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Marathon Details - Beaver Island Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Beaver Island > Beaver Island Marathon

Beaver Island Marathon

Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce Beaver Island Marathon

Beaver Island, MI USA

September 3, 2011

http://www.goodboyevents.com/index.php?topic=Events&subtopic=Beaver%20Island%20Marathon

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2011 2010 2009 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

The marathon course was recertified as a Boston Qualifier in 2010 and changed considerably from the first year. The marathon course is a 2 loop course with each loop consisting of 13.1 miles. The ½ marathon course is a one loop 13.1 mile route. This race may not be for all marathoners as there will not be large cheering crowds at every turn. The roads are a combination of hard dirt, clay, some gravel, and there is blacktop pavement. The race is approximately 60% hard dirt, clay gravel and 40% pavement. There will be natural beauty abound as you will experience the quiet peaceful environment of Beaver Island. You will view miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Font Lake, "sand dunes" and forests along the course. The course is not closed to traffic however on the Island the traffic is very light.

Contact Information

Name:	Ron Suffolk
Address:	Good Boy Events 9775 Ponderosa Drive South Lyon, Michigan 48178
Phone Number:	248.446.1315
Fax Number:	248.493.5911
Email:	Email the organizers

More Information


Number of Runners:	350
Number of Spectators:	1,200
Fees & Deadlines:	Marathon Until May 1 $85 Until Aug 1 $90 Until 8/30 $95 After 8/30 $100 Half-Marathon Until May 1 $75 Until Aug1 $80 Until 8/30 $85 After 8/30 $90 Harbor 3.5 Run Until May 1 $25 Until Aug 1 $30 Until 8/30 $35 After 8/30 $35
Start Time:	9:00 AM
Course Highlights:	The Beaver Island Marathon and Half Marathon events start and end on the beach in the beautiful downtown area of Beaver Island, Michigan! Beaver Island is 32 miles north of Charlevoix in Lake Michigan! Beaver Island is the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes, with a year-round population of 600 - a large percentage, are of Irish descent. The residents' respect for nature and traditions of the Island have made time slow down. Because Beaver Island offers a serene, relaxed life-style, runners will not have huge crowds cheering them on during their run! The marathon course is a modified 2 out and back and will take you through the downtown area of Beaver Island with Lake Michigan directly at your side. You will pass the lighthouse and parallel Lake Michigan on Gull Harbor Road, head out of town running on a paved bike path then onto clay, dirt and gravel road that leads along Lake Michigan, a scenic forest and a sand dune. The course is primarily flat however expect some hills, some inclines; the course is reasonably fast, and shaded some of the way. You can expect a very scenic race with some of the most breathtaking views available on any course. When you return to the town area, you will turn at the Nature Trail just prior to Kings Hiway which leads to Kings Hiway. Turn left on Kings Back Hiway and to the start finish line. The marathon then begins another loop.
Course Refreshments:	There will be six aid stations on the course; approximately every 1 ½ miles. Each station will have water, candy, Gatorade and GU for your nutrition needs on the course.
Certified? Certification:	Yes, MI 09053SH Cert Number
Race Day Registration:	YES, Gillispei Beach
Online Registration:	www.active.com
Packet Pickup Info:	Packet pick-up will be held in the parking lot of Gillespie Park (by the starting point on Main street) Friday 1:30 PM until 5:30 PM. On race day, you may pick up your packet at the starting line from 7:00AM until 8:15AM. The ½ marathon can pick up packets until 10:30AM.
Marathon Ratings:	Course Scenery/Beauty/Interest: Good for First Timers: Crowd Support: Course Speed:

Race Organizer

Beaver Island Marathon cancelled in 2012 (1/5/15)

Ron Suffolk

The Beaver Island Marathon has been cancelled for 2015. The local Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce may be hosting a Half Marathon in 2015. Good Boy Events is not associated nor does it support this event.

Thanks.

Ron

Runner Reviews (13)

Course 4.5

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.5

Write a review

Number of comments: 13 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

J. P. from Florida, United States (9/6/2011) "Wonderful Small Town Race!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you're looking for a beautiful destination race to enjoy the scenery, this is it! If you need a lot of crowd and runner support, this is NOT it. Very small race (only 100 marathoners), so there were many parts where you were completely alone and had to make sure you stayed on course and didn't get lost. But the race was well organized, the townfolk and volunteers were so friendly, we felt like family by the time we left. Would definitely recommend this race, especially to combine with a nice vacation! Pros: Very organized, Scenic course, friendly volunteers, great post race food and festivities, awesome place to do a destination race. Cons: Many areas of course you're alone, some parts of course not marked clearly enough, many parts of course on gravel so if it rains, you'll be running through a lot of mud. Overall: totally recommend if you're going for speed or for sightseeing!
K. W. from USA (9/5/2011) "Potentially an awesome race, 1 change needed" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 8th marathon and overall it was a beautifully scenic, quiet, and at some points hilly course, but mostly flat on pavement and dirt roads doing 2 loops around the north end of the island. I gotta say I really loved the race despite my criticism. I think there is great potential for this one if the organizers update a one or two small but important items (I'll cover shortly). There were very few spectators, but everyone who did come out to watch was very friendly and supportive. But that was okay, there was more than enough superb views of the lake, woods, boats, dunes, lighthouses, etc. to keep you engaged. The roads stayed open to traffic, but it was not a problem. The big problem was hydration: even though there were plenty of aid stations, the cups resembled Dixie cups and were generally half-full or less. Each water stop featured a handful of warm people kindly handing out water and Gatorade, but the small portions made it very difficult to take in enough fluids. I tried to grab at least 2 cups at each station and this seemed to surprise the volunteers and we ended up spilling quite a bit in the hand-off. Yelling out, Gatorade! (versus water) didn't always help either, I often ended up with water anyway. I don't fault the volunteers, but I think the race organizers need to understand that they simply needed some standard sized cups and to be ready with a few more cups per runner. Certainly it is a small race and this was only the 3rd iteration (less than 60 finishers for the full) so I understand that finding volunteers was probably also challenging. My friend ended up in the hospital after bonked from dehydration; I simply teetered off the last 5 miles. I saw one other girl get taken to the hospital, I suspect also as a result of dehydration. Admittedly, it was also raining and cool during most of the race (which made the dirt roads quite muddy and a fun challenge), so gauging your sweat rate was difficult to begin with, but had it been hot and sunny I think we would have really seen the negative impacts of the lack of sufficient water/Gatorade. But this race is still worth running if you live somewhere near this remote island. Hopefully the organizers will stock larger cups, and more of them, next year.
M. W. from Detroit Michigan (1/11/2011) "Best marathon in Michigan BY FAR!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Beaver Island Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race both years. In 2010 the course was changed, making this race a favorite of mine. The roads are dirt, gravel and pavement, and the scenery was spectacular with about 8 miles along Lake Michigan! I would recommend this race if you like races with 250 or so runners, wonderful scenery, and a well organized event! The island was wonderful and I cannot wait to do this race again this year. I have done many of the "big marathons" in Michigan - this by far is the BEST one. The volunteers and race owners are so organized and friendly. They know how to make a race successful. I am so excited for this race - I just signed up!
R. H. from Gaylord, mi (10/18/2010) "The perfect race for a beginner" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Many complained about the course. I enjoyed passing the same spot 8 times. It allowed me to be cheered on. One big dirt hill; otherwise, pancake flat. Very small race. At one point nobody was within sight of me. Peaceful and quiet, but with frequent trips through downtown for encouragement.
T. S. from Pennsylvania (9/19/2010) "Extraordinary experience!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Beaver Island Marathon was one of the greatest experiences of travel, hospitality, adventure, and running I have ever had. It was an extraordinary event in a truly unique location. Go early and enjoy the remote beaches, unpaved roads, and gorgeous scenery. I was so glad I arrived on Wednesday. After 48 hours on the island I had new friends, had met islanders and runners alike, hung with the defending champ, and had the race director and his wife buying me beers. There are only a few places on the island to socialize, so you will meet everyone! Another reason to arrive early is make sure you get there! Some rough weather altered the ferry schedule for some late arriving runners. Flying is also an option. The adventure of getting to Beaver Island is part of the attraction. I can recommend the Brothers' Place for simple, economical accommodations, especially for single travelers. You will be treated like family! In summary, the Beaver Island Marathon was all about people: social connections, warm hospitality, conversation, laughter, and fun. From the race directors to the runners to the islanders...I felt I was part of something special. Thanks to all!
s. m. from western north carolina (9/14/2010) "great race in a beautiful setting" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great, little race on a wonderful little island. Superb organization and incredible townfolk. They really acted like they were glad the runners were there. They treated us like visiting royalty. Race directors, committee, volunteers, spectators - ALL were great. There were only a few spectators but they were very vocal and friendly, and the vast majority were faithful even until the end for slow guys like me. The race course and scenery were "WOW" most of the time. Overall, a really great experience!!
Miryam!!! Strautkalns from Kalamazoo, Mi (10/6/2009) "Running in an out-of-the-way paradise...." (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great run, I met great people and I definitely want to sign up again for the next one. The best way to describe the island and the people is with this story. I was done running 3/4 of the full marathon and was pretty sore. I slowed down and asked a group of people on a porch if they had any Motrin. They didn't, but one man told me he had some on his kitchen table and to just help myself into his home next door. What a tightly-knit, welcoming community!
F. L. from New Jersey (9/15/2009) "Never felt more welcome!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Anyone who didn't experience this marathon may find it hard to believe these comments, but from the time that I decided to register for this event to the time that I left the island two days after the event, I only had good experiences. The staff at Good Boy Events did a great job presenting information about the event and the island on their website. They were responsive to emails and planned very, very carefully to be sure we didn't completely overwhelm the island. Sharon at Good Boy Events notified us that the ladies shirt samples had come in and they were so small that she took it upon herself to order a larger size for the women. This is an example of the care and concern they had for the event and the participants! The people of Beaver Island carefully considered the prospect of the event and were completely supportive of all aspects of the experience. The participants clearly knew this would be a special experience and it was. As I told a woman at the pasta dinner, "You got it right, absolutely right!" And the after marathon, the next morning's pancake breakfast (hosted by the Amvets) was extra special. Now about the race. You've heard about the course, which was top notch (maybe a minor tweak so that marathoners don't need to do four loops of the lighthouse). The water stops were plentiful and very well stocked, and the volunteers were THE BEST. One husband and wife team who were positioned just as runners were coming off a bike path told me they would stick around until I returned from an out-and-back (that I knew would take me at least an hour), and when I got back there they were - saying, "We told you we'd be here." That's a sample of the spirit of the islanders. Then they hopped in their car and drove to the finish line to see me finish. Speaking of the finish line, the food was incredible! The computer results available immediately with four stations for runners to check within minutes of finishing - made other marathons pale in comparison. I was one of the slower runners and was told that some of the water stops would be closed down but they were leaving water and Gatorade at the stops for me. I wanted to give the race director, Ron, a hug. I never felt like I was at the back of the pack. I hope we, the runners, treated the island well enough that they'll consider doing it again. It was a blast.
Henry Miller from USA (9/12/2009) "One I'll never forget!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I can't stop talking about this marathon; it's one I'd like to do over and over again. The islanders made everyone feel so welcome. The course, with its lake views, small town, and lighthouse, made every step an adventure. The aid station were well stocked; please have another one next year.
N. L. from Greensboro, NC (9/11/2009) "Fantastic Destination Race" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half this year and it was one of the best race experiences I've had. The race was very well organized, and I think the fan support was awesome, considering it is an island with only 600 "full timers." To get to the island, there is a two-hour ferry, but the island is absolutely the best of northern Michigan. The aid stations were well stocked and well-spaced, and I enjoyed the course - pavement, gravel, and a mile on two-track. Suggestions for improvement: I'd like a loop course rather than an out-and-back, and the 9 a.m. start time was a little late. Overall, this was truly a memorable weekend - I had a great time.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]



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J. P. from Florida, United States (9/6/2011) "Wonderful Small Town Race!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you're looking for a beautiful destination race to enjoy the scenery, this is it! If you need a lot of crowd and runner support, this is NOT it. Very small race (only 100 marathoners), so there were many parts where you were completely alone and had to make sure you stayed on course and didn't get lost. But the race was well organized, the townfolk and volunteers were so friendly, we felt like family by the time we left. Would definitely recommend this race, especially to combine with a nice vacation! Pros: Very organized, Scenic course, friendly volunteers, great post race food and festivities, awesome place to do a destination race. Cons: Many areas of course you're alone, some parts of course not marked clearly enough, many parts of course on gravel so if it rains, you'll be running through a lot of mud. Overall: totally recommend if you're going for speed or for sightseeing!
K. W. from USA (9/5/2011) "Potentially an awesome race, 1 change needed" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 8th marathon and overall it was a beautifully scenic, quiet, and at some points hilly course, but mostly flat on pavement and dirt roads doing 2 loops around the north end of the island. I gotta say I really loved the race despite my criticism. I think there is great potential for this one if the organizers update a one or two small but important items (I'll cover shortly). There were very few spectators, but everyone who did come out to watch was very friendly and supportive. But that was okay, there was more than enough superb views of the lake, woods, boats, dunes, lighthouses, etc. to keep you engaged. The roads stayed open to traffic, but it was not a problem. The big problem was hydration: even though there were plenty of aid stations, the cups resembled Dixie cups and were generally half-full or less. Each water stop featured a handful of warm people kindly handing out water and Gatorade, but the small portions made it very difficult to take in enough fluids. I tried to grab at least 2 cups at each station and this seemed to surprise the volunteers and we ended up spilling quite a bit in the hand-off. Yelling out, Gatorade! (versus water) didn't always help either, I often ended up with water anyway. I don't fault the volunteers, but I think the race organizers need to understand that they simply needed some standard sized cups and to be ready with a few more cups per runner. Certainly it is a small race and this was only the 3rd iteration (less than 60 finishers for the full) so I understand that finding volunteers was probably also challenging. My friend ended up in the hospital after bonked from dehydration; I simply teetered off the last 5 miles. I saw one other girl get taken to the hospital, I suspect also as a result of dehydration. Admittedly, it was also raining and cool during most of the race (which made the dirt roads quite muddy and a fun challenge), so gauging your sweat rate was difficult to begin with, but had it been hot and sunny I think we would have really seen the negative impacts of the lack of sufficient water/Gatorade. But this race is still worth running if you live somewhere near this remote island. Hopefully the organizers will stock larger cups, and more of them, next year.
M. W. from Detroit Michigan (1/11/2011) "Best marathon in Michigan BY FAR!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Beaver Island Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race both years. In 2010 the course was changed, making this race a favorite of mine. The roads are dirt, gravel and pavement, and the scenery was spectacular with about 8 miles along Lake Michigan! I would recommend this race if you like races with 250 or so runners, wonderful scenery, and a well organized event! The island was wonderful and I cannot wait to do this race again this year. I have done many of the "big marathons" in Michigan - this by far is the BEST one. The volunteers and race owners are so organized and friendly. They know how to make a race successful. I am so excited for this race - I just signed up!
R. H. from Gaylord, mi (10/18/2010) "The perfect race for a beginner" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Many complained about the course. I enjoyed passing the same spot 8 times. It allowed me to be cheered on. One big dirt hill; otherwise, pancake flat. Very small race. At one point nobody was within sight of me. Peaceful and quiet, but with frequent trips through downtown for encouragement.
T. S. from Pennsylvania (9/19/2010) "Extraordinary experience!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Beaver Island Marathon was one of the greatest experiences of travel, hospitality, adventure, and running I have ever had. It was an extraordinary event in a truly unique location. Go early and enjoy the remote beaches, unpaved roads, and gorgeous scenery. I was so glad I arrived on Wednesday. After 48 hours on the island I had new friends, had met islanders and runners alike, hung with the defending champ, and had the race director and his wife buying me beers. There are only a few places on the island to socialize, so you will meet everyone! Another reason to arrive early is make sure you get there! Some rough weather altered the ferry schedule for some late arriving runners. Flying is also an option. The adventure of getting to Beaver Island is part of the attraction. I can recommend the Brothers' Place for simple, economical accommodations, especially for single travelers. You will be treated like family! In summary, the Beaver Island Marathon was all about people: social connections, warm hospitality, conversation, laughter, and fun. From the race directors to the runners to the islanders...I felt I was part of something special. Thanks to all!
s. m. from western north carolina (9/14/2010) "great race in a beautiful setting" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great, little race on a wonderful little island. Superb organization and incredible townfolk. They really acted like they were glad the runners were there. They treated us like visiting royalty. Race directors, committee, volunteers, spectators - ALL were great. There were only a few spectators but they were very vocal and friendly, and the vast majority were faithful even until the end for slow guys like me. The race course and scenery were "WOW" most of the time. Overall, a really great experience!!
Miryam!!! Strautkalns from Kalamazoo, Mi (10/6/2009) "Running in an out-of-the-way paradise...." (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great run, I met great people and I definitely want to sign up again for the next one. The best way to describe the island and the people is with this story. I was done running 3/4 of the full marathon and was pretty sore. I slowed down and asked a group of people on a porch if they had any Motrin. They didn't, but one man told me he had some on his kitchen table and to just help myself into his home next door. What a tightly-knit, welcoming community!
F. L. from New Jersey (9/15/2009) "Never felt more welcome!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Anyone who didn't experience this marathon may find it hard to believe these comments, but from the time that I decided to register for this event to the time that I left the island two days after the event, I only had good experiences. The staff at Good Boy Events did a great job presenting information about the event and the island on their website. They were responsive to emails and planned very, very carefully to be sure we didn't completely overwhelm the island. Sharon at Good Boy Events notified us that the ladies shirt samples had come in and they were so small that she took it upon herself to order a larger size for the women. This is an example of the care and concern they had for the event and the participants! The people of Beaver Island carefully considered the prospect of the event and were completely supportive of all aspects of the experience. The participants clearly knew this would be a special experience and it was. As I told a woman at the pasta dinner, "You got it right, absolutely right!" And the after marathon, the next morning's pancake breakfast (hosted by the Amvets) was extra special. Now about the race. You've heard about the course, which was top notch (maybe a minor tweak so that marathoners don't need to do four loops of the lighthouse). The water stops were plentiful and very well stocked, and the volunteers were THE BEST. One husband and wife team who were positioned just as runners were coming off a bike path told me they would stick around until I returned from an out-and-back (that I knew would take me at least an hour), and when I got back there they were - saying, "We told you we'd be here." That's a sample of the spirit of the islanders. Then they hopped in their car and drove to the finish line to see me finish. Speaking of the finish line, the food was incredible! The computer results available immediately with four stations for runners to check within minutes of finishing - made other marathons pale in comparison. I was one of the slower runners and was told that some of the water stops would be closed down but they were leaving water and Gatorade at the stops for me. I wanted to give the race director, Ron, a hug. I never felt like I was at the back of the pack. I hope we, the runners, treated the island well enough that they'll consider doing it again. It was a blast.
Henry Miller from USA (9/12/2009) "One I'll never forget!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Beaver Island Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I can't stop talking about this marathon; it's one I'd like to do over and over again. The islanders made everyone feel so welcome. The course, with its lake views, small town, and lighthouse, made every step an adventure. The aid station were well stocked; please have another one next year.
N. L. from Greensboro, NC (9/11/2009) "Fantastic Destination Race" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half this year and it was one of the best race experiences I've had. The race was very well organized, and I think the fan support was awesome, considering it is an island with only 600 "full timers." To get to the island, there is a two-hour ferry, but the island is absolutely the best of northern Michigan. The aid stations were well stocked and well-spaced, and I enjoyed the course - pavement, gravel, and a mile on two-track. Suggestions for improvement: I'd like a loop course rather than an out-and-back, and the 9 a.m. start time was a little late. Overall, this was truly a memorable weekend - I had a great time.

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Marathon Details - Beaver Island Marathon