Sunburst Races South Bend
South Bend, IN
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Sunburst Races, presented by KeyBank, is back to kick off summer in The Bend with a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run, and a 5K fitness walk. Sunburst Races is certified by the United States of America Track and Field governing body on all courses. People travel from across the … MORE
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Love the Sunburst
Very professional event staff and the whole thing always goes off without a hitch! Much flatter course than most, but the last hill will eat you up if you don’t … MORE
Very professional event staff and the whole thing always goes off without a hitch! Much flatter course than most, but the last hill will eat you up if you don’t pace correctly. The medals for the event are fantastic and different every year!
Great if you're a Notre Dame fan
I ran this race last year and this year I was a little disappointed. I felt the race production was a bit low. Maybe more effort was put in last … MORE
I ran this race last year and this year I was a little disappointed. I felt the race production was a bit low. Maybe more effort was put in last year since it was an anniversary year (35th) but I was underwhelmed with the production value this year. They do a great job with communicating leading up to the race, but race day was a bit of a let down. Expo was very small. T-shirts and medals were relatively simple. The start line was anti-climactic. No music or anything was at the start line for the half marathoners so nothing really to hype you up. That being said, I heard from my friends running the 10K that music was played so maybe it was just too early for music for the start of the half (13.1 starts 45 minutes before 10K).
I do really enjoy the course. It gives a great tour of the South Bend area: downtown, along the river, residential areas, and the Notre Dame campus. It is relatively flat, with the exception of a few hills here and there, the last one being the very steep “Hallelujah Hill.” Be sure to look out for pot holes though! There aren’t a whole lot of spectators along the course until you get to the last couple miles. The biggest gimmick of the race is that you get to finish by running through the tunnel and to the 50 yd line of Notre Dame Stadium (which is pretty dang cool, but I’m a biased ND alum).
Overall, this race felt like a small-town race more than I would have liked. I was hoping for a bigger production since this is the biggest/main running event within South Bend. I don’t know that it would be worth traveling far for; however, if you have some sort of appreciation for Notre Dame, I think that finish line is worth it.
Had a lot of fun
We just did the 5K as we were recovering from illness. It was a great excuse for us to visit South Bend and see Notre Dame. I felt all was … MORE
We just did the 5K as we were recovering from illness. It was a great excuse for us to visit South Bend and see Notre Dame. I felt all was very well organized and runners well cared for. Loved our shirts and medals, then enjoyed great fish and chips at a local pub. I hope for 2017 to do the half.
Average but good small marathon
This race is run in South Bend In - home of Notre Dame the first week in June. Ran it as an interim marathon to stay in shape between The … MORE
This race is run in South Bend In – home of Notre Dame the first week in June. Ran it as an interim marathon to stay in shape between The Great Wall and Rio marathon. Normally it is a hot run and to give the race director credit they tell you it is going to be hot and if you don’t like it hot don’t run this race. So that being said – of course it was a beautiful day to run. 6 a.m. start is nice. Temps in the 50’s / low 60’s until sun came up about 8 and then in the 60’s with a nice breeze.
Course is winding along the rivers in South Bend and thru neighborhoods. Lots of twist and turns and never had a clue where I was except by the mile markers. Suppose to finish at Notre Dame stadium but it was under construction. The river views were nice and so were the neighborhoods but nothing to set you heart a flutter.
Expo was easy in / easy out and so was parking at the race start. Race finishes about 5 miles from the start so you need to ride a shuttle back but it was smooth and easy with no problems.
So final recap – good small marathon with scenic course. Well run and no issues.
Fun race on Notre Dame campus
Nice run through South Bend, ending on the field of Notre Dame Stadium. Unfortunately, a hot day, so not as enjoyable as it could have been. MORE
Nice run through South Bend, ending on the field of Notre Dame Stadium. Unfortunately, a hot day, so not as enjoyable as it could have been.