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14 running, walking, and fun run events in Kalamazoo, Michigan

From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running, walking, and fun run events and connect with the local endurance sports community.

  • Run Kalamazoo Run Camp [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Dec 06, 2025 at 7:30 AM

    Description

    Run Kalamazoo Run Camp is excited for the 2025/2026 season!

    Starts: Saturday, December 6, 2025

    Programs:

    • Full Marathon Training
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to...

    Run Kalamazoo Run Camp is excited for the 2025/2026 season!

    Starts: Saturday, December 6, 2025

    Programs:

    • Full Marathon Training
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to complete a full marathon be it their first or 15th marathon! Whatever your pace, we've got you covered. We even have walk/run groups who train for the full marathon!
    • Half Marathon Training
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to complete a half marathon! Whatever your pace, we've got you covered. We even have walk/run groups who train for the half marathon!
    • Get Your Move On Program
    • This training program is designed for individuals who want to keep moving through the winter with friends! This program is designed for walkers, runners, and everyone in between. The goal is to keep your body moving however movement looks for you. The training guide begins at 20 minutes of movement and builds from there. Participants who are starting new in this program will be prepared to walk or run a 10K comfortably by the end of training.

    13-week Camp:

    Starts: Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Originally the 24th but moved back a week due to cold temps)

    Programs:

    • Half Marathon Training:
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to complete a half marathon! Whatever your pace, we've got you covered. We even have walk/run groups who train for the half marathon!
    • 10K Training:
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to complete a 10K! Whatever your pace, we've got you covered. We even have walk/run groups who train for the 10K!
    • 5K Training
    • This training program is designed for individuals hoping to complete a 5K! Whatever your pace, we've got you covered. We even have walk/run groups who train for the 5K!
    • Get Your Walk On Program:
    • This training program is designed for individuals who would like to walk to build health in community.

    • Participants who are starting new in this program will be prepared to walk a 5K comfortably by the end of training.

    • Participants may include those who...

    o ...aren't ready to run distances but want to see what it's about.

    o ...choose not to run.

    o ...are unable to run.

    o ...or have a reason all their own - whoever you are and whatever you choose, we are here to walk with you!

    Add-On Options

    First and foremost, we are dedicated to creating a space for beginners and veterans alike to move and connect to your teammates. Our training programs are made for those who are just starting out or who are just starting over. Wherever you find yourself, the programs will get you to your finish line. That said, we are also dedicated to meeting our participants where they are at. That's why we are adding the following option listed below to add to your program.

    • Individualized Plan $15
    • Have a goal time in mind? Want to compete in your event and need a plan that will get you there? We can modify the training plans to fit your goals and needs.

    • Complete a survey about your goals and current fitness level.

    • Receive a PDF of a customized training plan based on your survey and unique goals!

    • Don't know how to gauge your fitness? We will host an optional mile time trial for you to get your time.

    • Do not sign up for this plan if you are simply starting another event weekend...keep on reading the note below!

    Please note: we build our training plans to lead up to our hometown event, The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon, Half, 10K run, 5K run, and 5K walk. If you plan to participate in another spring event, let us know. We have pre-modified plans that lead up to each weekend starting the weekend of April 26th through May 31st without sacrificing most of your weekend group runs with your Run Camp team. These plans are also for beginners.

    Run Walk

    Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • KAR Running Mechanics Workshop [runsignup.com]

    Tue, Jan 06, 2026 at 6:00 PM

    Description

    Good running mechanics are the secret to staying injury free and running faster. Great running mechanics is why Jane Hedengren and Grant Fisher are faster than the rest of the world and stay injury...

    Good running mechanics are the secret to staying injury free and running faster. Great running mechanics is why Jane Hedengren and Grant Fisher are faster than the rest of the world and stay injury free. During the KAR Running Workshop we will conduct a functional movement evaluation to identify problematic running mechanics, create individualized reports of mechanical problems, teach curative mobility and strength exercises, and teach how to turn good mechanics into faster running and reduced soreness.

    Features Of Workshop

    1. Functional movement evaluation of each runner by True-2-Form (Dr. Jon Deming)

    2. Mobility, strength, and skill exercises led by Coach Mike Straubel

    3. Healthy running and training education sessions led by True-2-Form (Dr. Deming)

    4. Education and training on how to improve running efficiency and speed (elastic recoil) led by Coach Straubel

    5. Skill and critique sessions (at WMU indoor track) led by Coach Straubel

    Benefits of Workshop

    1. Injury Prevention

    Running injuries occur when important muscles grow weak or stop working, when key joints lose their range of motion, when soft tissue (muscles and tendons) lose their flexibility, and when poor running form increases the stress of running. A functional movement evaluation will identify those problems and mobility, strength, and skill exercises will help fix the problems.

    1. Run More Comfortably and Recover Quicker

    With each stride, a runner’s body experiences up to 2 1/2 times body weight forces upon foot plant. Good running mechanics spreads this impact force throughout the body evenly. Poor running mechanics puts greater stress on often weakened body parts (knees, backs) and increases the energy requirements to run.

    1. Run More Efficiently and Faster

    The runner with the longest, quick, stride will win. A 20:00 minute 5k runner who increases their average stride length by just 2 1/2 inches will become a 19:08 runner. Longer, quick, strides come from the production of elastic recoil energy. A runner needs good joint range of motion, hip and torso stability, and good foot function to increase elastic recoil (stride length). Good running mechanics is the key to creating more elastic energy.

    Workshop Leaders

    Dr. Jon Deming

    Founder/Owner of True-2-Form

    Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, CPSS

    Mike Straubel

    Head Cross Country and Distance Coach, Valparaiso University for 35 years

    Coached numerous D1 All Conference Team Members, and All Americans.

    Workshop Weekly Schedule

    January 6

    • Functional movement evaluation at True-2-Form

    January 13

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • Return and explanation of functional movement evaluation

    • Introduction to principles of good running mechanics

    • Introduction to principles of correcting dis-functional mechanics

    • Foundational posture and hip/pelvic control routines

    January 20

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • Principles of hip/glute complex health and related joint range of motion

    • Hip, glute, and joint range of motion exercises

    January 27

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • Discussion of healthy training practices

    • Principles of foot and arch function and strengthening

    • Foot and arch mobility and strength excises

    February 3

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • How to improve elastic recoil and why it is important (the secret of running fast)

    • How to load and strengthen the Achilles and other tendons

    • How to create helpful muscle stiffness

    • Front side v. back side mechanics - when to use front side

    • How to use super shoes

    February 10

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • Discussion on healthy training practices

    • More on improving elastic recoil and check participants' progress

    February 17

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • How torso control and good joint range of motion avoids injuries and saves energy

    • Drills to control your torso and ways to improve joint range of motion

    February 24

    • Warm-up with basic good mechanics drills

    • The big picture: brining it all together with good posture and balance

    • Exercises to integrate good mechanics

    • Skill and running critique sessions held on Thursdays at WMU indoor track, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, January 15 -

    February 26.

    Time and Location

    The workshop will be Tuesday evenings, January 6 through February 24, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Community Education Center (Old Kalamazoo Central building), 714 South Westnedge, room 244, South Gym (enter by outside stairs of the parking lot at the back of the building). The first Tuesday, January 6, we will meet at True-2-Form, 12849 US-131, Schoolcraft, MI, for the functional movement evaluations.

    Why

    When coaching, I was always looking for ways to keep my runners healthy and to give them the form (mechanics) of the fast people we ran against. It was always true that the fastest people had the best mechanics (they also stayed healthy and thereby got consistent training). I was able to find movement and strength exercises that helped them, but it was always hard to precisely identify which mechanical problems they had and which drills would work best for each of them. We did the exercises prophylactically.

    This program, with True-2-Forms expertise at diagnosing mechanical problems, is just what I was looking for. It is what would have helped my team and what will help every runner. This workshop will help all kinds of runners: aging runners fighting time, young runners looking to perfect good form, and runners looking to fix chronic problems and enjoy running more.

    Registration Limited

    Because of space limitations, registration is limited to 30.

    Run

    Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • KDP Chocolate Milk Mile [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM

    Description

    Welcome to the 2026 KDP Chocolate Milk Mile! This is our third year running. All ages are welcome to participate!

    How does it work? Every competitor must finish 16 ounces of chocolate milk before...

    Welcome to the 2026 KDP Chocolate Milk Mile! This is our third year running. All ages are welcome to participate!

    How does it work? Every competitor must finish 16 ounces of chocolate milk before each quarter mile for a total of 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk and 1 mile of running. Chocolate milk will be provided for each competitor!

    (If you need an alternative option such as lactose free milk, you must bring it yourself. If you intend to bring your own milk, please send an email to gavinsehy0@gmail.com so we can buy the correct amount of milk Please only bring your own milk if you really need to. We want everyone to be on an even playing field, thanks!)

    When: Saturday March 28th. Check in will begin at 4:45 PM and the race will start right at 5:00 PM with a 5:25 PM cut off time.

    Where: The 2026 Chocolate Milk Mile will be held at Hackett Catholic Prep Highschool - 1000 W Kilgore Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

    Registration and fees:

    Early Registration will run from February 1st - March 26th and is $3.

    Late Registration will be from March 27th - March 28th before 12PM and will be $6. Walk up registrations are not allowed.

    (If price is at all an issue but you'd still like to participate email masondorrick@gmail.com )

    Kalamazoo Distance Project is a registered non-profit. We've set the registration price as low as possible to cover only track rental and milk purchases for the estimated number of participants. Any funds beyond hosting costs will be given back to the youth running community in Southwest Michigan!

    1 Miles Run Walk

    1000 W, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49008, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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