River Bank Run

The River Bank Run is an annual USATF-certified road race held each May in Grand Rapids, Michigan, headlined by a 25-kilometer (25K) run that is the largest 25K road race in the country. Founded in 1978 as the Old Kent River Bank Run, the event has changed sponsor names along with Grand Rapids banking mergers: Fifth Third Bank took over the title in 2001, and since 2019 it has run as the Amway River Bank Run, presented by Fifth Third Bank with Corewell Health as the official health partner. The 25K starts on Ottawa Avenue near Lyon Street, loops south out of downtown through parks along the Grand River, and finishes on Monroe Avenue near Pearl Street, with a 13:35 minute-per-mile pace requirement to stay on course. It is the only 25K in the world with a wheelchair racing division, also offers a handcycle division, and has hosted the USA 25 km Open Championships since 1995. Race weekend also includes 10K, 5K run, and 5K community walk events, drawing more than 10,000 total participants and raising over $2.3 million for charity partners since 2008. The 2027 edition, marking the race's 50th anniversary, runs Saturday, May 8, with registration already open at $75 for the 25K.