Just finished the 2013 Borgess Run for the Health of it Kalamazoo Marathon on 05/05/2013. This race…read morein Michigan was another marathon on my 50 States quest from Hawaii. I needed both Wisconsin and Michigan, so I saw that they were on both the same weekend and that they were offering up the "Mittens Challenge", where you got an extra finisher's medal for completing both marathons. The icing on the cake was that of their 50 States Marathon Challenge, where the first registered entry from each state would receive comp entry fee and a free pair of New Balance.I happened to be one lucky (or otherwise) entrant from Hawaii and was great to be apart of this race.
I didnt have the opportunity to go to the race expo / packet pick up due to me running the Wisconsin marathon the day before, so I can't comment on that. The weather was cool and manageable on race morning, which was nice on my tired legs. I think it was 72/55 and partly sunny. The marathon started at 8am, which was nice, so we didnt have to get up so early, We marathoners weaved through downtown Kalamazoo in the early miles, which was nice. Seeing the passerby clapping and cheering for all the faster runners was invigorating as I passed by made me run faster. In the middle miles before the half way point, we ran through Western Michigan University, which was pretty good and scenic. Only problem was lack of spectators out here. The aid stations were adequate, so I can't complain. There were some parts of the course that were somewhat depressed, but I didn't care. There were timing splits at 13.1, mile 20, and at the finish line. In the later half of the course, we weaved through residential and through community parks, which gave some bit of shade when the sun was being mean to me.
The course itself was hilly, with several hills that were challenging, but manageable to say the least. It was a nice marathon overall and I would recommend this race to anyone who wants a good challenge. The hills are a bummer, but what great marathon would it be without them? The finish was great, after running 2 states on a nice spring weekend. Thanks to the Kalamazoo for a great race and hope to be back in a future year to get revenge on those hills, but for now, it was a sweet victory to notch another one in Michigan. Overall, I would recommend this marathon, if you don't mind the hills and want something to do while vacationing in Kalamazoo. The finishers medal is great: a silver medallion that sports the Kalamazoo marathon logo on it. Only thing is that they contract the timing company to 6 1/2 hours, so they'll stop timing then, but allow you to finish. Still, it is a nice marathon and recommended if you are in the area.
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