounter treats you like you're a world-class athlete and cheers you on to the finish line. It really is an honor to be involved in the race! Keep up the great work, Don Kern! | |
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K. P. from Michigan
(10/30/2013)
"best first half marathon!" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is flat and beautiful, aid stations every 1.5- 2 miles with port-a-john at every one. What more can you ask for? While this was my first time running, I've been there before as a spectator. They have awesome finisher medals and classy shirts every year. | |
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C. O. from Michigan
(10/28/2013)
"Signs at the end" (about: 2013)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I am glad that I picked this one. There was beautiful variety in the scenery, and a relatively flat course. One improvement for the end... Because I was one of the slower runners, I was not necessarily following anyone to the finish line closely enough to know the path. Unfortunately, there were no signs of where to turn in the last mile. So a couple of times, I was waiting for a person behind me to catch up to me so that we could figure out where to go together. | |
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M. M. from Michigan
(10/28/2013)
"Enjoyed this great marathon!" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoy running smaller races, and this one was great. I would compare it favorably against Bayshore in Traverse City. I loved running through the forest and meadows, and around the lake. Course was flat and fast. Though there were fewer spectators, they were enthusiastic. I actually appreciate running a quieter race, without the constant screaming at bigger races. Volunteers were great. Also liked the shirt. | |
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g. V. from Lisle, IL
(10/28/2013)
"More than met expectations" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Because of injury have to do more walking than running so appreciated the early start. And spectators were out!Only pressure to finish by a certain time was self applied! Never felt alone on the course. Limited access to the park, but where there was access, the spectators were there. Even had music at one point! Volunteers were great. Really appreciated not having to watch my step running over banana and orange peels and empty cups. Runners themselves were very encouraging. Don goes out of his way to make runners feel comfortable with his pre-race newsletter. Stayed at Holiday Inn Airport which provided shuttle service to and from the race. | |
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M. B. from Hudsonville, MI
(10/28/2013)
"Fast & Beautiful" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the 4th time i have run this race. I have run over 40 Marathons and this one has one of the best finish lines out of all of them. Icecream, Beer, Chili.. what else can you ask for? Great shirts and great medals, the volunteers make this race what it is. The course only goes through about 5 miles of the city the rest is along the river on bike trails during peak color in the fall. The course is for the most part pretty even but there is a bit of it where the road is slanted so run in the middle or the edge. |
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