the overGRound marathon/relay

The overGRound is a free, unsanctioned marathon and marathon relay through the city of Grand Rapids whose route showcases the variety of GR’s 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 clubs—to 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 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, let’s 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 "y’all do y’all" 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 available—we will email you when it’s ready!
• The Facebook event is HERE 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).