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May 2, 2024

Grand Island Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Grand Island Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 3.9

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 71 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

J. H. from Chicago, Illinois (8/7/2007) "Gorgeous course, superb organization" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run 36 mararthons all over the US and Canada and this is by far the most beautiful. Superb organization, especially considering this is a trail marathon on a wilderness island. Great volunteers at aid stations. Shuttle buses take you from your hotel to the boat dock and a ferry boat whisks you over the island - all on time and like clockwork. Course was well marked with highly visible arrows plus red and yellow flags. Detailed information provided to runners on transportation and logistics. Great food at the finish, including bagels, trail mix, pretzels, goldfish, bananas, and even iced coffee made to order! Patagonia silk-weight race shirts are beautiful and functional. Hand-blown glass medallions for age group award winners were some of the nicest I have ever seen.
G. W. from Chicagoland (8/6/2007) "Exceptional Experience in the UP" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a great race in a most beautiful setting, Grand Island, in the UP of Michigan. I love the eco-running philosophy of the race: no disposable cups, the race shirt is made from recycled materials, and there is free shuttle transportation from the local hotels to the ferry. Packet pickup was quick and easy, and the ferry ride to the island was quick and let all runners enjoy a lovely sunrise. The weather was perfect, about 55 at the start. The course was not too technical, with some roots/rock. There were not many hills, just a few inclines. The run along the beach was a nice break, and challenging, allowing runners a chance to get up-close-and-personal to Lake Superior. Kudos to the folks at the 4 water stops, the US Forest Service, and all the volunteers who helped make this race a success. There aren't a lot of spectators, so if you're looking for someone to cheer you on and tell you how great you look at mile 23, this isn't the race for you. An added bonus at this race is that you literally can run through the finish chute and right into Lake Superior when you're done. (and I did!) My favorite moment of the day was this: I remember rounding a curve and hearing something, which I thought was a wind gust, only to find out it was the sound of a rushing waterfall. At that point, the trail was full of mottled sunlight, a wood thrush was singing its flute-like song and little red squirrels were chattering away. Looking to my right I saw the blueness of Lake Superior. I said to myself, "It doesn't get any better than this." If you have the opportunity, experience this race. Notice I didn't say "run" this race, as it's not a PR course. This race is a true journey. Enjoy it.
M. W. from Grand Rapids, MI (8/3/2007) "Awesome venue" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I'm glad I chose Grand Island. The views helped the miles melt away. I could have done without the beach section. The ferry ride was not well organized. I got in line at 6 a.m. and did not get on the island until 6:50. Fortunately they delayed the start until 7:10. The ladies at the packet pick-up were rather rude and unhelpful. I would recommend putting a friendlier face up front. The fans are the other runners and they were great. Nothing beats an ice bath in Lake Superior after a hard run. If you don't need to be pampered, then I would highly recommend this run. I can't wait for next year!
Jonathan Wendel from Ames, Iowa (8/2/2007) "Nature shines at this perfect summer getaway" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 What a wonderful event! Having run about two dozen marathons, including large and small events around the country, my wife and I decided to enter our first trail marathon. It was a terrific decision, as nearly everything about this experience was memorable. The big star here is the setting and the course: a run around an island in Lake Superior that is a wildlife area managed by the National Park Service. Nature's beauty is on full display, here, as the course circumnavigates the island through mixed boreal/deciduous forest on double-track (mostly), some single-track (but not technical), and even two stretches of deep, soft sand on the beach, the first about 0.7-mile long and the second perhaps a quarter of a mile in length. Views from the sandstone cliffs, some hundreds of feet above the lake, were breathtaking, and the only sounds were those of runners' footsteps, birds, chipmunks, and perhaps the occasional distant chit-chat of other runners (though with a limit of 300 the field was spread out pretty thin). Utterly spectacular views, and with the ambrosial aroma of hemlock, spruce and pine, and soft ground underfoot, it couldn't have been more pleasant. To be sure, the course is not fast; my wife's Garmin showed a total of nearly 5,000 feet of climbing, but most of this was of the gently rolling variety. There were several steeper hills as well, but these were fun too. About the organization: Jeff, the race organizer, created this race with a vision in mind to help support the local Nature Conservancy and to use any excess funds for trail maintenance (I recommend that this be specified on the entry form and that a spot be created for voluntary extra donations by the registrants). He and his team clearly have dedicated themselves to putting on a well-run event, and this showed at every step, from packet pick-up to the awards ceremony. The volunteers were cheerful and eager to help fill your water bottle (carrying one is mandatory, because logistics dictate that there only are 4 aid stations) with Heed or water. The Capilene shirt from Patagonia is very nice. We did not miss having a medal at the end (contra some comments), and instead relished the rare opportunity to salve our tired legs in the cool (!) waters of Lake Superior (the course ends right on a beautiful beach). This was far and away the most delightful post-race amenity for us, but runners also were provided with bananas, gorp, and an envelope of Recoverite (the latter at packet pick-up). The short ferry ride back to the mainland was most enjoyable, sharing the experience as we did with about 75 (?) other happy (it seemed to me), tired runners. All in all, we highly recommend this run as an idyllic jaunt through the north woods. Thanks to the race organizers and all of the volunteers for putting on a spectacularly successful event.
D. M. from Gaylord,mi (8/2/2007) "Awesome natural beauty!!!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I'm a pavement pounder, and this was my first trail marathon. I trained on a lot of hills in the woods, but was not prepared for the mile stretch of loose beach sand that totally exhausted me near mile 7. The views are breathtaking. Plan on taking an extra half hour to 45 minutes to finish (above an average marathon). Considering the location of this race, there may be a few things that need tweaking, but this marathon should not be missed. Despite my slower time, it was great to see volunteers greeting me at the end. But no finisher's medal??? I'm currently having my own made, and found out others are doing the same at a minimal cost. Thank you so much, Jeff, for all your hard work.
C. I. from Detroit Lakes, MN (8/1/2007) "Great race! Loads of fun!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first time running the Grand Island Marathon and based on everything I had read I had certain expectations. All expectations were exceeded! This was the most fun I have had running in a very long time. The weather was more than ideal for the end of July, and the trail was very fast and difficult enough to where you had to pay attention, so the time went by very quickly. As far as the organization, I had no complaints. Race start was stated in the email sent out to participants and also on the race website as were all of the bus/ferry schedules. There was more than enough time before the race to prepare. The fans that were there were very enthusiastic and supportive. Everyone at the aid stations did a wonderful job! Great t-shirt, and the glass medallion was very unique. This was a great race in a beautiful place!
G. F. from Battle Creek, Michigan (8/1/2007) "Spectacular Scenery of Pictured Rocks Lakeshore" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course for this race is probably the most breathtaking ones I have seen. This is my third trail marathon and this one is not quite as technical, although the mile on the beach at mile 7, was hard on my legs. My only disappointment was having to wait around until 6 p.m. to collect an age-group award. I hope next year that they will reconsider and hand those out at the finish.
I. M. from Cincinnati, Ohio (7/29/2007) "Gorgeous course, organization needs improvement" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Trail is breathtaking; trail difficulty rates a 3; volunteers friendly and helpful. Very disappointed that I travel over 700 miles for my first marathon and don't even get a medal to prove I finished. I've run many races that provided volunteered time from sports therapists at the end of race for the marathoners providing a more successful event. (It's a win-win for both!) Starting time was very vague online and at the event. Some issue with ferries in a.m. caused a number of runners to be late. Poor business on that. Starting time not adjusted; runners made to think it had. You won't stay around long pulling that. Every marathon should have a medal for all finishers. Think big picture, dude!
h. p. from cincinnati, oh (7/28/2007) "Grand Island Meets Cincinnati Runner" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This marathon no doubt is full of beauty. HOWEVER, the organization was not the best I have seen. To start, the pasta dinner cost $12 and I am a chef/caterer (and have catered sporting events) and know how much food costs - we did not get our moneys worth. The restaurant made a hefty profit off of us. The expo was very minimal with very little to show. The technical racing tops we received were very nice, but tailored only to men. As a woman, I would really appreciate a shorter sleeves and a v-neck. I mean, we did pay the same entry fee as the men darn it! Next, the race time start was not specified and we were told it was ok to catch the bus to go to the ferry at 6:05 not knowing that this would make us late to the starting line. SO, we started late and our chips were not synchronized correctly, so our times were longer than should have been. NOT FAIR! Since we started ONLY 7 minutes late, we took a wrong turn within the first-half mile because the markings were inadequate and there were not enough volunteers to point us in the right direction, which cost us an additional 10 minutes. Luckily a nice man pointed us in the right direction. During the race there was enough water and HEED and the volunteers were helpful. It was nice to see no trash on the trail. GOOD JOB, RUNNERS! The post-race food was not good either, considering the distance we traveled and the price we paid. All we had were quartered bagels and halved bananas. We have been to events with 300 people and better food. Perhaps trail mix, potato chips, peanut butter and jelly and Oreos. JUST SOMETHING MORE! AND the last thing - the post-party was lame. We could not even fit into the room where it was held, nor hear what was going on. If the race director truly wanted to involve everyone and encourage them to stay, perhaps it should have been held somewhere larger and with kegs. Ps. I would love to do this marathon again and think it has great potential. Please consider what I have said. Thanks.
J. H. from Flint, MI (6/4/2007) "A great marathon to run for a beginner like me." (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Grand Island Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am a beginner marathon runner. I was pleased at how well everything was organized considering the race is on an ISLAND! I was even more pleased that everyone was so nice and Munising is such a nice little town to relax in and visit for vacation. Thanks to everyone for a great time in the UP of Michigan.

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