5 walking events in Walker, Michigan

What’s YOUR passion? Here's your invitation to follow Shelley and countless others across West Michigan.

Join us on the morning of April 25th at Millennium Park for three community-powered events: a 5K Fun Run, a 2-Mile Walk, or a 1-Mile Dog and Kid Run. It's a day built around movement, connection, and supporting WGVU Public Media's mission.

A Message from Shelley:

"My passion is movement and setting goals that keep me energized in every part of my life. After 25 years on the air at WGVU, I've been running toward community, connection, and great storytelling every day. Now I get to run with YOU. Join me, sponsor, show up, hydrate, celebrate. Just say YES!"

Your support directly strengthens West Michigan by helping WGVU deliver:

• Trusted local journalism that keeps our community informed

• Educational programming that helps kids learn and grow

• Cultural content that celebrates the people and stories of our region

• Commercial-free programming accessible to everyone

When you support WGVU, you're investing in lifelong learning, public-service reporting, arts and culture, and the shared civic well-being of West Michigan.

And yes, there are perks.

Every participant receives a limited edition WGVU baseball cap, plus access to pre- and post-race refreshments, including a Bloody Mary bar and a charcuterie table that would make any West Michigan foodie proud.

Event Details:

• 5K Fun Run (non-timed) at 10:00 AM

• 2-Mile Walk at 10:05 AM

• 1-Mile Dog Walk/Kids Run

• Date: April 25th, 2026

• Location: Millennium Park

• Benefiting: WGVU Public Media

• Strollers welcome

Whether you run, walk, skip, stroll, or let your dog set the pace, you'll be part of something bigger. 100% of proceeds support WGVU Public Media, fueling children's education, community storytelling, and the programming West Michigan relies on.

And since Shelley is marking 25 years at WGVU, she's not just hosting the Fun Run, she's basically lapping the quarter-century mark of connecting communities through radio. Come celebrate the milestone with us.

Schedule:

• 10k Run @6pm

• 5K Run/Walk @6:30pm

• Half Mile Walk/Roll @7pm

• Awards @7:30pm

• Music/Drinks/Snacks until 9:30 pm!

Join us for the Lung Legacy Run and Walk powered by Reel Free—a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 0.5-mile walk with a heartfelt mission. This event is a tribute to the memory of the co-founders’ beloved grandfather, who battled pulmonary fibrosis.

The Lung Legacy Run is more than just a race; it's a call to action. It's a reminder of the importance of healthy lungs and clean air. It's a chance to honor those who have suffered from lung conditions and to support those currently fighting these hardships.

Through their startup company, which was awarded Student Startup of the YEAR 2024 by Michigan State University, the co-founders are working to increase the happiness and safety of people on supplemental oxygen, a cause close to their hearts. By participating in the Lung Legacy Run, you'll be joining a community united in the belief that everyone deserves to breathe clean air and enjoy healthy lungs. Together, we can raise awareness, support each other, and make a difference.

**Packet Pick-up: Wednesday, June 3rd, 4:30 pm-6:20 pm in the Grant Pavilion (Starting line of Race)

1400 Maynard Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

Can't make it? Complete the Virtual 5K or 10K on your course by June 3rd!

Please join us on Sunday, June 7th, at the beautiful Millennium Park for the second annual Ele's Place - West Michigan Healing Hearts 5k!

Let's "Run for Kid's Grief Relief" while raising funds and awareness for grieving children, teens and their families in Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan area. Ele's Place is a healing center for grieving children and teens. We provide grief support groups for kids ages 3-18, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or anyone significant in their life. All services are free of charge for as long as a family needs them. This is why we need YOU!

We invite families, corporate partners and the community to participate in this outdoor, family-friendly, "fun" run/walk event to raise funds for grieving kiddos, with the option to honor, celebrate and remember someone special in your life who has died. This event is an opportunity to put “one foot in front of the other” to support our peer-to-peer grief programs and ensure they remain FREE OF CHARGE to all who are in need of our services today, tomorrow and always. Let's come together to make sure that No Child Grieves Alone.

Grab your sneakers and meet us at Millennium Park!

Event Schedule:

9:30 AM: Event begins! Race Registration & Kid Zone activities open. (Face painting, yard games & more!)

10:45 AM: Event Welcome & Mission Moment Speaker

10:50 AM: Kid’s Dash

11:00 AM: 5k Run/Walk Starts!

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Kid Zone remains open, post-run/walk snacks and drinks available until 12:30 PM.

Come WALK or RUN with us to show your support for AQUME Foundation! This 5k event raises money for the OUR Justice Grant Fund. PLUS, this is an excellent opportunity to intentionally bring communities of color and allies together in beautiful green spaces to experience the wealth of health benefits that come from outdoor community gatherings. This is a family friendly event (Youth registration is only $15!) with music, food, giveaways, fun, and more! (Don't want to walk or run? Make a donation instead!)

$35 for Adults, $15 for Youth

Same Day registration $55 for adults, $25 for Youth

REMEMBER: ENTER AT THE MEADOWS ENTRANCE FOR GRANT PAVILION- NOT THE BEACH ENTRANCE.

Watch the FUN we had last year!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQUkDdMPji4&t=7s

5K ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/2937076358095586104