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Marathon Details - Whitefish Point Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Paradise > Whitefish Point Marathon

Whitefish Point Marathon

Whitefish Point Marathon

location icon Paradise, MI USA

calendar icon June 12, 2021

calendar icon http://whitefishpointmarathon.org

Marathon Results

By Year: 2021   2019   2018   2017   2016   2015   2014   2013   Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Start at Whitefish Township Emergency Services across from the Whitefish Township Community Center, heading north on M-123, then north on Whitefish Point Road, to Vermillion Road, then 0.45 miles down Vermillion, back to Whitefish Point Road. north to the Lighthouse; then back to Superior Dr.along N. Superior Drive, and continuing south on Whitefish Point Road and M-123 to the Whitefish Community Center in Paradise, Michigan.

Contact Information

Name: Bill Sved
Address: P.O. Box 82
Paradise, MI 49768
Phone Number:  906-361-5059
Email: Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Registration is open for 2018. (10/5/17)
Bill Sved


New course beginning in 2017, USATF certification number MI16059NM. The start is located across from the finish. An Earlybird fee structure has been instituted and registration opened on October 1. The Whitefish Point Marathon is another event sponsored by the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce and is staffed entirely by volunteers from the area. The course is fast and scenic. Boston Marathon Qualifiers and first time marathon finishers are recognized at awards presentation.

Runner Reviews (22)

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.4 
 
 
Number of comments: 22 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

 

Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (6/14/2016)
"Great Weather, and Very Few Bugs" (about: 2016)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This is my home-town marathon. Since last year, through political action, the area chamber of commerce gained control of this marathon, and they brought in a race director from outside the area. They did a lot of stuff well, and there are definitely needed improvements. First, at $35.00, this was the cheapest Boston qualifying marathon in the country. That is a distinction shared with Minocqua, Wisconsins No Frills Marathon. The first thing they did this year was to raise the registration fee to $50.00. I guess if you are paying staff, you have to charge more money. The other thing they did this year was to have an awards ceremony after the race. I cannot comment on the ceremony, because I did not attend. I usually finish pretty close to the end of the pack, so I dont generally get to these ceremonies.

Like previous years, the RD sent an informational e-mail earlier in the week. Check in was a breeze. The start-line activity was routine, and pretty complete. There were eight water stations on the course, one you passed twice, making it effectively nine stations; I think they were spaced every 3 miles, with a couple of them being closer to two miles apart. Volunteers were friendly and cordial. There were two course reversals and there were check-point volunteers at both. They did a good job too. I also thought the course was well marked. They did more painting arrows on the roads and such this year, but there were other signs too. It would have been hard to get lost on this course. The weather was great. Humidity was high  in the mid 80s, but the temperature was about 70, and it was fog and/or overcast all morning.

Both the fire department and EMS vehicles were present on the course through the morning. I heard that the ambulance treated someone, but I was unable to confirm this. But it was comforting to know these guys were available on the course. They had a clock at the finish-line that seemed to be functioning properly. Timing was done manually. More on that in a minute&
Last year the logo was designed by an artist in Florida. This year, they just kept the same logo for the T-shirts, but with no event date, on a 50/50 cotton polyester blend in yellow instead of the white polyester sublimation T-shirt from a year earlier. Of course, not dating the swag (stuff we all get), they can just use the left-overs for next years event. I suppose that saves money. The medallion was pitiful. It consisted of a small stone  maybe 1 inch by 1.5 inches, with metal loop glued to the stone, with a lanyard through the loop and a 7/8 inch diameter circle  containing the logo, shrunk to fit  pasted in the center of the stone. You could not even read what it said. Last year the runners got a spin-cast medal  manufactured at an area factory. The other thing they did was to re-introduce cups on the course. This made the course more messy, though most of the trash was getting into receptacles that were on the course. And there was no carb snacks of any kind on the course, and no gel (GU, Hammer gel, or Clif-shots). The information provided ahead of time specifically said the aid stations would have water and Gatorade. And they did. I saw several other runners carrying their own gel - which is what I did. And I used all six that I brought from home. Still, the course had gel pack litter along the way. The other thing that did not make sense is that the mile marker locations. They were all adjusted when this course was certified a couple of years ago. Instead of using the existing locations - which were all contained in a database - they relocated every single mile marker on the course, and some of them were not even close. I guess that is a moot point, since the mile marker locations were not certified; only the start and finish-line were certified. And previous years were timed with a computer program. Why they went back to manual timing does not make sense.
Again, I cannot comment on the awards ceremony. I did not attend. But as far as swag each runner took home, last years race had way better stuff to hand out. Compared to last year, you went home with a lot less for the money you paid. The post-race food and drink were typical: Bananas, bagels, water, Gatorade, and this one had potato chips too. Still, even with a few inclines on the course, it is a really fast course, and it is very scenic too. And this year, the bugs  and particularly the mosquitoes, were not a factor they had been in the past  probably because of a lower accumulation of snow-fall this past winter.

 

C. P. from Hudsonville, Michigan (6/29/2015)
"Flat & Scenic & well organized w/supportive staff" (about: 2015)

2 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Well run. Combination of paved shoulders with (2) 2 mile stretches of gravel - all good condition. Minimal traffic. Very supportive & friendly staff/volunteers. Bugs were not an issue for me while running. Scenic, flat & quiet.

 

C. L. from Ishpeming, MI (6/22/2015)
"Friendly and beautiful" (about: 2015)

2 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


The race director made every effort to know your name and make you feel welcome. Flat and scenic course with plenty of aid stations. Quiet peaceful race!!! Really enjoyed the experience.

 

M. H. from Potterville, Mi (6/16/2015)
"Well run, beautiful course, Great volunteers" (about: 2015)

1 previous marathon | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is the first marathon for me in 38 years. I have run many 5Ks, 10Ks, Half-Marathons, etc. This Marathon is first class all the way. Your volunteers and hospitality are absolutely wonderful. The course was just great and very beautiful. I cant see any way to improve upon what you are doing at the moment. I love the shirts, finisher medal and the other goodies in the race bag. I will be recommending your marathon to my entire running community here in the Lansing area. My buddy says he is already looking forward to getting back to your marathon.

 

T. B. from Minneapolis, MN (6/16/2015)
"Beautiful, bucolic, and friendly!" (about: 2015)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Lovely scenery with water and cheering that didn't distract from the view. Friendliest volunteers ever, well-planned and smoothly run made this an excellent marathon.

 

M. B. from Hudsonville MI (6/16/2015)
"Flat course, lots of trees to look at" (about: 2015)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


I believe this race will continue to grow, from the numbers I've seen it has doubled every year. The course is fast but there is not a lot to look at unless you like trees ;-)

I like small races, there is more of a personal touch, all the miles are marked, aid stations are stocked but you must carry a bottle for water

 

R. G. from Grand Rapids, MI (6/15/2015)
"Beautiful course, great people, gorgeous location" (about: 2015)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


If you run marathons because you like to run, this is perfect. Course is relatively flat, mostly road shoulders with a bit of gravel. Fairly small group of runners, so things aren't crowded, and people are really friendly and encouraging. Weather this year was perfect, cool, breezy and sunny. Highly recommended.

 

D. K. from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (6/3/2015)
"Absolutely Fantastic!" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Top Ten Reasons to Run the Whitefish Point Marathon:
10. The cool breezes off Lake Superior help you run faster.
9. Very Scenic Course
8. Extremely Fast Course
7. Friendly Townspeople cheering you on even with mosquitoes chasing them.
6. Easy for family and friends to cheer for you along the course.
5. Where else can you run by a lighthouse?
4. The entry fee is unbeatable.
3. It ends in Paradise!
2. Rob Klein-Race Director=Your Personal Cheerleader and Greeter when you cross the finish line.
1. I QUALIFIED FOR THE BOSTON MARATHON!

 

B. L. from Tucson, AZ (6/25/2014)
"Most welcoming marathon!" (about: 2014)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Whitefish Point Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I had to best experience ever at Whitefish Point! This is only my fourth marathon, but I have never had a race director go out of his way to be so kind. I was greeted by name at aid stations and when I finished and was getting in my car, I received a big hug! I really feel the love of this community. As a Northern LP Michigan native, I am used to small towns and this one is great. I would definitely consider repeating this event next year because it was such a great time. I spent the whole race chatting with fellow runners. Everyone was very friendly. I ran into several runners at the Falls which are only about 15 minutes away. To our credit, it was a great cool down to explore the natural beauty of the Falls and climb up and down those hundreds of steps! With an on-site brewery, a great end to a fabulous day!

 

B. C. from Michigan (6/22/2014)
"Fabulous course!" (about: 2014)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


The course was scenic, flat and fast. It is a great Boston qualifier. If you like a lot of hype it is not the race for you. If you want to have a good run and Superior beauty, this is it! The race director was great at keeping you up to date from sign up to completion.

 

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