calendar icon Apr 19, 2024

Marathon Details - Sault International Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Sault Ste. Marie > Sault International Marathon

Sault International Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K, Bridge Run

location icon Sault Ste. Marie, MI USA    calendar icon  September 26, 2015 - CANCELLED    calendar icon http://www.saultmarathon.com




Name: Chamber Director
Address: 2581 I-75 Business Spur
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone Number:  906-632-3366
Fax Number: 906-632-2331
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 5.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 5.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 2.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 4


 

F. M. from Sault Sainte marie, MI (10/26/2014)
"Flat and fast marathon in Michigan's Beautiful U.P" (about: 2014)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Sault International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I really like this event, for the first 2-3 miles you crossed into Canadian Territory via the International Bridge and then circled back through Sault, Michigan. The course was predominantly flat and fast and serves as an excellent Boston qualifying opportunity. In addition, this race was ran in the near peak fall color season of the U.P., which provides for a beautiful back drop to the race. The race director and volunteers were extremely energetic and helpful. I look forward to running this race again in 2015.
 

Rob Klein from Paradise, MI (10/8/2013)
"A Coordination Effort with Canada" (about: 2013)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Sault International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


This marathon was comparatively small, but the halfers started with us and that made it look much bigger than it was. We departed from Easterday Ave. in front of Lake Superior State's Norris Center, and immediately entered I-75 going north over the International Bridge. The north-bound lane was closed for the runners and Bridge and customs officials piloted car traffic both north and south, in the southbound lane. It worked great, but the motorists might have not thought so. For me, when I was at the high-point of the bridge, the sun broke the horizon, and it was awesome and spectacular. About two miles into the run, we technically entered Canada, but immediately did a U-turn and headed back to the Upper Peninsula. (Legally we did not enter Canada because we did not go through Customs or have to have our passports.) It was great effort between local officials in both countries to permit the runners passage over the Bridge and back.

Coming back in the Soo, we made a loop to the right, and ran along the Soo Locks down the St. Mary's River. This gave a good look at the Locks, though activity was quiet at the time. Running this stretch, we had the sun in our face for a few miles, but it was still low on the horizon. We kind of headed southeast, more or less along the river (Riverside Drive & Nicolet Drive, with some turns to stretch it out, then pretty much back-tracked to the finish like area. The freighter Algoma was heading up the St. Mary's River when I was headed back toward town and it was fun to see it steaming along. At the finish line there were oatmeal bars and oranges; bottled water too. Since I was next to the last to finish, most of the folks had already left. Volunteer drivers gave rides to return runners to the starting line area so we could re-connect with our cars.

This race was well supported for how small of a marathon it was - I think the highest number was 36. For having been run for four years now (if I have my numbers correct), this race was small by comparison to others I have participated in. Still, it was a good race, and once over the International Bridge and back, it was pretty flat.
 

M. W. from Michigan (9/25/2011)
"This town got this marathon PERFECT" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Sault International Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Every pre-race matter is organized.
Your course is flat, marked, scenic, and interesting.
The traffic is managed perfectly.
There is a heavy visible presence of law enforcement and EMS.
There are plenty of aid stations. No shortage of water and gatorade.
The shirts and medal are a class act.
This year the weather was perfect. Last year it was cold. Consider perhaps moving it up a week or two (or not).
The towns people were along the course. A few garage bands or street performers out in the street would not hurt any.

This marathon was planned by a group that had to have found out what could go right or wrong with a marathon and then acted/planned accordingly.
 

Tim Pearson from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (9/25/2011)
"Fast and scenic race with few spectators" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Sault International Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I just ran the Sault Area Chamber Chase, and I can tell you it's one of Michigan's best kept secrets. The race starts with a breathtaking stretch over the St. Mary's river, which connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron. Running across the International Bridge is simply awesome. The view of both the Canadian and American Sault is fantastic. It's so good, you barely recognize the double rises of the bridge going both ways. Aside from the bridge, there are no hills on this course. It's nearly pancake flat after the bridge component. Temperatures on race day were cool, and there was only a slight breeze, making this a great Boston qualifier course given the time of year. The race date though means that you won't qualify for Boston until the next year though. The Sault Eagles hockey team and a huge team of enthusiastic volunteers manned regular water stations every couple of miles. Water, Gu Brew and Gu gels were readily available. The downside is the number of spectators and competitors. If you're looking for a race with a big city feel, this isn't the one for you. There were only a few spectators along the course, but they were very encouraging. The race follows the St. Mary's River (out and back) making for a very scenic, but very quiet race. This year there were only about 40 runners in the full, meaning that you might find yourself alone a lot of the time. Lots of pylons mark the way, so you won't get lost, and traffic is almost non-existent along the route. I was impressed by the number of port-a-johns available on course. You never had far to go if you ever need a pitstop. Other marathons could learn a lot from this! The course was accurately measured and certified and the race was chip-timed. The finishers' medal is really well-designed with a pretty good race shirt. No swag though. The entry fee is one of the lowest around, but the organizers don't offer prize money, draw prizes nor sponsor prizes to anyone. Age division recognition goes 3-deep, with a very unique slice of International Bridge I-Beam fashioned into a trophy. You won't see another trophy like it anywhere! It's a good race, but don't enter for the prizes or fanfare. Go for the fast and scenic course. The twin Saults are also a nice place to visit if you're looking for a destination race that's not too crowded.

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