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 81 to 91]
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S. P. from MI
(10/27/2013)
 "Extremely well organized event" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this marathon as my second marathon for the weekend. I was expecting to feel worn out, but the organization made packet pick up very simple and quick. The course was nice and had lots of support and fans. I thoroughly enjoyed running this marathon and may run it again. | |
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T. H. from Detroit, MI
(10/27/2013)
"Large race feel in a small setting." (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm glad that I chose to run the Grand Rapids Marathon in 2013. I live in Detroit and have ran large scale races for my latest marathons. I wanted a small race that was well organized and Grand Rapids provided just that. I followed this guide's reviews before choosing this race and everything that people wrote was true. It was a beautiful course and had excellent volunteers and spectators. I would also like to mention how great it was to have the support of the YMCA. I was able to get there early and retrieve my bib and get warmed up before lining up for the starting line. The Clarion Hotel was also a great choice to stay at. They offered a special rate, 2:00 PM checkout, and a shuttle to the YMCA. Thanks again Don! | |
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S. C. from Canada
(10/26/2013)
"Terrific Race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I can really find no negatives about a race with excellent, entertaining prerace communication, a warm place to wait for race start, fast, flat course with some city and some country, great shirt and medal, warm showers after. Oh and the weather was perfect. I signed up expecting a decent experience for my 27th state, but Grand Rapids was so much more. Cannot recommend highly enough. Definitely put together by runners, for runners. | |
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E. L. from GR
(10/25/2013)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2013)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I always thought my first marathon would be someplace exotic. But it wasn't, it was right in my backyard and I wouldn't change a thing. Communication from the RD leading up to the event was outstanding, if you had any questions left before the gun went off... you weren't paying attention. Aid stations were well manned and seemed to be often enough. Indian Mounds is a little tough because of the slope of the road, yet the rest of the course was very scenic so it pretty much made up for it. Bag drop off was quick and easy and the food after the congratulatory hug from Don was plentiful. My next one may be a more exotic locale but they will have a lot to live up to to match the overall experience of the GRM! | |
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J. J. from Deer Park WI
(10/24/2013)
 "Do this marathon!!!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Put this on your to do list. Excellent organization and wonderful volunteers. 140th marathon for me so I've experienced a few races - this is a good one to do. Course is very flat but enough turns to keep it interesting. Running through the woods on the paved trails was beautiful. Enthusiastic water stops and plenty of them. Spectators rather sparse for a good share of the race with the relay points being gathering spots for many people. Finish line area well laid out - easy to get food/beverages/drop bag post race. Finisher shirt and medal didn't disappoint. Holiday Inn, JW Marriott and Courtyard Marriott downtown hotels walking distance to YMCA for expo and race start/finish. | |
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J. B. from Chicago, IL
(10/21/2013)
"Disappointed" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 20th marathon. I wanted to run a fun course to celebrate my small accomplishment. This was not it. I hated the course. It was mentally tough to see nothing but forest; it never seemed to end. Grand Rapids is a nice town but we didn't see any of it during the race. Plus, part of the trail was on a slanted and my IT Band was killing me. The volunteers were great but, they were the the only people on the course. I am not even sure the rest of the town knew the race was happening. We stayed downtown (not a race hotel. The hotel was great and we could walk to the start line. Definitely a plus. If you are looking for a small town trail race, then you may like this race. It was organized well but, I hated it and would not recommend it to anyone. I was really disappointed. | |
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R. H. from Woodridge, IL
(10/21/2013)
"I could do this race again and again!" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first GRM and my 10th marathon. I was very please with every aspect of the race including: the course, the aid stations (the pretzels, bananas, and pickle juice were great!), the volunteers, the medals are beautiful, and the fans were loud and wonderful. Being able to take a shower after the race at the YMCA was fantastic! I can't say enough about how much I appreciated it. It was great having the option to start an hour earlier. For a while I even enjoyed running beside the stilt walker, who was dressed like a scare crow. That made me laugh and kept me smiling the whole race. I will definitely do this race again and recommended it to others too. | |
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R. R. from Palatine, IL
(11/23/2012)
"The Best Marathon!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great course! Each time I have run this course have been my 3 fastest marathons of 18. The Sub-Lancer (2:59) pace team is outstanding. They control the pace evenly mile after mile and give honest assessments of the course. Running with the Celebrity Pace Teams is fun and well managed. Can't say enough about this race. Organization, fees, YMCA, EVERYTHING about this race is great. This is no Chicago Marathon. It is just as organized without all the hassels. Just do it and you will see! | |
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Dick Canterbury from Chesterton, Indiana
(11/11/2012)
"Very well organized." (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I completed my 7th or 8th. GRM this year and it keeps getting better every year. Plenty of free parking at the YMCA, showers available and a Race Director that greets the 1st. place finisher and stays at the finish line greeting all the runners there after. The course is well marked, plenty of aid stations and a lot of chili and beer at the finish line. The marathon shirts are very attractive and the entry fee is lower than most. With the Celebrity Pace Team Leaders and usually perfect weather, if you want a PR; give GRM a try. | |
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Ed Bear from Nj
(11/4/2012)
 "Mile clocks please!" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Everything was great, except my Garmin died at mile 17 and I was trying to pace my girlfriend to a BQ. (She made it by 13 seconds) |
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