7 events in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Join us for the spring session of the 2026 Fast Track 5k and 10K Training Program (Kalamazoo) presented by Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR). The Fast Track program offers two levels of workouts designed to meet your goals whether beginner or experienced runner. Led by trained KAR coaches, the program targets the Kalamazoo Klassic and includes training schedules, individual guidance, clinics and structured Wednesday track workouts in a fun and supportive environment. The Wednesday track sessions are conducted 6:00 to 7:30 pm at WMU Kanley Track and programs run 9 weeks from April 14 to June 9.

Program Levels:

• Fast Track II (Introduction to Speedwork 5k & 10k Program) – Geared towards transitioning a runner who has some 5k and/or 10k running experience, but is new to track workouts and is looking for a lower mileage program (under 20 miles/week).

• Fast Track III (Competitive Speedwork 5k & 10k Program) – Geared towards competitive runners with 5k and/or 10k racing and track workout experience who are seeking optimal performance and/or a higher mileage (20 + miles week).

The program is $35 to members of KAR and registration will remain open through May 15 or until the 50 participant cap is attained, whichever is sooner. Participants may join (new members) or renew (existing members) their KAR membership upon registration. (Membership is $20/student; $25/individual and $35/household per year.

FAST TRACK TRAINING PLAN

5K & 10K Training

Objective

The overall objective of Fast Track is to make you a fundamentally faster runner. That starts with organizing training groups. Training partners make it easier and more enjoyable to run fast. Once we have training groups put together, we will work on several of the secrets of running faster: springy muscles and quicker muscle contraction. Along the way we will improve things like lactic threshold, anaerobic capacity, lactic buffering, and aerobic capacity, all of which is intended to not only make you a faster runner but give you the confidence to run faster.

Overview

The Wednesday track workouts will cycle through three separate sub-target-race distance paces and one target race distance pace workouts. In the cycle, one day’s workout will be intervals at mile race pace, one day at 3k race pace, one day at 800 race pace, and one day at 5k or 10k pace. The pace for the intervals will be based on your current VO2Max ability (or goal race pace). The second time through the cycle, the pace will be dropped to match the improvement in your fitness.

Session Organization

Practices will start with an explanation of the workouts and its goals. Then, to prepare for running fast, we will do a warm-up run followed by warm-up drills. After the warm-up we will break into pace groups. The pace groups will be organized according to VO2Max paces. After the workout we will always do a cool-down run and some stretching (if time). The number of intervals will always be given in a range, the Fast Track II runners (those runner fewer miles per week) can do the shorter end of the range, and the Fast Track III runners can do the high end of the range.

Tentative Workout Schedule

Wednesday

April 15 800 pace

2-3 x (3 x 150)

April 22 3000 pace

2-3 x (3 x 400)

April 29 1 Mile pace

2 x (4 x 300)

May 6 5k or 10k pace

5k – 3-5 x 600

10k – 4-8 x 800

May 13 800 pace

2-3 x (3 x 200)

May 20 3000 pace

2-3 x (3 x 500)

May 27 Mile pace

(6 x 400) (2 x 400)

June 3 5k or 10k pace

5k – 4-6 x 800

10k – 5-8 x 1000

June 10 Peak week

5k 2 x 800

10k 2-3 x 1000

THE CPT DREW RUSSELL Warrior RUN IS GOING TO HAVE A "LIVE" AND VIRTUAL RACE FOR 2026

About This Event: This 5K Run/Walk is in memory of Captain Drew Russell, a WMU ROTC alumni. He was Killed-In-Action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on October 8, 2011. As an active member within his community of Scotts, Michigan and a 2004 graduate of Vicksburg High School, he is remembered as a stand-up man who was always looking out for his friends and family with a great sense of humor. After earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant in Armor through Western Michigan University’s ROTC Program, he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado to carry out his time as an active duty Armor officer. Captain Russell was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his actions in battle. He was survived by his mother, Patti, his father, Jim and his brother, James. In Captain Russell’s remembrance, an endowed scholarship was established for Western Michigan University students by his classmates. This event raises money for that scholarship to be awarded to a Cadet in the

program.

Event Location:

• Live Race - April 18, 2026. 2000 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

• Virtual Race - Anywhere between April 18, 2026 to April 25, 2026.

Event and Schedule:

• Packet Pickup and “Same Day” Registration will begin at 7:30am. All participants will report to the check in table to receive their t-shirt.

• Race Begins at 8:30 am with the National Anthem and Boomer Start Gun

• Awards will be given to those who have placed after they finish.

Registration Fees:

• Early Bird Registration Pricing - $20.00 until Feb 23rd (11:59 pm)

• Regular Registration Pricing - $25.00 from Feb 24th to April 17th (11:59 pm)

• To Be Guaranteed a T-Shirt, participants must register before March 10th (11:59 pm)

Tee Shirts:

• To Be Guaranteed a T-Shirt, participants must register before March 10th (11:59 pm). Extra shirts will be ordered and available on a “First Come – First Serve” Basis.

• For in-person race participants T-shirts will be picked up on race day at the registration table

• For virtual participants, the T-shirt will be mailed out to you.

Awards:

• Winners in each category will be awarded a medal! Only in-person participants will be eligible for a medal.

• Categories:

• Top Runner Below 25 years old (Male and Female)

• Top Runner between 26 and 40 years old (Male and Female)

• Top Runner above 41 years old (Male and Female)

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can my Dog Participate in the race with me?

• Yes! Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash and you clean up after them!

• Can I push a stroller during this race?

• Yes!

For any questions, please contact:

Matt Alexander

Work phone: (269) 387-8125

Email: [email protected]

We're excited to drive a healthy community at the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon and events weekend with YOU! Mark your calendars for the weekend of April 25 and 26, 2026!

The 2026 Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon will return to Kalamazoo's iconic Bronson Park! All routes are USATF certified with the full and half marathon routes also certified as Boston Marathon qualifiers!

Be sure to check out the FAQs for all official procedures and policies regarding animals, age limits, and more.

PNC Kids' 1K - The PNC Kids' 1K will be held downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 9am Packet Pick-up; 10am 1K start.

PNC Kids' 1K (Only) Early Packet Pick-Up Thursday, April 23, 2026

Time: 4:00-7:00 PM Location: Gazelle Sports Downtown Kalamazoo

Zeigler Kalamazoo Full Marathon; Marathon Relay; Half Marathon; Half Marathon Relay; 10K Run; and 5K Run/Walk!

Packet Pick-Up - Date: April 25; Time: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM; Location: Bronson Park Downtown Kalamazoo (Expo closes at 4 PM, however, the Gazelle Sports tent will remain open for last minute purchases).

Saturday Pre-Race Celebration Events - Stay tuned for a full line up of fun for all on Saturday in Bronson Park! Date: Saturday, April 25; Time: 9:00 AM - TBD; Location: Bronson Park Downtown Kalamazoo

Day-Of Packet Pick-up All Events - Date: Sunday, April 26; Time: 6:00 AM - start time of your event; Location: Bronson Park Downtown Kalamazoo

All Events - Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026

Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon and Marathon Relay Start: 7:00 AM

Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay Start: 8:05 AM

10K Run Start: 8:30 AM

5K Run/Walk Start: 8:40 AM

Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon Virtual Events

• The virtual events are a great option for ZKZM fans who cannot join us on April 26 for whatever reason! Also, great option to utilize as a fundraiser for your favorite charity!

• Registration for the virtual events includes a bib, tech shirt, finishers medal, and shipping of those items to you.

• Virtual participants can complete their event anytime between April 12, 2026 and May 10, 2026. Please note registration closes on April 26.

• Virtual participants must manually enter their results into the RunSignUp system anytime between April 12, 2026 and May 10, 2026 to have their results listed online.

• Virtual packets will be mailed out no later than the week of May 4, 2026.

In-person participants - We advise that you arrive early to your events or attend the packet pick-up the day before your event to ensure ample time to get to the start line.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon at [email protected]

“We only have two choices: do nothing, or do something.”

– Tony Kirwan, Destiny Rescue Founder & International CEO

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. According to the most recent International Labour Organization (ILO) study, there are an estimated 49.6 million people currently living in modern slavery around the world, and 5.1 million people are in modern slavery on any given day in the United States (ILO 2022).

We are ready to do something. Stop the Traffick! is race festival that in partnership with Destiny Rescue is seeking to raise funds to rescue children from human trafficking. In this, the second annual event, we will begin the morning with a one mile fun run followed by a 5K race, both at Kalamazoo Christian Elementary (note that this course will be off-road and will use the cross-country course), followed by awards.

International Labour Organization. (2022, September). Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_norm/—ipec/documents/publication/wcms_854733.pdf

Race Date and Location - Saturday June 6, 2026 at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School

The one mile fun run and the 5k race both take place on a cross country course that includes trails and are timed. What makes the one mile run fun? Costumes! Don your favorite costume and have fun!

Event Schedule:

• Friday Packet Pickup - June 5th, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School

• Saturday Packet Pickup - June 6th, 6:30 am to 7:30 am at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School

• Saturday One Mile Fun Run - 8:00 am

• Saturday 5K Race Time - 8:30 am

Parking – Limited parking at school. Primary parking is at 12th Street Baptist Church across the street.

Event Fees:

• 5k Race - $30.00

• One Mile Fun Run - $20.00

• 5k Race and One Mile Fun Run - $30.00

• No registrations after Thursday June 5 at 8pm

Tee Shirts - T-Shirts are guaranteed to participants who register by May 6th. T-shirts for registrations after May 6th will be available on a "First Come First Serve" basis.

Awards:

• 1 Mile Fun Run - All participants will receive a token of participation!

• 5K Awards - Overall Male and Female, 1st and 2nd Place Division winners age brackets of 14 and Under,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-99

Race Maps

About This Event:

The Kalamazoo Klassic is a community walk/run event to promote and benefit local nonprofit MRC Industries. At least 85% of the net proceeds of the Kalamazoo Klassic benefit MRC Industries, Inc. in its mission to encourage and support individuals living with a disability to achieve their fullest potential through employment, workforce development, and active community involvement. The remaining proceeds benefit Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) in its mission to promote a healthy lifestyle through the sport of running while enhancing the quality of life in the community.

The 2026 Kalamazoo Klassic 10k Run and 5k Walk/Run, presented in partnership by MRC Industries, Inc. and the Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR), is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th. We are excited about celebrating our 48th year and we are pleased to announce the 5k Run has been selected as the RRCA State Championship. The 10k Run starts at 7:30am and the 5k Walk/Run starts at 9:00am at the top of Maple Street Hill in Kalamazoo.

Event Times and Information:

• Friday packet pickup from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Maple Street Magnet School Parking Lot - 922 W. Maple St.)

• Race Day Saturday packet pickup starting at 6:30 am (Maple Street Magnet School Lower Field)

Tee Shirt Information:

• Tee Shirt size and availability will be guaranteed until Sunday, June 7th. After June 7th shirt sizing it is subject to available inventory.