Charlevoix Marathon

Nice job guys, and gals... thank you... as a slow runner, I know its hard for people to hang at the aide stations, but please tell the helpers the slower people have a very hard time and need the help the most... through the race and at the finish.

We drove up and across the UP from Milwaukee and had a nice time in Charlevoix. Packet pickup was very easy and the free (with donation) spaghetti dinner held at the Methodist church was awesome! The day of the event came early as the race started at 6:30. Parking was a breeze downtown. Plenty of bathrooms available as well. The start of the race went off in time and away we went. The course was flat with some small rollers here and there. Most of the course is run on a path near Lake Michigan so it was nice/shaded scenery. No issues with course markings and no lack of support at aid stations. Spectators were very sparse which is why I gave it two stars on that. Finish line was strange. I received an awesome medal and a few bottles of water. At first I thought that was it and started hiking back to my car. I then found the post race food near where the original packet pickup was. All summed up - it was an above average marathon event for me. I would recommend this for your Michigan event. This marks my 13th state completed.

It's a bit out of the way but worth the trip for a small-town marathon. I can see why Runner's World named it a top 10 small town marathon - that's how I found out about it. Course is very scenic, largely an out-and-back trail along the shore of a lake so you have the opportunity to see those ahead of you and behind you after the turn-around. A few small hills here and there but nothing too unmanageable. Half-marathon course parallels the marathon but starts 30 minutes later so that you don't suddenly find out you've been pacing yourself for the first 6 miles against a half-marathoner. Weather was good this year - mid 50's at the start (pretty good for a late-June race). Fans along the course were a bit sparse, but most of them cheered enthusiastically for anyone who ran past (and thanks to the lady with the 'Punch here for Power' sign who showed up mid-way and again in the last couple of miles when I really needed it!). Some of the age group awards were stolen the night before the race, which is a bummer, but they race team said they'd be shipping out replacements.