‘The excitement is palpable’: Grand Rapids Marathon expected to draw thousands

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 21st annual Grand Rapids Marathon will begin Sunday morning. It’s expected to bring thousands of runners and spectators to West Michigan.

Runners have received their numbers and are ready to lace up their shoes as the marathon returns to town.

“The excitement you feel before an event like this is palpable. You can see people, you know they all have a story, they’re all here to run,” said Dr. Ed Kornoelje, medical director of University of Michigan Health-West’s sports medicine program.

The event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon. The marathon’s course takes runners through downtown Grand Rapids and Millennium Park.

“At the end of the day, the best thing in life for mental and physical health is to be active. So when you have events like this that allow them to be as active as they can be, it’s a beautiful thing for the community’s health,” Kornoelje said.

In total, more than 4,000 runners are expected to take part in the event. Kornoelje said it’s the most participants in a few years.

“There’s a lot from the region, West Michigan. I was talking to some marathoners from Detroit,” Kornoelje said. “I’ve talked to people from Indiana and Illinois, I’ve talked to people from Colorado.”

Maggie Becker from Holland says she remembers being around the Grand Rapids Marathon as a kid.

“So, I’ve always loved running. I actually ran the marathon for kids they had going on today when I was an elementary schooler,” Becker said.

After training since June, Becker will now take on her first full marathon.

“I’m used to normally training by myself, so I’m excited to hopefully draw on the energy from the crowd and see my friends and family out on the course. So it should be fun,” Becker said.

Safety is a big part of putting on an event like Sunday’s. Kornoelje says there will be plenty of resources for runners.

“There are probably 16 to 18 aid stations that will have water and that kind of stuff,” Kornoelje said. “Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, all along the course. We tell people if you’re having a problem, stop. Our goal is not to stop you from finishing the race but to help you finish the race.”

When runners take off, he says it’s also a chance to highlight Grand Rapids.

“When people come here, they say, ‘I didn’t realize Grand Rapids was so big, I didn’t realize it was so pretty or it has this all this stuff you can do,'” Koernoelje said.

The full and half marathons will begin at 8 a.m., and the 5K and 10K will start shortly after. The start and finish line is near the intersection of Blumrich Street NW and Winter Avenue NW.

Drivers should expect some street closures during the race. Spectators are also encouraged to come out to the event.

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