Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 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 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 20 > ]

J. J. from Indy (6/15/2010) "Wouldn't miss Sunburst for anything!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Sunburst Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 First, let me say I'm just a "pound-the-pavement" runner - not elite by any means. I've only done a handful of marathons, but I try not to miss this one! I've heard comments about the course - I absolutely love it!! Along the river, finishing in ND Stadium... the whole thing to me is fantastic. I didn't find the markings confusing, but I paid attention, looked at the map ahead of time, etc. As a general comment, I thought the volunteers were amazing - attentive, caring, encouraging. Anyway, I'll be back as the total experience is always one I enjoy.
L. L. from Charlotte NC (6/10/2010) "This Race Absolutely Sucks" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I tried to give the course rating a "0" above, but it would not let me. I ran the Sunburst for the first time and have to say that it is the most confusing course I have ever tried to navigate. I say "try" because I, along with about 4 others, got off-course at mile 12 during a very confusing intersection with a 5K race. Yes, I said "intersection with a 5K race." For a race with that many distances going on at the same time, the course needs to be very clearly marked, which this was not. The mile markers were not accurate. There were no clocks from which to pace yourself after the first 5 miles . I actually had to ask directions from another volunteer between mile 16 and 17; otherwise, I would have veered over a bridge and would have been off course again. My concerns to the race director were flippantly responded to after 5 days. I cannot suggest this course to fellow marathoners and would actually advise against it.
S. D. from Indiana (6/10/2010) "Sure Was Humid" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Sunburst Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my fifth Sunburst and I enjoyed it. Packet pickup is simple. Saturday parking and start-area logistics went very smoothly. The course has many different settings and a lot of interaction with other runners (which I liked); and finishing inside ND is great. Two areas for improvement are: 1.) Please have the mileage signs double- or triple-checked. The mile 18 sign was WAY off and mile 21 was a fair bit off. 2.) Food. I finished a bit after 4 hours and there was a very long line. By the time it cleared to a reasonable level there were bagels, apples, and popsicles. Ugh. Based on the race's website FAQ, Will there be food? "You bet! ... does a fabulous job - the best you'll find at any race." Did I miss something? Thanks to everyone - see you next year.
G. E. from USA (6/8/2010) "Very poorly marked course... and poorly organized" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I read the comments from the previous years, so I knew I would have to watch for the course; I was watching, and I still had to ask for directions. The course was confusing - "wonky," as others say - and in some places you turned at the barricades and others you ran through the barricades. And the mess with the 10K and the half marathons... an unnecessary disaster. Definitely needs a lot of work on the course layout and with the turns and course directions; most of the volunteers holding the signs were texting or talking, and there weren't any directional signs or instructions for the big turn-off for the marathoners. (I talked to 6 people and they all had to ask or missed the turn.) They have had this race for over 20 years, so you would think they would get it together by now. The instructions on the website keep changing (shuttle buses exit Gate D, now Gate B; you need a token, don't need a token... now you need a token to ride the bus back; etc.). They did have a lot of water stations, but the water cups were small, so if you didn't take 2 cups, you only got a couple of ounces of water. But the GU and bananas were great. And the course was great. Weather, of course, was hot and humid; but it's June, so that is to be expected.
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (6/8/2010) "Very Interesting Course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved this scenic, quirky course. There were plenty of opportunites to see other runners coming and going, which I like. The out-and-back along the river was one of my favorite sections in all of my marathons, and the hill at mile 24 was a real challenge. Crowd support was a bit sparse until Notre Dame's campus, but the finish was loud and stirring. Packet pick-up was easy and the shirt and medal were top-notch. My only complaint was the walk to the shuttles after the race, but maybe that was helpful in my quick recovery. Highly recommended.
E. B. from Michigan (6/7/2010) "It's hot this month, but on a beautiful course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 You cannot help the weather, which this year was very hot and humid during the race and then drenching rain at the end... but the course was beautiful. I did packet pickup on race day, and it was easy and well organized. Parking was ample, easy and close; and there were flush toilets as well as porta-potties at the start. Safety was perfect on the course and there were lots of water stations, GU and bananas to keep everyone going. I am trying hard to think of a negative comment, but I can't think of anything. I finished late, so not all of the food was there at the end, but I got sandwiches, bananas, bagels, and popsicles. Wet towels at the finish were really great. Race volunteers were so nice and helpful. I was waiting for one of the last runners to come in and finish her 50 states. They held the finish open later for her when they knew what she was doing. That was so nice. This was my first Sunburst but not my last. Great race. Thanks.
n. s. from Arizona (6/7/2010) "Weather is the only downside" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved this race despite the 90% humidity. They had free parking downtown less than a block from the start. They started the marathon before the half so you weren't tripping over 1/2 marathoners and trying to jockey for position at the beginning of the race. The College Football Hall of Fame was open in the morning so you could use indoor (i.e. non-porta-potty) facilities. The fans and volunteers at the aid stations were great and there were plenty of them. The course is pretty flat and beautiful, as it runs along the St. Joe River most of the way. Finishing in ND's stadium was really cool!! I would love to do this race again, but probably won't because the weather in South Bend is too unpredictable for this dry-desert dweller.
D. F. from Chicago, Illinois (6/7/2010) "Great, small, friendly marathon" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this marathon. I love the friendly, small-town environment. I made new friends along the way. Plenty of water stops and friendly volunteers. Nice course, although there were more out-and-backs than I like. Loved that the marathoners started way ahead of the half and 5K. Running through the tunnel and onto the Notre Dame football field was awesome. Be prepared for hot, muggy weather. It's the Midwest and it's June. Really enjoyed the race. State # 5... done!
M. A. from United States (6/6/2010) "Be alert on the course or get lost!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Overall, this is a pretty good race. The weather was extremely humid (I saw front-of-the-pack people walking), and it rained really hard at one point. The packet pick up and start were flawless, AND it started on time - a big plus for me. My biggest complaint is about the course markings. There were plenty when the course was straight, but some corners were hard to navigate. Several marathoners missed the corner when we split from the half and I personally missed a turn at 20 some miles into it. The water stations were plentiful, and the volunteers were amazing. They had whole bananas, which were a bit too much to eat, but they had them at several stops along with GU. A really nice touch. I'm a back-of-the-packer, and by the time I got to the finish area, all of the food was gone except sub sandwiches. The shirt is so-so and the medal is so-so. Overall, a really good race - they need to add some course markings at critical places and then I would highly recommend it to others.
Heather Kerr from Lake Bluff, IL (6/5/2010) "Wonderful Race!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a friendly, small marathon, then this is the one for you. Organization is top-notch, everyone has a smile, and the course is beautiful. It's worth running 26.2 miles just to finish through the Notre Dame tunnel - unique for a marathon - and the crowd support is lovely. My family and I had a great time! RUN THIS RACE.

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 20 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use