Race for the Red 5K

  • Date Sat 23rd May 2026
  • Time 9:30AM EDT
  • Location Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Price $53.99
  • Races 3 races
  • Distances 5km

Event summary

Join us for the exhilarating Race for the Red 5K on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Kent! This exciting event features a flat and fast closed course, perfect for runners and walkers of all levels. Whether you’re racing against the clock or just enjoying the beautiful park paths, participants will receive a unique firefighter-themed t-shirt and a finisher's medal to commemorate the day.

The festivities kick off at 8:20 a.m. with packet pickup, followed by the National Anthem sung by Carlye Haisma at 9:20 a.m. The race starts at 9:30 a.m., and don’t miss the awards ceremony at 10:15 a.m. for top finishers and the beloved Turnout Challenge, where participants can showcase their firefighter gear! With plenty of parking available and a vibrant community atmosphere, the Race for the Red is more than just a runβ€”it's a celebration of spirit and support for firefighters and their families. Don’t miss out on the fun, food trucks, and free snacks after the race! Sign up now and get ready to race!

Organiser's Description

Enjoy a flat and fast course around Riverside Park. The route will be a closed course on the beautiful paths.

Participants will receive a unique firefighter themed shirt and finishers medal.



Turnout Challenge: Walk or run in full turnout (except for running shoes) in our special Firefighters Challenge! _Turnout gear not provided_



RACE DAY SCHEDULE
820 a.m. Packet pickup
9:20 a.m. National Anthem, sung by Carlye Haisma
9:25 a.m. Pre-race briefing
9:30 a.m. Race start
10:15 a.m. Awards ceremony

THE RACE WILL OFFICIALLY FINISH WHEN THE LAST PARTICIPANT CROSSES THE FINISH LINE.

Location
Riverside Park
2001 Monroe Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

We will be near the baseball fields. You should see a giant start line and a firetruck, so we should be pretty easy to find!

PARKING
There is plenty of parking in the Riverside Park lot. There is also free parking nearby along Monroe Avenue and on adjacent side streets.

Please give yourself enough time to park, walk over, and pick up your packet before the race starts.

PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be from 820 a.m. next to the start line by the bathroom building.

Your packet will include your race bib and T-shirt. No ID is required for packet pickup.

Please do not wait until the last minute to pick up your packet. A number of our runners have graciously volunteered to help with packet pickup before the race, and we want to make sure they have time to get to the start line too.

T-shirt size exchanges will be available after the race. Late registrations that were not guaranteed a shirt will also be handled after the race. As of now, it looks like we have everyone covered no pun intended!

COURSE INFORMATION
The course is flat and paved. There are a few rough areas, so please watch your footing and be careful not to trip.

The course will be well marked with signs and chalk. It should be hard to get lost but please still pay attention to the course markings and volunteers.

There will be an aid station at approximately the halfway point. There is also a small bathroom near the one-mile mark, just off the course.

RESTROOMS
We will have three porta-potties on site in addition to the Riverside Park bathhouse, which has three stalls for men and three stalls for women.

WEATHER
We will not speculate on the weather just yet, but the race will happen rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe, such as lightning.

AWARDS
Finisher Medals for all participants.

Awards will be given to first, second, and third place in each age group.

We will also have an award for the overall finisher of the Turnout Challenge.

To qualify for the Turnout Challenge, you must wear your turnout pants and coat. Boots are not required or recommended. A helmet is optional but Ill be real impressed if you win in a helmet.

POST-RACE
After the race, we will have a food truck on site, with 10% of proceeds donated to Neighbors United.

We will also have free donuts and are still working on a few more snack supplies, so keep an eye out for some unannounced extras!

VOLUNTEERS AND REGISTRATION
If you know someone who would like to volunteer, please send them to the RunSignUp page and have them register to come hang out with us.

We are also still accepting race registrations until 5:30 a.m. on race morning.

FINAL NOTE
We are so excited for race day. Thank you in advance for your patience as we work through the hurdles we didnt even know existed when hosting a race for the first time.

Your support is helping us make a difference for firefighters and families, and we are incredibly grateful.

See you in just a few short days!

Ed and Ashley

Races

  • Race for the Red 5K

    Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 23rd May 2026 (9:30AM EDT)

    $53.99

    CLOSED
  • Race for the Red Turnout Challenge

    Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 23rd May 2026 (9:30AM EDT)

    $53.99

    CLOSED
    Compete in turnout gear (you may skip the boots). Special prize for first place finisher! *must provide own turnout gear*
  • Race for the Red 5K Virtual Event

    Incl. $3.99 Fee & T-Shirt

    $53.99

    CLOSED
    Can't make it in person, but still want to support our event?! Register for our virtual event and we'll send you your medal and tshirt in the mail!

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Location

2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 49505, MI, United States

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