GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 21st annual University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon is underway.
On Sunday, more than 4,000 runners and their supporters lined up in downtown Grand Rapids for the marathon.
The race covers a "flat, fast" course that takes runners on a brief tour of downtown Grand Rapids and shows off the surrounding scenery. Runners will pass iconic buildings like the DeVos Place Convention Center and the Amway Grand Plaza. The route will then take participants to Millennium Park, where they will enjoy the fall colors on a scenic run.
"The whole idea behind this is people can do anything they work themselves up to, and a marathon is a big goal," said Race Director Don Kern. "If you can run 26.2 miles, it's not just roll out of bed one morning and do it. It's put together a plan that lasts throughout the summer, throughout the whole training season."
Because this course is fast, many participants are aiming to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Organizers said nearly 20% of last year's participants qualified using their time in the Grand Rapids Marathon.
But the race isn't only for serious runners.
“The Grand Rapids Marathon is more than a race—it’s a celebration of perseverance and the power of community,” said Kern. “We’ve designed it to be welcoming to everyone, from first-time marathoners to experienced runners looking for a Boston qualifier. No one is a stranger on this course, and we celebrate every finish line crossed.”
Along with the marathon, there will be a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K. Here's a look at the scheduled events for Sunday:
- 6 a.m. to race time – Packet pickup
- 7 a.m. – Early start for "Velocity Challenged" Marathon and Half Marathon
- 7:30 a.m. – Wheelchair and Hand Cycle Division, myTeam Triumph & Other Chariot Racers start
- 7:45 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies – National Anthem and Welcome
- 8 a.m. – Official start of Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay Teams
- 8:20 a.m. – Run Thru the Rapids 10K Start
- 8:30 a.m. – Run Thru the Rapids 5K Start
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Runners cross the finish line
"We wanted to make it possible for people to do things they never thought they could do before," Kern said.
