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Marathon Details - Groundhog Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Grand Rapids > Groundhog Marathon

Groundhog Marathon

Groundhog Marathon & Half Marathon, 1/6 Marathon

Grand Rapids, MI USA

February 8, 2025

http://www.groundhogmarathon.com

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2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Multiple loops on a combination of paved and unpaved trails. This will be held no matter what the weather or how bad the trails are, so be ready for anything.

Contact Information

Name:	Don Kern
Address:	1170 Oakburn Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone Number:	616-293-3145
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Congratulations Runners (2/8/13)

Don Kern

It's the tough runs that make the adventure better. Some of you just had one of those. The nice, flat road marathons make for good times on the clock. But running through a foot or more of fresh snow with a bunch of crazy people during a Michigan winter is one of those epic adventures that we talk about for years to come. When you tell your grandkids about this years from now, the snow can even be up to your waist if you want.

Runner Reviews (15)

Course 3.9

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.7

Write a review

Number of comments: 15 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

D. PETERSON from Wisconsin (2/4/2020) "Race director thinks of everything." (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Just like in the movie Groundhog Day, we ran the loop 6 times. From the hooded sweatshirts to the fun medals, to the chili, beer at the finish, runners cleary come first here. And as in the movie, this is one event you should do over and over.
K. B. from Toledo, OH (2/6/2017) "A Great Race" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was so well organized. The packet pick up Friday night was easy in/easy out. You get the coolest hoodie and beanie! Race day had parking at the zoo with a shuttle to the race, which was so convenient. Race day was very cold but there was a heated tent large enough for everyone to stay warm until the start. I wasn't too sure about running 4.4 six times, but it was actually really nice - it seemed to go very fast. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were all so friendly. The finish had a nice medal and hot soup. The shuttles ran pretty close together so you didn't have to wait long to get back to the zoo. Very well done!
T. M. from Grand Rapids, MI (2/8/2016) "winter trail running in Michigan!" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Fun race, well organized, great volunteers, few spectators other than at the aid stations, turn-around/finish-line. I even enjoyed the scenery the sixth time. It's winter running in Michigan, with aid stations, good swag, and hot soup and cold beer at the finish! Enjoy the adventure - just check the forecast and trail conditions first.
M. B. from Hudsonville MI (6/16/2015) "They dont lie to you" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Groundhog Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race director doesn't lie about the conditions, the thing is that if there was nice weather it would be a PR course. This is the 3rd year running and I have not seen that kind of weather yet. Like the hoodies they are a nice change from the typical race shirt. Aide stations are well maintained, still wish they would try and plow the course to make it a little more bearable. The beer in the tent is a great idea, it would be nice if they could get it heated up enough in there to where you could actually drink it.
Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (2/3/2015) "Groundhog Blizzard&" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Okay, it probably wasnt blowing at 35 mph to qualify as a blizzard, but the temperature was in the high teens, and it snowed all day long. This event was a four-something mile loop that was repeated 6 times to get the 26.2 mileage. Yes, you saw the same thing over and over, but the blowing and the snowing kept changing the base. It was a park, but was a wooded park rather than a manicured park. The base camp was a heated tent that got kind of crowded inside by about 30 minutes before the race started. The trail had been groomed by some kind of 4-wheel drive vehicle towing a drag over the path. That probably helped, but we were still running in the snow. I anticipated the trail to be packed down before the ½ marathoners were finished running, but that did not happen. Anyway, the race started on time and of about 100 marathoners (according to one race official) it looked like only 52 completed the course. This race was certified as a BQer, but good luck. Only one person finished faster than 3:30. The race director suggested that unless this was your first marathon, you would not likely get a PR. It was supposed to be tough and challenging event and I dont think anybody showed up expecting anything less. And as winter goes in the upper Midwest, it could have been much worse. The organization was great, and there were plenty of volunteers and that always helps. Check in the afternoon before was a breeze. There were aid stations just before mile post 2 and just after mile post 3, and then again at the start/finish line which we crossed at the end of each loop. All three locations had canopy tents and propane heaters too, but the volunteers were still just hanging around in the cold waiting to serve us water, Gatorade, and soda most of the time with ice. They had gels at the start-line area, and pretzels and cookies on the course itself. The gels were kind hard, but still worked. There were definitely elevation changes along this course, but nothing substantial or difficult. But I could still feel it in my quads two days later. The only people cheering were the volunteers, folks at the start-line area, and the place where the loop closed about 1/3 of a mile from the start-line (after the ½ marathoners were done, those people all left). Post-race food was probably really good, but by the time I got back all they had left was chicken soup and soda pop. I was thankful to have something hot to eat though. The race director strongly recommended these trax devices plastic gizmos that clamped on to the bottom of your shoe, and over the toe. They cost $40.00 to buy, and I did not elect to go with them because I was unfamiliar with them and had never tried or experimented with them and I did not want to try something new and then have difficulty with it especially in this weather. But I had no issues with slipping or falling so life is good. This was a good event, and if you up for a mid-winter challenge, you should check this race out. They took good care of the runners even the slower ones right to the end.
S. W. from Kentucky (2/4/2014) "ROUGH!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race delivered exactly what it promised! IT WAS TOUGH!!!! The course was not groomed or plowed (as advertised). Race director always does great job and vols were awesome. Bottom line: Never give up. Hats off to all who toed the line.
S. B. from MI (2/3/2014) "Awful." (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 While I feel they warn you about the lack of grooming on the trails, I wasn't expecting how bad they actually were. It was a huge waste of money, even for a 'fun' run. I have done many other runs, including obstacle runs, and have never felt as unsafe in an event as I did in this one. You weren't running, so much as you were shuffling in a single file line, staring at the ground, trying not to twist an ankle or blow out a knee. I will never do this race again, and could never in good faith recommend it to anyone. However, if they could get one of those trail plows out there to clear it out at least a little, the concept of the race was really fun. The reality was not. Do not waste your money unless they improve the trail.
C. F. from Lansing, MI (2/3/2014) "Not a race I will repeat!" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was the most mentally and physically challenging race of my life. The conditions honestly could have been considered dangerous in my opinion. The loop was unplowed and ungroomed with several feet of snow. I was slipping everywhere whether I ran or walked. I expected snow and ran in snow all winter but talking to those that ran it last year, 2014 was just ridiculous conditions compared to last year (close to unrunnable). When the lead runners finish their marathons 2 hours slower than normal, you know there is a problem. I switched down to the half and still was in as much pain as if I had ran a full because of how hard I worked to get through the snow the whole time. I wanted the medal for my effort though so I pushed through! Never again!
D. S. from Michigan (3/3/2013) "It was deja vu all over again!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Marathons have been cancelled for far less than the conditions were at Groundhog. This was Michigan though and if you could get there, there was no doubt the race was on...six loops...following the snow trench...pickles at the turn-around...chili/ beer at the finish. The 'snowtrack' made for some congestion and I regrettably was a little annoyed at runners who would just stop in track at the aid stations while dozens of runner had to immediately adjust into the 'snow berms' from behind. But all was fairly (relatively) easy going by the 2nd & 3rd laps or was it the 3rd & 4th? Can't remember as it all seemed to meld together into the fluffy whiteness after awhile. The finisher medal and hoodee were great (as well as all the free access race photos posted afterwards) but I echo the comments about no postrace shuttle...Thankfully I got a ride, but we can't always assume the kindness of strangers, so I hope Don can sort that out next year...
J. O. from Michigan (2/21/2013) "Nice course, enthusiastic volunteers, bad weather" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Good - Nice hoody and medal. Scenic course with frequent aid stations, though a short loop marathon is a little tedious. Very friendly and enthusiastic volunteers, despite the challenging weather. Bad - No food on the course except pickles at one aid station. No heat in the tent after running all morning in the snow. Good beer provided but hard to drink it when you're shaking from cold. Worse - No shuttle back to parking lot after race. Expecting people to walk along a snowy road for 3/4 mile or whatever it is in very cold conditions after running a marathon is not smart. With the small number of runners one van would have done it.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]



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D. PETERSON from Wisconsin (2/4/2020) "Race director thinks of everything." (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Just like in the movie Groundhog Day, we ran the loop 6 times. From the hooded sweatshirts to the fun medals, to the chili, beer at the finish, runners cleary come first here. And as in the movie, this is one event you should do over and over.
K. B. from Toledo, OH (2/6/2017) "A Great Race" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was so well organized. The packet pick up Friday night was easy in/easy out. You get the coolest hoodie and beanie! Race day had parking at the zoo with a shuttle to the race, which was so convenient. Race day was very cold but there was a heated tent large enough for everyone to stay warm until the start. I wasn't too sure about running 4.4 six times, but it was actually really nice - it seemed to go very fast. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were all so friendly. The finish had a nice medal and hot soup. The shuttles ran pretty close together so you didn't have to wait long to get back to the zoo. Very well done!
T. M. from Grand Rapids, MI (2/8/2016) "winter trail running in Michigan!" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Fun race, well organized, great volunteers, few spectators other than at the aid stations, turn-around/finish-line. I even enjoyed the scenery the sixth time. It's winter running in Michigan, with aid stations, good swag, and hot soup and cold beer at the finish! Enjoy the adventure - just check the forecast and trail conditions first.
M. B. from Hudsonville MI (6/16/2015) "They dont lie to you" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Groundhog Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race director doesn't lie about the conditions, the thing is that if there was nice weather it would be a PR course. This is the 3rd year running and I have not seen that kind of weather yet. Like the hoodies they are a nice change from the typical race shirt. Aide stations are well maintained, still wish they would try and plow the course to make it a little more bearable. The beer in the tent is a great idea, it would be nice if they could get it heated up enough in there to where you could actually drink it.
Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (2/3/2015) "Groundhog Blizzard&" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Okay, it probably wasnt blowing at 35 mph to qualify as a blizzard, but the temperature was in the high teens, and it snowed all day long. This event was a four-something mile loop that was repeated 6 times to get the 26.2 mileage. Yes, you saw the same thing over and over, but the blowing and the snowing kept changing the base. It was a park, but was a wooded park rather than a manicured park. The base camp was a heated tent that got kind of crowded inside by about 30 minutes before the race started. The trail had been groomed by some kind of 4-wheel drive vehicle towing a drag over the path. That probably helped, but we were still running in the snow. I anticipated the trail to be packed down before the ½ marathoners were finished running, but that did not happen. Anyway, the race started on time and of about 100 marathoners (according to one race official) it looked like only 52 completed the course. This race was certified as a BQer, but good luck. Only one person finished faster than 3:30. The race director suggested that unless this was your first marathon, you would not likely get a PR. It was supposed to be tough and challenging event and I dont think anybody showed up expecting anything less. And as winter goes in the upper Midwest, it could have been much worse. The organization was great, and there were plenty of volunteers and that always helps. Check in the afternoon before was a breeze. There were aid stations just before mile post 2 and just after mile post 3, and then again at the start/finish line which we crossed at the end of each loop. All three locations had canopy tents and propane heaters too, but the volunteers were still just hanging around in the cold waiting to serve us water, Gatorade, and soda most of the time with ice. They had gels at the start-line area, and pretzels and cookies on the course itself. The gels were kind hard, but still worked. There were definitely elevation changes along this course, but nothing substantial or difficult. But I could still feel it in my quads two days later. The only people cheering were the volunteers, folks at the start-line area, and the place where the loop closed about 1/3 of a mile from the start-line (after the ½ marathoners were done, those people all left). Post-race food was probably really good, but by the time I got back all they had left was chicken soup and soda pop. I was thankful to have something hot to eat though. The race director strongly recommended these trax devices plastic gizmos that clamped on to the bottom of your shoe, and over the toe. They cost $40.00 to buy, and I did not elect to go with them because I was unfamiliar with them and had never tried or experimented with them and I did not want to try something new and then have difficulty with it especially in this weather. But I had no issues with slipping or falling so life is good. This was a good event, and if you up for a mid-winter challenge, you should check this race out. They took good care of the runners even the slower ones right to the end.
S. W. from Kentucky (2/4/2014) "ROUGH!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The race delivered exactly what it promised! IT WAS TOUGH!!!! The course was not groomed or plowed (as advertised). Race director always does great job and vols were awesome. Bottom line: Never give up. Hats off to all who toed the line.
S. B. from MI (2/3/2014) "Awful." (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 While I feel they warn you about the lack of grooming on the trails, I wasn't expecting how bad they actually were. It was a huge waste of money, even for a 'fun' run. I have done many other runs, including obstacle runs, and have never felt as unsafe in an event as I did in this one. You weren't running, so much as you were shuffling in a single file line, staring at the ground, trying not to twist an ankle or blow out a knee. I will never do this race again, and could never in good faith recommend it to anyone. However, if they could get one of those trail plows out there to clear it out at least a little, the concept of the race was really fun. The reality was not. Do not waste your money unless they improve the trail.
C. F. from Lansing, MI (2/3/2014) "Not a race I will repeat!" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was the most mentally and physically challenging race of my life. The conditions honestly could have been considered dangerous in my opinion. The loop was unplowed and ungroomed with several feet of snow. I was slipping everywhere whether I ran or walked. I expected snow and ran in snow all winter but talking to those that ran it last year, 2014 was just ridiculous conditions compared to last year (close to unrunnable). When the lead runners finish their marathons 2 hours slower than normal, you know there is a problem. I switched down to the half and still was in as much pain as if I had ran a full because of how hard I worked to get through the snow the whole time. I wanted the medal for my effort though so I pushed through! Never again!
D. S. from Michigan (3/3/2013) "It was deja vu all over again!" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Marathons have been cancelled for far less than the conditions were at Groundhog. This was Michigan though and if you could get there, there was no doubt the race was on...six loops...following the snow trench...pickles at the turn-around...chili/ beer at the finish. The 'snowtrack' made for some congestion and I regrettably was a little annoyed at runners who would just stop in track at the aid stations while dozens of runner had to immediately adjust into the 'snow berms' from behind. But all was fairly (relatively) easy going by the 2nd & 3rd laps or was it the 3rd & 4th? Can't remember as it all seemed to meld together into the fluffy whiteness after awhile. The finisher medal and hoodee were great (as well as all the free access race photos posted afterwards) but I echo the comments about no postrace shuttle...Thankfully I got a ride, but we can't always assume the kindness of strangers, so I hope Don can sort that out next year...
J. O. from Michigan (2/21/2013) "Nice course, enthusiastic volunteers, bad weather" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Groundhog Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Good - Nice hoody and medal. Scenic course with frequent aid stations, though a short loop marathon is a little tedious. Very friendly and enthusiastic volunteers, despite the challenging weather. Bad - No food on the course except pickles at one aid station. No heat in the tent after running all morning in the snow. Good beer provided but hard to drink it when you're shaking from cold. Worse - No shuttle back to parking lot after race. Expecting people to walk along a snowy road for 3/4 mile or whatever it is in very cold conditions after running a marathon is not smart. With the small number of runners one van would have done it.

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Marathon Details - Groundhog Marathon