06/05/2026
The River Bank Run family is heartbroken by the passing of Marty Allen, a man whose belief in this community helped give life to something far bigger than a race.
In the mid-1970s, when the idea of a Grand Rapids road race was just that—an idea—it was Marty, serving at Old Kent Bank, who saw what it could become. He said yes. And because of that, thousands of runners took to the streets for the very first River Bank Run in 1978, beginning a tradition that has brought our community together ever since.
What started with a simple vision has grown into one of the most celebrated events in the country. But at its heart, it has always been about what Marty believed in most—connection, community and showing up for one another.
For nearly five decades, every start line, every cheering spectator, every finish line moment has carried a piece of his legacy. It’s in the energy on race day. It’s in the pride of our city. It’s in the shared experience that reminds us who we are as a community. Marty didn’t just help create a race—he helped create something we all belong to. We are deeply grateful for his vision, his leadership and his belief in Grand Rapids. Our hearts are with his family and all who knew and loved him.
