Grand Rapids Marathon Reviews

  Fantastic smaller marathon

By E about 2024

Review

Great organization. Pace support was fantastic (multiple vocal pacers for the sub-3 group). Plenty of aid stations (every ~1.5/2 miles).

Race Tips

Flat, fast course.

  Amazing experience

By AMP about 2023

Review

Absolutely fantastic race, the best I've ever been a part of. The race director is amazing at communicating and pushes daily emails during the last week to make sure runners are up to date on everything for race day. Expo was great with lots of vendors.

Race Tips

The first few miles are a loop around Grand Rapids and very flat. Easy to settle into a groove and lock in your race pace. Not a lot of tall buildings around to throw off your GPS.

The 'hilly' stretch is from mile 7 to 9.5 and is very gently rolling. Get a friend to chat with during this section and it'll be passed before you know it. Heading into the lake section can be tricky if you're trying to keep a quick pace. Lots of sharp-ish turns and short hills.

Once you pass 14 miles it's pretty much nothing but long straight roads. The mental game comes in here since there's not a lot of crowd support in the woods.

The last couple miles to the finish are great. Heading back into town has a few more gentle turns and minimal elevation changes. A slight downhill during the final stretch.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

There's plenty of parking at the start/finish area for $4 or walk from your hotel. There's also some street parking for free on Sundays in Grand Rapids. There's an optional early start for folks who are going to take more than 6 hours so it helps to get to the starting area and parked prior to them stepping off (7am).
Start/Finish area is fantastic.

-Gear check was quick and well staffed.
-Tons of portable toilets so no lines anywhere.
-Great snacks and drinks after the finish.
-Beer tent was well stocked and they had a grill going with brats.

The YMCA next to the start/finish is open to the public on race day so you can pop in for a quick shower (bring your own towel). Very useful if you're driving home immediately after or waiting on slower friends to finish their run.

  Great local marathon

By JJW about 2019

Review

It's a great local marathon- easy to get to, good weather, and fairly flat. There was not a whole lot of spectators, but other than that it was nice.

  

By Tami Jo Harmon about 2016

Review

Great state/ending area at (I think) the nation's largest YMCA. The course is absolutely beautiful and the Y gives lockers for your race gear and allows towels and showering when it's over. There's even an early start for the many runners who like the extra time!

Race Tips

What can a runner expect: Great weather, aid stations, and beautiful views.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Arrive early and there's ample parking adjacent to the YMCA

  

By RBOY about 2016

Review

Flat, well organized, cool fall weather

  

By CMF about 2016

Review

The best thing about this race is the RD, Don Kern. He is very communicative and understands a runner's mind. This race is definitely built to make everything as convenient for the runners as possible...everything from the expo, to tons of close parking, to the beer tent. The course is beautiful and mostly flat. A great overall experience!

Race Tips

The pacers for this race are excellent, so you can rely on them. After 8.5 miles the half breaks off and the course is much less crowded. In the out and back section the out is a very slight uphill, and the back is perfect timing for a slight downhill. That entire section is shaded. The last 5.5 miles or so have no shade. If you've dressed for cooler starting temps you will want to be able to shed layers in those last few miles.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Read Don's emails! He sends a ton of them and they cover this information extensively. I arrived 45 min before race time and was able to park right across the street from the start line. Don had done his due diligence to make logistics as easy as humanly possible.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

Very well organized race and a beautiful course! I would have loved a bit more of a bigger beer tent at the finish, given it's Beer City :) Beautiful course, just the right amount of crowd support. I was expecting a few minor hills but the course felt very flat, to me, which was great. Pickle juice on the course was nice. The volunteers were AMAZING!!!

Race Tips

There's a small stretch around mile 24 that isn't very scenic and there is no crowd support (due to location) - just remember you're almost done - the pacers got vocal here (in a good way) - shouting encouragement and counting down to the finish. The pacers were phenomenal.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Great hotel options in walking distance to the Y!

  

By sm about 2016

  

By JA about 2015

Review

Great race! Loved the pace teams and support from volunteers along the way.

Race Tips

32 degrees at race time. Beautiful course thru the streets and park trails around Grand Rapids.

  

By PH about 2013

Review

Great course both small hills, flat, and great scenery. Very pretty around lake combination of out and back, trails, and asphalt. Perfect weather and great food.

Race Tips

Well organized able to stay in YMCA before race. Great expo and medals pretty cool....

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Great hotel within walking distance.