Sun, Oct 18, 2026

University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon

Grand Rapids, MI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2007
MarathonHalf Marathon5K10K

Entry is $47.50 now and rises to $50 after Aug 15, 2026, so registering before then saves $2.50.

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About the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon

The race runs through Grand Rapids, with the city itself as the backdrop. The course has a reputation for taking runners through varied neighborhoods rather than looping a single area, which keeps the scenery moving. Several distance options share the same start, so the field is a mix of people out for very different mornings.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a big field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

13.1 Miles · 2025 results

1,852finishers
1:10:16winner
2:13:00median
5:53:22cutoff

Top 3: Luke Long (1:10:16) · Todd Buckingham (1:11:10) · Drew Wenger (1:11:39)

26.2 Miles · 2025 results

1,162finishers
2:30:14winner
4:12:12median
9:06:33cutoff

Top 3: Connor Vachon (2:30:14) · Jacob Dennis (2:31:32) · Garrett Melling (2:34:02)

10000m · 2025 results

408finishers
38:46winner
1:02:11median
2:04:32cutoff

Top 3: William Montgomery (38:46) · Ryan Bayless (39:08) · Erin Ralston (39:12)

5000m · 2025 results

248finishers
18:03winner
34:57median
1:16:38cutoff

Top 3: Jonathan Holt (18:03) · Allison Chmielewski (18:08) · Dawson Kolehouse (18:32)

The University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon has been held every year since at least 2007. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 13.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

26.2 Miles10/18/2026 08:00$145
13.1 Miles10/18/2026 08:00$125
26.2 Miles10/18/2026 08:00$363
26.2 Miles10/18/2026 07:55$145
5000m10/18/2026 08:30$48
10000m10/18/2026 08:20$48

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

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Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon

Will I finish last at the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon?

Almost certainly not. Half the 13.1 Miles field finished slower than 2:13:00, and the last recorded finisher came in around 5:53:22, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon a good first 13.1 Miles?

With 1,852 finishers there are runners at every pace, so you are never out on your own. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 13.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon?

The 13.1 Miles winner ran 1:10:16 while the median finisher took 2:13:00. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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