Very well organized with efficient packet pick-up and registration. Plenty of water and gatorade throughout the course. The finish in Notre Dame Stadium is well worth some of the more mundane stretches in the last half of the marathon. Be prepared for the heat because it's June in Indiana.

This race is very well organized at the start and finish. However, some areas in between need to be worked on. This was my 3rd consecutive year running this marathon and have lowered my time/place each year I have run. 2000 (4:19) 2001 (3:38) 2002 (3:23). Not a bad time for running that extra mile. If it wasn't for the mixup between miles 11-12 I probably could have qualified for the Boston Marathon because I had great splits going to that point. However, I am not disappointed because I lowered my time and had a blast. The good definitely out distanced the bad in this race as I hope to be back next year unless I run a different marathon.

If you are a slower runner potentially up against the road opening times, I'd recommend choosing another race. In 2002 the roads were opened well before the times posted on the website, and water stops were broken down and cars were zooming past the last 10 miles. Good thing we carried a map or we would have been lost.

The beginning and end of this course are wonderful. Miles 14 - 21 are a little less appealing.

Great organization and course support. A good choice if you're looking to avoid the crowds.

The finish in the stadium is truly memorable!

Well organized. I liked the small town feel. Small crowd but enthusiastic. Running through the parks and running in Notre Dame stadium were great. Plenty of water/Gatorade, volunteers were excellent and it was a well marked course. Recovering in Notre Dame stadium was fantasic with the cold, wet towels and the great selection of food/drinks. There were some hills (mile 25) but nothing really drastic. Definitely a worthwhile marathon to add to your list.

Nice course! I had no idea South Bend was so beautiful. Thanks for the tour.
Friendly volunteers. Plenty to drink. Attractive medal. Exciting finish line! And lets not forget the cold wet towels at the end !! Much better race than I was expecting. You can PR here if you can handle the heat. Not many fans out but those that are will cheer everyone who runs.

I enjoyed running this marathon more than I thought I would. This was my 5th marathon, the others I had done were larger and I wasn't expecting much out of such a small marathon - but I was wrong. The volunteers were great and there was plenty of water and Gatorade available. The course was nice and I really loved ending up in the stadium. The post race refreshments were plentiful - a good selection. The shuttle buses were very easy to get to and the wait wasn't long. Everyone was helpful and friendly and the crowds of people and racers were not overwhelming. There were not many spectators but many residents put their sprinklers out to the street to help cool off the runners - THANK YOU! Good Job, South Bend!

Ran yesterday's (June 8, 2002) version. I would not suggest this for a first timer...this was my second and while cooler then my first Sunburst (in 2000) the...well let me say I know why they call it 'THE SUNBURST'.
Cold wet towels at the end. AWESOME. Good support w/ H2O and Gatorade along the way. Two-three tuff hills but nothing too drastic.

I needed to check Indiana off my marathon list. I love the small, grass-roots feel races like this one. Course was somewhat forgettable except for the river, park and the finish line. Mostly flat except for a hill late in the race. The sprint into the tunnel and across the 50 yard line brought back memories of my playing days. Well organized. Plenty of water, well marked course, early starts are the best. Great cooling showers available on the field. Classy award plaques. Not many spectators, but they were supportive.

We camped at a state park just outside South Bend. The weekend was a good time for the whole family.

There is nothing like running into Notre Dame stadium after this run! Generally a flat course until you hit the last 3 or 4 miles. I got cramps in both calf muscles at mile marker 21 so the last couple miles were sheer hell.

Expo prior to the run was bogus. Only a half a dozen stands with average merchandise. College Football Hall of Fame is worth it. I spent all afternoon with my brother enjoying the history of the game. Stay at the Marriott across the street which is convenient to the starting line. South Bend is not the most interesting small city I've ever been to. Tried to find a market/grocery store within walking distance in town to buy bananas and couldn't find one. Asked a local resident and they said there weren't any.

Course has some spots where you run over grass and hop up onto sidewalks but overall its OK. The St. Joseph River is nice to run along but its not very scenic. Volunteers at aid stations are very supportive and plenty to drink even though I cramped up. Crowd is sparse but enthusiastic. Saw a sign held up by a small boy at mile 16 that was awesome: 'Pain is temporary - Memories are forever.' It came at the right time.

There is nothing like running through the tunnel entering Notre Dame stadium. When I entered the stadium I just took it all in. WOW!

Thanks Bob, Jaala & Denise. Without your support and encouragement I would have never done this.