Last Chance BQ.2 - Grand Rapids - Race Reviews

This is a race to get your BQ. It is well organized with a limit of about 300 runners - all of whom seemed to have a shot at their BQ. 75% of the runners achieved their BQ times. The start is organized so you can find other runners targeting the same time as you. This makes it easy to run with a group throughout the race and support each other. I liked that it was a loop course, 6 4-mile loops with hydration every 2 miles. It is not pancake flat, but I felt the very slight rolling spots on the course gave welcomed variety. Much of the loop is shaded so you aren't baking in the sun. since it is a loop course, there were a surprising number of spectators cheering the runners on.

The weather was unseasonably warm and humid this year. Obviously nothing the race director could do about it, but it was a real bummer to be expecting 53 degrees and low humidity, and instead run in 68 degrees and high humidity. It really seemed to affect finish times as the percentage of BQ's was less than half the historical average - and the DNF percentage was through the roof at something like 25%. The 6-loop course seemed like a plus and minus for me. It was kind of nice to know what was coming up, but it did get a bit monotonous after a while. On the (big) plus side, the multiple loops are what make the custom water bottle concept possible, which was awesome! I loved not having to carry anything the entire race - and I was able to get all my carbs through the personal sports drink I had on the tables - no gels to choke down. To me, that's the biggest positive for this race. The biggest negative is that the course is not closed. I passed numerous joggers, cyclists and baby strollers. This made it really hard to run the tangents, because you never knew whether you were about to collide with someone coming around the corner going the opposite direction. It seems like it would be fairly easy to get that course closed for the race, because the entire race is on a path through a nature park - no actual roads to deal with. With that one qualifier, I though it was a very well-organized race.

I entered this race for the time of year and last chance BQ. The race is a six loop course on a recreational trail that is asphalt. The course was ok, but it sure was mentally tough for me. There was a hill that was in the course that sure did get to me after about lap 4. Water station was pretty cool because you were able to prepare your own bottle for each lap. Very cool! Nice shirt and medal. The last lap to go back to the start/finish line was confusing to me and could have been marked perhaps with a banner so you would know exactly where to finish on your last lap....I did have one runner pass me wondering where to turn to finish and he explained to me he was on mile 26.5...poor guy. Also, this lap course is also open to general public during race so be prepared for baby strollers, bicyclists, recreational walkers/runners. I was not aware of this until the race was going. At the water stations, it would be nice to have water in white cups and gatorade in gatorade cups at the water stations. Also, would have been nice to have a host hotel for the race. I guess my expectations for this race were high but I was not impressed nor disappointed. I doubt I would return.

Run this marathon. Small fast! Six loops. Not totally flat. This was my 27th marathon and I would run it again Serene. You can have your own support crew! Great organization - Don does a great job. Good food! Beer after. Friendly runners and support. Loved this race!!!

This is not a race but an event for the usual suspects. The atmosphere was such that we were there to take care of business. With BQ not being good enough and a projection of minus 2:00 minutes needed that was the order of the day. :) The slight hill in the loop got slightly steeper each lap keeping this course from being PR fast but not enough from stopping a BQ if you were in BQ shape. 7 of the 12 in my division were qualified by enough to get in. Thanks to the director and volunteers I have to go book a hotel room now.

Small race, with only 330 max entries, but the race has one goal - to help you BQ. Bib numbers start with your BQ time so you can pair up with others with the same time. The course was flat and beautiful. The 4 mile loop was easy to track your pace versus constantly watching times. The volunteers treat everyone as an elite as you had two aid stations with personalized bottles and drop zones, they would return them to the table before you came back. I have all positives to say about it.

Scenic with along lakes, river & combination of woods & meadows. Paved trails with no traffic!! Flat with only a few dips & small hills. Well run & supportive staff.

Optimized to BQ. Met 4 other guys in my AG at the start as our bib numbers told our BQ time. We ran together and the team effort payed off. I was 9+ minutes under my BQ. The water bottles were great to have and my spectator saw me every 4 miles. I thought the loop course would drive me crazy but it helped psychologically, as I counted down loops, rather than miles. The organizers did a great job!

This last chance to qualify for Boston really reminded me how supportive people can be. Although this race has a very small crew they put together a perfectly organized event which makes it easier to achieve the task at hand. Being a very small race you may not have anyone running exactly your speed but the looped course means that you will have frequent access to aid stations and it would be a fairly sheltered race even if it were windy. The volunteers do a great job at the aid stations and there were even a few people out on the course cheering. It is a scenic run with perfect footing though not perfectly flat so if you cannot manage some small hills then look for a flatter course. I think a little change in terrain isn't a terrible thing for your legs and your mind. The temperature was perfect, cool but not too cold. About 7 degrees celcius at the start and maybe 14 degrees celcius at the end. Congratulations and thank you to Don Kern and his race crew.

This was a small, and well organized race specifically to provide one last opportunity to qualify for Boston. The RD set up signs at the start so people with common times could meet and work together on the course. Every runner was treated like an elite. On the 4 mile loop there were 2 aid stations, and your own bottle was available there for you every loop. Awesome volunteers who provided lots of encouragement. Not many spectators, but those who were there were extremely supportive. Best Post race celebration including craft beer

You can't go wrong with a Don Kern run race! I'm 2 for 2 in Boston qualifiers thanks to Don! The race was the smallest marathon I've ran but so very well organized just like the Grand Rapids Marathon is every year. I was a little concerned about the 4.1 mile loops but I actually enjoyed it as you knew what was coming and really helped me keep my pace in check. Very flat and beautiful course, much of it part of the GR Marathon course. The volunteers were very supportive in our quest. Definitely worth a BQ try as advertised and can't beat the celebratory beer after the race!! Give it a try and you won't be disappointed! And because of the marathon date, I'm also qualified for the next 2 Boston Marathons with this qualifier.

I signed up for this marathon last minute. My plan was to do it for 'fun' and as a 'training' run for the Grand Rapids Marathon. The day was perfect other than a brief mix-up with my GPS taking me to the wrong place for the start(I could not come night before to scope everything out unfortunately). The darkness & slight drizzle didn't help but with the collaboration of a few other runners in the same situation we made it to the start line just in time. The event volunteers checked us in quickly and efficiently. In no time we were headed to the start line. I was going to go out conservatively and just enjoy the miles with some fellow runners. The course consisted of repeating loops and I wasn't sure how I would feel about repeating them over the miles but I LOVED IT!! It was great seeing the same spectators, the aid stations were perfectly placed and the slightly rolling, beautiful course was so enjoyable it made it easy to get into a comfortable running rhythm. In fact knowing exactly where these things were on the course allowed me to gain confidence with each successive loop. A nice unexpected surprise was the addition of a friend who was brought to me by a race coordinator and he was allowed to run with me for encouragement for loops 4 & 6. That gave this race a small-town feel but with the organization of a well run big race. The post-race beer, shirt & surprise gift of Don's book just added to the excitement of completing my first BQ! I truly believe this marathon shouldn't be a last minute effort to get to Boston but rather a must-do marathon on your race list!

This was a small race but it was clear that a veteran race director was behind it. Organization was top notch from the pre-race emails to the packet pick-up to race day and the after party. Everybody there was on a mission to run a Boston Qualifying time and it was clear. Some were concerned about the fact that it is a looped course but I found this to be perfect for hitting a specific time. You knew what to expect in the course, you know where the aid stations were, and it allowed you to bring your own water bottle. This is a fantastic race if you are looking to BQ.

Very organized. Someone even gave me tips as I ran! Amazing support. Grade A. Last year, ran the Canton Marathon in Ohio for the last chance qualification. Would run this race again and would recommend. Only thing I missed in this marathon was pacers. Luckily, I meet two ladies in the 40-44 age bracket that motivated me along! Course brought back memories from the Ground hog day marathon...

If you want to have the BEST chance at a BQ, you have to run this race. I cannot thank Don and his GREAT team enough, who set up a perfect 4 mi loop within the VERY nice Millenium Park in Grand Rapids. It allowed my 'team' to really work together, blow away our BQ goals and set huge PR's. I also want to thank the Fulton St. Pub and Grill for the great Spagetti dinner at packet pickup and awesome selection of brewery beers to order while I waited to sign up for Boston after the race.

Expected a boring hamsterfest due to the 4.1 mile loop course but it really turned out to be as close to perfect as you can come if your goal is to qualify for Boston. The loop has one gentle roller which provides your legs with a little bit of variety and the course itself is really beautiful. One fun thing about this race is that just about everyone ends up running with a small pod of other runners shooting for a similar BQ goal times. I ran with a couple others shooting for 3:30 and we really helped keep each other focused and motivated. The finish is awesome because you have so many runners who have given every ounce to reach their goals...bodies litter the finish area and people are either really ecstatic or really bummed. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I entered at the last minute after noting that the date of the race offered the possibility of qualifying for both 2015 and 2016. Since I enter a new age group in 2016, I actually had two different BQ goals to shoot for...a 3:30 for 2015 and 3:40 for 2016. Ran a 3:31:38 which was probably about 10 mins faster than I deserved due to my fitness level coming off of the Leadville 100 sufferfest 4 weeks before. The course, the support and the perfect weather get the credit for the extra 10 mins and a 2016 BQ. AND GREAT LOCAL CRAFT BEER AT THE FINISH TO HELP CELEBRATE AND/OR COMMISERATE! Grand Rapids boasts of being the beer capital of the U.S. and I am now a believer.

My Dad thought it would be great to do a marathon this year since he turned 60 and although I am a busy Mom of four I have always wanted to do a marathon so thought this was the perfect opportunity. Being that it was my first marathon I did not expect to qualify for the Boston however the course seemed very pleasant and flat (perfect for a first timer) :) I found the loops comforting as I knew exactly what to expect and the course was beautiful! Everyone was super friendly and it was very well organized. I might have been one of the slowest out there but still felt like a champ when I crossed the finish line. Couldn't have asked for a better first marathon experience!

This was by far the smallest marathon/race I have ever been a part of, but it was also one of the best. From registration to finish and post-race party, Don Kern and his staff were more than prepared, something you can not take lightly. The pre-race pickup was well organized at a central spot. Then, the morning of worked very smoothly, with an easy start and great location. While the race is loops, these are some of the prettiest loops you will ever run. These loops helped keep you in check throughout your marathon, and kept you encouraged as you knocked off the miles. The two water stops were in great locations, with every possibility for hydration and GU, and they even offered the possibility of bringing your own bottles. If I'm ever looking to BQ in the fall again, you can bet I'll be back!