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☰
Grand Rapids Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Grand Rapids Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.9 
Spectators 4.0
Number of comments: 329 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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M. J. from Michigan
(10/22/2009)
"The race was well organized." (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race was well organized. The volunteers were great. The t-shirt and socks were great! The finishing medals along with the soft ribbon were a nice touch. However, for a race that size, the overall awards were rather chintzy. They look like dollar store glass frames with the logo engraved. Come on, Don, those runners deserve better for their effort and high entry fee. | |
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russell petelle from derby line, vermont
(10/21/2009)
"Excellent choice for a PR" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The 2009 version of this race was an excellent effort on the part of many volunteers. Food and drink were abundant during the entire marathon. The course was beautiful as well as flat. The medals and food at the end were without equal - not to mention the many breweries in the city. For me, the most important bonu was the three-minute walk from the hotel to the marathon and back. | |
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s. k. from Hamilton,Ontario
(10/20/2009)
"One of the nicest half courses I've ever run!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 19th half-marathon and possibly the best I've ever run in terms of organization and the course itself. Starting weeks before, the RD contacted registered runners with e-mails about the details of race day. The information was great and helped me feel really "pumped" for the event. Race day was superb - kit pick-up was executed without a hitch. Waiting in the YMCA to start was wonderful and warm (it was very cool on Sunday) and the race started right on time. The course is gorgeous, winding its way first around city streets and then a fabulous string of miles on a paved trail - for the first time in a race, I actually took in the beauty of the setting because it was hard to ignore. The aid stations were very organized and the volunteers were top-notch. Finishing at the Y, receiving a beauty of a medal and having a hot shower was the cherry on top of a great day. What a wonderful race - I hope to tell as many of my running buddies about it as possible. | |
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J. B. from Chicago, IL
(10/20/2009)
"This race gets better and better." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course was changed to include downtown, and it was a big improvement over the trip past the water treatment plant. My three fastest times were achieved in Grand Rapids because you can run here, not just shuffle along like in larger races. Don gives the race a personal touch in everything about this race. | |
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Dean Peterson from Appleton, WI
(10/19/2009)
"Grand Rapids does it right!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great day in Grand Rapids. The race director, the staff, and all volunteers are to be thanked and congratulated. You guys made it possible for all of us to have fun. I will always treasure my medal and time well spent. Everyone is treated as a winner, and the race director greets all runners at the finish. Hugs, sweat and smiles - that's the way to finish. Number 101 for me, and I highly recommend this event. | |
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H. K. from Michigan
(10/19/2009)
"A people's race" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran in GR this year. I participated in the half-marathon. The race committee offers an early start for the "velocity challenged" penguin runners. A great offering. Usually, I am one of the last runners to finish a marathon, but running the half, and having the opportunity to start early I was able to watch the marathoners finish. Rest assured, each one was greeted by the race director, and each one was treated like royalty. There were no big money names or times at this race. Truly, more than any race I have participated in... this was a "people's" race. | |
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R. P. from Atlanta, GA
(10/19/2009)
"A Great Race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great race for anyone looking for a fall marathon. Pros include: - It was well organized. All of the necessities were covered. There were also some nice extras at the water stops (e.g. GU, oranges, gummy bears, and in one case, pickle juice). - The director and race crew/volunteers were friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. They're among the best I've seen at any race I've run. - This is a PR or Boston qualifying course. It's mostly flat and the second half is fairly scenic. - The race field is small, but not too small (under 2,000 for the full marathon). It's easy to get on pace and to find someone to run with. - Grand Rapids has a compact downtown with hotels, restaurants, museums, and the expo/race all within a short walk. No real cons, but some potential drawbacks: - This is a small race with a small expo and few spectators. Bring what you need with you. Spectators are limited by logistics/parking to a few areas of the course. - There are two out-and-back sections on the course, one fairly long. - The pace teams are intentionally a bit odd. I didn't use them because my target fell between the 3:29:24 pace team and the 3:44:52 pace team. They won't be much help if you're looking for help with a Boston qualifying pace. - The pre-race pasta dinner was nice, but poorly attended. The addition of a speaker might help draw a bigger crowd. | |
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J. W. from Chicago, IL
(10/19/2009)
"Most user-friendly marathon; BEAUTIFUL course" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Don puts together the best marathon in the country (I'm putting it up against any of the majors). It's incredibly easy to pick up your packet, even on race morning. Stay warm inside until just before the start and get a hot shower after at the YMCA. The star of the race is the course: beautiful, winding bike paths make up most of the experience, which in the fall are a lot of fun to see. Spectators are sparse, but enthusiastic. If you need millions to cheer you to the finish, this isn't for you, but if you like a crowd that really appreciates what runners are going through, they are a great group. Most important are Don and the team he has assembled. I have never felt so personally taken care of as I do at this race. It's a chance for all of the mid-pack runners to know what starting in the elite corral must feel like. First-class set-up and personal greetings from the race director at the finish line. I'm afraid that one day this race will be so big that it won't be able to provide all of the personal touches anymore. But make sure you make this part of your plan for 2010. You will not be disappointed. | |
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Joe Muskovich from chicago
(10/19/2009)
"Great small marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done 40 marathons, from Chicago to Boston, and I would rate this as one of the best. Don Kern does a fantastic job as director. It was well organized and and accommodating. We stayed downtown, a four-block walk from the start. The Amway Grand is a beautiful hotel. The course was scenic. Fans were great. Water stops were well manned, and the three GU stops were terrific. My only suggestion would be to place the first four mile markers higher. I missed them and heard other runners say the same. Great job and I hope to come back! | |
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P. B. from Saginaw, MI
(10/19/2009)
"it just keeps getting better..." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Grand Rapids Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Where else would a runner rather be on a crisp mid-October autumn morning than at Mr. Kern's extravaganza? Don and his hard-working crew listen to runners and keep making positive changes that add quality to this marathon. That's the difference of the GRM: "By runners, for runners" would be a good motto. Thanks for the emails leading up to the race, the well stocked aid stations, the reduced congestion on the course this year, and the new city loop. Even the medal was cooler this year! Consider Don's life membership program if you live anywhere near GR. The 2009 GRM jacket is the sharpest article in my wardrobe. Congratulations on this fine event. |
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