Irish Jig 5K
About this race
For more than 40 years, the Irish Jig has marked the start of Michigan’s racing season. But 2026 isn’t just another starting line. It’s a turning point. On March 14, we’re not running for tradition. We’re running against a brutal truth: 1 in 2 people will face cancer in their lifetime. That’s not a statistic we’re willing to accept. This year, the Irish Jig becomes more than a race. It’s a stand. A statement. A surge of runners moving as one. Every stride fuels cancer research and care through Corewell Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Every step brings hope closer to home. This is not just a 5K. This is a rally for fighters, a reckoning with cancer, a reason to believe in something bigger. Join us. Bring your people. Fill the streets. Run. Walk. Cheer. Because we're taking the Jig WellBeyond anything it's been before.
New for 2026 is the Kids Gold Ribbon Run and Jig Virtual participation option. The Kids Gold Ribbon Run will take place at 9:30a on the East Grand Rapids Track, allowing kids to use their feet to raise support for pediatric cancer programs. The Kids Gold Ribbon Run is free to register, with an optional $25 commemorative shirt available. The kids will be broken into age groups and complete one lap on the track.
The Jig Virtual is an opportunity to participate in the movement from anywhere that works for you the week of March 9. Your shirt will be mailed out to you on race weekend. Registration for the Jig Virtual closes on March 7th.
Apply to be an Irish Jig Ambassador!
NEW Digital Toolkit to spread the word on your socials.
Pick your distance
Running
5K
Race will begin at 8:30 a.m. with walkers beginning at approximately 8:45 a.m. Walking the course is allowed, but participants must complete the route within 75 minutes and begin after the runners at approximately 8:45 a.m.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 21 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Grand Rapids, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:47 AM and sets at 7:53 PM local time (EDT) in Grand Rapids on March 19, 2027 — 12h 06m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
Results — Irish Jig 5K
Other races near Grand Rapids
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
44th Annual Reeds Lake Resolution Run
Kids' Food Basket 21st Annual Gobble Wobble 5k Run & Walk
myTEAM TRIUMPH West MI - Alger Heights -- Captain & Angel Registration
Alger Heights Halloween 5k
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Grand Rapids
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Grand Rapids 5K Races 53 races
- 10K Run Events in Grand Rapids 13 races
- Grand Rapids Half Marathons 7 races
- Marathons in Grand Rapids 5 races
- Grand Rapids Running Calendar 2026 78 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 84 Grand Rapids events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.