Fun Fall Runs and Races in Grand Rapids!
No matter the season, there is always a variety of races in Grand Rapids! From marathons to adventure races to fun runs for the whole family, Grand Rapids is an active community when it comes to running events! Here are a few to try this fall!
Want to try something different? Check out the Bass River Adventure Race, hosted by CrossFit Allendale! If you have never heard of this type of race, it is a race built for people who love to get outdoors, explore different terrain, and use their fitness. The race includes checkpoints (flags) to be found by foot, bike, and across the water area by kayak or canoe. Just under 30 checkpoints and a bonus featuring BigFoot! The event is capped at a 6-hour window and the only tool given is a map with checkpoints laid out with some clues to point you in the right direction! It is a fun event that makes for a challenging workout while collecting checkpoints. It is also one of the biggest sanctioned events ever for Bass River Recreation Area!
Coming up are a few cool other events! Check out some of the races and dates below to plan out your next adventure!
The University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon– This event is on the third Sunday of October with 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Relay Marathon, and Handcycle Marathon. This is a large race format with over 4,000 participants! There is a bit of everything going on with different distances to choose from and even the relay version to break it up into a team event! Great time of year to run through and around the city of Grand Rapids!
Over at Millennium park the Spooky Sprint offers racing for the whole family! Taking place on Sunday October 10th, a Halloween-themed event with kids dashes for participants 10 and under, 1-miler, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon distances. The mission of this event is Fun. Family. Fitness. ‘Bodies’ is the event promotor and they built the foundation on family, health and unity. While small they make a mighty impact on communities across the Midwest!
Check out this race and others they put on: https://runscore.runsignup.com/Race/MI/Walker/SpookySprintGrandRapids
Finally a Dirty Duel event over a Robinette’s Orchard later this fall! On November 9th, this 5k has a couple options! 2 dueling courses! Runners will split off right after the start in a mad dash back to the finish. Pick from the Short & Brutal course with lots of roots, short, steep climbs, and some crazy off-trail running or the Long & Difficult course that has more mileage and plenty of twists and turns but never leaves the trail and features more flat and fast orchard trails. But don’t worry after this event either path you choose leads to a ‘fresh out of the oven” and guilt-free donut and cider, sharing your experience with friends and family!
Sign up and more information: https://dirtyduel.com/
No matter what you like to run, West Michigan has something to offer! You can find something that scratches that running itch! We love staying active in