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Marathon Details - Dawn of the Dunes

North America Marathons > USA > IN > Miller Beach > Dawn of the Dunes

Dawn of the Dunes

Dawn of the Dunes & Half Marathon, 5K

Miller Beach, IN USA

~~October 25, 2015~~ - CANCELLED

http://www.dunesmarathon.com

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Marathon Results

By Year:

2014 2013 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

The course begins at the lakefront on Grand Blvd. at Marquette Park. The course heads through the Miller Beach neighborhood along Lake Shore Drive with beachfront homes along the way and then tree lined streets. After 6 miles of neighborhood, the course runs an out and back on a completely closed Highway 12 with marshes, dunes, and fall foliage on both sides. After the highway, the course is back in the neighborhood before re-entering Marquette Park with a tree covered drive before turning at the Father Marquette Statue before the finish line at the Pavilion.

Contact Information

Name:	Tom Taylor
Address:	302 Union St. Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone Number:	219-395-4503
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (6)

Course 3.3

Organization 3.2

Spectators 2.8

Write a review

Number of comments: 6

J. P. from Lake County, IN (10/23/2015) "Poorly organized" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD, THIS YEAR'S RACE HAS BEEN UBRUPTLY CANCELLED. I ran the race in 2014 and thought it was very poorly organized. Several water stops were unmanned and on the second loop of the marathon, some of the aid station ran out of water and Gatorade.
Meg Crh from Chicago, IL (1/24/2014) "Good race, could be great" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The race was a little unorganized, but not terrible by any means. For a first year event, it wasn't too bad. The course was pretty nice with a few hills and some scenic areas. I never thought Gary could look so nice. I found the course to be a little long as well, but it was certified? With a few improvements (water, bathrooms), the Dawn of the Dunes could be a great race. I would think 2014 will be a very good event.
M. M. from Crown Point, IN (1/13/2014) "very disappointing for a first marathon" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon. I was going to run Indianapolis Monumental, but had to make a last minute switch due to a family obligation. I wound up paying $125 to run this race; what a rip-off! The course was awful. The dunes area is beautiful, but you hardly saw any of it. The course was mostly neighborhoods and there were very few spectators. There was a an out-and-back part that was very ugly. And since it was a 2 loop marathon, I got to see it twice. I was towards the back of the pack but well under the time limit and yet the last water stop was closed when I got there. There was only one toilet on the course at mile 3! Because the race was so small, I ran 6 miles of the second loop completely alone. There was nothing left to eat or drink when I finished. It was a horrible experience for my first marathon. Very mentally defeating. The medal was cheap and ugly, especially for what I paid! The shirt was very ugly as well. I ran a half marathon in November that was put on by the same people and it was more of the same. No toilets along the course. 9-10 miles without a water stop. Not impressed with this organization.
Jay Marshall from Northern Illinois (10/29/2013) "This race will get better." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I decided to run the Marathon 3 days before the race, and I was happy to find it. The organization was lacking, but I had arrived early so I was prepared. There were signs made for each mile, but I saw them in an SUV after the race! They had not been posted on the course. I did pick up that there were green paint marks on the pavement marking the miles. There needed to be better directions for parking. The support from the Gary Police Department was very good. The streets were safe to run on no question. They needed a PA at the starting line. It was cool that the metal in the medal was recycled, but the design of the medal and the thickness was not very good. I thought the Sun Design on the Web page would have made an awesome medal. There needed to be more aid stations. The course was nice, but not above average. I don't think I would ever rate a two lap course higher than three stars unless I was a spectator. There were 200 half marathoners, and less than 50 marathoners so it was nice that the crowds had thinned out after the race. The plaques were nice, and it was cool to get them from the Mayor, but find a local artisan and make something out of steel! I think I will come back. It was a fun day for me. The neighbors in the houses along the course were few and far between, but the ones that were out, were awesome! Some even just opened the door and yelled as we went by the second time. There were not very many of us!
J. L. from Schererville, Indiana (10/29/2013) "support/volunteers" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall the parking was a little slow getting in. the price was fair $5.00 compared to downtown Chicago $30.00 plus. One issue was a white vehicle with its emergency lights on driving to fast in the first 2 miles. All the other police/volunteers directing traffic were fantastic. The course probably can be tweek a little. I measured the course a little long 13.7 miles. Happy that some residents were out cheering on the runners not expecting this since it has been awhile for a big event of running in Gary/Miller area. Need a gear check in for runners gear. Wish more community support as volunteers American Legion, Boy Scouts running clubs etc. This will be a great event for NWI.
J. M. from Indiana, USA (10/29/2013) "Good race with scenic 2 loop course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a pretty good race. The course is not super difficult, but not exactly fast. There are some hills, but no mountains. I thought the course was a little long. The city support was incredible. The mayor and several other city officials were out there at the race and the police support was great. The course was pretty well marked, but there needs to be more water and some better mile markers. I thought the organizers did a great job for a first time race and with a few minor tweaks to the course and hydration support, this could be a very nice race. Overall, I was very satisfied with the race. The Dunes of Northwest Indiana are a great place to visit. Very scenic.



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J. P. from Lake County, IN (10/23/2015) "Poorly organized" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD, THIS YEAR'S RACE HAS BEEN UBRUPTLY CANCELLED. I ran the race in 2014 and thought it was very poorly organized. Several water stops were unmanned and on the second loop of the marathon, some of the aid station ran out of water and Gatorade.
Meg Crh from Chicago, IL (1/24/2014) "Good race, could be great" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The race was a little unorganized, but not terrible by any means. For a first year event, it wasn't too bad. The course was pretty nice with a few hills and some scenic areas. I never thought Gary could look so nice. I found the course to be a little long as well, but it was certified? With a few improvements (water, bathrooms), the Dawn of the Dunes could be a great race. I would think 2014 will be a very good event.
M. M. from Crown Point, IN (1/13/2014) "very disappointing for a first marathon" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon. I was going to run Indianapolis Monumental, but had to make a last minute switch due to a family obligation. I wound up paying $125 to run this race; what a rip-off! The course was awful. The dunes area is beautiful, but you hardly saw any of it. The course was mostly neighborhoods and there were very few spectators. There was a an out-and-back part that was very ugly. And since it was a 2 loop marathon, I got to see it twice. I was towards the back of the pack but well under the time limit and yet the last water stop was closed when I got there. There was only one toilet on the course at mile 3! Because the race was so small, I ran 6 miles of the second loop completely alone. There was nothing left to eat or drink when I finished. It was a horrible experience for my first marathon. Very mentally defeating. The medal was cheap and ugly, especially for what I paid! The shirt was very ugly as well. I ran a half marathon in November that was put on by the same people and it was more of the same. No toilets along the course. 9-10 miles without a water stop. Not impressed with this organization.
Jay Marshall from Northern Illinois (10/29/2013) "This race will get better." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I decided to run the Marathon 3 days before the race, and I was happy to find it. The organization was lacking, but I had arrived early so I was prepared. There were signs made for each mile, but I saw them in an SUV after the race! They had not been posted on the course. I did pick up that there were green paint marks on the pavement marking the miles. There needed to be better directions for parking. The support from the Gary Police Department was very good. The streets were safe to run on no question. They needed a PA at the starting line. It was cool that the metal in the medal was recycled, but the design of the medal and the thickness was not very good. I thought the Sun Design on the Web page would have made an awesome medal. There needed to be more aid stations. The course was nice, but not above average. I don't think I would ever rate a two lap course higher than three stars unless I was a spectator. There were 200 half marathoners, and less than 50 marathoners so it was nice that the crowds had thinned out after the race. The plaques were nice, and it was cool to get them from the Mayor, but find a local artisan and make something out of steel! I think I will come back. It was a fun day for me. The neighbors in the houses along the course were few and far between, but the ones that were out, were awesome! Some even just opened the door and yelled as we went by the second time. There were not very many of us!
J. L. from Schererville, Indiana (10/29/2013) "support/volunteers" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall the parking was a little slow getting in. the price was fair $5.00 compared to downtown Chicago $30.00 plus. One issue was a white vehicle with its emergency lights on driving to fast in the first 2 miles. All the other police/volunteers directing traffic were fantastic. The course probably can be tweek a little. I measured the course a little long 13.7 miles. Happy that some residents were out cheering on the runners not expecting this since it has been awhile for a big event of running in Gary/Miller area. Need a gear check in for runners gear. Wish more community support as volunteers American Legion, Boy Scouts running clubs etc. This will be a great event for NWI.
J. M. from Indiana, USA (10/29/2013) "Good race with scenic 2 loop course" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dawn of the Dunes COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a pretty good race. The course is not super difficult, but not exactly fast. There are some hills, but no mountains. I thought the course was a little long. The city support was incredible. The mayor and several other city officials were out there at the race and the police support was great. The course was pretty well marked, but there needs to be more water and some better mile markers. I thought the organizers did a great job for a first time race and with a few minor tweaks to the course and hydration support, this could be a very nice race. Overall, I was very satisfied with the race. The Dunes of Northwest Indiana are a great place to visit. Very scenic.

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Marathon Details - Dawn of the Dunes