Grand Rapids Marathon
2006 Comments
Don (and all the volunteers),
Thanks for staging such a great event! All of your experience really showed in how smoothly everything was run, down to the smallest details. Registration and packet pick-up was so simple that I kept thinking I was forgetting something - usually it takes longer than a minute! Parking was no problem, the race began on time, and the aid stations allowed me to take as much as I wanted of anything I wanted (a big help when you're cramping and need countless orange slices). Did you really shake everyone's hand who finished? That's a nice touch.
Keep up the good work!
-Andrew
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Don and company,
The 2006 Grand Rapids Marathon was my first, but it won't be my last. And, in large part, it's because of the fantastic event that you put together. What a great job you did for us! Thanks to you and your team for the energy and time given to plan and orchestrate the marathon. It is so much appreciated by this first timer.
Mary Ellen Heyde
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Just wanted to let you know how excited it was to run my first marathon in Grand Rapids. It was an awesome event!!! The course was fanstastic. I loved it. The little out and backs helped me out mentally. The emails got me fired out and ready, especially the last 10 days. I started looking forward to them. The beer...... I just could not stomach it. I tried it, but didn't work for me. My support team enjoyed it, though... Thanks and Thanks again. I said I would only do this one time....but I might be back next year because I had such a great time.
Laura Readle
642
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We had a great time too...maybe next year I won't have sinus surgery 6 weeks before the big day and I can beat my PR of 7:24, ha...ha...my adventure definitely continues...
Thanks again for giving my dad bib 100, it really meant so much to him...I can't even explain! And to think, he stayed with me every step of the way knowing my healing body couldn't do more...the whole day and event was just the best!
Amy Kay
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This was my first marathon, and although I missed some goals due to illness that I couldnt quite overcome, I finished. For that, I am happy and proud.
Your entire team was first rate all the way through the course. The volunteers at all the stations were enthusiastic, from the first time I went through to the last time. Unbeleivable! The night before the race, My family, and Craig's family went to Olive Garden out by the Ramada. I see this guy wearing a really cool GR 2006 coat, and strike up a conversation assuming he was a runner. Turns out to be DR. Ed and his wife. Tremendous folks.....imagine my surprise when just after I finished, I felt a tap on the shoulder, and it was him offering me his congrats. Even better, well before I finished, he spotted our families and got them in front of the finish line so my girls could run out and show me their banner. I got to run across the line with them.
Then, I got my handshake from you. Not the yeah yeah you finished type, no this was a lingering firm, with a look into my eyes handshake that said "I really care".
I wanted this to be a great experience. Three years ago I got hurt 3 week out from running Chicago and couldnt run. Life got in the way until now. So I wanted to have as much fun as I could. I high fived course workers, offered encouragment when I could, thanked those in uniform, and in general, really just had an incredible time. An organization can often be judged by the leadership from the top. I only know of you from the e-mails, only met you for 15 seconds at the finish, yet, this whole event has to be the embodiment of who you are. Thanks for caring and for providing the opportunity to enjoy a first rate experience.
Kevin Childs 168
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Don, You guys outdid yourselves! I have run over 60 marathons and this one ranks at the top. Great course, great support from start to finish. Plus, you arranged for great weather too! Good Job, Bob Nordman, New Hyde Park, NY
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I loved the chili and beer. You put on one great race.
Sincerely, Freddi Angus
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Thank you for an awesome race! My boyfriend and I opted for Grand Rapids instead of Detroit this year and we loved it. The course was beautiful, volunteers were wonderful, and in 46 marathons this is the first time ever a race director shook my hand at the finish. Your energy, enthusiasm, and humor make this race one to remember. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Well done! --
Marcia Bennett
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Thanks for your leadership! a great event, volunteers, course, sunny day...see you next year.
Donald P. Condit, MD
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Hi Don
Great race on Sunday! I just put out the Kalamazoo Trikats newsletter (Kalamazoo triathlon club) and told people to consider this one for next year!
Megan James
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Don, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful lead up to the events this weekend, and indeed the execution of both the half & full marathons. We were engaged from very early on and looked forward to participating to the fullest. We came down as a team of 18, 10 ran the full, 6 the half, and 2 provided support! Bob Gatfield was first in his age group (full, men 65+), and Ann Gunther placed second in her's (half, women, 60+).
While I had to downgrade to the half due to my heel injury, I did manage a personal best for the half.
The course was beautiful, the water stations wonderfully placed and staffed, the mile markers clearly positioned, and hey, the weather couldn't have been better (well maybe just a tad less wind down the home stretch....).
Well done, enjoy the beer, you and your team deserve it!
Mark Adler
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Thanks to you and your great staff for putting on a wonderful marathon. It was a birthday I won't forget for a long time!
We were not able to stick around after the race, because we needed to get back to the hotel to check out. So I was not able to pick up my age group award (I still can't believe I won my age group...). Would you be able to mail it to me? Thanks in advance.
I'll be recommending the Grand Rapids Marathon to all our running friends here in the Western suburbs of Chicago!
Number 47
Anna Eich
Brookfield, IL
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Don what a great marathon and group of people. I want you to know how much i enjoyed the event and the training runs before.This was my first road marathon and i almost made a boston time....150 seconds short but ......still it was great. those weekend runs with your staff were very enlighting.."Doctor Rick" was a great couch and source of info,I will remember how He answered every Question from every runner ,topics about shoes diet times etc....oh and Pickle Juice!! AND Running Circles Alan gave me the Best advice and attention and service ever. I was Impressed!!!
Yeah i will be back Great Job and thankyou david wudkewych
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You did an AWESOME job organizing!!! The only thing that was not perfect was the wind! :) I am totally 'geeked' to have achieved a PR and also qualified for Boston!! I'm doing pretty well, just difficult to go down steps!
Thanks again for all your hard work to make the marathon so successful and GR proud!
Wendy Thomas
F 45-49 Full Marathon
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Thanks for a great day, great medals and lots of great people. Your work was appreciated.
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Fantastic race! My hat's off to your crew. It was my first marathon, but it won't be my last. I'll see you next year!
Dirk
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I was shooting for 3:30, and ran 3:37, so very disappointed, but course was beautiful, weather was perfect, organization superb, great tee-shirt ...........
I can tell you guys really care.
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Thanks for a great race. I like the course a lot more than two years ago, and the volunteers and staff were their usual awesome units. I'd be hard-pressed to name a more enjoyable run in the West Michigan area. It's fun, it's challenging and at the end you get chili. Really, asking any more of that would just be greedy.
One quick favor/request: I wrote one more blog after the race, rhapsodizing on my experience. If you have the time or inclination, I'd appreciate one more e-mail to lure people to it. It should be up by Wednesday morning or so. If not, that's cool too.
Thanks again for the experience. I'm still walking around like a toddler, but it's all worth it. Even if I was a little delirious at the finish line. I have like 20 minutes unaccounted for. Maybe that beer station had more than just brew.
Michael Zuidema
The Grand Rapids Press
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Thanks for a great event. It was my first marathon and while it was the single hardest thing I have ever done it was also one of the most memorable. The staff, volunteers, organization and support were all incredible. I met new people and possible some new “running buddies”. I heard a lot of praise and a little grumbling. Be sure to enjoy the praise and not worry too much about the critics (you’ll never make everyone happy).
Thanks and best of luck on your continuing adventures,
Brian Boyink
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Great job, very organized once again. Lots of food, tasty bagels and good beer; veggie chili would be nice. The parking/facility situation could not be better; it takes away much of the stress of the morning.
A clock or two out on the course would be nice. (when we get that I will think of something else that would "be nice".
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Just a note to tell you what a great experience I had in running the GR Marathon. The weather really came through. I ran with the Team Pi Pace team and they made it a truly great experience. Our two pacers did a remarkable job and I crossed the finish right along side our pace leader in 3:14:01. Can't complain with a pace team that hits its goal right on the head like that. I targeted this race for the specific purpose of qualifying for Boston and it did the trick. From the volunteers to the amply stocked aid stations to the scenic, flat (and windy) course it made for a terrific marathon experience.
Thanks for everything.
Thomas D. Callam, SPHR
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I've said it before...I'll say it again - thanks a bunch for your great consideration of what runners (new and old) really appreciate. Take care.
JBiz
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Thanks for all the great support, advice, and good humor you provided to me and all the participants. Although we never met, I did go for several of the practice runs on Sundays and had a great time during the race--my first half-marathon--this past Sunday. You, your staff, and all the other runners collectively made the event an over-the-top success. I look forward to running the GR Marathon next year.
Best,
Ric
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Outstanding, tremendous, well managed and personal, all the kudos I think of when describing the Grand Rapids Marathon!!
My decision to run the Grand Rapids paid huge dividends this year!
Due to some work-related timing constraints I was only able to train and run the GR half-marathon. This race is by far the best half-mary I've ever run and I even PR'd.
The pace team of Bonnie and Kate kept me on target and I more than matched the time I was shooting for, I beat it!! Thanks girls, you were just the motivation I needed to help me achieve my goal!! You Rock!!
Don, the course was well thought-out and provided tremendous vistas of Michigan fall foliage and even a couple of small hills on the first three miles of the race.
The Aid Stations were frequent, well stocked and the volunteers, well I just can't say enough about how incredible they were, I mean everyone was professional and courteous with a genuine desire to help the runners.
Next year I am running the Grand Rapids marathon so count on me being one of the first to register!
Well done everyone, well done!!!
Jerry Jennings
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I ran Sunday and loved the experience. It was my third GR marathon and I feel that you put you heart and soul into making the event one that is special for the runners. I have run 17 marathons… from Finland to Marine Corps to Boston five times, and I would put GR at the top of my list. Keep up the good work and I look forward to #4 next year. John Durham
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The GR Maraton was my first marathon. Thanks for making it so much fun. Although I peeled away from
my pace team at about 10 miles, it was a great way to start.
It was pretty obvious how much work everyone put into the day. Those happy, helpful faces at each aid station made everything much easier.
Don, I just want to thank you and all your volunteers for your upbeat attitudes and for making my first ½ marathon enjoyable! Great Job! Your e mails provided useful information and humor - a rare combination! Thanks again.
Deb Salvano RN
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The marathon last Sunday was my first full marathon, and I must say that it was truly an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I just wanted to say thank you for coordinating such a great event, and also send a thank you to all of the people that helped out. The pace teams were truly helpful. The people in them were very professional and quite talented at keeping pace. Thanks again.
Joe
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GREAT RACE; and thanks for the all the work that you and your staff contribute to making this so nice for the participates!!
I will be there next year and for as many years as I am able!!
Roger Mulder
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You are the most awesome race director that I know, I hope that you got lots of different beers! I thought that you being there at the finish (I ran the half marathon for the 3rd time!) and congratulating each runner was the best. Your emails were also entertaining and informative. I want to be one of those runners who 30 years from now can say that I have run every Grand Rapids half marathon. I would have run the marathon, but just ran Lakefront in Milwaukee, which I know some of your staff ran. Anyway, congratulations to you and the rest for a well organized and fun race! You can tell that this is an event that is put on by runners for runners. Now you get some well deserved rest! Thanks again.
Amy VanWagoner
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I am starting to feel better, although I have really felt great since crossing the finish line this past Sunday. I want to thank you for putting on such a wonderful event with a sense of humor. This was my first marathon, but thanks to you and your staff and the wonderful experience I had, I am sure it won't be my last.
Thanks again!
Mike Roberson
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GREAT!!!! Job Sunday. That was one of the best run events I’ve participated in. All of the aid stations were great and came along at just the right times.
I had oreo cookies out there! and chocolate chip cookies! The wind kinda sucked back in that industrial complex though. Wow. That was physically and mentally draining.
I still trimmed 24 minutes off my first marathon time and finished better than planned to boot! Now on with the next goal. Hmm…..
i'll be back!
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Thanks for another great race! I really enjoyed the day outside of the requisite pain at the finish line. The chili was tasty and the pale beer was better than the dark beer. (just in case you were looking for an objective critique) Great organization especially for a third year event. The big question is: Will you remain race director as the race goes corporate? Gotta admit I'd miss some of the personal touches (read beer) sometimes lost when a sponsor has to be pleased. By the way, the Wayland roadrunners aid station gets my vote as most vocal but I may be prejudiced on that one.
Thanks again!
Mike Cnossen
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Great race and very well organized. You and your team should be very proud of a professionally ran event. My only fear is as the popularity of this race grows, the space to maneuver on the course between miles 11 to 14 when you have 2 way traffic on the bike path may become an issue.
This was my first time running our local marathon and qualified for Boston. All together this finish has put 9 marathons under my belt. During my moment of "HIGH", I was wondering if you had any additional XL shirts left. I have a large currently and its just a little too small by about 3 inches in the sleeve. :) If you have any extra, I would love to purchase one and buy you a beer in celebration of my qualifying.
The New Holland beer at the finish was AWESOME!!! The daily emails were great too. Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Mark Damveld
Bib 204
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Thanks for a great experience, one of my most favorite events ever. My husband & I are trying to do a marathon in every state, that was #28. (We were the slow people from Delaware)
Everything was just fabulous, you really know how to do everything right, great course, great volunteers & refreshment stops, beautiful medal & shirt, good stuff at the finish tent.
Plus all of your funny email messages.
You are awesome!!!
“Pete” and Tim, Delaware
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Thank you for such a great event! I'm starting to train right now for the full marathon!!! I am so excited - this was an awesome run! Thanks to you and all that helped!!!! I had a GREAT day!
Dawn
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Just a quick note to let you know I LOVED the Grand Rapids Marathon course….it was beautiful, well staffed and had awesome, fun aid stations. The finish line/starting line logistics all in in close proximity by the YMCA and parking lots were perfect! I was treated for hypothermia after Chicago the week before……it took forever to get out of the finish chutes and to a heated tent and I was in pretty bad shape by the time I got there. I am DONE with that insanity for a while! But as long as I can stay healthy, I plan on returning next year to race GR! This year I paced one of our running club first timers (Andy Boris) to his first marathon…..Grand Rapids gave him an incredible first experience and he is now hooked! I am really glad I was able to experience it this way ather than as a race ….I had a lot of fun out there…especially picking on the guy with the pigtails:) I also appreciated the gummy bears:)
Bonnie
PS….44 of our running club members did GR full or half. (24 did Detroit full or half). Here is a note one of them asked me to pass along:
If you talk to Don, thank him for a great race and great support from his team and volunteers.
Bonnie Sexton
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Just a note of thanks. I ran the marathon Sunday; beautiful course, great aid stations, nice job with the start, finish, expo, etc. I didn’t have a particularly good day (luck of the draw) but still managed to take second in my age group. The view of downtown GR from about 23.5 miles in was pretty impressive (and it would take something to impress me at that stage of a marathon). I’m sure I’ll be back. Thanks to you, your race committee and all the volunteers who put on such a great event.
John McCabe, Lansing
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Wow, what a great race - having finished races like the Las Vegas International Marathon - Napa - Chicago - Fresno - Kiawah Island - the Grand Rapids Marathon is a 1st class event and I wouldn't hesitate to suggest it to someone.
Best regards
Marshall Randall
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I just ran your marathon on Sunday. I wanted to thank the staff and all the volunteers for putting on such a great race. It was my first marathon and I was really anxious, but the mood and the atmosphere before and during the race was great, and I found it to be a fantasticly fun day. I learned after driving 15 hours back to minneapolis that I got third in the men's 20-24 division. Do you mail awards? Thanks again for a great day.
Cheers,
Paul Jansen
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Just wanted to write and thank you and all of the volunteers for a wonderful race experience!
Elliott, Julie M
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Thank you Don for putting on a great race.
Troy
Thanks Don for a great race. I brought along some fast friends with me this year. They took 2nd and 3rd in the 35 to 39 male age group for the ½ marathon.
See you next year!
Tracy Lorenz
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Hi Don:
Just a quick note to thank you for the birthday celebration that you had just for me! It couldn’t have been more perfect (except the wind). You do such a great job. Thanks again and I’ll be there next year for #4.
Gotta run…
Ralph Meyer #54
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What a fantastic job you all did. Very well done. Congratulations! I heard nothing but positive comments.
dear don kern and team,
you put on a fantastic race!!! thank you:) i loved the arrangement of the
national anthem, i appreciated that the volunteers at the aide stations gave
us drinks AND cheered for us, and the chilli hit the spot afterwards.
thanks, e
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I want to send my thanks to you, your staff and all the volunteers at yesterday's race. I had a blast! Everyone from the staff to the volunteers to the spectators were very enthusiastic and helped make for a fun time. My time was not what I hoped (it never is) but I did make all 26.2 without walking once (not counting the aid stations), and that's the first time I can say that after now my 3rd marathon. It's clear from your attention to detail that you plan this event with the runner in mind (pace groups, late registration, chili, showers at the 'Y', etc.). I love your sense of humor in the e-mails, registration packet, pace group names, etc. This was my first visit to Grand Rapids and I'm left with a very favorable impression of the city.
Please send my thanks to the photographers who took the beautiful photos you linked to on the website. It's killing my productivity at work today, but what the hell. I recognize many of the faces, some I passed along the way, many more passed me, and some were so far ahead I never saw them at all!
Overall this was a superbly run event. In the spirit of constructive critique, I'll send another e-mail when I have more time with some minor things I think you might consider to make this an even better race, but none of which are absolutely necessary since it's already a great event.
John Doyle
(p.s. - I'm the one who dropped off the Tyskie at the Expo on Sunday morning. I do consulting work at Miller Brewing and it's a Miller import from Poland. If you didn't get it then I guess the volunteers I gave it to drank it!).
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I had a great time running your marathon! This was my second marathon and
I'm soooo happy that I RAN Grand Rapids :) See Ya next Year!
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I’m a little sore, right ankle & knee are letting me know they didn’t much appreciate yesterday… but overall it was a good day ;) I finished up with the P Diddy team – really enjoyed Dr Rick, just what I needed at that time… Heard lots of good comments, although that wind sure was a pain – especially that industrial section. Enjoyed the hug from my favorite race director at the end.
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Hey Don - Just wanted to thank-you for a great race!!
It was very well organized and ALL volunteers were really nice.
Best,
Bill
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Two years ago I walked my first ½ marathon with my best friend in Grand Rapids. If someone would have told me I would run the 1/2, I would have said they were nuts. Here it is Monday and I accomplished what I set out to do. I started training late spring and was hoping to do under a 10 minute pace. I was a little over but had some major leg issues in miles 7 thru 9. At 10 I got a kick, made up some time and was very grateful to finish.
I know you shook hands with a lot of people that day, but I was the one with the white hat and the pink breast cancer shirt. I just about plowed you over. You see I’m a survivor and I have a prosthesis on the right side, which can be very uncomfortable when you get all sweaty. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone around me you can do anything if you really want to.
Thank you for your inspiring e-mails and I think your marathon route was awesome.
Denise Townsend
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What a great marathon you put on. The volunteers and pace teams were so friendly and helpful. The medals and especially the shirts were some of the best I have received and this was my sixth marathon. I was especially impressed to see you greeting people at the end. I bombed with a cramp after 16 miles, but still had a great day.
Thanks,
Roxane
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Hi Don,
The Grand Rapids Marathon is an awesome event. The course is beautiful, the volunteers very organized and the attention to small details helped made me feel special. For a small race it has a big time feel to it. From the great race tech tees, the nice finishers medals, the special treats at the aide stations and your handshake at the finish line are just a few of the highlights.
I want to thank you for everything Don. I appreciate the email updates and your sense of humor. It sure helped keep me motivated. I also want to thank your staff and all the volunteers. I realize without everyone's hard work and time that this event would not have been as successful as it was.
Gratefully,
Carol Neckel
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I had the time of my life. Great job! Craig
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I really enjoyed the event yesterday; everything was perfect. I had read many comments from others that said they could tell that marathon runners hosted this event, and now I know what they are talking about. This was the first time for me to participate, and I wasn't disappointed. The volunteers at the aid stations had such great energy, and I enjoyed the course. Please accept those "Dead Guy" beers graciously for a job well done!
Jay Bizarri - Sherrard, Illinois
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We did not get to meet face to face, but I think you may have shaken my hand at the finish. I did PR, 13 minutes, but no BQ. I will definitely consider your race again next Fall. The course was beautiful, the shirts perfect, and the volunteers friendly. If you want to order up a little less wind next time that would be ok with me.
Rest up. You have another race to plan! Nice job on the new sponsor.
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Marathon Don:
Today (10/29/2006) was my first marathon. I want to thank you and your staff for making it such an enjoyable experience. I chose this as my first marathon because it is a friendly race and fast course. What an encouragement to see the aid staff cheering and to also receive encouragement from other runners at the turn arounds. The event was perfect in my opinion. How many marathon race directors greet total strangers at the finish with a hug? I was impressed. To top it all off, the G.R. course provided me a Boston qualifier. I plan to be back.
Tim Becker
Fowler
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I traveled all the way from Iowa City, IA for your marathon and although my wife is still wondering why we drove all the way there and back with a one-year-old, I am happy to say that your marathon was as good as it gets. In fact, I have run the full and the half at Lincoln, NE the past two years and I thought you couldn't get better at it than they are for a mid-size race, but you guys were even better in only your third year (they've been at it for 30). Thank you, thank you, thank you for a great race (and a new PR, as you promised).
Sincerely,
Mike Kabela
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What a wonderful day!!!! Great course, beautiful colors, great support staff! Thanks for ordering sunshine! I really liked the Celebrity Pacing teams, I could easily situate myself relatively to my desired finish time. The beer at mile 23 (or 24?) and the pickle juice were great perks. Might have liked to see more salty snacks (salted baked potatoes, pretzels) toward the end, but otherwise, the frequency of stations, availability of Gu, GatorAid and Vaseline were right on. What a wonderful marathon you have all put together!
Kudos and thank you so very much!
Line Cournoyer
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Don Kern, I’m hoping to run into you one of these days to thank you in person for putting on such a fine race. I’ve run 27 marathons (GR 3X), large and small, so I think I know a little about what I’m talking about here, and I just want you to compliment you and thank you. Heck, I can’t think of a single thing that was bad or even a constructive criticism. It was just all good, very good. Who’da thunk it, my favorite and the best marathon, right here at home. Unfortunately, for the 3rd year I have neglected to bring you a beer so when I do see you, I will owe you, and I promise to deliver!!! Seriously – thank you Don for putting on such a great race.
John Klees
Grand Rapids
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My family and I just got back from the race. Nice job. It was well organized, and everybody looked like they were having a great time. My daughter was the age group winner in the 19 and under women's cat., so we really enjoyed it. She loved the course. I've run a lot of marathons on the east side of the state, but this was especially well done. If Becca wants to do it next year, I'll volunteer to help on the course. Results on runmichigan.com?
Thanks!
Tim Propst
old beaten up marathoner.
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Hello! I just wanted to let you know how much I loved the GR 1/2 marathon. Everything was wonderful(how did you get the weather to cooperate?) The organization and course were perfect. I might just have to buck up and do the full next year! Don't change a thing. We love you in Wyoming. Thanks for a great time! PS- the medals and shirts ROCKED! Congratulations! Becky Gambish, Wyoming, Mi.
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That was one of the coolest experiences of my entire life today. I will never forget it.
We couldn't have asked for a better day or a better course, or a better group of volunteers, or a better field. It was awesome - just perfect.
Incidentally, I really liked the out-and-backs, because it was fun saying hi to all the people I knew in front of and behind me. That was an unexpected bonus, and it wouldn't happen if there were no out-and-backs (right?). Anyway, it was cool.
My plan is to run this every year, and it will be a highlight of my year.
Hope to see you soon, either at a training run or to drink some beer.
Take care,
Patrick
Don,
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Congratulations to you, your staff and all the great volunteers that made this a phenomenal marathon today. Having run Chicago 3 times, I’m not leaving GR for another Midwest marathon. The exceptional efforts of you and your staff resulted in an exceptional day in Grand Rapids.
I’m not e-mailing you about my time as I already know Matt brought me home in Boston qualifying time, regardless of the winds.
Thanks for the great experience, the enthusiastic e-mails and I’ll be back for ’07.
Now I’ve got to get my ass back to the couch to polish off yet another beer that I so rightly earned; hope you’re firing down one of your micro-brews and celebrating a job very well done.
Best regards and many thanks,
John Toigo
Boston Qualifier, GR ‘06
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I just wanted to say thank you for a great race. All of the volunteers were so helpful and positive, the course was beautiful, and we had a great time. Thank you and we'll see you again next year for sure!
Kara and Mike King
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Days : Hours : Minutes : Seconds