Events
Half Marathon (13.35 miles with certified half marathon split)
10K (Uses one extended loop of the course)
Marathon Team Relay
Place
Grand Rapids, MI US 49534
Description
Welcome!
For 2027, Millennium Meadows Marathon is proud to be hosting its 10th year! We will feature a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and Marathon RELAY. All four events will take place Sunday, August 29th.
Again this year we are offering a referral program! Once you register you'll see a referral link that you can share via social media or email, with whoever will signup. Once they register using that code, YOU will be refunded $5 per person. It's good for as many times, until your registration is fully refunded! Who doesn't love money back?
Secchia Meadows provides the perfect course for a team relay, with each relay leg being roughly 4.05 miles. Round up a team and come compete. We'll set up a relay row, where teams can place tents and have a great time.
Millennium Meadows Marathon events occur at Secchia Meadows in Millennium Park, one of the many Kent County Parks and what we think is the most scenic and beautiful. You will run on a wide and paved path that crosses a footbridge, winds along the Grand River, and cuts through meadows. Most of the course is heavily shaded.
We are a proud supporter of the Kent County Parks Department and Team World Vision - Grand Rapids. Use our Donate button on the left menu, select which organization and follow the steps.
Events
Marathon 6 loops for 26.2 miles YES! THIS IS A BOSTON QUALIFIER (USATF CERTIFIED) COURSE
Marathon Relay 6 loops for 26.2 miles
Half Marathon 3 loops for 13.35 Half Marathon (with a 13.1 split mat!)
10k Distance 1 loop
Aid Stations
There will be two aid stations located on each loop, stocked with water and Gatorade. Water and Gatorade tables will be well spread out, and volunteers will place cups onto the tables. There will be no food provided on the course.
Awards
Finisher medals for all finishers
We award the first place winner of both Men's and Women's for each distance. We also award Age Group Winners, for first through third place, Men's and Women's, for each event.
9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 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 85+
Parking
There's lots of parking. Don't worry.
Starting times
Marathon 6:00 am (Special 5am start for the Velocity Challenged for marathon only!)
Half Marathon 7:00 am
Marathon Relay 7:00 am
10K (1 Modified loop) 8:00 am
Post-Race Village
After completing your event, Post-Race Village will be open to come and pick up a prepackaged snack, water, Gatorade, and beverages provided by Archival Brewing. Secchia Meadows is blessed with tons of grassy space to spread out, recover and cheer on incoming runners
Packet Pickup
SATURDAY PACKET PICK UP - At Fulton Street Pub & Grill, 801 W. Fulton Street, from 2 pm - 6 pm.
RACE DAY - In the pavilion at the race site starting at 5:15 a.m. (We'll get you a bib if you're doing the 5am start. Just show up early enough.
LATE REGISTRATION - ONLINE ONLY - We will not have late registration available at the race site however you can register on your phone up till the start of the race.
Marathon Course
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The Marathon course is 3 stages:
- The start line to the loop. This is roughly a mile
- 6 loops at 4.05 miles, with only two gradual rollers...nothing major.
- Concluding 6 loops, you break off back onto Veterans Memorial Rd and follow the signs back to the finish, which is roughly a mile.
Aid stations at the beginning of the loop (about the 1 mile mark) and in the middle (approx. 3.2 miles) with Gatorade. Nutrition is not provided on the course.
The course for the marathon is the same as the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon - Grand Rapids.
MARATHON ONLY--5AM START AVAILABLE FOR "VELOCITY CHALLENGED" RUNNERS. IF YOU PLAN TO WIN AN AWARD OR QUALIFY FOR BOSTON, YOU NEED TO START AT THE NORMAL START TIME AT 6AM
Marathon Relay Course
The Marathon Relay, follows the same course as the Marathon.
- Runner 1 starts with the official start, along with the Half Marathon, runs the first mile to the loop and one loop.
- Runners 2-5 each run one loop.
- Runner 6 runs the last loop and the exit mile, from the loop back to the finish line.
The runner exchange zone will be over the foot bridge and down to the left, marked with a sign.
Half Marathon Course
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The Half Marathon course is 3 stages:
- The start line to the loop. This is roughly a mile.
- 3 loops at 4.05 miles, with only two gradual rollers...nothing major.
- Concluding 3 loops, you follow the signs up and over the wooden bridge, to the Finish Line. This is roughly a mile.
The Half Marathon race is 13.35 miles long, with a certified split at the Half Marathon mark which will appear with your results, but the finish line is the same as the Marathon finish line.
Aid stations at the beginning of the loop (about the 1 mile mark) and in the middle (approx. 3.2 miles) with Gatorade. Nutrition is not provided on the course.
10K Course
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
Six Mile Course (Note--the 6 mile finish line is adjusted to be at the same place as the marathon finish line, so the course is about 58 feet longer by the time you get to the finish line.)
Questions and Other Race Details
What will I receive?
- Finisher medals for all events.
- Unisex fit T-shirts for all events.
- Great post race celebration.
Age Group Awards: Top 3 for all age groups and places.
Timing: All timing and placing will be chip time. If you are in contention to start the race...make sure you start with the fast folks, up front.
Is this a Boston Qualifying course? YES! All distances are officially certified.
Time Limits: Keep moving and act like you're trying to finish in a reasonable time. We won't have any problems. Stop for a picnic, and we'll probably go home without you.
Is there room for people to push a running stroller on the course? Yes! This race and course are welcoming to running with a stroller.
Hotels: We don't have any hotel agreements for this race. Search for hotels near the race address above.
Day of Registration: Yes, you can register the day of the event, as long as the event has not started yet.
Age Limits? No. You or your parents determine if you're old enough.
Are there Refunds? Entry fees are non-refundable. That means that once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. Your registration may be deferred to the following year for a $25 administration fee UNTIL THE MONDAY BEFORE THE RACE. It may also be transferred to another runner UNTIL THE MONDAY BEFORE THE RACE for a $20 administration fee. You can do this on the online registration site.
Managing your Registration: If life changes after you registered, RunSignUp allows you to make the follow changes yourself, after logging into your RunSignUp account:
- Transfer your registration to another runner.
- Defer your registration to next year.
- Switch from Half Marathon to Marathon or the other way around.
You can do it yourself online without waiting for someone to manage the transactions.
- Go to the online registration site. Click on the little silhouette then click on Profile (If nothing comes up on your profile, click on PARTICIPANT TRACKING instead. Look yourself up. You may need to claim your record or set up a RunSignUp profile.)
- Under this event, choose Manage Registration. At the bottom will be a list of options including Defer Registration, Transfer to Someone Else, Transfer event.
- Follow the prompts after that.
Weather Policy Details
Event Goes on Rain or Shine: Standard rain and cool conditions will not stop the race.
Extreme Conditions: Lightning, high winds, or extreme temperatures can cause a delay, early ending, or cancellation. When necessary, we use a lightening tracking app to track the proximity of lightening. If it is within 8 miles and the event has not started, we are required to delay 30 minutes. If the event has begun, we are required to stop the end the event.
Command Group Decision: If hazardous weather or emergencies happen, a designated Command Group meets to decide the status of the event.
Notification Channels: In case of delays or cancellations, updates are shared immediately via onsite verbal announcements, updates on Facebook and if the event is started, we will announce via multiple points on the course, giving direction to and advising to seek shelter.
Participant Responsibility: Runners are expected to use their best judgment based on real-time conditions and follow instructions from course monitors and race officials.
Race Contact Info
Directions
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