I really enjoyed this race, and cut 9 minutes off my PR. The course was pretty, and mostly flat, with a few hills to spice it up...no killers though. A little hot and humid, but not nearly as bad as it could've been, considering the race is in June.

So toward the end of the race, I noticed that I kept getting passed by these other women who seemed to be cruising, and I wondering what they had at mile 22 that I didn't. I was making me so mad, and I was really getting fired up and trying to pick my pace up. Then finally I looked at one of their bib numbers, and realized they were 10k/half marathoners who were finishing the race with us also, and I felt better. Also, it was nice to have the fresh leg around at the end.
One thing I didn't like was the walker who joined the course for a while in the last couple miles. There were too many of them all clumped together, and the runners were having to dodge them. Next year they should maybe make lanes or something to keep runners and walkers separate.
The free massages at the end rocked!!!

This was number 20 for me and I really enjoyed this run aside from the brief aroma you experience twice in the first out-and-back, and the fact that the 'end of the pack bunch' (like me) went without Gatorade starting at mile 16.
Once the organizers put out the yellow flags they needed to step it up a notch and make certain all of the aid stations are over-supplied. I was fortunate enough to have my cousin run with me starting at mile 20 and when we came to the 7-11 store at mile 22 he used his handy-dandy credit card to buy some Gatorade, which I was happy to share with the other tail-enders.
I will certainly consider running Sunburst again (maybe the second time around the 50 states). Although the heat and humidity were killers, no one could have planned for that. Living in the upper midwest I realize that it could have snowed just as easily. As stated by others, the finish was outstanding. And to the runner who commented about it being crowded due to all the participants from other events - what's the rush, join us in the back of the pack.

This was my first Sunburst Marathon experience and my 14th marathon. I want to say 'Congrats' to all of you involved in organizing and supporting this race. The organization and course support was spectacular as was the course itself. While my overall result was not what I desired, I would come back for this race over and over! Only two suggestions: 1. The slower runners ran the last several miles without Gatorade, so maybe more is in order for 2006 and 2. For the love of god, somebody tell the race director to turn off the furnace prior to race day!!

Despite the heat and humidity, this was one of the best run races I have done. Good job and thanks to all the supporters who came out with lemonade, hoses and sprinklers... especially the girl on the ladder with the soaker at mile 24... you are an angel.

This is the 2nd year in a row I've come to South Bend for this race. There was no stadium finish last year & I wanted to experience that. Man, was that cool or what! This is one of the best run races around. Very smooth in all respects. And Midwesterners are so polite & courteous! While this is a smallish race, which could partially explain this, there is no pushing/shoving at the start that is typical back East. The course is pretty and runs for the most part along the St. Joseph's river. There are 2 brief periods where the surface is not ideal (once the payment is uneven, another time running on a brick road), but these are minor. Beware of the hill at mile 24 - ouch! The weather this year was very hot and humid, and no one likes that. South Bend really gets into the Sunburst races (there's also a 1/2, 10K & 5K) and they are well publicized locally. Good job putting on a great race.

Except for the high temperature and humidity, everything else was perfect: plenty of refreshment, Gatorade and water, bananas, gels in different flavor, and water-spray. Soldiers directing us to the finish on the 50-yard line of Notre Dame Stadium to the sounds of the Irish fight song was awesome.

I would just like to say thank you to the Sunburst Marathon. I thought the race was very well organized. The volunteers were great. There was plenty of water/Gatorade and gels along the way. The course was very well marked. I very much appreciated the sprinklers. That helped with the heat. This was only my second marathon and even though it was hot, I improved my time by 2 minutes. The best part was the finish inside the Notre Dame Stadium.

My husband and I ran this as our first marathon. We were both very impressed with how well organized the race was. There were numerous Gatorade and water stands, almost at every mile. Also, there was GU packets as well as vaseline at about every 5 miles or so... first time I've ever seen this before. Not to mention, there were bananas at 4 different stations.

The course was very scenic. I've run a lot of races through industrial parks or bad areas. However, this one was well thought out and most of it was on the river.

I was fortunate enough to run 19 miles with someone I struck up a conversation with. Greg was a semi-local from Kokomo, Indiana and pointed out history throughout the race as we passed it, which made it great. Thanks Greg! You kept me going from mile 4 to 23. I never even hit the wall... something I was worried about.

The humidity and heat was very bad that day, but the volunteers were very good to caution people about it.

My only criticism was that my husband, who runs at a somewhat slower pace, found himself along with others, fending for themselves at about 5:30 hours. All the roads were reopened. In addition, he didn't have any Gatorade after mile 17. The organizers said the race would be manned until 6:15 into it... not true.

Overall though, I would definitely recommend this race. It is much better than the mini-marathon in Indy, which is just too large now.

After two reasonably large marathons (Columbus and Boston), I decided to try a smaller marathon. In terms of logistics, Sunburst was great. It took us only a few moments to get our race packets, although the "expo" (which consisted of one booth giving away energy drinks that boasted about being carb-free) left something to be desired. We drove the course Friday afternoon and were impressed with how well everything was marked out.

It's not South Bend's fault that the day was hot and humid, which was my primary complaint. Gauging by the finish times in the women's race, I wasn't the only one affected.

I was overwhelmed by how polite other participants were, and the volunteers and the few spectators that were out were greatly appreciated.

The marathon ends on the Notre Dame 50-yard line, which is a great idea in theory. However, when you have the marathoners, half-marathoners and various other walkers all trying to crowd into the stadium at once, you have bedlam. It was incredibly frustating to try to finish strong while jutting around walkers. There were also no cold towels left when I finished (top 30% of the marathon field).

The popsicles, fresh fruit and massage tent at the finish were great, and catching the shuttle bus back to the start line was very well run.

Although I didn't meet my personal goals in this race, I'd recommend it for anyone who wants a nice, small marathon.

My husband and I choose marathons in places we have never been and plan a vacation along with the marathon. The Sunburst Marathon lived up to all the good reviews I had read and heard about it. I was especially impressed with the excellent job the police did with traffic control and they were all very friendly. The course is well designed and goes through lots of pretty neighborhoods along the river. The finish in Notre Dame Stadium is awesome. Runners had space to cool down on the grass and get refreshments when they were ready. The people walking around handing out popsicles were just what we needed on that hot/humid day. I'm not one who wants crowds of people cheering on the course so my rating of spectators as 3 stars is really a positive for me. The city of South Bend was easy to get around and our hotel, the Residence Inn (along the course), was a great place to stay!! Thanks to all the organizers and an extra special thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this a very successful event. If you're thinking of doing an early summer marathon then put the 2006 Sunburst Marathon on your race calendar!!

I'm not sure if I've run in ANY race that was as well organized as this. From the packet pick-up to the finish, it seemed like they had all of their ducks in a row. Plenty of water/Gatorade along the course, along with gels, cold sponges... even vaseline! The course is nice, although a little boring in spots... and more hills that you'd think. The volunteers are what makes this race, what a dedicated, cheerful bunch! They deserve much of the credit for making this race so highly rated.