Back to Grand Rapids Marathon Information & Reviews
Mark Zulas from Crystal Lake, IL
(11/4/2007)
"Great Organization and Wonderful Volunteers" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After some disappointing marathons this year, it was a pleasure to find a race that was so well run. Every volunteer (race expo and on the course) worked hard and gave their all to make my experience one of my best. I have run many marathons (GR made 6 for this year) and I rate this race as one of the best I have ever run. | |
R. C. from Detroit, MI
(11/4/2007)
"Beautiful, flat and fast, lots of on course fluids" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The majority of this course is through wooded areas on asphalt paths and much of it is along a river. It's beautiful. The organization and support is top-notch. Post-race amenities are great. It's very spectator-friendly and no problem hooking up with your supporters at the finish line. This is definitely a race I will come back to. | |
T. K. from Michigan
(11/2/2007)
"You should select this as your 1st marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Every marathon should measure their event against this little marathon in West Michigan. It's a marathon put on by people who run marathons. The course is beautiful, flat and fast. The race support is top notch, the city extremely hospitable and the race director is the best in the world. Everyone who thinks about Chicago or Detroit should select this marathon; they'll be glad they did. | |
D. B. from Ann Arbor, MI
(11/1/2007)
"Great small marathon" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 2007 was helped by perfect weather. But the course, although a little quirky in a few spots, was great; the organization perfect, and the whole event an absolute blast. | |
William Wong from Aurora,IL
(11/1/2007)
"Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great experience!! This was my first finish...my first attempt was Chicago. Don and the rest of his staff should be commended on great organization and support. They planned for everything: water gatorade, snacks, and even pickle juice! Aid stations were closer together than Chicago. I loved to run through the tree lined streets. I didn't like the smell around mile 17, but hey. Also my family got to see me 8 times with the help of local friends and the course overlapping the same spots. Don, thanks for the hug at the finish...it meant a lot. | |
K. P. from Holland, MI
(11/1/2007)
"Perfect race for all" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, the first being a bit larger (Detroit). The course on this one was beautiful. While spectators cannot access much of the course, it is actually a plus at times...much of the course is through beautiful bike/running trails in the woods. There was something nice about the silence of the woods, even with lots of other runners around. Aid stations were great, organization was great. Weather was perfect. | |
John Lopez from Northwest burbs of Chicago
(11/1/2007)
"A wonderful experience for my 1st marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run a few 5K's over the past few years and never imagined training for or running a marathon. I started this year running the LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K after some friends asked if I would like to join them. After that race we all agreed to try a Half-Marathon. My friends weren't able to do the training and I went ahead anyways. During the training I ran my first 10K, 10 miler and Half-Marathon. The site coordinator for the training suggested that since I had gone this far, why not train for a marathon. The rest is history. I want to thank all of the GR crews for everything, especially for seamlessly, and on short notice, accommodating the extra runners that came up from Chicago. All of you made my first marathon an experience that I, my family and the friends that I started the season with, will never forget. I've caught the bug. | |
Rachel Brougham from Alanson, MI
(11/1/2007)
"Run this Marathon!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I was not disappointed. Everything, from the expo, to the fans, the scenic course, to the organization and volunteers, to the emails of encouragement from Don himself, this is a first class race. I would do this again in a heartbeat! | |
Hetty Lima from N. Illinois
(10/31/2007)
"Wonderful Marathon!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this one on a whim after running the Nike Women's Marathon the week before. What a great course - all the previously mentioned comments are TRUE! I've run all the big ones, but this one is GREAT. Pretty course, outstanding organization - Don puts on a first-class race that many of the larger marathon directors could take lessons from! Loved the pickle juice, beer and chili at the end, and they gave out a great medal. How could you not love it?? As Arnold says, "I'll be back." | |
M. E. from Rocky River, Ohio
(10/31/2007)
"The name "GRAND Rapids Marathon" fits" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Grand Rapids Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My wife and I are also Chicago survivors. We were talked into this race to celebrate one of our runner's 60th birthday. He BQ'ed, along with two others from our group of seven. From the expo to the finish line, everything was done right. The course keeps you mentally alert and distracted at the same time, helping the miles seem to fly by. Aid stations and crowd support were also great. Pace teams, Dubya's running mates in particular, were awesome. If you want a great smaller marathon to run, I HIGHLY recommend this race. |
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