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K. C. from Chicago
(9/6/2011)
"A potentially good marathon with a little work" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I wanted to pick an early fall marathon that was flat and fast. Marquette advertises the course is flat and fast. First of all, I'm learning flat is relative. If you are from Marquette, I'm sure this course if flat to you. Being from Chicago, this course is not flat. Several other runners made this same comment. The first 5 miles are challenging, with a one mile on a challenging dirt road. You will have a gradual 200 foot ascend up to mile 5. Starts to flatten out with a few rollers until you return back to the park, where you are greeted with a difficult hill around 11.5 miles. You have to do this twice. The course is mostly path with little to none spectators. Where work needs to be done is with the aid stations. First of all, small dixie cups are not ok. I'm a heavy sweater and I knew going into this race the temp+humidity would be a challenge to me. I had to make sure to hydrate well. When they give you water in a small 4 oz dixie cup, you are lucky to get 2 ounces. Second, they said aid stations at every mile. I think they meant there were opportunities to get water, which may have been a water fountain on the path. If you are racing, stopping at a water fountain is not acceptable. Their were plenty of aid stations, but not at every mile. I DNF'd because I got dehydrated. I would like to think if there were water stations at every mile or water in larger cups (8 oz), I would have hydrated better. If I slowed down and stopped at the water stations, I would have been fine, however, I was racing this event. Hard to give this race a bad review because the organization was top notch! The award dinner was a wonderful event! Please fix the aid stations and you'll have a wonderful marathon to brag about. | |
James Felton III from Saginaw, MI
(9/6/2011)
"Great job Marquette!" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marquette Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is tougher than advertised but if you run smart you'll be rewarded with a good time. Plenty of aid stations along the course although HEED tasted terrible. Nice shirts and finisher medal. People were as friendly as it gets. I will run this race again and I would suggest this marathon to anyone looking to qualify for Boston or just to cross Michigan off the 50 state list. You'll be glad you came!! | |
J. R. from Alexandria, VA
(9/5/2011)
"Incredibly organized small town race" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marquette Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I flew to Marquette to get in an 'early fall' marathon- great change in temperature from DC. I trained in the 90's all summer, so 61 at race time was a plus. Good variety in the course, especially considering that we did the same loop twice. Scenic start in the park, a mile or two of unpaved road, then mostly paved bike trails through. Good change of scenery too, running along neighborhoods, through the small downtown and along the lakefront. What blew me away was the organization of this small race- lots of volunteers; water every 1-2 miles (but get rid of the HEED!) and gels. Seriously, did the whole town come out to volunteer to man water stations, stop traffic, etc? This is a fairly fast, flat course (but a nasty little hill in the park at the 12/25 mile mark). Didn't set a PR, but got a very respectable time given my limited summer training. This one is a perfect work up for fall races on my schedule. Oh, and hats off for a great little after party at the Waterfront Restaurant. If you're looking for a small race, but worried about lack of support, try this one. | |
M. D. from Lake Oconee, GA
(9/4/2011)
"This race is a hidden treasure. It is a small wel" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marquette Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course of two laps takes the runners along Lake Superior, by the marina, ore loading facility, into heavily wooded areas and through downtown Marquette. The volunteers are great and I would estimate approximately one volunteer for each runner. Local fan support is good for a smaller race that has only been run two times. The race director is very active and micro manages every detail. She sends out daily Emails and you feel she is a personal friend before you meet her. The local sponsors are very generous There was plenty of water stations and rest facilities. I would highly recommend this event. The awards ceremony had live music, and advertised as a cash bar, but the sponsor picked up the bar tab. |
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