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Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon

Grand Rapids, MI
Sunday, September 13, 2026


  4.8 Stars from 5 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The Grand Rapids Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon consists of a flat one mile starting and finishing segment six 4.04 mile loops in between. The course 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.

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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, September 13, 2026
2025: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 64°F (17°C)
Average High: 74°F (23°C)
Average Low: 54° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.20
Course Score: 99.03

Race Size

2025: 126 Finishers
2024: 180 Finishers
2023: 126 Finishers
2022: 52 Finishers
2021: 58 Finishers
2020: 278 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2025: 66.7%
2024: 74.4%
2023: 54%
2022: 61.5%
2021: 43.1%
2020: 65.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 72°F  (22°C)
Low: 53°F  (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

54°F  (12°C)
Humidity: 89%

Clear
NNW 4 mph

PR Score

88.85

Course Score

90.69






Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon was the 330th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 258th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 66.7% of Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 74.4% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon ranked 8th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 2nd in 2024. In Michigan, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon has a Course Score of 99.03, ranking it as the 211th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th 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 Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon a PR Score of 97.20. The PR Score ranks the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon as the 340th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 12th best marathon for a PR in Michigan.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Michigan for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed211th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 9th fastest marathon course in Michigan
Top 46% Nationally#9 of 15 in Michigan
PR Potential340th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 12th best marathon for a PR in Michigan
Top 74% Nationally#12 of 15 in Michigan
Boston Qualifier Rate8th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in Michigan
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 2% Nationally#1 of 17 in Michigan
Race Size330th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 13th largest marathon in Michigan
Based on 2025 results
Top 56% Nationally#13 of 19 in Michigan

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 647 feet (197m)
Min Elevation: 591 feet (180m)

Elevation Gain: 447 feet (136m)
Elevation Loss: 447 feet (136m)


Last

Course updated 12/23/2025




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Race Reviews


4.8
Based on 5 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Got my first BQ!

Full 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!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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).
Reviewed by Leigh About 2024

Loved this course!

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed at Hilton Garden Inn East. 20 minutes away but extremely safe and very clean. Hotel price was reasonable.
Reviewed by RM About 2020

Fantastic race!

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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.
Reviewed by Smm About 2020

Nearly perfect!

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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.
Reviewed by T About 2017

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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.
Reviewed by BL About 2016