GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- More than 12,000 people will participate in this year's races at the Amway River Bank Run on May 11th.
Details were announced at a news conference this morning. It was streamed live on WOOD TV-8's website.
The event features the nation's largest 25K road race, and the only 25K Wheelchair racing division in the world, along with a 25K Handcycle division.
Besides the 25K, participants will be running in a 5K Run, a 10K Run, a Team Competion, a 5K Community Walk, and an Amway Junior event on May 8.
"This event typically brings over 25,000 people to downtown Grand Rapids. And has added an estimated $2.4 million in economic impact in recent years," Russ Hines said. He is the C-E-O with Riverbank Events & Media.
Registration has opened for the River Bank Run. It also features the only 25-K Wheelchair racing division in the world, along with a 25-K Handcycle division. There are also 5-K and 10-K runs, a team competition, a 5-K Community Walk, and an Amway Junior event on May 8th. The River Bank Run is the largest 25-K road race in the nation.
Scott Stenstrom is vice president of Regional Marketing & Communications with the event's presenting sponsor, Fifth Third Bank.
"All of us at Fifth Third are thrilled to be here this morning to celebrate a tradition that has lasted for 47 years. There's not a lot of things that have lasted 47 years in the City of Grand Rapids, and I'm glad to hear, I'm glad to see that this is one of those," Stenstrom said.
Two-time defending River Bank Run champion Leonard Korir of Kenya will be running in this year's race, as will 2021 champion Biya Simbassa. Among the women competitors, last year's 25K champion, Betsy Saina will return to compete in this year's race.
Consistently ranked as one of the premier road racing events in the United States, the Amway River Bank Run is the site of the Men’s 25K American and Course record (1:13:47; 2019); Women’s 25K American record (1:24:36; 2012) and former Men’s 25K World record (1998). The 25K has been the site of the USA 25 km Open Championships since 1995.
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Russ Hines, the C-E-O with Riverbank Events & Media, announcing details of the annual Amway River Bank Run at a news conference this morning.Photo: Source: Screen capture from WOOD-TV livestream