Half Marathon (13.35 miles with certified half marathon split)
10K (Uses one loop of the course)
Grand Rapids, MI US 49534
Welcome!
For 2021, Millennium Meadows Marathon is planning a LIVE Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k. All three events will take place Sunday August 29th.
The 4th Annual Millennium Meadows Marathon events occur at Secchia Meadows in Millennium Park, one of the many Kent County Parks and what we think is the most scenic and beautiful. You will run on a wide and paved path that crosses a footbridge, winds along the Grand River and cuts through meadows. Most of the course is heavily shaded.
A quick note about Covid before we get started…
The 2020 Millennium Meadows Marathon was one of the first races able to take place, as a live event. We anticipate using the same planning as last year, and hope our community sees some of these needs relax, as we get into the coming months. Our priority is our running community’s health and wellness, and we will adjust as needed to keep you safe.
Actions we plan to take:
· Masks will be required while around others, before crossing the start and after the finish.
· Staged starting waves and rolling start. All events will start separately.
· No more than 150 participants per event.
· No spectators within the pavilion space.
With the guidance of local medical professionals and the health department, our events meet the criteria to proceed under the Michigan Safe Start Plan and guidelines. However, please note that given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 restrictions this can change at any time and we will adequately adjust. Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates.
Events
Full Marathon 6 loops for 26.2 miles
Half Marathon 3 loops for 13.35 Half Marathon (with a 13.1 split mat!)
10k Distance 1 loop
Aid Stations
There will be two aid stations located on each loop, stocked with water and Gatorade. Water and Gatorade tables will be well spread out and volunteers will place cups onto the tables. All volunteers will be required to masks and gloves when handling cups. There will be no food provided under current safety protocols.
Starting times
Full Marathon 6:00am See Wave Starting times
· Wave 1 – 6:00am Early start and anyone planning to take more than 6 hours (headlamp suggested)
· Wave 2 – 6:30am for runners expecting to finish UNDER 4 hours.
· Wave 3 – 6:40am for runners expecting to finish OVER 4 hours.
Full Marathoners not comfortable starting in a Wave, can utilize a rolling start and cross at any time between 6:00 – 6:45am. All FULL Marathon runners must cross the start line by 6:45am
Half Marathon 7:00am See Wave Starting times
· Wave 4 – 7:00am for runners Expecting to finish UNDER 1 and a half hours.
· Wave 5 – 7:15am for runners Expecting to finish OVER 1 and a half hours.
Half Marathon Runners who do not feel comfortable in the staging area may start after the main field, any time before the Half Marathon start line closes at 7:30
10k (1 Modified loop) 8:00am See Wave Starting times
· Wave 6 – 8:00am – No time specifications
· Wave 7 – 8:05am – No time specifications
Runners who do not feel comfortable in a staging area may start after the main field any time before the 6-mile start line closes at 8:15
Post-Race Village
After completing your event, Post-Race Village will be open to come and come and pick up a prepackaged snack and beverage. Masks must be worn in this area and we ask that people not congregate in this area. Millennium Meadows is blessed with tons of grassy space to spread out, recover and cheer on incoming runners
Packet Pickup
You will have an opportunity to pick up your bib and swag, both the day before the race, at a location to be later announced, as well as race morning, starting at 5:15am
We can’t thank you enough for your participation and look forward to seeing you at the starting line for a fun race day!
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The course for the marathon is the same as the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon - Grand Rapids. The half marathon uses the same course, but only 3 loops instead of 6 with a shorter leg to the finish line for a total of 13.35 miles (with a 13.1 official half marathon split mat). The 6 mile uses the marathon course but with only one loop. It's about a mile from the start to the loop, and about a mile from the loop back to the finish. FOR THE MARATHON ONLY--A 6:00AM EARLY START IS RECOMMENDED FOR RUNNERS WHO WILL TAKE MORE THAN 6 HOURS!
The loop is 4.05 miles long. Mostly flat. The section between 2.5 and 3.5 (on the first time around) rolls gradually uphill but there are no major hills.
Aid stations at the beginning of the loop (about the 1 mile mark) and in the middle (just past the 3 mile mark) with Gatorade, Water, and maybe a little extra nutrition as well. We're likely to have some GU packets available, but plan to carry your own stuff as well.
MARATHON ONLY--6AM START AVAILABLE FOR "VELOCITY CHALLENGED" RUNNERS. IF YOU PLAN TO WIN AN AWARD OR QUALIFY FOR BOSTON, YOU NEED TO START AT THE NORMAL START TIME AT 7AM
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The half marathon race is 13.35 miles long. There's a certified split at the half marathon mark which will appear with your results, but the finish line is the same as the marathon finish line.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
NOTE--FOR 2021 WE ARE CHANGING TO A 10K COURSE. MAP TO BE POSTED SOON.
Six Mile Course (Note--the 6 mile finish line is adjusted to be at the same place as the marathon finish line, so the course is about 58 feet longer by the time you get to the finish line.)
Age Limits? No. You or your parents determine if you're old enough.
Packet Pickup--On race day in the pavillion at the race site at 5:30 a.m. SATURDAY from 1pm-4pm at the Secchia Meadows All-season parking lot. (It's the lot out beside Maynard before driving all the way into the pavillion Look for the U-Haul truck) LATE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY. USE YOUR SMART-PHONE FROM YOUR CAR TO REGISTER. SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION LIMITS
Early Start for MARATHON at 6:00 a.m. General marathon start is at 6:30.
Finisher medals for all events. Gender specific T-shirts for all events. Age Group Awards for all age groups and places.
Timing All timing and placing will be chip time. If you have ego involved about crossing the finish line first, then start near the front and pass the person in front of you.
YES, this is a Boston qualifying course.
Time Limits? Keep moving and act like you're trying to finish in a reasonable time. We won't have any problems. Stop for a picnic and we'll probably go home without you.
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. You can defer your entry to next year, or transfer to another person. Go look up your entry and click on the "MORE DETAILS" link. Then select Defer or Transfer to another runner.
Anyone signing up for the event after 8/25/2020 shirts will be available on race day after the event. If you don't get one at the event, we will get you one!
Race Participant Survey
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
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