Fifth Third River Bank Run
| Fifth Third River Bank Run | |
|---|---|
| Date | May |
| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | 5K, 10K, 25K |
| Established | 1978 |
| Official site | www.53riverbankrun.com |
The Fifth Third River Bank Run is an annual road running race hosted by the U.S. city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the month of May. The race was first held in 1978 as the Old Kent River Bank Run and continued under that name until 2000, when its name was changed to the Fifth Third River Bank Run.
Today draws over 22,000 participants from around the world; it features the largest 25K road race in the country, and is the site for the USA 25 km Open and Masters Championships; the event also features the only 25K Wheelchair Racing division in the world.
The USA 25 km Open and Masters Championships is open to U.S. citizens 14 years of age or older as of race day. The course is a USATF certified loop course which starts in downtown Grand Rapids and leaves the city going south, taking the runners through parks and along the Grand River before finishing back downtown.
2015 saw the introduction of the "race within the race" for the 25K. The Elite and USATF women are given an 11 minute, 30 second head start over the men. The first person to cross the finish line wins an additional prize.
The Wheel/Handcycle Division follows the same course as the 25K run. Eligible participants have a physical disability which prohibits them from running the event. Race organizers state, "The race is for competitive cyclist only, this division is not designed for leisure racing."
This race is open to participants of any age who feel they can safely finish the race. The course is a USATF certified loop course which heads southwest from downtown Grand Rapids to John Ball Park and returns downtown to finish.
This race is open to participants of any age who feel they can safely finish the race. The course is a USATF certified loop course which takes the participants through downtown Grand Rapids.
This race is open to participants of any age who feel they can safely finish the race. The participants follow the same course as the 5K run; they are not timed and awards are not given out.
Fifth Third Junior event takes place the Wednesday before the main event at Rogers High School in Wyoming, Michigan. More than 1,700 kids between the ages of 5-13 participate in the 1/2 mile and 1 mile fun runs and 5K Run.
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