The Grand Rapids Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon is a 4.08 mile loop course that offers runners plenty of shade, scenic views of Millennium park with its lakes and natural wildlife in a pollution-free setting.
The paved trail provides about a half mile of gentle climb before heading back down the hill. The rest of the loop is almost completely flat.
How does the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Rank?
The Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon was the 308th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 430th largest in 2022.
This year 67.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 54% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon the 4th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 4th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.14 ranks it as the 172nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Michigan.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon a PR Score of 97.30. This PR Score ranks it as the 312th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 10th fastest in Michigan.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 639 feet (194m) Min Elevation: 594 feet (181m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon
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Recent Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Reviews
Leigh's review of 2024 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Very happy with pretty much everything about this race. My only wish is that they had a BQ bell to ring at the finish area.
Race Tips
It was a great course in a beautiful park, mostly shaded. The first half of each loop is flat and the back half has rolling hills. Be prepared that mile 26 is mostly uphill, with a long climb as you exit the loop to head to the finish. It’s doable, just be ready so it isn’t discouraging. I left bottles on the tables provided, which was great, except that I mistakenly thought I would be able to grab a bottle when entering the loop at mile 1. I wish I had started with a handheld instead. We got lucky with fantastic cool weather, especially given the recent heatwaves. The staff, volunteers, other runners, and spectators contributed to a very positive, encouraging race environment. There were some stretches in the last 2 loops when I was alone, but it also never got too crowded on the course. As long as you are able to train on rolling hills, I highly recommend this race!
I stayed at the Residence Inn Grand Rapids West about 10-15 minutes from the race course. Great hotel and location. Visited the lovely beach at Holland Stare Park by Lake Michigan later after the race and had a delicious dinner at Sandy Point Beach House (get the pierogies appetizer).
RM's review of 2020 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Loved this course!
Beautiful and a wonderful time of year to run in Michigan.
I had a 30 minute PR and a BQ.
Mostly flat. Course was very well marked. The running of multiple loops helped me thing of loops rather than miles.
The tables being out letting runners bring their own drinks was also a plus.
Race Tips
Easy parking.
Easy packet pick up.
Did great with keeping all runners safe with social distancing.
I stayed at Hilton Garden Inn East. 20 minutes away but extremely safe and very clean. Hotel price was reasonable.
Smm's review of 2020 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Well organized and beautiful course. The Race Director provided a top notch experience during these unprecedented times. The loop course is ideal for a speedy race.
Race Tips
Don't be fooled by the course description, the back half has rolling hills. That said, I'm from pancake flat Florida so a speed bump is a hill ;) but these were definitely something to be aware of.
The Grandville Hampton Inn was the perfect location and the staff was super accommodating. When they found out that they had a bunch of runner staying with them, they made sure to put out food early. The rooms are also spacious.
T's review of 2017 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
It's a beautiful course around a new park, it's well organized and has a nice atmosphere. Like the previous reviewer said, you basically go around a 4-mile loop six times, with a one mile entry and exit. I found it nice to get accustomed to what turns were coming up, and when to expect those aid stations. There are a few short gentle hills in one section of the loop, and the only 'sharp' turn is during the entry/exit (so you hit it twice), and it's not even that sharp.
The previous reviewer who went in 2016 unfortunately suffered warmer weather, and had a mild complaint about gel being handed out at the end of the line. Well, in 2017, we had perfect weather right around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. And they were handing out gel at both the beginning and end of the line. Many of the volunteers handing out drinks would move along with you to help hand-off without slowing you down much. I thought they all did a great job.
My biggest complaint? There was a slight sulphur or rotten egg smell near the beginning of the race which dissipated after a lap or two. The park is an old gravel pit, and they have some sort of oil drilling machines; I'm not sure if those are the source of the smell. But really, it was nothing significant. I'm only mentioning it because I have no other complaints.
Race Tips
You really don't need a specific pacing strategy for this course. The entry to the loop at the start is *slightly* downhill, so you should know that the exit from the loop at the finish is *slightly* uphill. I didn't find it to be a big deal, though.
OK, I went for a cheap motel called America's Best Value Inn on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. I would recommend against repeating my mistake. It's not all that helpful to have riffraff yapping away on the balcony until 3am. Room wasn't very clean and there were some maintenance issues.
BL's review of 2016 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
The event was well organized, thanks to Don Kern and volunteers.All runners are BQ-minded, I felt the atmosphere and was inspired by it before the race.
Race Tips
Plenty of parking if you arrive 30mins before the race.
In this course, you run a 4-mile loop six times. It might sound boring, but the park is beautiful and has different views for you to distract yourself during the race, if you choose to. 1st mile of the loop is slightly hilly, the rest is almost flat.
Aid station is every 2 miles. Although there are elite tables for your own bottles, I found that not helpful because toss basket for the bottles is too short from the table. Not enough time for enough liquid. The race day was very humid, my body constantly asked for fluid during the 2nd half. And the aid station that is 2 miles apart became very very long for me. I would recommend drink from cups during the 1st half, and carry your own water bottle and gels (take advantage of the elite table) in the 2nd half of the race.
Gel supply is every 4 miles, but gel was given at the end of aid station. So I was forced to use both hand. Unless you stop, it is very difficult to take gel without a lot of water spilled. Not an ideal setting when you get tired during the 2nd half.
Most hotels are 10-25 mins away from the course. I stayed at 3 CHEAP hotels during my preparation. Knights Inn on Plainfield Ave (not recommended); Best Western on 28th St (GOOD); and Grandvillage Inn for the race (OK). For some reason, hotel price hiked before the race day.
