the overGRound marathon/relay

  • Date Sat 24th October 2026
  • Time 7:00AM EDT
  • Location Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Price Free
  • Races 4 races
  • Distances Marathon

Event summary

Get ready for an unforgettable day of community spirit and athleticism at the overGRound Marathon and Relay on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in beautiful Grand Rapids, Kent! This free, unsanctioned marathon celebrates the vibrant neighborhoods and scenic features of the city, providing an inclusive atmosphere for runners of all paces. Starting and ending at Veterans Memorial Park at 8 AM, participants can choose to tackle the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles or join a team for the exciting relay option, with flexible leg configurations that encourage creativity and fun.

Join local running and fitness clubs as they come together to support and cheer on participants throughout the course, which meanders through charming coffee shops, picturesque parks, and bustling cityscapes. Whether you’re running solo, organizing a relay team, or simply cheering from the sidelines, the overGRound is all about fostering community and embracing the joy of movement. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a unique Grand Rapids event that promises to go beyond the ordinary!

Organiser's Description

The overGRound is a free, unsanctioned marathon and marathon relay through the city of Grand Rapids whose route showcases the variety of GRs features and neighborhoods (beyond Butterworth and Millennium). This is an inclusive, supportive, and free running event celebrating community and a grassroots, no frills spirit of running and free fitness. It is a co-hosted event featuring the many wonderful running and fitness communities of Grand Rapids. Together, participating clubs can invite people out to run, cheer, and support runners on the course. The public is warmly welcomed to participate.

This will be the third running of the overGRound, the first (known) marathon held fully within GR city limits. Once again, it will be hosted by local participating clubsto be announced soon!

This year the overGRound will be held October 25, 2026 at 8am, starting and ending at Veterans Memorial Park. The [subject to updates!] carefully designed course [https://www.strava.com/routes/3398126312496602572] passes many coffee shops, a variety of neighborhoods, cityscapes, and parks before returning to Veterans Memorial Park.

Whether you run the marathon, organize a team to run the relay, or just show up to support the runners, lets make it once again a fun, unique, out-in-the-open Grand Rapids event that goes beyond the norm.

More details:

* All paces welcome to participate, with every participant from last to first getting a welcome back at Veterans Park
* This is mostly a self-supported event, but there will be wayfinding guidance, aid stations on course, and bikers and volunteers who will check in with runners
* The marathon relay is open to any team configuration or leg distances; the coffee shops make good changepoints but "yall do yall" to complete the 26.2
* We encourage you to bring your own bibs and have fun with them
* The 2026 edition of the Participant Guide is not yet availablewe will email you when its ready!
* The Facebook event is HERE [https://www.facebook.com/share/1JSnUGzBWi/] for reference
* You are welcome to do any combination of the following: a) run the marathon, b) run as part of a relay marathon, or c) volunteer to help this event be a success, d) come out and cheer (just show up on the course, or at Veterans Park, on race morning).

THEOVERGROUND2026

Races

  • Marathon

    Sun 25th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)

    Free

    This is a (mostly) self-supported marathon on a course that is not closed to traffic. There will a number of aid stations along the route.
  • Relay Marathon (Any Leg or Distance)

    Sun 25th October 2026 (8:00AM EDT)

    Free

    Relay teams can be made up of any number of runners and distances can be broken up however teammates decide; the main thing is to cover the 26.2 mile route in sequence with your teammates. There will be proposed paradigms in the 2026 Participant Guide once it is released! This is a (mostly) self-supported marathon on a course that is not closed to traffic. There will a number of aid stations along the route.
  • Day-Of Volunteer (Exact Timing TBD)

    Sun 25th October 2026 (7:00AM EDT)

    Free

  • Day-Before Volunteer (Exact Timing TBD)

    Sat 24th October 2026 (7:00AM EDT)

    Free

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Location

Veterans Memorial Park, 101 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids, 49503, MI, United States

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