Road, Trail and Bike Races in Grand Rapids

You might not know it, but races are a big deal in Grand Rapids. There are several very large running and biking clubs in town, from Run GR to the West Michigan Mountain Bike Association. Locally owned specialty stores like Gazelle Sports and Striders cater to running aficionados while Grand Rapids Bicycle Company and Village Bike & Fitness are two of many homegrown bike shops.

We don’t let a little thing like weather get in the way of our fun – we race year-round, in all kinds of conditions. So if you’re looking for a fun way to experience the city, do something positive for your mental and physical health, and possibly earn a medal, check out our 12 months of races below and meet us at the starting line!

January: Michigan Adventure Race - Winter Edition

January 16, 2027

The Michigan Adventure Race is a cooperative effort – you and your teammate(s) will hike or run together on and off trail using a topographic map to find as many checkpoints as you can and conquer Amazing Race-style challenges. You’ll travel about five miles if you complete all the challenges.

The race takes place at Rockford’s Camp Roger, about 25 minutes northeast of downtown Grand Rapids, and participants enjoy a post-race lunch catered by Honey Creek Inn.

February: Groundhog Day Marathon

February 5-6, 2027

The course the Groundhog Day Marathon follows includes 6 loops of approximately 4.4 miles, so might feel like you’re reliving the same day over and over (sort of like the movie). It is, nonetheless, a Boston Marathon Qualifier. There are actually six races to choose from: Marathon, Half Marathon, Whole Hog (1/6 plus Full), Half Hog (1/6 plus Half) and Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve.

The race is held at Millennium Park – one of the nation’s largest urban parks – about five minutes from downtown GR.

March: Corewell Health Irish Jig

March 20, 2027

For most runners and fitness enthusiasts in Grand Rapids, the “official start” to the spring race season is the Corewell Health Irish Jig. It’s a 5K (3.1-mile race) put on by Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) to bring awareness to Colorectal Cancer. 

The race, which you can run or walk, starts at East Grand Rapids High School and features a flat course through the surrounding East Grand Rapids neighborhood. Wear green, this is a St. Patrick’s Day event!

For an even earlier and more strenuous challenge, check out the White Pine Thaw Marathon Relay (March 27, 2027). Both the relay and a solo full marathon option cover 26.2 miles starting and ending at the southernmost section of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail in Comstock Park.

April: Rivertown Races

April 16 & 17, 2027

Perfect for both the elite athlete and the novice runner, the Rivertown Races – a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon – start and end in Millennium Park. A kid’s 1-mile fun run is held the day before the competitive races.

Depending on which race you enter, you’ll run alongside the Grand River, between lakes, and through woods and meadows. All the courses are fully paved and mostly flat, with a handful of gentle rollers just to keep it interesting.

May: Amway River Bank Run

May 8, 2027

The Amway River Bank Run, established in 1978, is the country’s largest 25K road race and offers the only 25K Wheelchair racing division in the world along with a 25K Handcycle division, it also includes 10K and 5K runs, a team competition and a 5K community walk. Nearly 10,000 people participate each year.

The River Bank Run serves as the USA Track and Field 25K Open Championship, which means that if you enter the race, you’ll be on the same course as some of the most elite runners in the country. Don’t let the size and competitive nature of the event scare you off, though – the runners and the crowd are incredibly encouraging. Come celebrate the River Bank Run’s 50^th year in 2027!

June: KeyBank Gran Fondo

June 27, 2026

Italian for “Big Ride,” a Gran Fondo is a long-distance, mass-participation event geared toward bicyclists of all abilities. Since 2013, the GR our local Gran Fondo has included four courses – 12 miles, 25 miles, 40 miles and 80 miles – that start and end in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Gran Fondo raises funds for GR’s Mary Free Bed, ranked among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals. Participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 prior to the ride.

Summer is peak race season, of course, so you also have other competitions to choose from. If you prefer a foot race to a bike race, consider the Brian Diemer Family of Races (June 13, 2026), which include a 5K, 5K handcycle and kid’s run. You’ll compete alongside three-time Olympian Brian Diemer, who grew up in Grand Rapids.

How do you feel about a 12-hour race? That’s one of the options for the Wicked Worm trail race (June 20, 2026) at Robinette’s Apple Haus, a century-old family orchard. There’s also a 10K and 6-hour format.

July: TriMillennium

July 24-25, 2026

The TriMillennium offers Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, plus duathlon and aquabike options. For the Sprint, you’ll swim 700 meters, bike 12.7 miles and run a 5K. For the Olympic version, you’ll swim 1,500 meters, bike 24.8 miles and run a 10K. Relay options are available for both races.

Youth races (for kids ages 6-8, 9-11 and 12-15) take place the evening before the main event.

The TriMillennium is hosted at Millennium Park and 100% of the proceeds benefit Bridge Street Ministries, a Christian urban youth ministry in Grand Rapids. 

Are you more of a team player? The FRED Running Relays (July 10-11, 2026) are a fund and challenging team effort, where participants combine to run their chosen distance – 25, 50, 100 or 200 miles on the fully paved Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, ending at Rockford’s Third Nature Brewing Company.If you’re a bicyclist, consider the Cedar Blitz (July 11), which includes 18-mile, 36-mile, 50-mile and 128-mile routes. Each race begins at Cedar Spring Brewing Company, 20 minutes or so from downtown GR.

August: Michigan Titanium

August 16, 2026

Michigan’s only 140.6 (ultra-distance) triathlon starts with a 2.4-mile swim in Versluis Lake, continues with a 112-mile bike ride through rolling countryside and finishes up with a full 26.2-mile Marathon run through Plainfield and Ada. Not ready to attempt the Ultra-Distance race? You can also enter Half, Olympic and Sprint distances in Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, Relay and Swim-Only events.

This may be the final year for the ultra-distance event, so if you’ve ever wanted to take on this challenge at the MiTi or cross the ultra off your bucket list, now is the time.

The Michigan Titanium is a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event and timing is provided by SportStats USA. The late-night finish party is not to be missed!

Still looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon? Enter the Millennium Meadows Marathon (August 30, 2026). The event features a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and Marathon team relay, all taking place at Millennium Park. Register by May 14 for a discount rate.

September: LMCU Bridge Run

September 19 & 20, 2026

The Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run features a 10-mile run and a 5K run/ walk. No matter the distance you decide to tackle, you’ll go over a few downtown Grand Rapids bridges, including the historic Sixth Street Bridge, built in 1866, the Blue Bridge, Gillett Bridge, and Bridge Street Bridge. Kids Dashes with Crash – mascot of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team – takes place in LMCU Ballpark the day before the Bridge Run.

Also in September: The Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon (September 12, 2026), which also offers duathlon, AquaBike, relay and swim-only options. The Last Chance BQ.2 GR (September 13), designed specifically to give you a shot at getting to Boston in 2027. The Red Flannel 5K/10K (September 27), part of Cedar Springs’ famed Red Flannel Festival. And the SHE RUNS Half Marathon/10K/5K (September 27)), an all-women’s event that celebrates the power of women in sport.

October: Grand Rapids Marathon

October 18, 2026

The Grand Rapids Marathon includes a Marathon, Half  Marathon, Handcycle Marathon and Marathon Rely as well as the annual Run Thru the Rapids 5K and 10K races. The full marathon gives runners a tour of downtown Grand Rapids and then heads out of the city into the beautiful trails of Millennium Park, resplendent in fall colors. There is a wheelchair and hand cycle division. This is another Boston Marathon Qualifier. Register early for better prices.

At least two October races get you into the spirit of the Halloween season: Spooky Sprint (October 10, 2026) includes a half marathon, one mile, 5K, 10K and kids dash events. The Zombie Dash 5K (October 24) requires you to avoid ravenous zombie hordes while you run through downtown GR.

November: Turkey Trot

November 26, 2026

The Turkey Trot is a family-friendly 5K run/walk through the streets of downtown GR on Thanksgiving morning. Proceeds from the race help to offset the cost of Grand Rapids Public Schools athletics so that all students have the opportunity to participate. There’s also a Mini Trot ages 12 and under can enter for free.

The Twisted Trail Race at Ken-O-Sha Park takes place the next day (November 27), so it’s a great way to work off all that turkey and dressing. There’s a 5K, 10K and 15K option, all traveling the “hidden” trails along Plaster Creek. 

Earlier in the month, Robinette’s Apple Haus is hosting the Dirty Duel Trail Race (November 14), which offers a choice of two courses: Short & Brutal (3.1 miles/5K) or Long & Difficult (3.4 miles). Runners from both trails will finish with a wild crash course on navigating the Robinette’s corn maze and then enjoy “fresh out of the oven” donuts and fresh-pressed cider.

December: Reeds Lake Resolution Run

December 31, 2026

For more than 40 years, the Reeds Lake Resolution Run has attracted runners and walkers to join in the 4-mile journey around beautiful Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. It’s a great way to end the old year and put your best running shoe-clad foot forward for 2027.

This is just a sampling of the many races held in Grand Rapids every year. Scroll down for even more races and running events.