Fifth Third River Bank Run | Grand Rapids, Michigan

The 33rd Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run located in Grand Rapids Michigan will be held May 8, 2010. The Fifth Third River Bank Run will host over 18,000 participants. The Fifth Third River Bank Run also has a 10K run, a 5K run, a 5K walk and a junior event. The River Bank Run also features Wheelchair and Handcycle divisions. The Handcycle division is for competitive cyclist only; this division is not setup for leisure racing.

I have competed in the Fifth Third River Bank Run before and it is a real fun event. Well actually I did the 5K walk with my daughter when she was pregnant. But I did finish. My daughter has run the 5K, 10K and the 25K. She has been doing this run for years. This year I will probably do the 5K walk with my grandson in a jogging stroller. Perhaps I will even get my husband to walk with me.

The start of the race begins in downtown Grand Rapids. There is plenty of parking available for participants and spectators. The Fifth Third River Bank Run website has the availability to get maps of the parking facilities and street closings. The Amway Grand Plaza, located downtown, is the official host hotel for the event and is offering a discount to race participants. But you must register early to take advantage of the discount.

In 1978 the first river bank run was held. At that time it was called the Old Kent River Bank Run and had just over 1,000 runners. In 33 years this has become a big national and world event. Quite a few of the 18,000 runners will be coming from all over the world. The USA 25 km Open and Masters championships will run concurrently with the 25K event. The 25K, 10K, and 5K courses are all USATF-certified. To be eligible for the prize money in the USA 25 km Open or Masters Championships divisions (based on United States Track & Field rules) no listening devises are allowed, such as portable CD players or iPods.

Registration begins on January 7, 2010 and will close on May 7, 2010. You can register online at Fifth Third River Bank Run. But you must show up in person to pick up your packet, either on Friday May 7th or prior to the race on race day.

The Fifth Third River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is always held the day before Mothers Day. The weather can still be quite chilly this time of year here in Michigan so you may want to dress accordingly. Also this is the rainy time of the year, expect to be running in the rain and if it doesn't than consider it a bonus. For further details go to the Fifth Third River Bank Run website for the full rundown on activities and events and any rules and regulations and training events held throughout Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.

Maybe we will meet up at the Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My husband and I will be the old people pushing the cute little boy in the jogging stroller in the 5K walking event.

Source: http://53riverbankrun.com/