Event Description
We are really excited!! We have brought back the great event from last year and have made it even better!! We have added an additional distance to chose from: an 8K!! ...and of course, Oktoberfest wouldn't be complete without some bier!
Enjoy one of two race distances around Riverside Park. The routes will be a closed course on the beautiful paths.
Participants will receive a tech shirt, finishers medal free entry into the festival, and a free bier or wine!
You can't miss out on this great event!
Wait!!! There's more!
We have a special Okoberfest challenge! Register for this challenge which includes the Grand Rapids 5K on September 26 as well as the Lansing Oktoberfest 5K on September 12, and earn a special medal. That's 3 medals!! This is a limited entry opportunity - so don't miss out!
Events
OktoberfestGR Bier Stein 5K
Increases to $35 after the first 100 people register. (100 spots left) Price increases after July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT
OktoberfestGR Bier Stein 8K
Important Information
Packet Pick Up
There will be two times which you can pick up your race packet:
Friday is the BEST time.
6-8 PM
Location: Riverside Park, 3061 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
We will be inside the Oktoberfest Event
Come for your packet - stay for the fun!
Saturday
8:30-10:30 AM
Location: Riverside Park, 3061 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
We will be inside the Oktoberfest Event
PLEASE NOTE: packet pick up will end promptly at 10:30. There will be no late pick ups due to the schedule of events.
Make sure you are early enough to get your packet!
Finisher Medals
We are teaming up with Maxwell Medals to have the most festive finisher medal!!
How does a whopping 3" medal sound to you? We will make the big announcement once our finisher medals are designed. You're going to love them!
Race Shirt
The race shirt is just what you wanted! It’s a tech shirt - so comfy you'll want to wear it all the time! So soft!
Our friends at Flat Out Graphics are working at doing another amazing job.
We will make the announcement when the design is done!
Age Groups and Awards
Age Groups:
0-16
17-26
27-36
37-46
47-56
57-66
67-76
77+
Top 5 finishers will receive a prize.
Overall male and female will receive a trophy. (These two amazing speedsters will be their own category and not a part of the age group awards.)
5K Course
5K participants will be running around beautiful Riverside Park!
The race route will follow along side the beautiful Grand River before crossing through the middle of the park. The route will then pass the Michigan Veterans Home before heading through the woods and back to the river! We will be starting and finishing right at the Octoberfest GR venue!
Please note there is a change to the start. We will start next to the pavillion/parking lot rather than behind it.
8K Course
8K participants will follow most of the 5K course. They will loop around before heading along the river. The course then goes past the turn for a quick out and back on a very wide path before joining the path through the middle of the park. From this point, both 8K and 5K participants will follow the path along the front of the park, past the Veteran's Retirement Home before going through a beautiful wooded area, complete with a bridge over a creek. Then it's on to the finish!
Charity Partner
We are always willing to give back to the community. A portion of every participant's registration will go directly to our charity partner, Homes Giving Hope.
If you are interested in donating directly, please visit https://homesgivinghope.org/
Timed Race
We will have the one and only Michigan Running Foundation time our race. They provide accurate and on time results. They have won many awards and are always striving to provide a top notch experience. It is an honor to have this foundation a part of our race.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Riverside Park
3061 Monroe Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 US
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