Grand Rapids Marathon

This rockstar showed up at the Mill Creek Days 10K and won his age group last weekend. Did anyone else pick up some brand new bling? Let's see it!

More great work, from the best in the business!

There are more than eight billion people in the world.

Only a tiny fraction will ever run a marathon.

This week, Don reflects on what that really means. Not that marathon runners are better than anyone else, but that they're willing to make a plan, stick with it, and do something most people never even attempt.

He also shares why this is one of his favorite times of the year. Marathon season is here. Millennium Meadows, Last Chance BQ.2, the Grand Rapids Marathon, and the free Kids Marathon are all just around the corner. It's the season where months of training turn into finish lines.

"Marathon runners. Yeah. You're something special."

Read this week's newsletter here:
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Greetings from the YMCA Email from Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Marathon News From Grand Rapids 6 August 2026 31 August 2023 Marathon News from Grand Rapids 6 August 2026 View as Webpage Greetings From The YMCA Lookin

Rumor is our good friends down in Indy, are now 100% sold out.

If you missed that bus, you can use code: IamMonumental to save 10% and join us October 18th!

That applies to the 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon and Marathon Relay.

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/GRMarathon

Here are More Weekly Musings from Marathon Don

Every Thursday, Don has a way of taking something unexpected and turning it into a lesson about running—and life.

This week it's a poem called Ithaka. It reminds us that while we all have destinations we're chasing—a first 5K, a marathon, Boston, or something completely unrelated—the real gift is everything that happens on the way there.

The early morning runs. The setbacks. The friendships. The confidence you didn't know you had.

One passage from this week's newsletter says it perfectly:
"It's not just about getting somewhere. It's about having somewhere to go. And the knowledge, perspective, and experience we gain along the way."

That's been Don's message for years. Set a goal. Take the first step. Then enjoy the journey, because that's where life happens.

Read this week's newsletter here:
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The Journey to Ithaka Email from Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Marathon News From Grand Rapids 30 July 2026 31 August 2023 Marathon News from Grand Rapids 30 July 2026 View as Webpage The Journey to Ithaka Looking fo

Have you been thinking about starting a Team and being a Captain for the June 25-26 running of The FRED Running Relay? Through August, CAPTAINS can register themself and a 2027 Team name, for 35% off, when using discount code: CaptainOnly

Take advantage of this deal and don't miss the train!

We've noticed that we're getting a lot of new followers this last two weeks and look forward to hosting you, June 25-26th, 2027!

For potential CAPTAINS, looking to start a new Team, you can use discount code: CaptainsOnly, through August, to save 35% off the registration of the Captain. This is our thank you for all of your efforts in managing a team. The Fred is a little different than other Relays. We don't make you front the money for your whole team. You register a team name and pay for your individual registration, then your teammates register themselves, to your team.

This is your chance to run West Michigan's favorite 25, 50, 100 and 200 mile relay, The FRED!!

The FRED Running Relays are a fun and challenging TEAM effort, where participants combine to run their chosen distance. You will form a team, plan out who is running which sections and on race weekend, will load up the vehicle and embark on the challenge!

Our course runs on the FULLY PAVED White Pine Trail, right up and down the heart of beautiful Michigan, through the woods, the country side and around Lake Cadillac. The trail was once the Grand Rapids - Indian Railway, retired in 1985 and now operates as a 92 miles paved trail, stretching from Grand Rapids up to Cadillac.

25 Mile Relay is Saturday morning, from Sand Lake, Michigan, running south and ending at Third Nature Brewing.

50 Mile Relay is Saturday morning, from the Big Rapids White Pine Trailhead and progresses south, ending at Third Nature Brewing.

100 Mile Relay starts Friday night in Cadillac, where runners will work together, progressing south and ending at Third Nature Brewing.

200 Mile Relay starts Friday morning and is the longest distance, is 36 legs/spurs, traveling from Belmont, north to and around Lake Cadillac, then returning to Belmont. Each leg is between 2 to 9.5 miles in distance. Teams often will use two vehicles with up to 6 runners in each, allowing vehicles to alternate turns being active on the course, while the nonactive vehicle rests.

For more information, use this link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Rockford/2018FredRunningrelays

You know what day it is! Show us your bling! 🏅👇