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Grand Rapids Marathon Information
Packet Pickup
David D. Hunting YMCA
475 Lake Michigan Drive
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Saturday, 18 October 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 19 October 6:00 a.m. - race time
Race Location
David D. Hunting YMCA 475 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Take the Pearl Street exit off US-131. Go west, young man, but only for a couple blocks. Park in the DASH lots near the Y. They're not hard to find, just relax.
Start Times
7:00 early start for velocity challenged BOTH RACES. The early start is recommended if you'll be at a more-than-six-hour marathon pace, however, the decision is up to you.
Note: Early start not eligible for awards other than the finisher medal. i.e. All you fast guys start at 8:00 like everybody else.8:00 Official start of Marathon - Half Marathon
Arrival & Parking
It's an easy walk from the downtown hotels to the starting line. If you drive, there are bunches of parking lots along Summer, Winter & Seward, and they're all free on Sundays. THE YMCA PARKING LOT IS FOR YMCA MEMBERS ONLY. NO MARATHON PARKING. THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER PARKING PLACES!!!
Spectators
1. Downtown area from the YMCA south to Wealthy.
2. Near the Riverboat (Take Indian Mounds Road off Wilson.)
3. At the east end of Indian Mounds road where they turnaround at about mile 21.
4. On Ivanrest near the Wyoming Clean Water Plant.
That's really about it unless you're on a bicycle, then you might want to go to Millennium Park for a few minutes early in the race. Closed roads make it hard to get to much of the course--i.e. lousy for spectators, but great for runners because there's no traffic.
Bag Drop
You can leave your bag at our drop area sponsored by Fort Knox Box. Please tag your bag with your race number. Area will be supervised by volunteers, but ALL BAGS ARE LEFT AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Champion Chip
Wear it on your shoe. Cross the mat at the start, wherever you see one along the way, and at the finish. NO CHIP - NO TIME!!!! If it's on your wrist, it won't register on the equipment. So, don't try to experiment with different ways of wearing the chip as a fashion accessory.
Medical
Look for the guys in the ORANGE volunteer jackets. They're doctors, nurses, physical therapists, etc. All highly qualified professionals from Metro Health Sports Medicine and Life EMS.
Awards?
Three deep overall and masters. Three deep in age groups. The only exception being that we're ordering awards on the 11th of October (after the last rate increase). If there's only one person in an age group at that time, we're only going one deep in that age group. (example, women's 65-69 only has one by that time, we're only going one deep.) So, if you're planning to win something, better sign up soon.
Can I get a refund or sell my entry to someone else?
No. We will transfer your entry for this year to next year for a $10.00 fee if you contact us more than a week before the event. Mail a note that you want to transfer along with your check to Grand Rapids Marathon, PO Box 1041, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.
Good morning. A friend and I are looking for a marathon to participate in that we are able to walk. Does the Grand Rapids Marathon allow for walkers or only require runners? This would be our first marathon. We're avid walkers.....not runners.
We're having a 7:00 start for walkers (and velocity-challenged runners:-)). (MARATHON ONLY) No time limit on either race. This should be a great choice for a first marathon. Hope to see you there.
Showers?
YES! At the YMCA. FREE.
Is this a certified course?
YES!
USATF Sanctioned?
YES!
Whining?
Not allowed on the course. Suck it up--you signed up for this.
Finisher Medals, will there be any?
Yup. Just like a real marathon. (WAIT! It IS a real marathon!) We'll try to make 'em cool too. Half marathon medals as well.
What sport drink are you serving?
Haven't decided yet, but it's looking like Gatorade this year. In a variety of flavors & colors drink. GU at mile 8, 13 & 18.5 (vanilla and plain)
What's the course like?
It's long. 26.2 miles. Mostly flat. Actually, there are a few hills between 3 and 6 miles, unless someone comes through with a really big bulldozer between now and then.
Chip timed?
Yup. Certified distance too so you can qualify for Boston.
What is the distance from the downtown area, (read hotels) to the start/finish?
About three blocks. Check out our travel/hotel page for more info.
If a marathon runner falls in a forest and there's no one around to hear it, will he or she make a sound?
I'm sure there would be a sound, but this is a family website, so I can't put a real detailed description of it here. We have medical people on the course, so keep yelling for help and/or swearing, just in case. If a marathon runner falls in the river though, remember to swim upstream, because that will take you in the direction of the finish line. A few salmon may still be migrating at that time, so you'll have some company.
I was wondering about aid stations (GU, water, sports drink) as well as first aid stations (that include Vaseline) in terms of their placement along the course. Thanks!
We'll have aid stations about every 1.5 miles along the course. GU Energy Gel at three places on the Marathon course. And, of course, what kind of a marathon would it be without some petroleum jelly along the way? We'll make sure you're well hydrated and well lubed!
You mean there really are stupid questions?
Yes. What's the difference between an orange? (One's a fruit and the other's a color.) Do these pants make my butt look fat? (Just pretend you didn't hear and change the subject quickly.) When you walk down the street, do you sing "Do wa diddy diddy dum diddy do"? (This is pretty silly) Hey Don, can I buy you a beer? (Answer is too obvious.)
I'm 15 and despite getting told it "wouldn't be too smart", I am determined to try to run a marathon this fall. The Grand Rapids Marathon is the only one I've found that's not too far away from Detroit and is also after this fall's cross country season. My mom insisted that I have to find out if there is an age limit in this marathon before she'll let me sign up. I am going to prepare mileage-wise, and etc., so am I allowed to run in the Grand Rapids Marathon? Thanks.
As long as your mom is cool with it, I have no problem. Make sure you're well prepared though--youth and enthusiasm are wonderful, but seek the counsel of more experienced runners and be smart about it.
Also, check out our training program--the link is on our website. I look forward to seeing you in the fall.
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