The LMCU BRIDGE RUN has been providing the community with a premier starting line to accomplish goals since 2002 and we invite you to join us in person or virtually to keep the tradition "running" (pun intended)! Whether you pick the 10 MILE RUN or 5K RUN/WALK, be assured you will have a great race day experience running through downtown Grand Rapids and of course, crossing the many bridges in the city.

The 2026 Bridge Run will take place on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 and will be located on the west side of the 6th Street Bridge (use 731 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, 49504 in your GPS for our physical location). The historic 6th Street bridge is an icon and a favorite of our event participants. Both the 5K and 10 Mile routes will still go through downtown Grand Rapids (over a bonus bridge), with the 10 Mile still heading out through Riverside Park. You can view the tentative routes (we are still working with the City of Grand Rapids to finalize the details) by clicking on each distance: 5K [https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3430972?units=km] | 10 Mile [https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3430889?units=km]. You will notice that the 5K route is essentially the same for everyone, which will allow us to start BOTH races at 8AM THIS YEAR!

We are excited to bring back KIDS DASH WITH THE CRASH OF THE WHITECAPS, which will take place at 11:50am on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 at the LMCU Ballpark (4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321). The Kids Dash will feature a 200 meter and 400 meter option, kids will be able to select one or both. Bib pickup for the Sunday event will take place at the LMCU Ballpark from 10am to 11:45am, so come to pick up your bib and stay to cheer your future track star on. For more information, check our KIDS DASH PAGE [https://www.thebridgerun.com/Race/theBridgeRun/Page-15].

Our race team is excited to put on this event for YOU! Check out the 2026 RACE WEEKEND GUIDE [https://www.thebridgerun.com/Race/theBridgeRun/Page-5] for FAQs and other good-to-know info. If you have any questions, please let us know by emailing lmcubridgerun@gmail.com. We will update this for 2026 as race day gets closer.

WHY THE BRIDGE RUN?

* All participants receive an AWESOME finishers medal & commemorative shirt
* Aid stations on both courses featuring Gatorade & water, with GU energy packets on the 10 Mile course
* Spirit stations to CHEER YOU ON
* 3 bands on the course & 1 in the finish area
* Pacers for the 10 Mile to help you achieve YOUR GOAL
* The scenic route taking you through downtown Grand Rapids, the many parks in the city, and over bridges
* Cash prizes for the top 3 finishers and overall masters winner for both the 5K & 10 Mile
* In 2016, it was voted Top 50 Road Races in Michigan by MLive
* In 2016, it was named Top 10 Fall Road Races in Michigan by MLive
* In 2026, the 10 Mile is part of the Road Runners Club of America National Championship Series
* In 2026, the 10 Mile is part of the Michigan Runner Race Series [https://michiganrunnerraceseries.com/]
* A portion of the race proceeds are donated to local groups to help move their missions forward
* FREE training plans to help you

You can view pictures from Bridge Runs past on our Flickr [https://www.flickr.com/photos/rungr/albums] & Photo [https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/MI/GrandRapids/theBridgeRun] pages.

We have age-based pricing activated; anyone 18 and under on race day will pay $35 for the 10 Mile & $20 for the 5K (virtual events are not included). There is nothing you need to do other than input your age when you complete the signup process!

VOLUNTEER!

It takes over 400 volunteers to create the magic of race day. This is a great opportunity for school teams, families, and individuals to get involved and help our participants have an AMAZING race day experience. We will happily donate $150 to school or non-profit groups that brings out 15+ individuals. Visit our volunteer portal [https://www.thebridgerun.com/Race/Volunteer/MI/GrandRapids/theBridgeRun] to see and sign up for all of our opportunities.

AWARDS

We are excited to have Gazelle Sports back this year to help provide our awards. The Bridge Run Age Group Awards are as follows:

* 1st place: $20 to Gazelle Sports + commemorative item
* 2nd place: $10 to Gazelle Sports + commemorative item
* 3rd place: commemorative item

* Age Groups start at 9 and under, then go every 5 years (ie: 10-14, 15-19....70-74, 75-79), until 80+.

A cash prize for each race (10 Mile & 5K, Male & Female) as laid out below:

* 1st place: $150
* 2nd place: $100
* 3rd place: $50
* Overall Master's: $100

_Overall prize winners will not be eligible to win age group awards. _

The Road Runners Club of America will be presenting special awards for the 10 Mile.

BIB PICKUP

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH FROM 4PM TO 6PM
Gazelle Sports (3930 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512)
**Show your bib for 10% at Gazelle Sports TODAY ONLY**

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH FROM 10AM TO 11:45AM
LMCU Ballpark (4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321)
We will be on the north side of the ballpark, near the Pepsi Club Entrance

_The Kids Dash will take place at 11:50am at LMCU Ballpark!_

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH FROM 6AM TO 7:30AM
Start/Finish Area



PACERS

We offer pacers brought to the race by RunGR for the 10 Mile to help get you to your goal. The pace groups start at a 7-minute mile and go every 30 seconds to the 12-minute mile pace.