Grand Rapids Kids Marathon - Kids Marathon
External Event
Distance
1.2 mi
Pace
All paces
Terrain
Road
Difficulty
All Levels
About this run
On the University of Michigan Health - West Grand Rapids Marathon Course. The day before the "big kids" run Our Presenting Sponsor -- Family Capital Management The goal of the Grand Rapids Kids Marathon is to encourage healthy lifestyles for children and their families, and to help kids become physically active for a lifetime. Sign Up for Free Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 are invited to participate. Register here for the Kids Marathon now through October 18, 2025. Begin Your Training Starting the week of August 1, track each half mile of running/walking or 15 minutes of activity on your log sheet until you have completed 25 “miles.” Download the progress log CLICK to keep track of your activity. Join Our Community Events August 18 at 6:30pm: 1-mile Kick-Off run at Millennium Park September 23 at 6:30pm Obstacle Course at Millennium Park Get Ready to Run On Saturday, October 18, run the last 1.2 miles of your marathon on the official race course of the Grand Rapids Marathon at the David D. Hunting YMCA. Registered runners receive an official race bib and T-shirt. All finishers receive a medal and certificate. Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026Race Time: 2:30Packet Pick-Up: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmLocation: South of David D. Hunting YMCA -- in the DeVos Lot of WGVU. Tent in the southwest corner of the lot. Distance: The course is 1.2 miles, starting and finishing at the actual Start/Finish line of the UM Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon Course Map CLICK for course map
Typical conditions
For events around October 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI, United States: Typical autumn conditions in this region — conditions can change quickly; confirm race-day guidance on the official page.
How to prepare
Most runners can prepare for a 5K with a few weeks of easy runs and one short faster session per week. Focus on consistency, not volume, and rest the day before race day.
Beginner's guide to your first 5KGetting there
This event is listed in Grand Rapids, MI, United States. Confirm the exact start venue, parking, and transit options on the official registration page.
Registration is handled by the official event organizer
Know a local group? Host a community run in Grand Rapids


