The 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run will take place  Saturday, May 11, starting and finishing in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Featuring the largest 25K road race in the country, 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Walk and Junior events, the Fifth Third River Bank Run will play host to more than 21,000 participants during race week 2013.

Race weekend opens with the Sports & Fitness Expo Friday, May 10 at DeVos Place, held in conjunction with event late registration/packet pick-up, pre-race pasta dinner, Gazelle Sports Fashion Show and panel discussion.

For Event REGISTRATION, click HERE.

Post-Race on Saturday, May 11, celebrate your finish at the Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party Village on Calder Plaza.

RACE WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run features the largest 25K road race in the country, only 25K Wheelchair Racing division in the nation, 25K Handcycle division, 25K Relay, 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Community Walk and Junior, involving more than 21,000 participants, 38,000 spectators and 2,000 volunteers, in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 11!  The following is a list of Race Week events:

Tuesday, May 7, 4:30-7:30p – Fifth Third Junior Packet Pick-up/Registration Event

• Craig’s Cruisers, 5730 Clyde Park Ave, Wyoming
• Families can pick up Junior t-shirts and participant bibs and/or register for the May 8 event to avoid the rush at Wyoming High School
• Registered Junior participants can enjoy a complimentary pre-race pizza/pasta dinner with paid adult dinner
• Meet the Fifth Third River Bank Run Tortoise & Hare, and Cruiser from Craig’s Cruisers

Wednesday, May 8, 4:30-7:30p – Fifth Third Junior

• Wyoming High School (formerly Rogers HS), 1350 Prairie Parkway SW, Wyoming
• Late Registration/Packet Pick-up beginning at 4:30p
• Non-competitive ½ mile and 1 mile fun runs for kids ages 5-13 around the track (with wheelchair division) beginning at 5:30p
• 5K Run for kids ages 9-13 beginning at 6:30p on streets surrounding campus
• All participants receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, finisher gift and post-event refreshments
• Free Family Fun area from 4:30-7:30p including inflatable games, face painting, temporary tattoos, meet/greet with WOODTV4’s Maranda, Team Priority Health, Craig’s Cruisers’ Cruiser, and the Fifth Third River Bank Run Tortoise and Hare

Friday, May 10, 11a-8p – Fifth Third River Bank Run Sports & Fitness Expo

DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Avenue, downtown Grand Rapids

• Free and open to the public (19,000 people expected)
• Late Registration/Packet Pick-up/Race Changes for all May 11 events
• Interactive displays including the Starbucks Refreshers Café, Gazelle Sports Store, Douglas J’s Relaxation Zone, PowerBar sampling, 100+ health and fitness vendors, apparel sales, prize drawings, and event day parking, traffic and course information
• Annual Pasta Dinner, 4:30-8p  Variety of fresh pastas (including Gluten-free), salad, rolls and beverage: $15/adults; $6/children 4-12; and free/age 3 and under
• Elite Athlete Introduction: 6 to 6:25p (main stage)
• In 2 Liquid Yoga demonstration:  6:30-6:55p (main stage)
• Gazelle Sports Fashion Show:  7-7:30p (main stage)

Saturday, May 11 – Race Day

Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan

6a-2p              Complimentary showers/lockers available at David D. Hunting YMCA (475 Lake

Michigan Drive); please park in Dash Lot 7 if non-member

6:00-8:45a     All Events Packet Pick-up/Race Changes (DeVos Place)

6-9a                NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM & 106.9, ESPN 96.1 FM FM Pre-Race Traffic/Weather Coverage and

Live Race Updates

7:10a              Blessing, Mayor George Heartwell

                        26.2 seconds of silence for Boston Marathon

National Anthem, Mary Tuuk, President, Fifth Third Bank West Michigan

7:20a             START (staggered) – Fifth Third 5K Run, sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings

8-10a              Wire to Wire Live Race Coverage on ESPN 96.1 FM

8:00a             START – Fifth Third 10K, sponsored by D&W Fresh Market and Family Fare

8:10a             START -- 25K Handcycle division, sponsored by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital; led by Team Priority Health

8:12a             START – 25K Wheelchair division, sponsored by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

Hospital, led by Team Priority Health

8:20a             START -- Fifth Third River Bank Run, largest 25K road race in the nation, and

USA 25 km Open Championship

8:20a             START – Fifth Third 25K Relay, sponsored by PowerBar and Subway ®

8:40a             START – Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K MyTeam Triumph participants

8:45a             START -- Fifth Third 5K Walk, sponsored by Blue Care Network and STAR 105.7

7:30a-

1:30p               Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party on Calder Plaza.  Free admission.  Main Street

                           Dueling Pianos, Buffalo Wild Wings’ concessions, Michelob Ultra and PEPSI

                           drink specials, Action Sports Images Photo Zone, Douglas J Relaxation Zone,

                           Starbucks Refreshers and PowerBar sampling, and couponing with Gun Lake Casino

4 p.m.               Official results available at www.53riverbankrun.com

Monday, May 13

7p                  Maranda:  Where You Live, Race Highlights Show, WOTV4WOMEN

Course Info/Maps

Click the links below to download/view letter-size printable maps (PDF) of all 3 courses! All maps include mile markers, aid stations, and port-a-jon locations. Also available is a 25K spectator map.

25K map

25K elevation chart

25K Relay map

10K map

10K elevation chart

5K map

5K elevation chart

Start Area Staging Map and Information

Race Day 101

AID STATIONS are located at the start (Monroe Avenue and Lyon) and approximately every 1.5 miles for 25K; near miles 2, 3 and 4.5 on the 10K course; and near mile 1.5 on 5K course.  The 5K Community Walk is the only race day event which welcomes the participation of dogs on leashes.  Those walking with their dogs can visit the Canine Water Station on the 5K Walk course near the halfway point, just prior to the Aid Station.  Water and disposable bowls will be available for all canine participants.

AWARDS will all be mailed out to top finishers within 21 business days following the event.

CANCELLATION OR DELAY OF RACE may happen due to adverse weather click here for Adverse Weather policy.

COURSE MAPS for the 25K, 10K, 5K Run and 5K Community Walk are available by clicking here.

FINISH LINE PROCEDURES include continuing to run or walk until after you have crossed the finish line completely, obtaining your finisher gift and enjoying post-event refreshments.

FREE SHOWERS/LOCKERS (May 11, 2013, David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Drive) 6 am-2 pm. Non-YMCA members can park in Dash Lot 7 when accessing the YMCA on May 11. Please be prepared to show your participant bib for access to the YMCA on May 11, 2013.

GAZELLE SPORTS/BROOKS FASHION SHOW (May 10, 2013, Sports & Fitness Expo Main Stage, DeVos Place) Featuring the Elite Athlete Introduction at 5 pm and the Gazelle Sports Fashion Show featuring the 2013 Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warriors in BROOKS apparel at 5:30 pm.

GEAR CHECK (complimentary) will be available in DeVos Place on Saturday morning.  You will need to pull the gear check tab off your participant bib and attach it to the bag provided by the race at gear check.  Claim your gear after your event in DeVos Place no later than 12:30 pm on race day. Fifth Third Bank cannot be held responsible for any lost or stolen items.  Participants are responsible for any clothing articles they choose to discard along the course.

HOST HOTEL is the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel located in downtown Grand Rapids and adjacent to the Fifth Third River Bank Run starting line.  Stay at the Amway this year and you'll avoid having to find parking on race day!  Special room rate information available December 1.

INFORMATION TENT will be staffed on Calder Plaza from 6:30 am to 12:30 pm to provide race-related information. Race Information volunteers will also be available (wearing orange vests) on the corners of major intersections and entrances to parking ramps in the immediate downtown area to answer questions and provide directions.

MEDICAL SUPPORT is provided by Metro Health Hospital, Metro Health Sports Medicine and American Medical Response, and is available near the end of each Aid Station and at the finish line click here for Medical Instructions for Participants.

MICHELOB ULTRA POST-RACE PARTY VILLAGE (May 11, 2013, Calder Plaza) features free admission, Main Street Dueling Pianos and drink specials (please be prepared to show photo identification for beer purchase). Concessions available from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Everyone is welcome!

PACKET PICK-UP/RACE CHANGES/LATE REGISTRATION are available on Friday, May 10, 2013 from 11 am to 8 pm in DeVos Place (303 Monroe Avenue N.W., downtown Grand Rapids). Packet pick-up and race changes are available on Saturday, May 11, 2013 beginning at 6:00 a.m. at DeVos Place. Those who participant in an event other than the one they are registered for will not be included in the Official Results. Late registration is not available on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

PARKING is available in a variety of locations in downtown Grand Rapids. Come early as streets around the start/finish lines begin to close by 5:30 am. (click here for parking map)

PASTA DINNER (May 10, 2013, DeVos Place) 4:30 – 8:00 pm.  Prices are $15/adult; $6/ages 4-12; and free/ages 3 and under.  The menu includes choice of salad of mixed field greens with assorted toppings and dressings on the side, homemade meat lasagna, and gluten-free pasta and whole wheat Penne pasta with Bolognaise Sauce and Alfredo Sauce with fresh vegetable and herbs, breadsticks, miniature candied Rice Krispie treats and brownie bites, and choice of beverage.

PHOTOGRAPHY is provided for the race by Action Sports Images. Please wear your participant bib on the front of your shirt for visibility purposes versus on your running shorts or pants. Post-event, ASI will email you any proofs that contain your participant number free of charge. You then will have the option to purchase a photo from ASI to commemorate your participation in the Fifth Third River Bank Run.  ASI will also sponsor the ASI Photo Zone on Calder Plaza during the Michelob Ultra Post-Race Party Village from 7:30 am - 1:30 pm for post-event photo opportunities.

PRE-RACE BROADCAST is available from NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM and 106.9 FM, providing weather, parking and race updates from 6:00 am-8:00 am, followed by Wire to Wire live race coverage on ESPN 96.1 from 8 am-10:30 am on Saturday, May 11.

RESTROOMS (portable restrooms) will be conveniently located near the start line, approximately every 1.5 miles along the race course (near Aid Stations) or after post-event refreshments on Ottawa Avenue, and the Post-Race Party area on Calder Plaza. Handicap accessible portable restrooms will be located near the start and finish lines, on Calder Plaza and at the halfway point on the 25K course.

RESULTS (May 11, 2013) will be available online after 4 pm on Saturday, May 11.. Team results will be available online no later than Tuesday, May 14.

SPORTS & FITNESS EXPO (MMay 10, 2013, DeVos Place) 11 am to 8 pm (free and open to the public). Features more than 100 vendors, event late registration/packet pick-up, Pasta Dinner (4:30-8p, charges apply, see above), Gazelle Sports/BROOKS Fashion Show and more.

STARTING LINES for the 5K Run (7:20 am wave start), 10K (8:00 am start), Handcycle/Wheelchair (8:10 and 8:12 am starts), 25K and Open Championships (8:20 am start), myTeamTriumph 25K (8:40 am start) and 5K Walk (8:45 am start) are all located on Monroe Avenue near Lyon Street. The 5K runners will line up first, followed by the 10K participants, the Handcycle and Wheelchair participants, 25K participants and finally the 5K walkers. 25K, 10K and 5K runners should find their appropriate pace per mile place by referencing signs held by volunteers in each start area. Please pin your participant bib to the front of your shirt for visibility purposes and with your B-Tag attached.

TWO HOUR CLUB participants should look for their designated area just behind the Elite Athletes at the 25K starting line. Two Hour Club participants must have finished the 2012 25K event in two hours or less and indicated their desire for preferred positioning when registering for the 2013 25K event. RETURNING in 2013 - Two Hour Club Hospitality, sponsored by ITC, in Fifth Third Bank's Gillett Auditorium on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 6:00 am to noon. Enjoy private gear check, private restrooms and refreshments prior to the 25K, along with networking with other ITC Two Hour Club members.   ITC Two Hour Club participants must show their Two Hour Club bib for access through the Fifth Third Bank doors on the plaza near the corner of Lyon Street and Monroe Avenue.

Weather/Medical Policies

Adverse Weather Policies

THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS
The Fifth Third River Bank Run and/or Fifth Third Junior will be canceled or delayed if any of the following weather conditions exist: Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Thunderstorm, "Heavy" Rain

START OF THE RACE
The start of any of the events can be delayed one hour from the posted start time if any of the above mentioned conditions exist.

CANCELLATION OF THE RACE
The events will be canceled if one of the following weather conditions exist: Tornado Warning, Thunderstorm

AUTHORITY TO CANCEL THE RACE
The Race Director, in accordance with management executives of Fifth Third Bank and local law enforcement, has the authority to cancel any of the events. If threatening weather conditions force cancellation of the event, no refunds can be provided, since funds were already spent in preparation for Race Day. T-shirts will be distributed.

BROADCAST OF CANCELLATION
NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM & 106.9 FM, ESPN 961 , WOTV4WOMEN and the event emcees will communicate any delay and/or cancellation of Fifth Third Junior, on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in Wyoming. NEWSRADIO WOOD 1300 AM & 106.9 FM, WOTV4WOMEN and the Kent County Amateur Radio Emergency Service will communicate the delay and/or cancellation for the Fifth Third River Bank Run on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Ground Zero is located at the medical tent in the finish area and will be utilized to communicate the decision.