Roselle Park GRAND RIVER RUN

Description: Join us for the 5th Annual Grand River Run at Roselle Park--a 240+ acre nature preserve/public park located along miles of Grand River frontage in scenic Ada Township, Michigan—just minutes from Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Lowell. Bring your favorite lawn chair, food and beverage for relaxing after the race at the Roselle Park River Festival. Join us at the race with friends and/or family for morale support, and then stay for awhile and enjoy the many family-friendly festival amenities and activities offered throughout the day at the park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.--live music, youth arts/crafts, games, nature exhibits, live animal interactions, and more! The Grand River Run consists of two chip start/finish timed trail race events--our highly scenic full park tour 8K hybrid trail race, and a 5K paved trail race. The 2K Fun Run is not timed, but we will keep the start/finish line setup and the clock running for you! The GRAND RIVER RUN 8K course takes runners on a scenic tour of the entire park along a trail loop network consisting of paved and natural hard packed clay and low grass hiking/biking/cross country ski paths, plus two wooden foot bridges. The 8K offers a unique 4.97 mile scenic journey of waterways, woodlands, thickets, and mega-tall prairie grasses—plus ample views of the Grand River and wildlife along the unique floodplain ecosystem. The paved portion is flat and fast with ample passing opportunities (start/finish stretches are paved). We offer three water stations along the course, including Gatorade. If you are interested in running as part of a team, please email us! The GRAND RIVER RUN 5K course shares the paved portions of the 8K event, and offers a scenic mini-tour of the park’s unique environment, full of fall migrating birds, colorful foliage and river wildlife. We’ve been told this is one of the most scenic 5K events in West Michigan, and we couldn’t agree more! We offer two water stations along the course, with one serving Gatorade. Runners with joggers must line up behind other runners. If you are interested in running as part of a team, please email us! The GRAND RIVER RUN 2K Fun Run is suitable for all ages and abilities, and is the perfect event for the entire family to enjoy without the pressure of a timed race event. The distance is approximately 1.25 miles. We offer one water and Gatorade station mid-way through the run, and dish up plenty of high fives and cheers at the finish line, plus youth-only finisher awards (dog tags in 2015)and age-friendly post-run refreshments (donuts/cider/fruit), live music, and more. Rumor has it, a mascot may make an appearance this year as well. Ages 5 and under may participate for free (without a shirt). 8K and 5K participants may run for free as a cool down trot, or join registered children, friends and/or family members.