Fifth Third River Bank Run Preview
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Great races don't rest on their laurels; they continuously find ways to improve.   The Fifth Third River Bank Run has been the best of its class race organization since day one.

This Saturday at 8 a.m., 11,000 runners from 40 states, Canada, Kenya, Mexico, Russia and South Africa will compete. River Bank Run is the largest 25km race in the country. Another 2,500 will be supporting the race as volunteers while more than 26,000 spectators line the course which races out and back along the Grand River.

The will be the 29th time the River Run has started and finished in downtown Grand Rapids. A 5km run and community walk is part of the mix.   Since January, monthly podcasts have been available to get race information. 10-15 minute audio recordings feature training tips from 7 time winner, Greg Meyer. It has sports medicine news and fast facts to improve runner's race weekend experience.   Podcasts can be downloaded free from www.53riverbankrun.com to any MP3 player or IPod.

This Friday, Devos Place will again host the Sport and Fitness Expo and fashion show which focuses on the latest trends in running gear. The venue also holds thousand of runners during the pasta dinner from 4:30 to 8 pm.

Organizers continue to promote school spirit competition. Local high school cheer squads and bands entertain runners on the course in exchange for donations to their schools. Every year, these groups, as well as the fluid stations, lift runner's heads by creating costumed themes along the way.   The spirit challenge is judged on enthusiasm, noise level, appearance and creativity.

The Fifth Third River Bank Run has consistently drawn some of the country's best athletes. It has been the site of the 25km USA Championships for men and women since 1995. The women's American record was set here, as was the men's world records for running and wheeling 25km.

Almost $80,000 in prize money is spread out between open, masters, wheelchair and American only championship divisions.

This year, officials received approval to change the last miles of the course. By incorporating Lake Michigan Drive, runners will have fewer turns and less narrow roads after exiting John Ball Park.   A new 5km course will showcase the Gerald R Ford Museum and the Sixth Street Bridge.

Adjacent to the finish line in Calder Plaza, Michelob Ultra will again host the post race party village during and after the race.   Runners will be eat, drink, vie for giveaways while watching live shots of the finish line from TV monitors as the band Hip Pocket performs.

Kent County Girls on the Run has been named the official charity for the second consecutive year. More than $10,000 was raised in 2005; helping 275 girls from seven local schools complete the self-esteem enhancing activities program.

Runners heading back toward Detroit after the race may want to stop in East Lansing and watch an exciting track and field meet. Michigan State will host the Big Ten Championships over the weekend. Most of the finals will take place on Sunday but some great heats will be running all day on Saturday at the MSU track in the middle of the Spartan's campus.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226