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Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Reviews
Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon
4.8 Stars from
5 Runners
Got my first BQ!
By Leigh about 2024
Review
Very happy with pretty much everything about this race. My only wish is that they had a BQ bell to ring at the finish area.
Race Tips
It was a great course in a beautiful park, mostly shaded. The first half of each loop is flat and the back half has rolling hills. Be prepared that mile 26 is mostly uphill, with a long climb as you exit the loop to head to the finish. It’s doable, just be ready so it isn’t discouraging. I left bottles on the tables provided, which was great, except that I mistakenly thought I would be able to grab a bottle when entering the loop at mile 1. I wish I had started with a handheld instead. We got lucky with fantastic cool weather, especially given the recent heatwaves. The staff, volunteers, other runners, and spectators contributed to a very positive, encouraging race environment. There were some stretches in the last 2 loops when I was alone, but it also never got too crowded on the course. As long as you are able to train on rolling hills, I highly recommend this race!
I stayed at the Residence Inn Grand Rapids West about 10-15 minutes from the race course. Great hotel and location. Visited the lovely beach at Holland Stare Park by Lake Michigan later after the race and had a delicious dinner at Sandy Point Beach House (get the pierogies appetizer).
5 /
5 Stars
Fantastic race!
By Smm about 2020
Review
Well organized and beautiful course. The Race Director provided a top notch experience during these unprecedented times. The loop course is ideal for a speedy race.
Race Tips
Don't be fooled by the course description, the back half has rolling hills. That said, I'm from pancake flat Florida so a speed bump is a hill ;) but these were definitely something to be aware of.
The Grandville Hampton Inn was the perfect location and the staff was super accommodating. When they found out that they had a bunch of runner staying with them, they made sure to put out food early. The rooms are also spacious.
5 /
5 Stars
Loved this course!
By RM about 2020
Review
Loved this course!
Beautiful and a wonderful time of year to run in Michigan.
I had a 30 minute PR and a BQ.
Mostly flat. Course was very well marked. The running of multiple loops helped me thing of loops rather than miles.
The tables being out letting runners bring their own drinks was also a plus.
Race Tips
Easy parking.
Easy packet pick up.
Did great with keeping all runners safe with social distancing.
I stayed at Hilton Garden Inn East. 20 minutes away but extremely safe and very clean. Hotel price was reasonable.
5 /
5 Stars
Nearly perfect!
By T about 2017
Review
It's a beautiful course around a new park, it's well organized and has a nice atmosphere. Like the previous reviewer said, you basically go around a 4-mile loop six times, with a one mile entry and exit. I found it nice to get accustomed to what turns were coming up, and when to expect those aid stations. There are a few short gentle hills in one section of the loop, and the only 'sharp' turn is during the entry/exit (so you hit it twice), and it's not even that sharp.
The previous reviewer who went in 2016 unfortunately suffered warmer weather, and had a mild complaint about gel being handed out at the end of the line. Well, in 2017, we had perfect weather right around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. And they were handing out gel at both the beginning and end of the line. Many of the volunteers handing out drinks would move along with you to help hand-off without slowing you down much. I thought they all did a great job.
My biggest complaint? There was a slight sulphur or rotten egg smell near the beginning of the race which dissipated after a lap or two. The park is an old gravel pit, and they have some sort of oil drilling machines; I'm not sure if those are the source of the smell. But really, it was nothing significant. I'm only mentioning it because I have no other complaints.
Race Tips
You really don't need a specific pacing strategy for this course. The entry to the loop at the start is *slightly* downhill, so you should know that the exit from the loop at the finish is *slightly* uphill. I didn't find it to be a big deal, though.
OK, I went for a cheap motel called America's Best Value Inn on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. I would recommend against repeating my mistake. It's not all that helpful to have riffraff yapping away on the balcony until 3am. Room wasn't very clean and there were some maintenance issues.
5 /
5 Stars
By BL about 2016
Review
The event was well organized, thanks to Don Kern and volunteers.All runners are BQ-minded, I felt the atmosphere and was inspired by it before the race.
Race Tips
Plenty of parking if you arrive 30mins before the race.
In this course, you run a 4-mile loop six times. It might sound boring, but the park is beautiful and has different views for you to distract yourself during the race, if you choose to. 1st mile of the loop is slightly hilly, the rest is almost flat.
Aid station is every 2 miles. Although there are elite tables for your own bottles, I found that not helpful because toss basket for the bottles is too short from the table. Not enough time for enough liquid. The race day was very humid, my body constantly asked for fluid during the 2nd half. And the aid station that is 2 miles apart became very very long for me. I would recommend drink from cups during the 1st half, and carry your own water bottle and gels (take advantage of the elite table) in the 2nd half of the race.
Gel supply is every 4 miles, but gel was given at the end of aid station. So I was forced to use both hand. Unless you stop, it is very difficult to take gel without a lot of water spilled. Not an ideal setting when you get tired during the 2nd half.
Most hotels are 10-25 mins away from the course. I stayed at 3 CHEAP hotels during my preparation. Knights Inn on Plainfield Ave (not recommended); Best Western on 28th St (GOOD); and Grandvillage Inn for the race (OK). For some reason, hotel price hiked before the race day.
