What is the course like for Holland Haven Marathon?

Rolling Hills course on Road/Pavement. See the elevation chart on this page for details.

Is Holland Haven Marathon USATF certified?

Yes this race is listed as certified.

What are typical race-day temperatures for Holland Haven Marathon?

Average ~66F (high 75F / low 57F).

Can I generate a pace band for Holland Haven Marathon?

Yes use the Pace Band button on this page to create a course-specific pace band.

Holland Haven Marathon | Race Info, Course, Elevation & Pace Band

Holland Haven Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Holland Haven Marathon was the 181st largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 168th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 9.5% of Holland Haven Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 12.8% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Holland Haven Marathon ranked 144th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 119th in 2024. In Michigan, it ranked 8th in 2025 and 6th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Holland Haven Marathon has a Course Score of 98.87, ranking it as the 242nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 11th fastest marathon course in Michigan.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Holland Haven Marathon a PR Score of 96.50. The PR Score ranks the Holland Haven Marathon as the 379th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 14th best marathon for a PR in Michigan.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Holland Haven Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Michigan for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Holland Haven Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary

Course Speed242nd fastest marathon course in the U.S.

Ranked 11th fastest marathon course in Michigan

Top 53% Nationally#11 of 15 in Michigan

PR Potential379th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.

Ranked 14th best marathon for a PR in Michigan

Top 83% Nationally#14 of 15 in Michigan

Boston Qualifier Rate144th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.

Ranked 8th highest BQ percentage in Michigan

Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results

Top 31% Nationally#8 of 17 in Michigan

Race Size181st largest marathon in the U.S.

Ranked 8th largest marathon in Michigan

Based on 2025 results

Top 31% Nationally#8 of 19 in Michigan

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.

Race Reviews

3.7

Based on 7 reviews

Write Your Own Review

Beautiful course, friendly people

Full Review:

We had 4 ppl, (2 first timers). Course well marked. Scenic. People were very friendly. Suggestions: Couple of side streets could have used 2 ppl or police to direct traffic/prevent cars turning. Would have liked water around Mile 18ish.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arriving at start 7 am was plenty of time to park (there is plenty of space in school lot and along street) and get ready for race at 7:30. Easy to find places to park along course to cheer on runners, ie we did cross streets near Mile 6, 16, 21

Reviewed by MC About 2024

Like a training run

Full Review:

You run on a sidewalk next to a busy road most of the time. Very few roads are blocked off for the runners. You never run through downtown holland. There are very few spectators and poor directions for the course. It felt like a training run on an ugly sidewalk and then you finish next to a junkyard and parking lot. It's a shame because holland is a beautiful town; if they closed off the downtown streets and made it a loop course to show off the city it could be much better.

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2023

In my opinion, this race is not as advertised

Full Review:

The "course description" says "follow the coast of western Michigan" and "finish in downtown Holland." I never saw the water, and "downtown Holland" is a technicality at best. The last quarter of a mile finishes into a parking lot right on the outskirts of downtown, I didn't see anything worth seeing.

The "rolling hills" are very intense for someone traveling from a different area. I thought I did train on hills, apparently not significant enough hills for this. I'm not sure that "rolling hills" adequately describes many of these, especially from mile 9-14.

The course had very warm water that was hard to drink. They also put it in plastic cups which are for sure better for the environment but make ingestion quite difficult.

Running this race was no different than my training runs in terms of spectators. Races I've done in the past have done a REALLY good job of encouraging the runners by creating a party atmosphere around the race. The miles really dragged on without the community support I've been used to in the past.

Race Tips:

Make sure you have a Garmin watch, or something else similar to a Garmin for multiple reasons:

1) no pacers
2) very challenging for your crew to track you and get ahead of you without your own means of tracking.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stay in Grand Haven, navigation around this area can be challenging in my opinion

Reviewed by KJK About 2021

Pulled off a successful race in covid times

Full Review:

Huge credit to the race director for pulling this off with covid restrictions. The marathon was capped at 300, split into 3 "events" of 100 separated by an hour, and each "event" was split into 3 equal waves 10 minutes apart. Runners were put into corrals based on estimated finish time to minimize passing on the course, plus several other restrictions (no touch aid stations, etc.) Very impressive to put this race on at all with the restrictions necessary to keep it safe.

The only negative I'd share is that the course markings were small, non-reflective-paint stencils on the asphalt path -- none of those 10-foot-tall "Mile 6" signs. With the pre-sunrise start, it was impossible to track mile splits, and still hard when the sun came out.

It's also a small, rural marathon (mostly run in between two nice little beach towns), so crowd support is sparse. But it is a pretty run along a woodsy, residential area with a few peaks at the lake here and there. If you're up for small but well-organized, I'd highly recommend it.

Race Tips:

The elevation map doesn't really do justice to a few of the hills. The bike path follows alongside a road, but the path isn't leveled to the same standard of gentleness as the road itself. It rolls up and down, and around miles 9-11, there are few very intense grades. They're short but deadly.

The shade on the course is pretty strong except for the portion running west-to-east on James Street, which is straight into the blazing sunrise.

This year it started at 6:00 a.m. to accommodate extra waves required by covid restrictions. Twilight was at 6:50, and sunrise 7:20. Usually the race starts at 7:30, but if it starts before sunrise again, bring a headlamp. I know it's annoying but it really is that dark and the path rolls, bends, has dropped sticks and level changes, etc.

Reviewed by CCC About 2020

Full Review:

It is the best race combination I've experienced, with hometown flare and big race professionalismâ€”the friendliness of volunteers and road marshals, but the organization, aid stations, and usual perks of a big run. I believe this Lakeshore Half/Full Marathon will be an epic run that will be hard to secure a spot in the near future. Iâ€™m registering now for next year. Wonâ€™t miss it for anything. And one important additional note for first timers: the after party is not to be missedâ€”there was food, like real food (bbq, cookies, fruit) and craft beer for the whole family, with a band and a climbing wallâ€”my kids loved it! We stayed for an hour to celebrate. See you in 2017!

Race Tips:

Bring a watch to pace yourself or run with a pacing buddy because there are not pacers on the course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I ran the half marathon and took the second bus up to Camp Geneva that left from Holland at 7am--it gave me more than enough time to get to the start.

Reviewed by KP About 2016

Full Review:

Road construction all over and for an out of town person hard to navigate. This was pre-race. Packet pickup was at camp geneva as advertised camp was rather large and only one small sign to let you know where packet pick up was. All shirts said marathon even if you ran the half. All bibs were very generic. When I spend 80 dollars for a race I would hope the bib has a cool design on it or to let me remember the race. Finishers medals all say marathon even if you do the half, also there is no year on the medal.

Race Tips:

Rolling hills!!!!! Not enough volunteers for traffic run this race and be prepared to watch for your own cars. Also half marathon you do not get to see the lake at all. Mile markers after mile 9 were screwed way up and way off. Finish line you must cross a busy street be careful.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Bus system from finish to start worked the best probably the best part of the race also the bag check crew did wonderful.

Reviewed by Rich About 2015

Tough up hills in the last 2-4 miles

Full Review:

A small marathon, country roads. Not enough water stops and very little Gatorade. The last miles were poorly marked and manned, we had to cross a fairly busy road( traffic was not stopped) to get to the finish. Running on the sandy road upwind was tough the lake view was great. The runners were courteous.

Course was advertised as flat, not so watch for the tough up hills in the last 2-4 miles or so. I still managed to PR and BQ so thank you Holland Haven

Reviewed by Dorothy Sobolewski About 2014

Race Day Temperatures	High: 70°F (21°C) Low: 53°F (12°C)
Race Start Conditions	55°F (13°C) Humidity: 85% Mostly Cloudy N 6 mph
PR Score	89.45
Course Score	90.76

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Holland Haven Marathon

Race Information

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years

Race Day Temperatures

High: 70°F (21°C)
Low: 53°F (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

55°F (13°C)
Humidity: 85%

Mostly Cloudy
N 6 mph

PR Score

89.45

Course Score

90.76

Elevation Chart

Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Holland Haven Marathon

Compare the Holland Haven Marathon to other Marathons

Race Reviews

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year'sbest marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

2026 IS HERE!

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.Ships same or Next Day

Holland Haven Marathon

Race Information

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years

Race Day Temperatures

High: 70°F (21°C) Low: 53°F (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

55°F (13°C)Humidity: 85%Mostly CloudyN 6 mph

PR Score

89.45

Course Score

90.76

Elevation Chart

Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Holland Haven Marathon

Compare the Holland Haven Marathon to other Marathons

Race Reviews

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day

High: 70°F (21°C)
Low: 53°F (12°C)

55°F (13°C)
Humidity: 85%

Mostly Cloudy
N 6 mph