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May 18, 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 131 to 141]

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D. E. from Chicago, IL (6/5/2006) "Recommended race" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Organization of the race was flawless. Numerous gatorade/water station, including four or five with gu. Very friendly and helpful race staff. Small race (approx 600 marathoners) makes for easy pacing and good spacing on the course until past mile 22 or 23 when the course merges with the 5k/10k/Half. Course is not as flat as Chicago but not really hilly either and fairly scenic -- made my Boston qualifying time. Not too many spectators, but those watch cheer quite well. Recommended race.
A. S. from Chicago, IL (6/5/2006) "Horrible Course - Parking lot running?" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Like every race I have run the volunteers were great. Always helpful and very encouraging. The organization for the race was good. A major problem was the course itself. At 2 points during the race we were running through parking lots, PARKING LOTS! I have to be honest I did not go to Indiana to run though parking lots. Also, the race directors moved the start from 5:30 to 6. At the time this was ot a big deal, but because of the high humidity and the heat the race should have started at 5:30 not 6. Finally, at the finish I had to search out water instead if it being handed out at the finish line. Also, a cooling tent should have been erected with fans so the runners could cool off and get out of the burning sun. This could be a good race but alterations need to be made. I would wait at least one year to run this to see if they work out the kinks.
D. S. from Michigan (6/5/2006) "I expected better...few frills..." (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Pros: Course organization (water/gatoraid/gu/fruit etc) pretty good, with all the turns and switchbacks, there needed a lot of 'direction' to keep runners on course. Good volunteer support! Good planning in starting the different race groups at different times, really eliminated alot of potential confusion! Finish area in stadium had plenty of food and drink despite all the concurrent running events. Cons: For the amount of runners in all the events, sponsors and publicity, I expected a larger 'expo' not just a tent. I was aware of the out-and-back style of the course, but the detours around cones in parking lots and that route between 15-19 (best described as running a knot) were not that enthralling. For the size, there could have been something special for finishers. The medal was VERY disappointing (that's all you get). Lucky the weather was warm, as I wonder if there would have been any space-blankets handed out. A starting-area map on the web site would be useful for out-of-towners looking for where to park or go downtown in relation to the start. Overall: This race could be so much more! The runners, organization and volunteers are there, but they need to make it special to draw in more fan support or return runners. Personally, this race has provided me no allure to run it again.
Marc Linhardt from Kildeer, Illinois (6/5/2006) "Tour de Parking Lots" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Good: Bananas/watermelon at some aid stations, Interesting finish location -- ND stadium 50-yard line, good traffic control The Bad: Multiple running circles of parking lots?!?, Miles of concrete, Criss-crossing through parks -- lots of course confusion. Course would get one star if it weren't for the interesting finish. Minimal spectators, but that does not bother me.
Kevin Felton from Hopkinsville, KY (6/4/2006) "Well organized race - well worth it" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization of the race made it a class act. The course was well marked and scenic. There were plenty of fluids along the course, too. While there were some changes in elevation, it was a welcome change. The finish line was awesome. I especially enjoyed cooling off with super cold towels and abundant popsicles. The cold fruit was also good. I appreciate the enormous effort made by those in charge and the volunteers.
G. T. from Ohio (6/4/2006) "Shhhhh ... GREAT race - Lets keep it small <Gri" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a wonderful time. This race was almost flawless. Clocks on the course would have been nice. The bottled water was wonderful. One minor post-race buggy item. The complete race results are not up 24 hrs later. Regardless - Well Done - to the entire staff and volunteers. This is the fourth half I have done this year and without a doubt - the best! Who says bigger is better????
M. K. from Bloomington, Indiana (1/17/2006) "Great Experience" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a great event for my first marathon. Fairly flat and interesting course, lots of aid stations and friendly fellow runners made for a great experience. I've been to South Bend many times and always had an unfairly negative image of the city. The scenic course has changed my mind. Other weekend highlights include a stroll around Notre Dame's beatiful campus the day before the race and the Queen Ann B&B (2 blocks from the start). I recommend this race.
B. S. from N.W. Indiana (6/18/2005) "Gatorade and Traffic Control? What's that?" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first and last Sunburst. I was prepared to run in the heat, as I had heard it was very hot at Sunburst. What I WASN'T prepared for was no Gatorade at the back of the pack, for the last 10 miles! BEGGED the volunteers and medic on his bike, to contact the aid stations ahead (whom they told us were out of Gatorade), and ask them to run to Meier's and buy some! Was actually told by a volunteer, that 'they're working on that for NEXT YEAR!' Told the medic we are BEGGING for Gatorade, and he just said 'yes', and said all he had was juice. Even when I asked why they wouldn't call ahead to the stations and go buy more Gatorade, I was NEVER given an answer! Way too hot to treat your runners this way!! And, what did my $70.00 fee pay for??? Certainly not Gatorade, nor traffic control after about 5:30 hours, even though they advertise the course being open for 6:30. No 'Fight Song' in the tunnel for the back of the pack! Fortunately there WAS a wonderful cold, iced towel. If you plan to do Sunburst, plan to supply your own Gatorade and don't expect much if you're slow!
M. H. from Atlanta, GA (6/17/2005) "great little race" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!!!
Bill Morton from Iowa (6/16/2005) "ORGANIZERS NEED TO PLAN AHEAD" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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.

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