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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 151 to 161]

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A. P. from Fort Worth, TX (6/5/2005) "Fabulous course with one-of-a-kind finish" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I've been a fan of Notre Dame football since I was a little kid, so the finish on the 50-yard line was something that I just couldn't pass up. I also liked having the extra early start; no worries about making my hotel check-out time. The course runs up and down the St. Joseph river and is absolutely gorgeous. There were a few small hills but nothing really worth mentioning. The aid stations were well spaced and the volunteers did a great job; except for the very last one. The college kids running that one just stopped at some point and the slower runners didn't get any fluids or help from them at all. I was sick when I ran this race so I was much slower than I could have been, and some water and a little encouragement would have been nice from them that last mile. Other than that, I thought the organization was topnotch and the free massages at the finish added a great touch. It's a small race that starts very early so there aren't many fans along the course, but the ones that were there did a great job cheering everyone on. It's a great race and I'll be back next year; hopefully in better health next time.
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA (6/5/2005) "What happened to the Gatorade???" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The weather for the race was just as it was forecasted to be - warm and humid. I'm a middle-of-the-pack runner (was 1:56:00 at the half), and had no Gatorade after the water station around mile 21. I don't understand how the stops can have NO sports drink for that period of time. My hat goes off to those slower runners who had to endure at least that distance on only water. This pretty much took the joy out of what was otherwise a good race. Runner support needs to be the principal goal of organizers. Hopefully the organizers will make sure this NEVER happens again. The speakers playing the Notre Dame fight song at the entrance to the stadium was a nice touch, and I'm not even a Notre Dame fan.
T. P. from Indianapolis (6/5/2005) "No Gatorade The Last Half!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I hate to say anything negative about any marathon. I know how much work goes into pulling all the details together. The Sunburst Marathon has a lovely course along the St. Joseph River through many of South Bend and Mishawaka's beautiful parks. It begins in downtown South Bend outside the College Football Hall of Fame and finishes inside the Notre Dame Football Stadium, which is really great. All of the volunteers were wonderful and very helpful. The t-shirt and medal are nice, too. One of the main things that appealed to me about this race, other than it being in my home state, is that runners get 6.5 hours to finish. I'm a slow runner and need at least 5.5 hours to finish. If a race is going to allow that amount of time to finish, there needs to be support on the course for ALL the runners, even the slow ones. The race day temp was upper 70's - low 80's, and at mile 14 and after, there was no more Gatorade. That was BAD! I was lucky enough to have a wonderful husband who met me at mile 20 with Gatorade. I also carried extra gels with me, but what about the other slow runners? To run nearly half the race, on a hot day, with nothing to drink but water, was dangerous. With less than 600 marathoners, I'm not sure why they ran out. I'm certain the race director will never let this happen again, so please don't let my comments deter you from signing up. Just keep a few things in mind: 1. Play it safe and bring your own sports drink, 2. Spray your hat or shirt with bug spray. It's very buggy by the river, and 3. Stay at the Marriott in downtown S. Bend. It has really nice rooms, reasonable rates, and the expo and start line are right outside the door.
M. E. from Findlay, Ohio (2/23/2005) "Great small marathon" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Sunburst was great, and I would like to run it again someday. Southbend is a nice town. What I remember most was that there were NO relay runners, which built a level of camaraderie about those who went past mile 13. And the popsicles were awesome at the finish.
C. L. from Arlington, VA (7/13/2004) "Nice race, good organization" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had a fun time at this race and managed to run a PR. The course winds along the river for a good chunk and through some neighborhoods. There aren't many spectators, although when we went through one neighborhood, people were spraying us with their hoses and handing out water. It's not the most scenic course in the world, but it has a nice finish under Touchdown Jesus. The expo is small, but nice. And, I had a fun time touring the College Football Hall of Fame. The post-race food was the most impressive I've seen (fresh fruit cups and popsicles). Transportation back to the starting line was also very efficient. My only gripe was that the race t-shirt was black. It's really not the most practical color for runners. But the medal was nice, and I thought it was a fun race. I will definitely consider it again in the future.
B. L. from Indianapolis, IN (6/14/2004) "A very pleasant and rewarding experience!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my fifth marathon and the best organized of them all - Chicago (2X), New York, and Big Sur. Although small without a lot of the fanfare, the race organizers went overboard to help everyone - not just the elite runners, but everyone. The course was pretty, very flat, and well manned with Gatorade and water almost every mile. The spectators, while small in number, were very supportive and encouraging. And as a Notre Dame fan, finishing underneath touchdown Jesus was an experience on par with any other marathon finish! This is a great race to run for those trying to qualify for Boston. I will definitely be back next year!
M. B. from New York, NY (6/11/2004) "Quality small-market marathon" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 5th marathon but my 1st small one. The positives: The course was interesting & pretty... runs for the most part along the St. Joseph River and is mostly shady and mostly flat with only a few hills (one stubborn one late in the race caught me a bit off guard). There were plenty of water/Gatorade/gel stops, course well marked, volunteers friendly & helpful, & post-race meal was about the best I've had, and included a full course lunch... the 5:45am start was great! The few negatives (for me anyway) was that there were no specators (except at the finish), and the field was so small (less than 450 finishers) that you really needed to stay focused, as there was no one to pull you along. I ran many miles completely by myself, which isn't that easy... Also, unfortunately there was no ND stadium finish due to construction (though that's no fault of the race director). The pasta dinner was only so-so. I would reccommend this race to anyone looking for a low-key marathon. Was worth the trip. Oh, and I did make the Boston qualifying time!
P. P. from Denver, Colorado (6/11/2004) "It was a beautiful day and a great course." (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I really enjoyed running along the river and the tree-lined streets. The weather was perfect and we had more than enough water stops. I was most impressed with all the porta-potties.
Steve Rice from Kalamazoo, Michigan (6/9/2004) "Smaller marathon with big-city class" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was such a first-class, well organized marathon, how could you not reccomend it? Just over 400 runners, but every mile was clearly marked, many aid stations, port-a-johns, energy gel, bananas, wet sponges. The organizers did a super job of taking care of the runners. AND, the ice cold, wet towels at the finish line were heaven-sent. The course is a double out-and-back so there were two opportunities to see the leaders and for the runners to encourage each other. I agree with the other comments that the course was very enjoyable, especially along the river. Hills were minimal; biggest hill was between 24 and 25 miles, but that was not too bad. Hearing the Notre Dame fight song as I approached the finish line made me feel like 'Rudy'!! Spectators were minimal, probably due largely to the 5:45am start time, but the spectators that were out were very enthusiastic. Definitely would recommend this marathon.
Jim Skibo from Cedar Hill (Dallas) Texas (6/6/2004) "Small race with gorgeous scenery." (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sunburst Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 OVERALL: Really nice smaller marathon. Beautiful scenery over nicely varied terrain next to a very scenic river. I think the locals take what they have for granted! FIELD: The 2004 full marathon had a little more than 400 runners and that made for a very uncrowded course and I liked that. It was like running with some of your friends. ORGANIZATION: Flawless. There were a LOT of aid stations and they were all well-stocked with perfectly mixed Gatorade. Sponges at many stations. Iced-down towels for you at the finish! COURSE: This was the first time I?ve run this and I think it is one of the prettiest race courses I?ve run. It parallels the St. Joseph river and has heavily tree-lined routes most of the way. I think the word 'bucolic' is appropriate. The course is basically flat. The elevation chart on the Web site shows some hills, but they are only a 50? elevation change. There wasn?t any extended hill climb anywhere... just a few rises and falls... which is about what you?d expect in any stretch of running. TEMPS: I chose it because it was a late spring race that is in a city that has nice 50-degree starting temps and doesn?t get much above 60 by the end. It was basically a clear day, but there were plenty of shaded stretches and the sun really wasn?t a factor. SPECTATORS. There weren?t many spectators, but for me that?s OK. If I?m comfortable, I?m zoned-out anyway. The occasional residents mowing their yards and waving was fine. Several very thoughtful families had their sprinklers running and aimed at the street in case you wanted a spray to cool you down. GOODIES: The finisher's medal is cool and you get a special 'Marathon' T-shirt with slick graphics.

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