Kalamazoo Marathon
The Lowdown
The Kalamazoo Marathon is a Boston Marathon-qualifying race held each spring in Kalamazoo, Michigan, tracing its roots to the 1980 Borgess Run for the Health of It, a hospital-founded community run. The event was renamed the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon in 2022 when Zeigler Auto Group became title sponsor, while Ascension Borgess remains a longtime foundational sponsor. Race weekend is centered on Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo and includes the Marathon, Half Marathon, Full and Half Marathon Relays, 10K, 5K Run/Walk, and the PNC Kids' 1K, alongside the Beacon Health Expo. The 26.2-mile marathon course rolls through Kalamazoo and Portage past Western Michigan University's Waldo Stadium and the Winchell, Milwood, and Edison neighborhoods, with novelty aid stations like Bacon Station, Donut Point, Waffle Way, and Pickle Pit, plus a late climb runners call 'The Wall.' It is a mid-size field — around 400 marathon finishers in 2026 — with roughly 5-7% of finishers hitting Boston Qualifying times in recent years. Proceeds support the Drive for Life Foundation.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Moderate rolling hills
Participants
Field Size
Intimate field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Quiet course sections
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Bronson Park start/finish
Western Michigan University's Waldo Stadium
Winchell, Milwood, and Edison neighborhoods
Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 16 for the full marathon (estimated; not confirmed on an accessible official source)
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person packet pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RunSignUp
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No official cancellation/refund policy located; entry fees at comparable RunSignUp-hosted road races are typically non-refundable
Founded in 1980 as the Borgess Run for the Health of It, a hospital-sponsored community run
Renamed the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon in 2022 when Zeigler Auto Group became title sponsor
Ascension Borgess remains a longtime foundational sponsor
Official event of the Drive for Life Foundation
Course rated 'Rolling Hills' with 746 ft of gain and 746 ft of loss on a loop starting and finishing at Bronson Park
Ranked 114th nationally and 5th in Michigan among Boston-qualifying marathons in 2026 (6.8% BQ rate)
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Community
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