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May 6, 2024

Charlevoix Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Charlevoix Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.5

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 68 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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

S. W. from Chicago, IL (6/29/2011) "Great small town, bad finish line food" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon ever (I've done 2 halfs) and I'm glad I picked Charlevoix! Charlevoix is absolutely charming! I loved walking around after the race with my husband. To be honest, perhaps because I train on the lakefront path in Chicago, I am always left wanting for scenery when I run a race somewhere else. I had high expectations for CVX based on reviews, but the views of Lake Michigan were few on the course, and no boats or anything. It was more scenic walking around downtown than running the race. I suppose I'm just spoiled. The course was definitely pretty flat and the weather was FANTASTIC! (50s-60s) A great combination for my first marathon. It's a small race, only about 400 marathoners, but I was never really alone. And I liked the out and back course because that's how I train and I enjoyed seeing the super fast runners coming back. One thing that was superb for me was that my husband was able to see me every 2-3 miles on the course and I would like to nominate him as most supportive spectator ever! I was happy with the shirt (although oddly short) and the awesome medal. But I was disappointed to not receive any other 'goody-bag' items associated with running or Charlevoix. It would be good for local merchants to advertise with coupons, etc. Also, the finish line food was sub par. Only greasy chips and dried-out sandwhiches with a few tiny banana pieces. Overall I think the race is a tad overpriced for what you got. For the most part, the aid stations were nice. But I've always run with my own water and food (a habit I will hopefully break soon). Overall, I would definitely recommend Charlevoix: the marathon, the people, Cherry Republic, and the feuding family fudge shops on Bridge Street (although the Weathervane I think is overrated).
E. P. from Iowa (6/28/2011) "Best.Race.EVER" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Charlevoix Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I do not think I can put into words how wonderful this race is. From the registration - packet pick up - the information thru out the weekend. The race director and his wife are the best. I do need to say to the previous runner - A.D from Canton - I ran slower than you and they had TONS of food - and TONS of water and gatorade at the finish and at the food station. The aide stations were FULLY stocked with people and cold drinks! and pretzels and GU etc etc...I will for SURE do this race again and again!!!!
M. S. from Plano, Texas (6/28/2011) "Charlevioux Marathon is a 'must do' for runners!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a very easy out and back course. There are a few gentle rolling hills and wonderful scenery through a lovely shaded neighborhood and along a park-like paved path along the lake. I highly recommend staying at the Bridge Street Inn as the start/finish is right out the front door. Dave and Elizabeth had a wine and cheese reception for us, homemade cookies in our rooms, and a perfect runners' breakfast. I finished in 3 hrs and 42 minutes and though I did not seek out the food right away, there was plenty! Three kinds of sandwiches, a variety of chips, bananas, chewey bars and it was available throughout the awards ceremony. There was a glitch with the posting of ages, but the crew was on it right away and very apologetic. Absolutely wonderful experience and inviting temps (52-68) especially as I had come from Texas (80-104)!
D. I. from Gainesville, FL (6/28/2011) "Great course, beautiful town, friendly people!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Charlevoix Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Simply a great marathon experience. I did this marathon before and enjoyed it. BUT...it was even better this time around! The RD has made impressive improvements in a race that I thought was well done the first time that I did it! The course is scenic, well marked, and in excellent repair. Running on a bike path and over a wooden bridge in a beautiful nature setting...very nice because no worries about traffic. The volunteers were WONDERFUL...there was even a trumpet player saluting me at one aid station! I am a walker and started early, and the volunteers were out there supporting me even though the race didn't start for another hour! The water was cold...and they provided ice! (I saw a comment about well water??? I only saw bottled water at the aid stations.) A good variety of sweet and salty snacks at every aid station! Post race food available...the RD and staff were calling local vendors to make sure that food was available for slower folks like me. GREAT medal as well as a great tech shirt. Lots of medical and police support. Strong presence from the local firefighters. I have nothing negative to say. Keep up the good work!!!! Don't miss this marathon experience!
K. O. from Winter Garden, Florida (6/27/2011) "Great marathon - highly recommend" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was great-from packet pickup to the finish. It's a small race and the course is an out and back. The course was mostly flat on a nice paved trail along Lake Michigan. Being a small race there weren't many spectators, which is fine with me. My favorite type of marathon is scenic and quiet, which this was. There were plenty of friendly volunteers at each table handing out water/gatorade and the water tasted fine. No bad taste to me. Several aid tables also had pretzels and licorice. The medal was put around my neck by the race director. It's a very cool medal! And marathon specific. Do this marathon. You won't regret it!
nicole sterrett from michigan (6/27/2011) "I love the variety and number of aid stations" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Charlevoix Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The aid stations are each run by a local organization and are all unique. They all had volunteers waiting eagerly with water and gatorade. There were gu packets and snacks available at some as well. They were spread apart at good intervals, there was even a pep band at one area! Everything was well organized and moved quickly and smoothly. The organizers are so kind and helpful....this is an awesome race.
J. L. from Columbus, OH (6/27/2011) "Pretty place, nice little race" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The place was beautiful and the race was pretty well run except that some of the water stops were highly disorganized and several had really little cups. Way too hot for me to PR or even put up credible showing as I baked in the limited shade available for most of the last few miles. Obviously that's not the race's fault but I would have loved the day before when it was cloudy, slightly rainy and much, much cooler. It looked like a great little vacation town and in retrospect I wished I'd booked a longer stay. The drawbridge separating the finish from the post race area made for some nice pictures. The race was small and actually felt even smaller as it definitely had a bit of a locals vibe. The staggered start made the mostly bike trail course surprisingly uncongested (the half starts 30 minutes after the full goes off). Not sure what the first reviewer was talking about on the food; I limped in a smidge over 4 hours and there was still some food to be had. Didn't think about the water since I grabbed one on the finish line side of the drawbridge but water on both sides probably would be an improvement. Agree on the parking though, that was easy, close and free. I will definitely recommend this race.
A. D. from Canton, OH (6/26/2011) "Beautiful Marathon!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Loved this Marathon! It is a gem and will be back next year! (+'s) Course is beautiful - mostly flat with some rolling hills - loved the downhill finish. Easy getting to start and parking is so easy. Great shirt and medal! (-'s) Very little support on the course. The aid stations are very small - 1 or 2 people giving water/gatorade. They serve well water which is nasty when you need refreshing water. I finished exactly at 4 hrs and there was no food left for marathoners. All the subs were served to the half marathoners. They had a variety of potato chips left for the marathoners. I was so dishearten to find the lack of food or drink for marathoner finishers. Not even a sports drink and if you failed to grab water at the finish than you were sol as they weren't giving it away by the food. Very sad to have a beautiful event when you couldn't enjoy your accomplishment.
M. B. from detroit, MI (6/30/2010) "Great, small race!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After running many large (think 10,000-30,000 people) races in California, Charlevoix was a breath of fresh air. Literally. Never did I have to dodge hundreds of runners at a time or get crammed into a starting corral. The course itself is on a pancake-flat bike path along a highway and Lake Michigan, which made it pretty enough. The aid stations were amazing!! Not only did they hand out Gatorade, GU, licorice and other treats, but they cheered and sprayed people with squirt guns too. The spectators, although not very numerous, were great also, frequently going to multiple places along the course to cheer. The finish line area was a little congested, but other than that we had no issues getting on the highway from our parking spot on a side street. Overall, a great race and one I would definitely recommend for people looking to PR, BQ, or just enjoy a little breathing room in gorgeous northern Michigan.
D. S. from Michigan (6/29/2010) "Nice, small venue." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charlevoix Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Plan ahead if you want to stay local, as accommodations are sold out early. Charlevoix is a congested lakeside town in the early summer. The Lodge Motel was very convenient right at the start and finish line and you are also in walking distance to town and the beach. I'm not a big fan of the out-and-back (especially when it describes paralleling a highway), but admittedly it wasn't too bad. The course heads first north out of town through a quiet residential area and then follows a bike trail along the highway. This bike trail portion often winds away from the road, visits the shoreline and dodges in and out of the woods. Good variety of refreshments at the aid stations. Nice, heavy, finisher medal bling. I found the finish line area very "abrupt" ending into a congested intersection. You had to walk down the street, across the bridge to the actual finisher area in the park. Nevertheless, still a recommended event and weekend getaway.

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