Grand Rapids Marathon

09/03/2026

Fall is coming, which around here means marathon season is getting very real.

The next six weeks are packed with Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon, the Kids Marathon, the free 10/20 Mile Training Run and, of course, the Grand Rapids Marathon. Take a look behind the scenes a little this week, including some of the sponsors and friends who've become part of this event over the years.

And for everyone getting ready for a fall marathon, he dusted off his Top 5 Marathon Tips. They range from genuinely useful to very Don.

Read this week's Marathon News from Grand Rapids.

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09/02/2026

There's still time to qualify for the Boston Marathon!

Just two weeks until Last Chance BQ.2.

At this point, the work is pretty much done. The miles are in. You know the number you’re chasing.

On September 13, a few hundred runners will come to Grand Rapids hoping to put together one really good morning.

That’s why we built this race.

Flat. Certified. Small field. And Boston Marathon registration opens the next day.

Two weeks. We’ll have the course ready for you.

08/27/2026

Race weekend.

Millennium Meadows is this Sunday, which means Marathon Don and crew will be out at the park before most of us are awake, putting out mile markers, setting up the start and finish, hauling water and getting ready for one of their favorite days of the year.
Because after all the planning, race day is still the fun part.

People chasing a Boston qualifier. People using the marathon or half as part of fall training. People coming out for the 10K. Old friends, new friends and a whole lot of finish lines.

There’s still time to join us at Millennium Meadows this weekend.
And as Don says, an exciting race day somehow manages to wear you out and invigorate you at the same time.

See you at the finish line.

Email from Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Marathon News From Grand Rapids 27 August 2026 31 August 2023 Marathon News from Grand Rapids 27 August 2026 View as Webpage Millennium Meadows Weekend!

08/25/2026

FREE race photos at Millennium Meadows Marathon compliments of stellafly!

One more thing waiting for you at Millennium Meadows this Sunday — race photos!

stellafly will be out on the course capturing race day, and your photos will be available to download for free after the race.
No photo packages. No deciding whether that finish-line shot is worth $30. Just find your photos, download them and keep them.
So when you see the cameras out there, give them something good! 📸

08/24/2026

A great opportunity to race is happening this weekend! Millennium Meadows Marathon is proud to be hosting its 9th year! The event features a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and Marathon RELAY. Still time to get signed up: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/MillenniumMeadowsMarathon

Race week is here!

The long runs are done, the miles are in the bank, and there isn't much left to do except trust the training and get yourself to the starting line.

This Sunday, runners will take on the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Marathon Relay at Millennium Park. Some will be chasing Boston, some a new PR, and some a finish line they've been thinking about all summer.

There's still time to get signed up. We're looking forward to sharing the morning with you.

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/MillenniumMeadowsMarathon

08/20/2026

Marathon Don's feeling pretty wealthy this week.

Not the kind that shows up in a bank account. The kind that comes from knocking two more things off the 75 by 75 list, seeing a total solar eclipse in Europe, finishing a 70.3 at 70, and realizing how many friends are out there doing this stuff right alongside him.

At Michigan Titanium last weekend, that wealth was everywhere. Old friends, new friends, athletes from 10 to 85, all out there swimming, biking, running and finding their own finish lines.

That's a pretty good return on all those years of showing up.

Don calls it compound interest. Every run, race and adventure adds something. Better fitness, better stories, more friends and usually another idea about what to do next.

Also this week, Millennium Meadows Marathon has an offer for North Country Trail Run runners, the free Grand Rapids Kids Marathon and 10/20 Mile Training Run are open, and Don has another five-minute workout to add to your training.

Rich with friends, good health and accomplishments.

That's not a bad way to measure wealth.

Read this week's Marathon News from Grand Rapids.

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08/18/2026

A very special training program for the kids kicks off tonight!

We can't wait for tomorrow's kickoff! Will we see you there?

There's plenty of time to sign up! https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/GRKidsMarathon

08/17/2026

Our fearless leader added some more bling to his collection this past weekend at The Michigan Titanium. Marathon Don did the Half Triathlon. 1.2 miles swim, 56 miles on the bike, 13.1 mile half marathon at the end. 70.3 miles to celebrate being 70.3 years old.

"And the cool thing is when you get to be this freaking old, the other guys don’t bother to even show up anymore. So I won my age group too."

We're so proud of you, Don!

Who picked up their own hardware?

08/13/2026

Don is writing this week from Reykjavik, after experiencing his fifth total solar eclipse.

The first one came about because somebody told him there was going to be an eclipse in Australia. Oh, and there happened to be a marathon there that day. Of course there was.

Fourteen years later, Don found himself standing with a few hundred people in a volcanic crater in Iceland, watching daylight disappear in the middle of the day.

That's the thing about running. The miles are only part of it. Running has taken Don around the world, introduced him to people he never would have met, and put him in places he probably never would have found otherwise.

Closer to home, there's plenty happening too. Michigan Titanium is this weekend, the Kids Marathon kickoff has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Millennium Meadows is coming up fast, and prices on Don's races go up after August 15.

As Don puts it this week, “Running gets you there.”
Read this week's Marathon News from Grand Rapids. Adventure awaits.

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08/10/2026

This rockstar showed up at the Mill Creek Days 10K and won his age group last weekend. Did anyone else pick up some brand new bling? Let's see it!