Amy Holmes's Staging Area

Its hard to give this race a fair rating, as several factors were in play that made this inaugural year different than expected.

First off – the WIND! Holy cow. It felt like if I wasn’t running directly into a headwind, I was fighting a sidewind the entire way. And it was so icy cold that it stung when it hit your skin. I’m really trying not to hold that against the race itself, as no one can control the weather, but late April is kind of a gamble in this area and has to be considered. For me, the crappy weather was significant factor in my poor performance.

The course was just okay. But I gave the course a 2 shoe rating because organizers had to change it just a few a days ago from the original course because of flooding. Judging from the elevation map, I think the original course was easier. The original looked like a gentle downhill from start to finish, where this new route had some big climbs. My Garmin showed an elevation gain for 446 ft and a near constant climb throughout the middle of the course (photo attached). Its all on a path, goes over and under some neat bridges, which is kinda cool, but overall the middle section of the course is pretty boring: just vast views of uninteresting horizon with a few industrial areas and the local airport – ‘meh’ in my opinion. Its almost entirely along the Big Sioux River, and you can see about 3 ‘rapids’ along the course, 2 of which are man-made meant to control the river. The finish line is near a part where Falls Park (see photo) which is really pretty and you get to run past it on your way to the finish. It would be nice though, if the finishers area was at the park so runners could sit at the park and enjoy the views and brunch while relishing their race instead of just running past it.

I think the production was really good and well organized. Helpful, cheerful staff were everywhere, even though they had to be frozen and it was easy to find your way around. Sioux Falls Downtown area is small, but really cute. The post race production was well thought out with brunch of breakfast sandwiches, fruit, muffins and bars from a local bakery & hot coffee/tea… Evidently they had places to go inside and warm up, but I didn’t see where it was. I just needed to get back to the hotel and get warm.

For a small race, I thought crowd support was decent. Water stops were frequent and well stocked with cheerful and encouraging people handing out water and gatorade. Expo was really tiny, but they offered happy hour and appetizers there, and the local shops offered discounts to people, which was a nice boutique flavor to expo. The start and finish and expo are all within easy walking distance of three hotels and there are plenty of cute places to shop and explore in the downtown area.

So I can say I’ve run both distances at Grandma’s marathon weekend, and I have to give the half marathon a slight edge, only because this course picks up at the halfway mark for the full and the last 13.1 of the full (or the GB Half Marathon) is the most interesting with changes in scenery, going from tree lined county highway along the shore to the outskirts of town into downtown Duluth and finishing at Canal Park. In my view, it just wasn’t as boring as the full marathon (see my previous review), which starts with 13.1 miles of shoreline.

I still find the last 3/4 mile or so very frustrating with the winding through the streets making several turns hoping to see the finish line only to be disappointed. And then when you finally see the finish line, its a solid 1/4 mile ahead of you. For me its just mentally frustrating.

The finisher area is very crowded with shoulder to shoulder people trying to get their gear bags and food. It can be very confusing and lines are extremely long.

The bling has significantly improved over the last couple of years and I’m thrilled with my medal and t-shirt design. If you are in it for the bling, be sure to check out the designs (Grandma’s marathon posts their designs online, but the half marathon design is a secret). It also has a nifty flat spot on the bottom so you can stand it up to display it on a shelf instead of using the ribbon.

Also, the half is extremely popular and sells out almost immediately. If you want to go, you need to be hot on the button the moment registration opens. But don’t despair, the RD allows bib transfers until 1 May, so if you don’t get a bib, keep perusing your local run club or Craiglist.

Also notable – Grandma is concerned for your safety. There are medical tents everywhere on the course, and in a place where weather can be volatile, I think this is smart. Water tables are plentiful and stocked with great volunteers.

With that in mind, if you go to Duluth for Grandma’s Marathon, stay a couple of days and explore all the parks, lighthouses and the city of Duluth. The iron range is really special.

I am trying to run all the military races, and this one was a pleasant surprise. If you want a GA race, this would be an excellent one to run as its in November, so weather is nice.

This would be a great PR or BQ course as its pretty darn flat with only 1 notable hill about mile 3 or 4.

There is very little fan support along the course but its pretty and varied course, with vistas over the river, several different bridges to cross, a small stretch into Phenix City, AL, and several miles through the old part of Ft Benning (which isn’t all that interesting to be honest) and you aren’t bored. There is a long stretch following the Chattahoochee River, I sang Dueling Banjos in my head for a lot of the run (which was entertaining for me, LOL!). The most fun part for me was the Drill Instructors at mile 3 yelling at all the runners as if they were in Basic Training and passing out mean high fives. Those guys had to have sore throats by the end of the day. One con: On both the out and back you run past the water treatment plant, so it can be pretty stinky. My advice: PR that mile and get out of there fast.

This is not an official Army race, as the local running club puts it on, but Ft Benning supports the race as well as the National Infantry Museum. If you are into Military History (which I am not), take some time to tour the museum. Its really well done and entry is included with your registration. I was impressed.

i ran this 3 weeks after I ran Marine Corps and I found this to be a much better production. Civil War Cannon is the start gun, and you can actually see it go off. A run through a corridor of flags at the start and finish, water tables were stocked and frequent. A large and pretty medal with dog tags over a field of stars and stripes. Run with a Fallen Hero (free), you get a poster and shirt with your entry as well as museum entry and post race massages and tons of food. Soldiers are at the finish to put the medal around your neck.

This is a great little race. But be aware – its small. If you want fan support, this is not your event. There are virtually no fans along the course.

In terms of value, this event is good. Registration is inexpensive and includes the spaghetti dinner the night before and post-race chicken barbecue. The Ladies auxiliary has a bake sale at the event as well. This event has a small, hometown vibe that makes its special. Running through the old 3/4 mile train tunnel is really cool, and its lit with red lanterns as to not disturb the bats. I brought my knuckle lights but I didn’t need them.

Swag is nothing to write home about. I’m not a big fan of their logo, and the medal, if thats your thing, is small. There are AG winners for each event. I think the award is just a ribbon, not anything unique or showy. This course is a Boston Qualifier and is pancake flat. The course is crushed gravel and is largely shaded. Hydration table volunteers are supportive and work hard. When I ran it, they did not have professional race photographer outside the tunnel, which would have made for a very cool picture. I hope they add that in the future.

This is the primary fundraiser for the town of Norwalk. Funds are used for municipal support and the like (I think I heard one year they used funds to help buy a fire truck for the town). Parking is in the park by the start/finish line and easy to find. Race Day registration is available. Stay in Tomah (20 min drive) for more hotel options. The committee works hard to put this event on and you can tell, but its not done by runners, just townsfolk who want to create an attraction in their area. Overall, I like this event, but I can’t imagine running a full marathon there.

I hope they continue to have this event and add a few details to make this event comparable to what runners would expect at a race.

Beautiful course winding through residential streets of Fargo with huge trees that make a canopy over the street with their branches. It was like running through a tunnel, dappled with sunlight and shade. Fargo is such a cute little town. It was my first time there and I was pleasantly surprised pockets of terrific cheering fans, kids lined up everywhere for high fives. Bands or DJs lined the streets every 1/2 mile or so. Several medical tents throughout the course and water stations every 2 miles. Helpful staff at the expo helped us out-of-towners find restaurants and our way around. It’s awesome to start and finish indoors, where it’s warm and dry, a huge plus when spring weather is unpredictable. Additionally, hot showers were available at the dome, which is nice if you were going to be there for a while. And although there were a lot of people, it did not feel crowded in the Fargodome. The medal this year is stunning and catapulted to one of my favorites. I will definitely run Fargo again. Maybe next year I’ll do the full.

**UPDATE** 19 May 2018 I ran the full marathon at Fargo this year, and I am continuing to be impressed by this event. Compared to the half, the full has considerably fewer spectators as much of the first half runs through parks and while its pretty, its not easy for spectators to reach the course (at least from what I could tell). This is definitely a PR course, so if you are wanting that huge PR, I really recommend Fargo. GREAT swag, robust expo and easy to spectate if your family is coming along, even for the navigationally challenged. Its cheaper than Grandma’s (one night hotel stay vs 2 in Duluth, cheaper entry, and hotels costs are lower. 5 stars. I’d go back.

Marquette is a cute little college town on the north coast of the upper peninsula of Michigan. It’s shores are on Lake Superior. Marquette isn’t easy to get to, so you definitely need to be intentional about selecting this event.

If you come for the event, which is held Labor Day weekend, stay long enough to enjoy the area. Cliff Jumping into Lkae superior from Black Rocks, the micro brews and plethora of locally owned coffee shops, kayaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and just the beauty of the Iron Range. Marquette is an easy town to drive around and has all the usual big box stores should need anything.

The race is small and laid back with a few hundred people for each event. No pretentiousness here. The course can be a PR course if you have a careful race strategy.

Bussing to the start is super easy and reliable. Not too many spectators along the course until you get into downtown Marquette and that downhill was not as steep as I feared it would be. The course flattens out once you are downtown with a run along lakeshore drive and pretty views of the lake (but not too much that you bored). I ran the half, but I can see how it would mentally challenging for the marathoners, because you’ll run past the finish line, up to Presque Isle Park (super pretty, but windy as it’s on the lake and not protected), then back toward the finish. Running past the finish line that late in the race when I’m already tired to kill me.

Swag: I didn’t think the swag was all that. TBH, this didn’t bother me. I’ve got too much stuff from races that I was enjoying getting out of there with my bib and shirt. Finish line had the usual beer tickets and even a coupon for hot food, chocolate milk and fruit.

Expo: super small. Queen City Running is the local shop and they have a booth with any race needs you may have forgotten at home: fuel, bottles, clothing…..

The RD was quick to respond to messages and communication was good. I’d definitely do this one again.