25K RUN

Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 8:20 am start. 25K Handcycle division start - 8:10 am / 25K Wheelchair Racing division start 8:12 am. Medical support provided by Metro Health Hospital and American Medical Response.

The USATF certified loop course starts in downtown Grand Rapids on Monroe Avenue at Lyon Street and heads south, leaving the city to weave through parks and along the Grand River before finishing back downtown. Times will be recorded until 11:50 am and course services provided for runners maintaining this pace (approximately 14.0 minutes per mile). Runners not maintaining this finishing pace are participating at their own risk without race services. For the safety of all 25K runners, baby joggers, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and animals are not allowed on the course.

USA 25 km Open Championships
The USA 25 km Open Championships are open to U.S. citizens 14 years of age or older as of race day. USATF membership and eligibility to represent the United States in international competition are additional requirements. A space has been provided on the entry for your 2012 USATF membership number.

The Fifth Third River Bank Run is part of the USA Running Circuit, a USA Track and Field road series (USATF). For information on joining USATF, please call Jacqueline DeVose, USATF Michigan Association president at (313) 934-0126.

25K Entry Fees and Deadlines
Registration for the 25K is $35 from October 15, 2011 through January 31, 2012; $40 from February 1 through April 27; and $50 (online only) from April 28 through May 7, and on May 11.

• Registration costs are the same for online and paper entry forms, with paper entry forms available in January and accepted postmarked no later than April 27, 2012.
• Late Registration on May 11, 2012 from 11 am to 8 pm available during Late Registration/Packet Pick-up held in conjunction with the Sports & Fitness Expo and Fashion Show at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids for $50 per runner. NO REGISTRATION AVAILABLE ON MAY 12 (RACE DAY)! Packet Pick-up will be available on May 12, 2012 beginning at 6:00 am at DeVos Place.
• Confirming registration information will be mailed to everyone submitting an entry by April 20, 2012. Registrations received after April 20, 2012 will not be mailed a confirmation. Online registration search will be available in February.
• Registered runners will receive a t-shirt, finisher medal, post-event refreshments and a free beverage ticket for the Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party Village on Calder Plaza.

Choose a Cotton or Technical Shirt for Race Day (men's and women's sizes available; wicking shirts are black) or, new in 2012, a royal blue Runner's Cap!
If you already have too many cotton t-shirts in your dresser drawers, this offer is for you! Select the Technical Shirt option ($15 upgrade) or Runner's Cap ($8 upgrade) at time of race entry. At Late Registration/Packet Pick-up at DeVos Place, you'll have a short sleeve Technical Shirt or Runner's Cap waiting for you instead of the traditional 100% white cotton t-shirt. The Technical Shirt will sport the same design as the race day shirt but with a wicking fabric to pull moisture away from your skin while you run!  The Runner's Cap will have the Fifth Third River Bank Run logo on the front.

Clydesdale Division
Open and Masters Clydesdale divisions for males and females who indicate their preferred weight class when they register for the 25K and 10K events.  Weight classes in the Open and Masters divisions are as follows:

Trophies will be provided for the top performers in each weight class in each division. Medals will be awarded to the top three performers in each weight class in each division.

25K Age Divisions
Age divisions for males and females are: 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.

25K Awards
The number of awards in each age division runs five deep in 2012.  All awards will be mailed within 21 business days following the May 12, 2012 event.

For details on prize money, click here.