Holland Haven Marathon
Holland, United States · September · Independent
Why people love it
- Point-to-point along Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to downtown Holland
- Paved road and shaded bike path, about 193 m (633 ft) of gain
- USATF certified Boston qualifier
- Runners praise smooth packet pickup and the post-race party
- Open entry with a small field of 234 finishers in 2018
Watch out for
- Few spectators along the route
- Sources disagree on flat versus rolling in the second half
- Point-to-point needs transport to the start
- Few athletes have written about it, so ratings rest on thin evidence
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.9
RaceRaves 4.3 of 5 from 3 ratings and a 4.5 on MarathonGuide for 2018. One runner called the course boring. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
RaceRaves production 5 of 5 from three ratings. Packet pickup was smooth and the course well marked. Few reviewers overall. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.7
Flat to gently rolling with 193 m (633 ft) of gain and a small field. Point-to-point adds a transport step. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
A 2024 runner ran his best marathon in five years on the shaded path. Some accounts mention rolling hills late. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.4
Lake Michigan shoreline and cottages, but RaceRaves scenery is 2.7 of 5 and one runner found it boring. · Low confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.9
Point-to-point with 234 marathon finishers in 2018. No congestion reported, though bike-path sections are narrower. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood4.2
Paved road and bike path. No complaints found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.6
Lakeshore Drive and shared bike paths. Not described as closed to traffic. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat4.0
193 m (633 ft) of gain on one listing. Others say flat, and one account notes rolling hills in the second half. · Low confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Point-to-point along the lake with no big net drop. USATF certified Boston qualifier. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth3.7
Transport to the Grand Haven start is needed. Reviewers found packet pickup smooth. Little other detail. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.3
Pace groups and timing are not documented. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent2.5
A reviewer reports small doses of spectators. The downtown Holland finish has music and a party. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.8
Reviewers enjoyed the on-course fuel and no shortages were reported. Post-race food and local beer. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.2
Average wind is about 16 km (9.9 mi)/h (10 mph). Part of the route is shaded bike path, part exposed to the lake. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.7
Mid-September ranges from 9 to 30 °C (49 to 86 °F). A 2024 runner had perfect temperatures. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.4
Reviewers report mild conditions, but September can bring heat up to 30 °C (86 °F) or lake wind. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.8
Roads along the lake offer few viewing points. The finish in downtown Holland is easy to watch. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.6
The Lake Michigan shore sits about 180 m (590 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.9
Holland has hotels, including one near the finish recommended by a reviewer. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.4
Resort area in September. No price data checked. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.8
A hotel near the finish was recommended and downtown Holland is walkable after the race. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.4
Gerald R. Ford airport is about 45 km (28 mi) from Holland. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
Packet pickup is simple with no expo, but point-to-point means getting to the start. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.4
Downtown Holland is walkable with restaurants, and the finish has beer, cider and local food. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.4
Open entry on RunSignup with a small marathon field. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.5
Fee runs about $45 to $115. Shirt, medal and food were praised, but RaceRaves swag is 2.3 of 5. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Holland, Ottawa County, United States
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 12 September 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 234 athletes
- First held
- 2014
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Climbing
- 193 m (635 ft)
- Start time
- 07:30
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved road and bike path along Lakeshore Drive
- How to get in
- open
- Entry fee
- About $80
- Air temperature
- 10–22 °C (50–72 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Altitude
- 180 m (590 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Gerald R. Ford International (GRR), 45 km (28 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Holland
- Booking
- A hotel near the start and finish was recommended by a reviewer.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves, Holland Haven MarathonRaced 2024 · aggregator · Positive
3 ratings, 4.3 of 5; difficulty 2.3, scenery 2.7, production 5, swag 2.3. A 2024 marathoner ran his best time in five years in perfect weather on a shaded paved path; a 2020 runner found it boring but well marked with good fuel.
“Boring but well marked”
- MarathonGuide, Holland Haven Marathon 2018Raced 2018 · aggregator · Positive
Shows 4.5 overall rating, point-to-point, USATF certified, 234 marathon finishers, 9:00 AM start. Review tab not read.
- BibRave review (5th annual race)Raced 2018 · blog · Positive
Recommends the race; praises the lake course and small-town visit, simple packet pickup and no expo.
- Endorphins Running, Holland HavenRaced 2025 · aggregator · neutral
Listing: point-to-point Grand Haven to Holland, 193 m (633 ft) gain, flat terrain, fee 45 to 115 USD.
Raced Holland Haven Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Holland Haven Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.