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Apr 28, 2024

Marquette Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.4

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.7

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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P. G. from New York (3/28/2014) "A very good small town marathon" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a really nice small town marathon. The expo was very easy to find and was a good in and out experience. The surrounding town has very convenient hotels, the cabs were plentiful and cheap, so was easy to get around. The course is good, though the two loops always detracts a little from the experience. They're changing the course next year to a point to point course, so I expect it will be a much better race. But the surrounding area is very nice and there was good weather for late August. The people in the city definitely come out to support the race, but it's so spread out (and there aren't a ton people there anyway) so certain parts can feel a bit lonely. Most of the people along the course directing the way were enthusiastic, though - so at least there were people every so often cheering along. The after party was nice (though could have used a little more sports drink - just had water and chocolate milk). But the 'beer tent' area was great, good food selection, etc. Overall, a fun race and definitely recommended for those looking for a summer marathon.
Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (9/8/2013) "Great 'Up North' Marathon" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This community came together to put on a great marathon event. The online information was well done and registration was a breeze. The expo/registration was in the evening, and though there were lots of people there, it was a quick in and out, once I knew where to go. The race start/finish was on Presque Isle. It was easy to find, and getting dropped off got me very close to the staging area. The course was a double loop, being a combination of what appeared to be an old railroad bed, wooded trails, and then a long stretch along the shore of Lake Superior. This was not a huge marathon event, so as the race progressed, the runners got really spread out, and especially closer to the end where I was running. There were an abundance of volunteers along the course, and even near the end, they all appeared to be staying at their posts. There were frequent water stops along the way. Gatorade and water were always available, and some stations had carb gels too. There were some hills, and the worst was on Presque Isle, closing in on the finish line. Nothing else seemed that significant, though the elevation profile on the webpage definitely showed hills. Marquette has a dock for freighters to be serviced, and the Mesabi Miner was in port, and appeared to be unloading coal. So we got to go past this enormous ship several times during the course. You dont realize how big these things are until you go by one at the dock! There was an adequate amount of food at the finish line. They had burgers and hot dogs for the runners, with chips and fruit. There were also bananas down by the finish line, but I had to ask, and then look for them. Also, the dairy people were handing out bottles of chocolate milk a real treat and these guys did not run out! Well done. The weather was perfect for running early on, with an overcast sky; by noon or so the sun was out and warmed things up a bit more and I did sustain minor sun-burn on my exposed skin (I ran out of sunscreen lotion at the staging area). This race was very well staffed, stocked, and Marquette is a beautiful city to see and experience. I even signed up late and still got a T-shirt, though it was a rather plain design.
D. W. from Indianapolis, IN (9/2/2013) "Great Experience" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was very well marked. Plenty of aid stations and port a pots along the way. Beautiful scenery. The event was well organized. The city was so clean and beautiful. The people were so friendly. Easy packet pick up. Plenty of parking on race day. Loved to hear the waves lapping as we ran. This was my 4th mini marathon and my best time. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend this event to anyone. I liked the cookout that was provided for the participants. I liked the size of the event.
C. K. from United States (9/5/2012) "Great small marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Very good organization from packet pickup to picking up the shuttle buses. The course had a bit of everything in it. It was flat enough to get a good time and hilly enough to be interesting. Although there were few spectators the ones there were enthusiastic. Volunteers were terrific. PLENTY of toilets along the course (always a plus). One quibble: there could have been more varied food available at the end, maybe with more fruit.
D. S. from Michigan (9/5/2012) "One of the better Michigan marathons!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was rather surprised by the community involvement & energy of Marquette. Stayed at the Hampton Inn, on the waterfront, right on the course, walking distance to plenty of restaurants (and a post race Blues Festival!) Good overall race support; water/aid, traffic control, course markings etc. Nice weather with typical breeze off the lake. I am not a fan of loop courses but considering the terrain of the region, you have to respect that they kept the course as 'flat' as they could. Course is mostly on bike trail and is not closed for the race. If the race gets any bigger congestion could be a problem. Tech shirt and finish medal were 'OK' but I expect they could have put some more regional creativity into the frills. Post-race grill and soaking legs in the lake was nice.
K. M. from Florida (9/3/2012) "A BIT DISAPPOINTING..." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 24th marathon and my MI completions for the 50 States Club. I am normally very positive no matter what the circumstances, but this WAS NOT A GOOD RACE. Although well organized, the course was a bit of a nightmare. We were constantly turning corners, changing terrain, and sharing a well used bike and running path with pedestrians, half marathoners, and marathon relayers in BOTH DIRECTIONS. (And to the pink shirted half marathoner at mile 11 - as an obvious newbie to the sport - running etiquette is that slower runners stay to the right and faster runners pass on the LEFT!) I have loved 22 of my 24 marathons, unfortunately this was one of the 2 I didn't. If you need MI, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
R. F. from Luxemburg, WI (9/3/2012) "A small town with a Great Race!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was my first time to Marquette and running their marathon. They are known for their mining. Well, they have a gem of a marathon. Very well organized. A challenging fast course, with a big hill at the 12 mile and 25 mile points. The fans couldn't have been more supportive, and I enjoyed every minute of the race.
M. B. from Green Bay, WI (9/2/2012) "Beautiful course, fantastic experience!" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon yesterday morning, and I am so pleased with it that I want to be sure to make comments ASAP because this race is deserving of really positive reviews. I was skeptical of the race going into it both because I have had less than good experiences with small marathons and also because the course was 2 13 mile loops. My skepticism was proven misplaced on both counts. The course itself is fun, with lots of different terrain (bike trail along the lake, crushed gravel trails among houses, sidewalks, roadway through forest). It changed up so much that doing it twice was a pleasure. Also, the race was extremely well organized, with plenty of volunteers at every turn cheering and directing runners. The signage was clear and consistent. I especially appreciated that at every place a person could possibly go off course (something that happened to me in another marathon very frustrating!) there was a 'Turn Back' sign immediately. There was plenty of water and gatorade throughout the course, GUs were distributed twice, and portajohns were place frequently on the course as well. The race directors and volunteers were incredibly friendly and congenial, as were all the people in the town. I wore my medal around town after while getting some lunch and multiple locals came to congratulation me! The Marquette Marathon directors have capitalized on some really great aspects of Marquette: it's natural beauty and the friendly and warm citizens, to make for a really exceptional 'marathon experience.' (The only possible negative is that there aren't many fans along the trail, besides the volunteers. Of course, this is the price of a small town marathon, and the MM organizers did their best to make up for it in every other way.)
J. B. from Shakopee, mn (2/10/2012) "Beautiful Small Grass Routes Marathon Around" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've always loved the larger marathons and have had my doubts of smaller marathons. So when I was looking for a last minute Boston Qualifier and Marquette looked to be my only choice with a 2 loop course on a bike path 7 hours away and 200 people I was having serious doubts. Then I ran it. Wow. Wow. Wow. Where have I been all this time. Stupendous job. From the race director sending personable emails with updates or tidbits; I felt alike I was part of the family. Marquette is a great town along the lake; great restaurants and places to walk around. I wasn't looking forward to the two loop course but it was so fun with a little bit of dirt path, heavily shaded bike path, the fast downhill chute into downtown, short up and downs in downtown, fast flats, the winding tree section at the shore (favorite section for me), the pain searing steep but very very short formidable uphill at twelve, I couldn't wait to run one more loop and then to finish in the park right next to the picturesque lakeshore park area was the whip cream on the top and a beautiful finishers medal as the cherry on top. Spectators were out and very vocally noticeable but there we also sections of with no spectators and that was ok as well because the course was almost meditative in its beauty. The kids races the night before was great to get the family involved. I am so extremely thankful for getting the opportunity to run this friendly, down to earth, small knit marathon. It's UPs hidden running gem.
A. G. from Indiana (9/14/2011) "Great in all aspects" (about: 2011) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Marquette Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can add a positive spin to the HEED issue...because I've tried HEED in a few other events and know what it tastes like (for me anyway), I really, really appreciated the advance information. I carried my Gatorade on my hip belt, and all was well. This was a great marathon, from organization, the e-mails, volunteers, and an absolutely beautiful course. I personally liked the double loop. I think it helps with course familiarity which helps the run. And the city of Marquette was wonderful. I even contributed to the city treasury because of a parking ticket (which was all my fault). The only problem I have at all is I don't have a Donkers closer than 500 miles!

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