- Weather
- 39°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~400 runners
- Course
- Flat
- Elevation
- 100 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event listed as: Marathon
PR9Weather8Experience6
Mid-September · Midwest · Multi-Loop
Last Chance BQ.2 - Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI · Sunday, September 13, 2026
Event listed as: Marathon
- Best for PR
- Boston Qualifier
Registration opens on the organizer's site
Typical start
55°
Cooler than 17% of U.S. marathons
Modeled historical conditions
Elevation gain
50ft
Flatter than 89% of races
Estimated total climb
Field size
500
Larger than 14% of races
Estimated field
PR potential
9.0/10
Ahead of 56% of races
Almanac model
Percentiles compare this race against all 224 U.S. marathons in the Almanac.
Course profile
50 ft gain · 0 ft net
Flat course, multi-loop.
0510152026.2
Race-day weather
Modeled from location, month and coastal proximity, not verified race history.
6 AM
47°
Start
55°
Midday
66°
ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk
Typical start sits at 55°F, good conditions.
Typical dew point 48°F, 22% chance of precipitation, wind around 7 mph. All modeled.
The bottom line
A quietly fast race that does not ask for much beyond honest pacing.
Last Chance BQ.2 - Grand Rapids is a strong choice for a PR attempt, and Grand Rapids offers very little meaningful elevation. The tradeoff is atmosphere: expect long quiet stretches and few spectators.
Why runners choose this race
A loop course around Grand Rapids, MI, with very little meaningful elevation change.
The case for it
- PR attempts
- Boston qualification
- Runners who want a low-key start
The tradeoffs
- You want crowds and on-course energy
Course and logistics
- Course type
- Multi-Loop
- Surface
- Road
- Profile
- Flat
- Total gain
- 50 ft(estimated)
- Total loss
- 50 ft(estimated)
- Net elevation
- 0 ft(estimated)
- Field size
- ~500 runners(estimated)
- Crowd support
- Quiet, low-key
- Entry
- Moderate
- Entry fee
- $120(most recent listed price)
- Day of week
- Sunday
- Start / finish
- Start and finish in the same area
Race details
- Typical timing
- Mid-September
- Next confirmed date
- Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Registration
- Open now
- Region
- Midwest
- Editorial tier
- Recommended
- Data last reviewed
- 2026-08-26
- Best for PR
- Boston Qualifier
- Loop course
- Flat course
Similar races
Races with a comparable profile.
- Weather
- 52°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~300 runners
- Course
- Flat
- Elevation
- 150 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event listed as: Marathon
PR9Weather9Experience6
- Weather
- 56°Ftypical startModelled estimate
- Field size
- ~800 runners
- Course
- Flat
- Elevation
- 150 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event: Full Marathon Presented by Armor Physical Therapy
PR9Weather8Experience7