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Apr 23, 2024

Sunburst Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Sunburst Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.7

Organization 4.1

Spectators 2.9

Number of comments: 197 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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S. M. from Columbus, Ohio (7/12/2014) "Sunburst was meh." (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Unfortunately it has been almost two months since I ran this race and I am still having difficulty with my review of it. I gave the spectators a 5, not because there were many out on the course, but the community was great when I was out there and it got HOT. The course was the worst thing about that race. Too many out and backs and I was a slower runner and saw TWO lead men who were going back the wrong way on the course. I looked at a course map ahead of time, but not being from the area it did not make much sense to me. Course markings were extremely poorly done and I could see how someone could get lost (I almost did several times). I don't know if I would return to this race. I try really hard not to be overly picky about runner 'perks' but this was just not a great event for anyone who is slower (like me). If I were the race director, I would evaluate whether or not to drop the full marathon and just focus on the half and 10k and 5k. When I merged with those folks it was HORRIBLE and practically a stampeded. One girl got elbowed and fell on the bridge and almost got trampled. I just was not impressed with this event at all. I doubt I will be back.
G. H. from Ohio (6/17/2014) "Great race, great city" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was not sure about running this after they announced that the finish would be outside Notre Dame Stadium this year. However, their excellent job of communicating the change convinced me to stick with it. I'm glad I did. South Bend was a great small city. The course was pretty - could've done without the two points where you are passing people who are three miles ahead of you. The organization was top-notch. I love the 6 am starting time. It did get pretty hot towards the end, but overall I would definitely recommend this race.
Joe Ely from IN (6/5/2014) "Solid race, a favorite of mine" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Sunburst Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was the 8th of the last 9 years I've run the half or full at Sunburst. There were more course changes this year and in any previous year. I really didn't mind them,even though they added two significant hills over the full 26.2. Due to construction, the race couldn't finish on the field at Notre Dame Stadium. The organizers did a good job, though, of compensating with a very nice finish area just on the north side of the stadium. The organziers did a fine job of setting up the post race food. Great variety and plenty of it, even after my 4:39 marathon. Love this race...it's a good one.
S. C. from Portland Oregon (6/4/2014) "Very well done" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was concerned about the heat, but the 6am start and running by the river and with trees largely offset the warm weather. Real nice course. LOVED that the 1/2 started 90 minutes later! They must have listened to earlier comments because there was an abundance of food at the finish and we got to sit in the stands of the Fighting Irish Stadium to eat it all. A real good marathon!
S. A. from Indianapolis (6/1/2014) "Horrible course-" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 This is a small race at the end of May, it will be hot, it will be lightly attended. If you are okay with that, read on: The course has multiple out and backs. The first two are marked however around mile 19, you'll be running against marathon traffic on the same path. no separated course. I had multiple volunteers tell me I was running the wrong way. The race incorporates a lot of park trails. Some with low hanging trees and overhangs. Runners over 6ft will be ducking. All runners will be forced to weave shift and shimmy around poorly chosen routes. The same water stations are used on the long out and back. Again, not separated so you'll feel like running through walmart on black friday after mile 18. Confusion on the course could have been reduced by learning the route prior to the race. However, no course map was included with packet. The online course preview was in a format which wouldn't allow users to zoom in. Two moto police guided the lead runner in, however, lead female was left to fend for herself alone. Sunburst, divide the out and back course, update the course, or inform volunteers where to direct traffic, and this could be an acceptable race. Until then, this event is not recommended.
Benjamin Brown from Winter Park, FL USA (5/31/2014) "This race has achieved excellence." (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Sunburst Marathon, but after reading some of the pros and cons of past years, it seems to me that the race director has read them as well and improved upon all aspects where needed. The medal is fine, the shirt is excellent, there was music on the course, etc etc. None of these points are that critical to me, though. Moreso, when running a marathon with multiple other races going on, I like to see that the marathon has been given full consideration, as in the 2nd half of the race is as enjoyable as the first half. Sunburst does an excellent job of that. This course is scenic from start to finish which is a great psychological boost. The heat is not much of a factor b/c of the 6AM start, but spectators hosing you down if you wish really helps (thank you to the little girl at Mile 23)! The course is very shady and has great potential for a PR. The shuttle service worked great and the local hotels really support the races with their checkout times. I appreciate the Magnuson being pet friendly and 100% smoke free. The only race suggestion I have would be to consider adding a few more on course port-o-potties.
elizabeth adams from geneseo ny (6/8/2013) "good race" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Great race to run but barely any spectators and hardly any food at finish and I wasn't even that late of a time... course was very flat.... water sponges on the course was AMAZING, never had that before but was a major highlight! Finish was the best at the stadium! great memories...
Joe Ely from Indiana, USA (6/2/2013) "An annual favorite!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Sunburst Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I really like this race. I've run either the full or the half for 7 of the past 8 years. This year I did the full again and was very pleased with the entire event. There are many pros to this race. The early start for the full is good. Simple running the full with only other marathoners is a huge plus. The course is very enjoyable...much of it along the St Joe river, much of it shaded (though we didn't need that so much on an overcast day in 2013). Volunteers were awesome. There was plenty of medical folks on bikes circulating the entire course. The only con (a minor one) was the lack of bananas at the finish. By the time I got done and up to the stadium concourse (I ran a 4:26 marathon), there were only a stack of bagels and popsicles. I miss the old days when we could have popsicles on the field but I understand! Without a doubt, the HUGEST pro for this race is the finish...the run onto the Notre Dame campus, circling the famous stadium, then down the tunnel and onto the hallowed turf of the Fighting Irish is just awesome. My Dad played football for ND back in the 30's and so this is a very wonderful and emotional way for me to remember him. Thanks to Molly and all of her team for continuing to organize a big, complex and fantastic race day with many events and many runners.
P. T. from Indiana (7/18/2012) "Nice race, some room for improvement" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I'm a fairly local marathoner but have never ran the Sunburst marathon because of the history of horribly hot weather on race day. This year I gave it a shot & was greeted with perfect marathoning weather, which likely boosted my rating of the marathon itself. The marathon has an early start which is great in minimizing the heat impact. This also allows marathoners to finish in the stadium while the crowd is still around as the other races start a bit later. Positives - The course is basically pretty. It runs along the river in a couple of places & 4 miles or so through a Mishawaka park, also along the river. There are several out & backs, which I like because it tends to break things up & also allows you to see that there are still people behind you. Water stations are plentiful & volunteers are great. Local spectators were sparse, but those that were out had sprinklers running & music playing. Fellow runners were very friendly & the race itself was generally enjoyable. Negatives - Race communication was frequent enough but hard to read. I couldn't find info on bag drop & other info seemed a bit muddied. Shirts & medals were really scrimped on. I'd much rather pay a bit extra & end up w/ a shirt I can wear & a medal that isn't just a piece of thin plastic. This is not a medal I'd want to display. The shirt is white & thin & not one that I'd want to sport around town or run in on a sweaty run. The finish in the stadium is great. The downside is that you finish with the 5k walkers. Kudos to them for walking a 5k, don't get me wrong at all. However, marathoners are forced to stand in a very long line of walkers just to exit the finish area. They then stand in another very long line of walkers in the post-race refreshment area. The walkers seemed to take forever picking out their post-walk snacks & then loaded up on them. Post-marathon, I need to move a little, not stand in one line after another. I resorted to cutting in line to exit & then sneaking in-between them to grab just a bagel so I could get out of there. A separate area for the walkers would have made this finish area so much better. All-in-all, this race was good while running, just ok before & after.
M. S. from Palm Harbor, FL (6/13/2012) "Beyond my expectations" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was one of those people who were signed up for Madison the week before, which was cancelled. Luckily, we were able to change our flights at the last minute and run the Coeur d'Alene Marathon. Two days after that race, I'm looking for my next one and was surprised to find both cheap airfare and a fantastic weather forecast for South Bend the following weekend. Running marathons 6 days apart is not something I had planned, but the Sunburst Marathon was a good choice. The race was well organized, the weather was perfect and the finish at Notre Dame made it worthwhile. Staying at the Hilton next to the start line made the morning very easy, even with the 6am start, which I loved! The half marathoners started over an hour after the full, so they were never a factor. The whole first half of the course, we were never in the sun. The 2nd half had a few stretches of concrete and 1 block of bricks, but I can't complain. There are no big hills on this course and running along the St Joe river was nice. Even though I can scratch Indiana off my 50 states list, I would do this one again.

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