06/10/2026
We want to hear about your FIRST race.
Maybe it was a 5K you nervously signed up for on a whim. Maybe you forgot your gear, started too fast, or cried crossing the finish line. Maybe you walked part of it, hit a PR, or discovered a love for running you never expected.
Every runner has a first race story, and those moments often become the ones we remember forever.
Because your first race isn’t really about pace or performance, it’s about courage. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, showing up at the starting line, and believing in yourself enough to try.
At the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon, we love seeing first-time runners accomplish goals they once thought were impossible. Those finish line moments never get old.
So tell us:
- What was your first race?
- What do you remember most?
- Would you do anything differently now?
We can’t wait to read your stories.