- Weather
- 46°Ftypical start
- Field size
- ~2,500 runners
- Course
- Flat to rolling
- Elevation
- 250 ft gain
Scenic shore of Lake Michigan
PR8.6Weather9.1Experience7.7
All marathons
Mid-October · Midwest · Loop
University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon
Grand Rapids, MI
Event listed as: Marathon
- Best for PR
- Boston Qualifier
- First Marathon
Registration opens on the organizer's site
- Typical start temp
- 46°F(estimated)
- Field size
- ~1,500 runners(estimated)
- Course
- Flat to rolling
- Elevation
- 250 ft gain · 0 ft net(estimated)
Why runners choose this race
A loop course around Grand Rapids, MI, with gentle rollers but no sustained climbing.
Good fit if
- · PR attempts
- · Boston qualification
- · First-time marathoners
Think twice if
- No notable warnings in the data.
Course and logistics
- Course type
- Loop
- Surface
- Road
- Total gain
- 250 ft(estimated)
- Total loss
- 250 ft(estimated)
- Net elevation
- 0 ft(estimated)
- Field size
- ~1,500 runners(estimated)
- Crowd support
- Pockets of spectators
- Entry
- Easy
- Entry fee
- $125(most recent listed price)
- Day of week
- Sunday
- Start / finish
- Start and finish in the same area
Race details
- Typical timing
- Mid-October
- Next confirmed date
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Registration
- Open now
- Region
- Midwest
- Editorial tier
- Recommended
- Prestige
- 6.0/10(estimated)
- Data last reviewed
- 2026-08-26
Event listed as: Marathon
Good to know
- Best for PR
- Boston Qualifier
- First Marathon
- Loop course
- Easy entry
Race-day weather
Modelled from location, month and coastal proximity — not verified race history.
ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk
Typical start sits at 46°F — excellent marathon conditions.
Similar races
- Weather
- 50°Ftypical start
- Field size
- ~3,500 runners
- Course
- Flat to rolling
- Elevation
- 300 ft gain
Nationwide Children's Hospital patient miles
PR8.6Weather8.9Experience7.8
Mid-October · Midwest
Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Jesse Owens 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Run
Columbus, OH
- Weather
- 50°Ftypical start
- Field size
- ~3,500 runners
- Course
- Flat to rolling
- Elevation
- 300 ft gain · 0 ft net
Event listed as: Marathon
PR8.6Weather8.9Experience7.5