River Bank Run organizers release race details
ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Organizers of the River Bank Run have released new details about this year’s upcoming race, including the first look at the race medals.
Registration now open for 2024 River Bank Run
The race through downtown Grand Rapids, scheduled for May 11, holds the title as the largest 25K road race in the country and is also the only 25K Wheelchair racing division in the world. It also includes a 25K Handcycle division sponsored by Mary Free Bed.
More than 12,000 runners are expected to participate in the 25K, 10K, 5K and junior races. Race officials called the 25K field “one of the most competitive” in recent years.
Leonard Korir will be back to defend his title as River Bank Run champion. The Kenyan-born American won the 25K each of the last two years. Biya Simbassa, the 2021 champion, will also return for the race., along with Jacob Thomson, who finished second last year and Clayton Young, who will represent Team USA in the marathon at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
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On the women’s side, Betsy Saina will also return to protect her crown. She won the 25K last year by six seconds. Dakotah Lindwurm, another Olympic qualifier, will also compete. She finished third in 2022 and fourth in 2024.
The medals, unveiled in a news conference Monday, are silver with a dark blue and cerulean color scheme. It shows waves rolling behind a runner with the Grand Rapids skyline in the background.
The fun starts bright and early Saturday morning. The 5K runners will start at 7 a.m., followed by the 10K run at 7:30 a.m. The 5K walkers will get started at 7:45 a.m., followed by the 25K Handcycle Division at 8:15 a.m., the Wheelchair Racing Division at 8:16 a.m. and the 25K runners at 8:30 a.m.
Registration is still open for each event, ranging from $80 for the 25K to $23 for the 5K Community Walk. Registration for the RBR Virtual Runs also remains open, ranging from $20 to $70.
The River Bank Run’s Sports & Fitness Expo will be held Friday at DeVos Place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The expo serves as packet pickup for race participants but is also open to the public and includes several food and sponsor displays.
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