May 18, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 181 to 191]
|
A Runner from Washington, DC
(6/18/2002)
 "Not recommended for slow runners" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 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. | |
|
A Runner from Dixon, IL
(6/14/2002)
 "What a Way To Finish!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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! | |
|
A Runner from Warren, MI
(6/11/2002)
 "Worth the trip - great experience." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
A Runner from Chicago,IL
(6/10/2002)
"Add this one to your list!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
A Runner from Birmingham, MI
(6/10/2002)
"What a Finish!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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! | |
|
A Runner from Indiana, USA
(6/9/2002)
"The cold, wet towel lady for President!!!!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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. | |
|
A Runner from methuen, ma (formerly of bloomington in)
(2/1/2002)
"he's at the 20, 30, 40, 50...and needs H2O badly" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
Tom Blefko from Hummelstown, PA
(11/3/2001)
 "First Marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
A Runner from Martinez, Georgia
(9/3/2001)
"The concept was nice, but......" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Running across the 50 yd line at Notre Dame stadium was anti-climactic after putting up with a poorly marked course (a dozen or so of us took a 300 yd detour because of missing a turn by the river), very warm water and gatorade at some of the tables, and three months later, I still haven't received my certificate in the mail. The start was very well organized. The website is very well done and informative and the race director is very prompt with her responses. The t-shirt is uncreative and plain. | |
|
A Runner from Indiana
(6/19/2001)
 "ND stadium a great place to finish" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After finishing my 1st marathon at Chicago last year, I wanted to try a smaller race this year. If you don't mind running the last 4 miles with very little crowd support along with the 40 degree hill at the 24 mile post, this could be the race for you. This marathon is very well organized and the finish at the 50 yard line at ND stadium is great. Also, the aids at the end of the race were very helpful. p.s. I didn't know they had hills in South Bend. I do now! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
