2 events in Walker, Michigan
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find marathon events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Walker
2 events in Walker-
Fri, Feb 06, 2026 at 6:30 PMSee full details
We’ve all heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the little furry guy in Pennsylvania who comes out, sees his shadow, and declares six more weeks of winter. Then there’s Augustus T. Groundhog, better known as Grand Rapids Gus. He’s Phil’s much more interesting cousin. Unlike Phil, who it seems can only see shadows, Gus has much better eyesight and can look at a calendar on February 2 and know that spring doesn’t start for six weeks. Gus suggested that instead of lamenting over six more weeks of winter, we should EMBRACE the cold and snow and do something fun. And so, the Groundhog Day Marathon was born.
The modified course for 2024 was pretty popular. We've certified the new course, so we'll be starting behind the pavilion this year again. Looking forward to seeing you in 2026!
EARLY START--If you're planning to be running more than about 6 hours, please start at the 7:00 am early start. The normal start is at 8:00 am
The Basics
It’s a winter running event, outside Grand Rapids Michigan. YES! THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LOTS OF SNOW ON THE COURSE.
The Friday and Saturday beginning of February. In 2026, it's February 6-7.
It’s more fun than you should have with your clothes on. (And we DEFINITELY suggest you keep your clothes on!)
Our Events
Friday - Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1/6 MARATHON! Hey, we’re going to be set up anyway, no sense in just long-distance people having all the fun. Two loops of the course. 6:30 p.m. Friday. 300 Runner limit.
Saturday - Marathon: Like the movie, you’ll feel like you’re repeating the same day over and over. A beautiful, snowy (we hope), approximately 2.2 mile course. Splits every 1/12th of a marathon. 8:00 a.m. Saturday. 500 Runner limit combined for full and half marathons
Saturday - Half Marathon: For those of you who couldn’t stay awake through the whole movie. Only six times around.
Course
Ever see the movie? The course will give you the opportunity to relive the same day several times. A total of 12 loops of approximately 2.18 miles on a CERTIFIED course (Yes! You can qualify for Boston!) will have you feeling just a little case of deja vu. Aid stations at 1 mile plus the finish line area. Don’t plan on the course being free of snow. It’s paved, which means no underlying rocks and roots, but that’s about all we’re promising.
Swag - Every participant will get an awesome hoodie, finisher medal. Whole and Half-Hog get a stocking cap as well.
Training Partner - And our Official Training Program for Groundhog
RunGR is our largest local running club and has multiple coaches, who provide training programs for all of our races. With a club of more than 300 runners, the club provides a great opportunity to not only get a coaching plan, but also do your training with a large group of local athletes. RunGR will be offering a training plan, specific to Groundhog distances, as well as a prorated membership, known as their FAST program, so you can try out the club for 20 weeks. https://rungr.com/
For our Official Training Program, CLICK
Hotels & Travel.
Our airport is GRR. Look for hotels HERE
This is a middle of the freakin' winter thing. Weather could suck. (Usually does.) You do know we're in Michigan, right? So register at your own risk. There are no refunds, deferrals until Friday of race weekend, no transfers. If there's a snowstorm of Biblical proportions, we'll have a snow date the next Saturday. If it's still not possible to hold the event, we'll give people registered for this year a 50% credit on next year's event.
You can transfer from one event to another--look yourself up and bring up your record. You'll have to pay the difference between the events. No refunds.
Contacts:
(Note--if you write with a question that's very plainly stated on the page, the email may get a low priority)
Race Director: Don Kern [email protected] 616 293 3145
Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Cornwell, [email protected]
Mailing Address: 1170 Oakburn Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
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Sun, Aug 30, 2026 at 6:00 AMSee full details
Welcome!
For 2026, Millennium Meadows Marathon is proud to be hosting its 9th year! We will feature a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and Marathon RELAY. All four events will take place Sunday, August 30th.
Again this year we are offering a referral program! Once you register you'll see a referral link that you can share via social media or email, with whoever will signup. Once they register using that code, YOU will be refunded $5 per person. It's good for as many times, until your registration is fully refunded! Who doesn't love money back?
Secchia Meadows provides the perfect course for a team relay, with each relay leg being roughly 4 miles. Round up a team and come compete. We'll set up a relay row, where teams can place tents and have a great time.
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.
We are a proud supporter of the Kent County Parks Department and Team World Vision - Grand Rapids. Use our Donate button on the left menu, select which organization and follow the steps.
Events
Full Marathon 6 loops for 26.2 miles YES! THIS IS A BOSTON QUALIFIER (USATF CERTIFIED) COURSE
Marathon Relay 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. There will be no food provided on the course.
Awards
We award the first place winner of both Men's and Women's for each distance. We also award Age Group Winners, for first through third place, Men's and Women's, for each event.
0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (and don't worry, you chronically gifted runners, if there are age brackets above these, we'll take care of you!)
Parking
There's lots of parking. Don't worry.
Starting times
Full Marathon 6:00 am (Special 5am start for the Velocity Challenged for marathon only!)
Half Marathon 7:00 am
Marathon Relay 7:00 am
10K (1 Modified loop) 8:00 am
Post-Race Village
After completing your event, Post-Race Village will be open to come and pick up a prepackaged snack, water, Gatorade, and beverages provided by Archival Brewing. Secchia Meadows is blessed with tons of grassy space to spread out, recover and cheer on incoming runners
Packet Pickup
SATURDAY PACKET PICK UP - At Fulton Street Pub & Grill, 801 W. Fulton Street, from 2 pm - 6 pm.
RACE DAY - In the pavilion at the race site starting at 5:15 a.m. (We'll get you a bib if you're doing the 5am start. Just show up early enough.
LATE REGISTRATION - ONLINE ONLY - We will not have late registration available at the race site however you can register on your phone up till the start of the race.
We can’t thank you enough for your participation and look forward to seeing you at the starting line for a fun race day!